I Funny, School of Laughs by James Patterson

Book: I Funny, School of Laughs
Author: James Patterson
ISBN: 978-0-545-91756-8
U$1.00-B-0.006065-BE-165

Answer Key
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Summary:  The story is entertaining and it can inspire a special needs student.  I like the way Mr. Patterson made the main character strong with confidence at the end of the story.  There aren't many stories out there with a main character that is confined to a wheelchair.

Chapter 1: Dead Man Not Walking
1. In paragraph one, what do you think the author means by “these might be my last moments here on Earth”?
2. What is a comedian?
3. Who is the meanest kid at school?
4. What is the name of the school?
5. By doing an Internet Search, which state do you think this school is located?
6. Why would Jamie say in Chapter 1 that Stevie is hunting for him?
7. What extracurricular activity does Stevie do with six graders?
8. Why does Stevie do this?
9. What does Stevie look like?
10. What is an oversize flunky?
11. What are Stevie’s friends’ names?
12. Jamie and Stevie are __________.
13. What bond do Stevie and Jamie share?
14. What is the Smiley’s personality?
15. What is Stevie’s personality?

Chapter 2: A Couple of Yo-Yos
1. What do you think is Stevie’s Swirlie special?
2. Who is Crazy Bob?
3. What is the name of Uncle Frankie’s restaurant?
4. Is Uncle Frankie skinny or fat?  How do you know?
5. Who is Mrs. P?
6. What is the first rule about comedy?

Chapter 3: A Tall Order
1. What was Jamie doing when the lady with curly red hair and bright blue eyes walked into the diner?
2. What did Uncle Frankie do when the lady came walking in?
3. General Custer died how long ago?
4. What is the school’s librarian’s name?
5. What do you think the librarian meant by Jamie being a regular joke encyclopedia?
6. What do you think “deadpans” mean?
7. What was Jamie using the library as today?
8. What do you think Jamie meant when he said, “What do you mean? More kids with these bad boys?”
9. Look at 8.  Were there any clues on the next two sentences on what Jamie meant?
10. What did Ms. Denning compare the library to?
11. The library is home away from home to ____________.
12. Why will the Principal close the library?
13. The Principal said he’ll “turn it into something that kids will actually use.”  What do you think that may be?
14. Can you imagine a school without a library?

Chapter 4: Are We On The Same Page?
1. What is Patagonian toothfish?
2. Extra Credit: Who is fish wholesaler Lee Lantz?
3. What type of classes did Jamie recommend to get students to go into the library?
4. What idea did Ms. Denning and Frankie have for Jamie?
5. What would they call the class?
6. After the class is over, Ms. Denning suggested Jamie host a _________  ____________.
7. What idea did Frankie suggest to raise money?
8. Who beamed at each other?
9. Does Jamie feel that his opinion doesn’t matter?  How do you know?

Chapter 5: One Order of Doom, Please
1. Who walked in the dinner and said, “I want to hear my burger moo”?
2. Why is Jamie so complex about teaching the class?
3. What has Uncle Frankie always given Jamie?
4. What did Jamie say he is coming down with?
5. Why does Uncle Frankie think Jamie is an “ace quipster, and a witty wisecracker”?
6. How is Uncle Frankie trying to bribe Jamie?
7. Uncle Frankie doesn’t see himself bribing Jamie.  He feels he is just providing encouragement in the form of delicious food.  True or False
8. On which day does Jamie start teaching class?

Chapter 6: Manic Panic
1. What was the name of Steve Martin’s book?
2. What was the name of Tina Fey’s book?
3. What was the name of Jerry Seinfeld’s book?
4. Is Jerry Seinfeld the author of “Poo on You: The World’s Best Potty Jokes”?
5. Why does Jamie have a new respect for teachers?
6. What are the names of Jamie’s besties?
7. Why does Jamie feel you need to sound super smart?
8. At the end of his research, does Jamie feel he has an exciting or boring lecture?
9. Also at the end, what kind of class does Jamie feel he is having, a comedy or a tragedy?

Chapter 7: Good Ideas By The Sea
1. Who is Jamie meeting at the diner?
2. Who asked, "How's the class prep going?
3. Was Jamie truthful to his friend, when she asked how's it going?
4. What do you think "gullible" means?
5. Can you find the word "gullible" in the dictionary?
6. Who rode into the diner with their skateboards?
7. Who sings along to a Frank Sinatra song?
8. Is there a connection between Frank Sinatra and Uncle Frankie?
9. What is a jukebox?
10. What type of diner is Uncle Frankie's restaurant?
11. Who are the new library consultants?
12. Who paid for the milkshakes?
13. What was the brainfood?
14. What do you think is a braindrizzle?
15. Who suggested a cheer?
16. Who suggested a rap?
17. Does Jamie feel confident his first class will go well?

