Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm

Introduction
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1. Place yourself in the woodcutter’s wife place.  Could she have thought of another solution to feed the family? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think the woodcutter listened to his second wife? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why would the father have leave the children in the forest, the first time? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why wasn’t the father weeping in the morning after he left his children in the woods? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Why do you think the father couldn’t defend his children in the morning, when the wife went into a rage? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Why do you suppose there was a house made of candy in the middle of the forest? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Why do you think the witch only locked Hansel in a cage and not Gretel? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do you think the witch underestimated Gretel? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Why did the children stay once they locked the oven with a padlock?  Why didn’t they run for help? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Why did the children continue to eat the house knowing a witch was in the oven? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Why did the children go through the witch’s belongings? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Why would Hansel suggest to take treasure that belonged to the witch? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Why was the father weeping when the children returned home?  Was he, the woodcutter/father, happy to see them or sad that his second wife was dead? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Did the father agree when Gretel said, “Promise you’ll never ever desert us again? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. On a separate piece of paper write a three-paragraph paper.  The story needs to be summarized in the first paragraph.  The second paragraph is the moral of the story with evidence.  The third paragraph is your opinion with support.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Introduction
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     This is a great book for 4th grade.  It is a classic read.  Here are some questions to answer while you are reading the book.


Chapter 1

1. What color is the ship? _________________________________________________
2. What color are the ship’s sails? ________________________________________
3. What do you think “Aleut” means? ____________________________________
4. What was the name of the harbor? ____________________________________
5. What is the girl’s brother’s name?  (A)_________________________________
6. What was the name of the village? ____________________________________
7. How old was A? _______________________________________
8. How old was the girl? ___________________________

Chapter 2
Contribution from A

1. What are the Aleuts tents made of? ____________________________________
2. How old is Ulape? _______________________________
3. What does Captain Orlov do when he crawls out of his tent? _____________________________________________________________________________
4. What does Ulape wear? ______________________________________
5. Why is it bad to fish in Spring? _____________________________________________________________________________
6. What was in the basket that Ulape dropped? __________________________
7. What did the Aleuts ask for? _____________________________________________
8. What did the village women cook for dinner? __________________________
9. What did the men do around the fire with the women? ______________________________________________________________________

Chapter 3

1. Why didn’t Karana care for the beads that the Aleuts promised in exchange for otter skins? _____________________________________________________
2. Do you think the Aleuts were going to leave without paying? _____________

Chapter 4

1. When did the Aleuts leave? ________________________________________
2. What did Captain Orlov give Karana’s father at first? ____________________
3. Why wasn’t Karana’s father pleased with the offer? _______________________________________________________________
4. What was the agreement they had with Captain Orlov, according to Karana’s dad? _______________________________________________________________
5. What happened to Karana’s father, as he didn’t let the Aleuts load their ship? _______________________________________________________________
6. Did Captain Orlov pay what he promised? _____________________________

Chapter 5

1. How many men were in the tribe before the conflict with the Aleuts? ________
2. How many men survived the conflict with the Aleuts? _________
3. To what island did some of the tribesmen want to go? ____________________
4. What did the Council decide? _______________________________________
5. What was the name of the new chief the Council elected? __________________
6. The new chief gave Karana and Ulape what task? _________________________
7. Why did the few men who survived didn’t like the women hunting? __________________________________________________________________
8. Do you think the new chief will return to the island? ______________________


Chapter 6

1. What do you think one moon means? ______________________________
2. What was the name of the new chief after Kimki left? _________________
3. What did the new chief decide for the village to do if the Aleuts returned? ____________________________________
4. If the Aleuts returned, to which island were they going to flee to? _____________________________________
5. Who sent the ship? ____________________________
6. Where was the tribe going on this ship? _____________________________


Chapter 7

1. The chief said they would return for her brother, so why didn’t she leave the island with them? (2 pts) _______________________________________________________

Chapter 8

1. How did her brother die? __________________________________________
2. Where was he going when he died? __________________________________
3. How did she try to get revenge on the things that killed her brother? _______________________________________________________________


