SchoolCenter Picture  Maniac Magee...

Here are the Reading Group assignments for Maniac Magee.
  • Please record the proper heading for the day's assignment before recording the questions.
  • Record every question in your Reading Journal. Choose 3 to answer. Please make sure answers are complete and in proper sentence form.
  • In addition to the 2 vocabulary words listed, you must find 1 other vocabulary word in the day's reading. Then, you must record all 3 words in your Reading Journal, each word's part of speech, and each word's definition (use context clues if you can't find the word in a dictionary).
Day 1
  • "Before the Story"-Ch. 4 (pages 1-15)
  • Prediction Strategy
  • Vocabulary: orphan; recovered
1) What is the myth of Maniac Magee? Describe another myth you've heard.

2) What did Maniac/Jeffrey do at the spring musicale? Why do you think he did this? Have you ever felt like doing something similar? Explain.

3) How does the author describe Maniac/Jeffrey's shoes when he arrived in Two Mills? What form of figurative language is this? In one sentence describe your shoes using the same form of figurative language.

4) Why did Amanda carry her library back and forth to school every day? What would you do if you were Amanda? Why?

Day 2
  • Chs. 5-8 (pages 16-29)
  • Reflection
  • Vocabulary: suffice; emanations
1) Describe Finsterwald in your own words. Do you know anyone like Finsterwald? Why do you think he is the way he is?

2) How does the author describe Arnold Jone's teeth? What form of figurative language is this? Use the same form of figurative language to describe Arnold Jones.

3) How does the author describe McNab after Maniac/Jeffrey hits the second ball? What form of figurative language is this? Use the same form of figurative language to further describe McNab.

4) How did McNab react to Maniac/Jeffrey's batting abilities? What did McNab do? What does this tell you about his character? Explain.

5) How did Maniac/Jeffrey get his nickname (Maniac)? If you were given a nickname by other people, what nickname do you think they would give you? Why?

Day 3
  • Chs. 9-12 (pages 30-44)
  • Illustration & Caption
  • Vocabulary: blemish; jutted
1) What is so special about Hector Street? What do you think of this? Explain.

2) How does the author describe Jeffrey/Maniac's chances in the East End? What form of figurative language is this? Rewrite this sentence/passage using the same form of figurative language.

3) How did Mars Bar Thompson treat Maniac? Why do you think Mars Bar treated Maniac like that? If you were Mars Bar, how would you have treated Maniac? Explain.

4) How did Maniac answer Mars Bar's question, "You think you come down here and be bad? That what you think?" How would you answer that question? Explain.

5) At the end of Chapter 10, the author states that Maniac felt like doing something. What do you think he felt like doing? Why?

6) Who "saved" Maniac from Mars Bar? How do you think this character was able to save Maniac? Explain.

7) What did Mr. Beale do when he learned that Maniac had no home? What would you have done? Why?

Day 4
  • Chs. 13-16 (pages 45-58)
  • Double Entry Journal
  • Vocabulary: crowbar; veering
1) How did Maniac change the Beale household? Why do you think he had such an affect on the Beales? Explain.

2) What is Maniac allergic to? How would you react if you were allergic to the same thing? Why?

3) What form of figurative language does the author use at the beginning of Chapter 14 to describe "before-the-workingpeople time?" Describe this morning using the same form of figurative language.

4) What did Maniac think of the East Enders? What do you think of that? Explain.

5) Why was Maniac afraid of losing his name? What does that tell you about his character? Explain.

Day 5
  • Chs. 17-21 (pages 59-76)
  • Cause/Effect/Far-Reaching Effects Chart
  • Vocabulary: gleaming; propel
1) What name did the old man at the hydrant call Maniac? What do you think of that name? If someone called you that name (or something similar), how would you feel? Why?

2) What did the old man at the hydrant tell Maniac to do? Why do you think he did that? What do you think of that? Explain.

3) What was written on the Beale's house? How do you think that made Maniac feel? How would you feel? Explain.

4) Using Grolier's, look up the Seven Wonders of the World and list them along with a very brief description.

5) To what does the author compare Cobble's Knot? What form of figurative language is that? Describe the knot using the same form of figurative language.

6) In a couple of sentences, predict what will happen in Part II. Be sure to explain why you make your prediction.

Day 6
  • Chs. 22-25 (pages 79-95)
  • Feelings/Emotions Chart
  • Vocabulary: lean-to; robust
1) Where is Maniac now living? What do you think of that? Where would you live if you had to leave your home? Why?

2) Who is Grayson? What does he do for Maniac? Would you do the same if you were Grayson? Why/why not?

3) On page 86 Grayson wonders if, "...the fish he had landed might be the same one he had thrown away long before." What do you think this means? Explain.