Chapter 8: I No Teacher
1. What was Jamie daydreaming?
2. Was Jamie's class full or empty?
3. What is Jamie's last name?
4. Why did Daisy say, "Hey, I did not sign up for a math course"?
5. Were the students rude to Jamie o his first class?
6. Why do you think things weren't going well?

Chapter 9: Seeing Stars (Not At Night)
1. What 3 things would Jamie rather do then to teach class again?
2. What did Jamie not have before comedy class?
3. Who suggested that Jamie recycle his notes? (A)
4. Who is A's twin brother/sister?
5. Who said that Jamie's notes are valuable sleep aids?
6. Who threw a pencil at Vincent's back?
7. Who found the library while Jamie was teaching class?
8. What is the oldest trick in the book?
9. Who is Lloyd Christmas?
10. Why do you think Jamie makes fun at Stevie so much?
11. Do you think Stevie gets hurt when Jamie makes fun or puts him down in front of others?
12. Why did Jamie say that Stevie found the movie "Dumb and Dumber" too intellectual?  What is he implying?
13. Why would Stevie say, "That joke's so lame, it's crippled.  Like you."?
14. Did Stevie knockout Jamie with his punch?
15. Who tried to take over the class with jokes?
16. What happened to the class after Jamie came to?

Chapter 10: Failing Better
1. Who made Jamie color all day when he was a child?
2. Who played Solitaire all day?
3. What is the Marx Maximum?
4. What has 5 ice cream flavors?
5. What does the Marx Maximum come with?
6. What is the souvenir?
7. What is the main goal by Jamie doing this comedy class?
8. What do you think Jamie is feeling on the drawing on page 42?
9. Who is Lou Diamante?

Chapter 11: Honesty Is The Best Policy
1. What is the purpose of Jamie's jokes?
2. What is Jamie trying to understand?
3. What did Jamie compare the students to?
4. Who did Jamie compare to an icicle?
5. "Seeing the world the same way is the heart of comedy." True or False
6. What weird thing did Vincent say?
7. What weird thing did Ned say?
8. What weird thing did Brian write down?
9. What weird thing did Nina say?
10. Whose grandma pinches her cheeks?
11. Was Jamie's 3rd class a success?  How do you know by looking at the drawing on page 48?

Chapter 12: Makeover Magic
1. What is packed tighter than a New York City subway car at rush hour?
2. What is scheduled at the library on Monday?
3. What is scheduled at the library on Tuesday?
4. What is scheduled at the library on Wednesday?
5. What is scheduled at the library on Thursday?
6. What is scheduled at the library on Friday?
7. Who used to write jokes for Ellen DeGeneres?
8. Who is Ellen DeGeneres?
9. Who teaches the Middle School Film Class?
10. Who helps out in the Middle School Film Class that is a cameraman?
11. What is taught in the film class?
12. What will be taught on the next round of the class?
13. Who dropped out of the comedy class?
14. Who is incapable of getting jokes?
15. Who stayed on the comedy class?
16. Who is actually good in comedy?  How is he good?
17. Who donated yo-yo manuals?
18. Who is proud of Jamie?
19. How does Jamie feel about the work he has done?

Chapter 13: The Grand Finale
1. Who attended the showcase?
2. Who sat next to Uncle Frankie?
3. Who was the first student to perform?
4. Whose parents never buy them jewelry or a pony?
5. Who performed second and third?
6. Who performed fourth?
7. Who did Zits compliment in his opening?
8. Why did Zits compliment him?
9. Who taught Zits about self-confidence?
10. Do you think Goth girls found what Zits said about them funny?
11. Do you think any Goth girls will call Zits?

Chapter 14: The Sweet Smell of Success
1. Was the night of laughs a success?
2. Did Jamie compliment his students?  How do you know?
3. Is Uncle Frankie happy?  How do you know?
4. Who blurred music from an ipod?
5. Who has homework for Gilda's film class?
6. Who is tough on her students?
7. Where did the party take place?
8. Do you think Ms. Denning and Uncle Frankie will get marry?
9. Do you think they'll have another comedy night next year?

Marianthe's Story, Book Two: Spoken Memories by Aliki Brandenberg

Book: Marianthe's Story, Book Two: Spoken Memories
Author: Aliki Brandenberg
ISBN: 978-0-688-15661-9
U$1.00-B-0.006065-BE-165

Comments: I enjoyed this story.  It had a twist at the end.  I think parents will appreciate it more than the children.  It is a nice story of a student learning a new language and being in a new environment.