Chapter 9
Contribution from Kenneth

1. Where did Karana make fire after the fog vanished? ____________________________________________________________________________
2. When Karana went west of Coral Cave, what did she see? ____________________________________________________________________________
3. What did Karana do all morning? _____________________________________________________________________________
4. Did the ship return for Karana? ________________________________________
5. Who did Karana see after making weapons? _____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 10
Contribution from C

1. Which is the best season on the island? ______________________________________
2. On what day had the storm ended? ________________________________________
3. Who was killed by the Aleuts? _________________________________
4. When Karana left the shore, which way was the sun facing?  Circle: North, East, South, or West
5. On the boat, the spaces between the planks were filled with what? _________________________________________________________
6. What was the red star called? ___________________________________________

Chapter 11
Contribution from I

1. Who found a canoe? _______________________________________________________
2. Who could not live without a roof? _______________________________________
3. Who often weighs as much as a 30 men? ________________________________
4. Who was far out? _____________________________________
5. Why didn’t Karana want to go to Ghalas-at? ____________________________

Chapter 12
Contribution from J

1. Where did she want to keep her things to protect them? (A)_________________________________________
2. Why did she build the A? __________________________________________________
3. Which 2 gods use to rule the world? _______________________________________
4. What is the knife made out of? __________________________________________
5. Did she stab the leader? _____________________________________________

Chapter 13
Contribution from Amy

1. When Karana was awake, where did she go? __________________________
2. What did the animals do when Karana reached the cliff? _____________________________________________________________________________
3. What did the babies do? __________________________________________
4. Did Karana’s arrow hit the head or the shoulders? ____________________
5. Describe the fight between the two bulls? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. At what time of the day were the two bulls fighting?  Circle:  Morning, Daytime, Night Time

Chapter 14

1. What happened to Karana’s leg? ______________________________________
2. On the third day, what happened? _________________________________________________________________
3. What happened on the fifth day? _________________________________________________________________
4. What did Karana take with her to eat? __________________________________
5. What did Karana see? _______________________________________________
6. Where did Karana crawl to? __________________________________________
7. Was Karana ready to kill the wild dogs? Circle:  Yes   or    No

Chapter 15

8. Where do the wild dogs live? _______________________________________
9. What did the Aleuts do to the men of the island? _______________________________________________________________
10. In your perspective, do you think the Aleuts and the dogs will be a team? _____________________________________________________________
11. How many dogs did Karana kill? _________________________

Chapter 16

12. What did Karana do that season? __________________________________
13. Why does Karana think the canoe she built is ugly? ______________________________________________________________
14. What does Naip mean? __________________________________________
15. What do you think the canoe is for? ___________________________________
16. Describe the walls of Karana’s hut. _________________________________________________________________

Chapter 17

17. What did Karana make herself? _______________________________________
18. How many sea elephant teeth were left? _________________________________
19. Tell the steps of how she made the dress. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20. Describe the dress. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
21. On the first day of spring, what did Karana do? __________________________________________________________________
22. What did Karana do when she reached the top of the cliff? ________________________________________________________________
23. What did Karana see around the spring season? ________________________________________________________________

Chapter 18

24. What were the sand dunes covered with? _______________________________
25. What did Karana eat? __________________________________________
26. What did Karana do with the eggs from the bird’s nest? ____________________________________________________________
27. How many birds were in the cage? _________________________________
28. What did Karana named the birds? ________________________________
29. What happened to the men at Coral Cove? ____________________________

Chapter 19

30. What did Karana see in this chapter? _________________________________
31. What was leaping beyond the kelp beds? ______________________________
32. What fell on a reef like rain? _______________________________________

Chapter 20

33. What is a tall rock? ______________________________________________
34. Describe the cave. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
35. What was Karana’s mission in the whole story? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
36. Did anyone get hurt? ________________________________________________
37. Do you think Karana will die at the end of the story?  Circle:  Yes  or   No

Chapter 21

38. What kept the abalones fresh? _______________________________________
39. Is Rontu a good friend?  Circle:  Yes   or   No
40. Did Karana see the Aleuts? ________________________________________
41. Are Karana and Rontu alone on the island? _____________________________
42. What did Karana make? __________________________________________
43. Who is Tutko? ________________________________________
44. Do you think Rontu and Tutko will be friends?  Circle:  Yes  or   No