4) Why does Maniac not want to go to school? What do you think of this? Explain.

5) What questions did Grayson have for Maniac? What do you think of those questions? What does that tell you about Grayson? Explain.

6) Using Grolier's, look up Invasion at Normandy Beach and write a few sentences describing what that is.

Day 7
  • Chs. 26-31 (pages 96-114)
  • Figurative Language Strategy
  • Vocabulary: repertoire; preposterous
1) What did Maniac do with the money Grayson gave him? What do you think of that? What would you do with the money? Why?

2) What did Grayson's teacher say about Grayson's class? What do you think of that? How did Grayson respond? How would you respond? Explain.

3) What did Maniac paint on the outside of the door of the band shell? Why do you think he painted that? What do you think of Maniac for doing that? Explain.

4) What did Maniac give Grayson for Christmas? What do you think of that gift? What would you give Grayson for Christmas? What would you give Maniac? Why?

5) After reading page 114 predict what will happen in the next reading. Be sure to explain your prediction.

Day 8
  • Chs. 32-34 (pages 115-128)
  • Mood Chart
  • Vocabulary: lavatory; gaped
1) Why do you think Maniac ran away from the funeral? What do you think of this? What would you have done? Why?

2) Why do you think Maniac painted over the "101" on the door to the band shell? Have you ever done anything similar? Explain.

3) What form of figurative language does the author use to describe January? Describe another month of the year using the same form of figurative language.

4) What did Maniac do to get Russell and Piper to go back to Two Mills? Why do you think Maniac worked so hard to get Russell and Piper back to Two Mills? What would you have done? Why?

Day 9
  • Chs. 35-37 (pages 129-142)
  • Write a Journal Entry As Maniac
  • Vocabulary: lambasting; autopsy
1) Why do you think Maniac made up the story about John McNab and the "stopball?" Would you have done the same thing? Why? If not, what would you have done?

2) How does the author use figurative language to describe the house during the football game in the living room? Describe your house using the same form of figurative language.

3) What question did Maniac ask himself as he was lying in bed at the McNab's house? Why do you think he asked himself that question? What do you think is the answer? Explain your answer.

4) Why did Russell and Piper eventually like going to school? What do you think of this? Explain.

Day 10
  • Chs. 38-40 (pages 143-157)
  • Character Development Strategy
  • Vocabulary: extort; goaded
1) What did Maniac call the worms? Why do you think he called them that? What do you think of that "name?" Explain.

2) What dilemma did Maniac think about during his race with Mars Bar? What do you think of that dilemma? What did Maniac decide to do? Why do you think he made this choice? Would you have made the same choice? Why?

3) How did the author use figurative language to describe March and April? Describe this month using the same form of figurative language.

4) What did the McNabs build in their house? What do you think of the McNabs for building this? Explain.

5) Why didn't Maniac leave the McNab's house? What do you think of that? Would you leave? Why?

6) Who do you think Maniac is going to bring to the party? Explain your prediction.

Day 11
  • Chs. 41-44 (pages 158-173)
  • Plot Development Strategy
  • Vocabulary: uneasy; gauntlet
1) Who did Maniac bring to the party? Why? What do you think of that?

2) What did Maniac say was the reason for prejudice? What do you think of that? Do you agree? Why?

3) Who followed Maniac? Why do you think he did that? Explain.

4) After reading page 173 predict what will happen. Be sure to explain your prediction.

Day 12
  • Chs. 45 & 46 (pages 174-184)
  • Author Analysis Strategy
  • Vocabulary: amplified; content
1) Who saved Russell? What do you think of that? What would you have done if you were him? Why?

2) What did Mars Bar do with Russell and Piper? What do you think that says about his character? Explain.

3) Why do you think Maniac refused Mars Bar's invitation? Would you have done the same? Why?

4) Why do you think Maniac gave in to Amanda? What would you have done? Explain.

PowerPoint Presentations

1) Decide among yourselves who will complete each slide. The following story elements MUST be included in your group's presentation:

  • Main Characters
  • Setting (Time & Place)
  • Mood
  • Beginning Plot
  • Middle Plot
  • Ending Plot
  • Theme (Optional)
2) In addition to the above slides, each student MUST create an illustration and caption depicting his/her favorite scene in the book. (You must create an original work of art; Clipart may not be used.)

3) Each student MUST rate the book using a scale of 1 through 4, 1 being the lowest or worst rating and 4 being the highest or best rating.

4) Finally, each presentation MUST have an opening slide with the book cover and the names of the participants and an ending slide. The ending slide may include anything the group desires.

PLEASE PRACTICE YOUR PRESENTATIONS PRIOR TO GIVING THEM IN FRONT OF THE CLASS. ALSO, TRIPLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE ALL LINKS, ETC. WORK PROPERLY.





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