Answer Key
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Questions
1. What is going on, on page 1?
2. Who is the picture on page 2 different from your neighborhood?
3. How was the road during summer?
4. How was the environment when Marianthe was born?
5. What season do you think Marianthe was born?
6. What did the relatives bring when Marianthe was born?
7. Who shared the good and the bad?
8. What happened to Marianthe's village?
9. Whose baby brother died?
10. What is famine?
11. What do you notice on page 7?
12. Who do you think is Yanni?
13. Who do you think is Nona?
14. Who do you think is Theo on page 10?
15. What did Theo bring Marianthe?
16. Do you think Marianthe lives in a city or a village?
17. What else did Theo bring besides drawing paper?
18. How far was the nearest school?
19. Could everyone read the newspapers Theo would bring to the village?
20. What are they doing on page 11?
21. What did people try not to notice?
22. From where did they haul water?
23. What chores did the village share?
24. What did the village make for each other?
25. Why did the village help to plow the fields and harvest the crops?
26. Does page 14-15 remind you of your family?  Does your family get together like Marianthe's?
27. How many people are parts of Marianthe's family on page 17?
28. What do you notice in the drawing on page 19?
29. Why were people leaving the village?
30. Who would normally leave the villages first?
31. Who was Theo like?
32. What did mama mean by "sweeter than the soap we make"?
33. Do you think the women at the village made their own soap?
34. What did Theo read to the family?
35. There's a clue on page 21 that tells how Theo is related to mama and Marianthe?
36. How did some people from the village feel about Marianthe starting school so far away?
37. What does this quote on page 22, "She is only a girl," mean to you?
38. What does this quote on page 22, "Girls don't need books to clean the house," mean to you?
39. What does this quote on page 22, "Girls need books to find other worlds, just like boys," mean to you?
40. Look at the drawing on page 24, what could the students on their way to school be thinking?
41. What other message do you think Marianthe was sending her father by writing letters to him?
42. Describe what you see on page 27.
43. Do you know someone who has gone through something like Marianthe?

Marianthe's Story, Book One: Painted Words by Aliki Brandenberg

Book: Marianthe's Story, Book One: Painted Words
Author: Aliki Brandenberg
ISBN: 978-0-688-15661-9
U$1.00-B-0.006065-BE-165

Comments: I enjoyed this story.  It had a twist at the end.  I think parents will appreciate it more than the children.  It is a nice story of a student learning a new language and being in a new environment.

Answer Key
Directory of Books

Questions
1. Mama said "____________" can talk.
2. What part of our bodies, speak many words?
3. What facial gesture is the same in many languages?
4. Who is afraid?
5. What looked like sticks and chicken feet?
6. What sounded like sputters and coughs?
7. Who was Misapeechi?
8. Who said, "Mari is an artist"?
9. What did Mari do during "Creating Time"?
10. Who is talking with her paints?
11. What do you notice on page 2 about Marianthe's hair?
12. What do you notice about Marianthe's face on page 3?
13. What do you notice about the students in Marianthe's Class?
14. On page 10, what do you think is going on in the classroom?
15. What do you notice about the photographs on page 15?
16. What do you think Marianthe's mother baked?
17. On page 18, what do you think Marianthe' and Mama were doing?
18. What are the names of Marianthe's classmates?
19. Why was Marianthe hurt one day?
20. Who said Marianthe was a "Dummy"?
21. On page 20, what do you think of Marianthe's drawing?
22. Whose name became Mr. Petrie?
23. Whose name became Rachel?
24. Whose name became Kristin?
25. Whose name became Albert?
26. Whose name became Patrick?
27. What do you think is going on, on page 22?
28. What was Mari doing on pages 23-24?
29. How did the class feel after Marianthe was doing telling her story?
30. What is the name they called the class?
31. What do you notice about Marianthe's brothers on page 27?
32. What do you think Marianthe's mother was doing on page 28?
33. Who told Mama that she looked, listened, and learned well?
34. Do you think Mama was learning a new language, just like Marianthe?