Chapter 22

45. Did she take the necklace? _________________________________________
46. What does wintsha mean? __________________________________
47. What year do you think this takes place? ______________________________
48. Whose black eyes opened? _______________________________

Chapter 23

49. Who left the otter behind? ____________________________________
50. What are sea otters? ____________________________________
51. Is Ghalas-at a real place? ________________________________
52. When would she wear the dress? __________________________

Chapter 24

53. What had a broken leg? ______________________________________
54. What snatched a fish from her hand? _____________________________
55. How do baby otters learn to swim? ______________________________________________________________
56. Do baby sea otters now how to swim when they are first born?  Yes  or  No

Chapter 25
By EC

57. Did the Aleuts return?  Yes  or   No
58. Who died in this chapter? _________________________________________
59. Early every spring Karana gathered what? ___________________________
60. Where did the herd of otters stay until the first storms of winter? ________________________________________________________________
61. During what season did Rontu die? ___________________________________
62. What happened when Karana put her hand on Rontu’s chest? ___________________________________________________________________
63. Where did Karana bury Rontu? ____________________________________

Chapter 26, contribution by EC

1. Who did Karana see running with one of the packs of wild dogs? ____________________________________________________________________________
2. What did Karana catch instead of a dog? _____________________________
3. What was the toluache used for? ____________________________________
4. Did Karana catch a wild dog? Circle:  Yes or No
5. What did Karana name the dog? __________________________________

Chapter 27, contribution by AL

6. What was the last thing that caught her gaze? _____________________________________
7. What did she see? _______________________________________________________
8. What was the shore like? ______________________________________________
9. Why was she afraid to leave the cliff? ___________________________________
10. What did she hear? _________________________________________________________

Chapter 28, contribution by AL

11. What did the earthquake damage? ____________________________________________
12. How long does it take to repair the canoes? __________________________
13. What did she do to keep the fire burning? _________________________________________________________________________________
14. What did she take with her to Coral Cove? _____________________________________________________________________________________
15. What did the ship do when Karana waved at them? _________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 29, contribution by AL

16. What did Karana do like her sister? ___________________________________________
17. What made Karana want to laugh? _____________________________________________
18. Where did the man point to? _______________________________________________
19. What were the things the man liked that belonged to Karana? _______________________________________________________________________
20. What did the man make for Karana? ___________________________
21. Why didn’t Karana like it? ________________________________________________
22. Who left on the ship with Karana? _______________________________________

Me and Uncle Romie by Claire Hartfield

Introduction
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For Answer Key Click Link

     I really enjoyed this story by Ms. Hartfield.  The story is a great short read.  You can find this story in unit 3, lesson 4 in the California Treasures book for 4th grade.


1. How did Uncle Romie looked? ______________________________________________________
2. Where did Uncle Romie live? ______________________________________________
3. What was the name of Uncle Romie’s wife? _______________________________________
4. In what state did James live? _______________________________
5. Who was James looking at trains with? _________________________________________
6. At what time did James arrive to New York City? _________________________________
7. What was the name of the station James arrived at in New York City? __________________________________________________
8. Where does Uncle Romie have his studio? ________________________________________
9. His studio is also known as his __________________________________________.
10. What type of artist is Uncle Romie? _____________________________________________
11. What materials does Uncle Romie use to make his art? ________________________________________________________________________________________
12. What food product did James bring Unlce Romie? _______________________________
13. Where did Uncle Romie live as a boy? _____________________________________
14. What type of game do you think stickball is? _________________________________
15. Where did James take a ferry boat ride to? ____________________________________
16. Where did James take an elevator ride to the 102th floor? _________________________________________________________________________
17. Where did James window shop? ___________________________________________________
18. Where did James gobbled on hot dogs? ________________________________________
19. What special treat was Aunt Nanette going to make? ____________________________________________________________________________________
20. The next morning James got in trouble for going into Uncle Romie’s studio. True or False
21. What did James have for breakfast that morning? ________________________________________________________________________________
22. What two presents did James get? ___________________________________________
23. Uncle Romie was a star pitcher in college.  True or False
24. Where did Uncle Romie and James go for his birthday? ________________________
25. Who arrived home that night? ____________________________________________
26. What did they share? _____________________________________________
27. The day of Uncle Romie’s art show, James’ father called saying he had a baby sister and brother.  True or False
28. What type of birthday present did James make for Uncle Romie? ___________________________________________________

When I Went to the Library by Ken Roberts

Introduction
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For Answer Key Click Link

     This story is found in unit 3, lesson 1 of the California Treasures book.