Code of Honor by Heather Price-Wright

Magazine: Time for Kids
Edition: 3-4, Vol. 6, No. 9
Date: November 13, 2015
Article: Code of Honor
Author:  Heather Price-Wright
U-$0.33-B-0.006065-BE-55

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Questions
1. In what year did the U.S. enter World War 2?
2. What problem did the country have when entering the war?
3. Who cracked many U.S. codes?
4. Who was desperate?
5. Who helped the U.S. government create a new secret code?
6. Who are the Navajo?
7. Whose language is complex?
8. Did many non-Navajo people speak the Navajo language?
9. Who created the secret Navajo code?
10. For how many years did they use the code?
11. How many Navajo troops used the code?
12. How many messages were decoded?
13. Who played an important role in the U.S. victory in World War 2?
14. In what year was the Navajo code talkers/Navajo Secret Code Project declassified?
15. Who is Kenji Kawano?
16. Where was Kenji Kawano born?
17. To what city and state did Kawano move to in the U.S.?
18. Why did Kawano move to this state?
19. How many original Navajo code talkers were there?
20. What event took place in Window Rock, Arizona, in 1975?
21. Whose father fought for the Japanese in World War 2?
22. Who said, “the war was between governments”?
23. What do you think he meant by, “the war was between governments,” not people?

Tiny Helpers by Melanie Kletter

Magazine: Time for Kids
Edition: 3-4, Vol. 6, No. 9
Date: November 13, 2015
Article: Tiny Helpers
Author:  Melanie Kletter
U-$0.33-B-0.006065-BE-55

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Questions
1. What are the tiny things living on and inside of you?
2. Where do microbes live?
3. What is the shape of a microbe?
4. Do microbes communicate with each other?
5. Can you see a microbe with your eye?
6. What are examples of microbes?
7. What is the name of the scientist that studies microbes?
8. Why is it important to understand microbes?
9. What is important for our immune system?
10. What is the name of the new AMNH exhibit?
11. What does AMNH stand for?
12. Who said, “microbes in the digestive tract help break down food”?
13. What protects teeth from cavities?
14. Do our bodies carry more healthful or harmful microbes?

Good Sports by Glenn Greenberg

Magazine: Time for Kids
Edition: 3-4, Vol. 6, No. 9
Date: November 13, 2015
Article: Good Sports
Author:  Glenn Greenberg
U-$0.33-B-0.006065-BE-55

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Questions
1. What is the name of the soccer program?
2. What is the name of the girl?
3. What is the name of the state she lives in?
4. Who or what did the girl have to care for?
5. How old is the girl?
6. At what age do they get married in her village?
7. What is the name of the organization that started the soccer program?
8. In what year did they get started?
9. What is the name of the director?
10. Out of 10 girls in Jharkhand, how many cannot read or write?
11. What did the girls first ask Franz Gastler to help them with?
12. What did the girls ask for next?
13. What did the girls ask for their third and fourth request?
14. How many girls have taken part in the program?
15. How many girls are currently involved in program?
16. What is Radha’s future goal?
17. Radha says, “Soccer gave me the confidence to choose this goal.”  How do you think soccer helped her?

Nothing by Jon Agee

Book: Nothing
Author: Jon Agee
ISBN: 978-078683694-9

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Comments:  This book is more for students/children in 2nd and 3rd grade.  If you want a 4th grade student to read this book, then it has to be a child that has difficulty in reading.  The words are basic sight words.  I recommend asking critical thinking questions if you are going to use this book for a fourth grader.

1. At what time does the shopkeeper close his store?
2. What was the shopkeeper's name?
3. What was the name of the last costumer that arrived on this day?
4. How was the lady dress?
5. What type of dog did the lady have?
6. What did the lady ask the shopkeeper?
7. What did the shopkeeper answer?
8. What did Suzie mean by, "I have a lot of things, but I've never had nothing"?
9. How much did the lady offer the shopkeeper for nothing?
10. Why did Otis think the $300 offer was ridiculous?
11. What saying did Otis remember form his father?
12. Did Otis carry something out to the car?
13. Who else was stunned with Otis that Mrs. Gump gave him a check for $300?
14. Who was back the next day to buy more "nothings"?
15. What were the names of the other shopkeepers?
16. Did Otis sell Mrs. Gump more of "nothing" the next day?
17. What was Mrs. Gump's obsession?
18. Why do you think the whole town went crazy with the sale of "nothing" all over the area?
19. What did people quickly run out off?
20. What did people do to make space?
21. Otis found more things than his shop could hold.  What items did he find?
22. In what amount of time did everybody had plenty of "nothing"?
23. What did Suzie's maid say when Mrs. Gump ask for a towel?
24. What made Mrs. Gump upset?
25. What was the maid's name?
26. What did Mrs. Gump do after she got dressed?
27. Who asked Mrs. Gump if she was "looking for nothing"?
28. What did Mrs. Gump ask Otis?
29. What did Otis say?
30. What did Mrs. Gump say?
31. Who walked in to the antique shop after Mrs. Gump and bought all the items and loaded them into a truck?
32. What did Mr. Portobello ask?
33. What did Otis say and do?

U-$1.00-B-0.006065-BE-165