1. To whom is the letter written to? __________________________________________

2. The girl in the story says that her _________________________________ are making her write the letter.

3. Does the girl sound genuine in her apology?  Yes or No

4. Who opened the box? ________________________________________

5. Who dropped the box on the floor? ___________________________________________

6. What type of book did the girl try to take out of the library? ____________________________________________________

7. What TV show does the girl watch? ____________________________________________

8. Who sent Mr. Winston flowers? _______________________________________

9. Who paid for the flowers? ____________________________________

10. What did the girl mean by it is a local snake? _________________________________________________________________________

11. What city/state does this story take place? _____________________________________

12. What was the name of the person who sold her the snake? _______________________________________________________________________________

13. As Mr. Winston fainted, he broke out into a __________________________________.

14. How did he get the rash? _______________________________________________

15. Is the snake lost? Yes or No

16. Where does the girl suggest the snake is hiding? ____________________________

Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague

Introduction 
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    This story is found in unit 3, lesson 2 of the California Treasures books.  If you like dogs, this is a very cute story to read.  It reminded me of my dog.  Fun reading for adult and kids.


1. What is the name of the city? ____________________________________________
2. Who had behavioral problems? _________________________________
3. What was the name of the dog owner? ____________________________________
4. What is the name of the dog academy? _____________________________________
5. What did Ike write to Mrs. LaRue on October 1st? __________________________________________________________________________________
6. What did Ike write about on October 2nd? __________________________________________________________________________________
7. What did Ike write on October 3rd? _________________________________________________________________________________
8. Who is Miss Klondike? ______________________________________________________
9. Who thinks Miss Klondike is a warden? ________________________________
10. What did Ike’s October 4th letter say? ______________________________________________________________________________
11. What did Ike’s October 5th letter say? ______________________________________________________________________________
12. Who is Dr. Wilfrey? ___________________________________________________
13. What day does Ike escape from the academy? _________________________________
14. On what day did Ike save Mrs. LaRue? ___________________________________
15. Who is Newton Smitzer? __________________________________________________________________________________

Ranita, The Frog Princess by Carmen Agra Deedy

Introduction
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For Answer Key Click Link

This story can be found in unit 3, lesson 3 of the California Treasures book.  It's a short fun read.

1. Where does the story take place? ____________________________________________

2. What’s the name of the Viceroy’s son? _____________________________________

3. What’s the name of the servant? ____________________________________

4. What’s the name of the frog? ________________________________________

5. What’s the name of the old woman? ____________________________________

6. What are the men looking for in scene 1? ___________________________________

7. To whom did Ranita tell she had the golden arrow? ___________________________

8. What did Ranita do with the arrow? _____________________________________________

9. What did Ranita say she was under? _____________________________________

10. What did Ranita say she wanted in exchange for the arrow? ______________________________________________________________________________________

11. Who turned Ranita to a frog? ________________________________________________

12. Why did the old woman turn Ranita to a frog? _____________________________________________________________________________________

13. In scene 2, did the Viceroy allow the frog to sit at the table? Yes or No

14. Did Felipe keep his promise to the frog? Yes or No

15. Who told Felipe he had to keep his promise? ____________________________________

16. In scene 3, what was page 342 about? ________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What did Felipe say he is going to dream about? _______________________________________________________________________________________

18. Who kissed the frog? ________________________________________________________

19. What did Ranita turn to? __________________________________________________

20. For how long has Ranita been enchanted for? __________________________________

21. Who married the princess? _________________________________________

22. In the epilogue, what did the old lady want? ______________________________________

23. What did Felipe called the old lady? ______________________________________________

24. What did the old lady say to the audience? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________