Table of Contents · Nick does his oral report in Chapter 5? (a) Ten minutes. (b) Twenty minutes. (c) Thirty minutes. (d) Forty minutes. 3. Why does Nick ask the cashier at the Penny

© The Book Umbrella

Table of ContentsNovel Study Title Page for Students ..................................................................................................................3

Dictionary Detective! Chapters 1 – 3 .................................................................................................................4Vocabulary Study Chapters 1 – 3 ........................................................................................................................5Understanding the Story Chapters 1 – 3 .........................................................................................................6Chapter Summary Chapters 1 – 3 .......................................................................................................................7

Dictionary Detective! Chapters 4 - 6 .................................................................................................................8Vocabulary Study Chapters 4 - 6 .........................................................................................................................9Understanding the Story Chapters 4 - 6 ..........................................................................................................10Chapter Summary Chapters 4 - 6 .......................................................................................................................11

Dictionary Detective! Chapters 7 - 9 .................................................................................................................12Vocabulary Study Chapters 7 - 9 .........................................................................................................................13Understanding the Story Chapters 7 - 9 ..........................................................................................................14Chapter Summary Chapters 7 - 9 .......................................................................................................................15

Dictionary Detective! Chapters 10 - 12 ............................................................................................................16Vocabulary Study Chapters 10 - 12 ....................................................................................................................17Understanding the Story Chapters 10 - 12 .....................................................................................................18Chapter Summary Chapters 10 - 12 ..................................................................................................................19

Dictionary Detective! Chapters 13 - 15 ............................................................................................................20Vocabulary Study Chapters 13 - 15 ....................................................................................................................21Understanding the Story Chapters 13 - 15 .....................................................................................................22Chapter Summary Chapters 13 - 15 ..................................................................................................................23

Time for a Test!...........................................................................................................................................................24

Answer Key ..................................................................................................................................................................26

Comprehension Worksheets ................................................................................................................................38

Reading Log ................................................................................................................................................................58

Common Core State Standards ...........................................................................................................................59

by Andrew Clements

A Novel Study by:

Frindle


Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________________________

Dictionary Detective! Chapters 1 - 3

crimson

monopoly

worshipped

acquire

frantically

procedures

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.

Frindle © The Book Umbrella 4

Do you think the dictionary is an important classroom resource? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________

Vocabulary Study Chapters 1 - 3

acquire •

crimson •

frantically •

monopoly •

procedures •

worshipped •

1. Beth ______________________________ her older sister and would follow her everywhere.

2. The barn was painted ______________________________ to match the red and white farmhouse.

3. Joshua went to school to ______________________________ the skills needed to build homes.

4. The large company had a ______________________________ on paper sales.

5. “Follow the proper ______________________________ and you will pass the test and get your licence,” the instructor told the student.

6. Stacey ______________________________ searched the house for her car keys.

• highly respected and adored

• deep red

• done wildly

• to get for oneself

• ways in which things are to be done

• having total control

monopoly crimson frantically acquire procedures worshipped

A Little Extra!

Fill in the Blanks Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.

Match Up Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________

Understanding the Story Chapters 1 - 3

A Little Extra!

In the first paragraph of the story, the narrator says that Nick is not a really good, bad or smart kid. Based on what you have read about Nick, what kind of kid do you think he is?

_________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. How does Nick annoy Mrs. Avery in Chapter 1?

(a) He asks her “Why?” after everything she says.(b) He passes notes to his friends.(c) He makes up silly excuses for being late. (d) He makes high-pitched chirps during class.

2. What nickname does Nick call Mrs. Granger?

(a) The Lone Granger.(b) Granger Danger.(c) Strange Grange.(d) Mrs. Granger the Grade Changer.

3. How does Nick try to get out of doing homework in Chapter 3?

4. Based on what we learn about Mrs. Granger in Chapters 2 and 3, what do you think Nick’s year in fifth grade will be like?

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer


Chapter SummaryChapters 1 - 3

Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________

1. If you could give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?

2. What happens in these chapters?

4. What new words did you learn in Chapters 1 to 3?

5. Draw a picture of something you think represents the first three chapters.

3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?


Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________________________


complex

unparalleled

etymological

lexicographic

primly

oath

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:




Making Sentences Make a sentence for each word below.

1. Complex: ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Unparalleled: ________________________________________________________________________________

3. Etymological: ________________________________________________________________________________

4. Lexicographic: _______________________________________________________________________________

5. Primly: _______________________________________________________________________________________

6. Oath: ________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Having to do with the study of words. _____________________________

2. In a proper way. _____________________________

3. Complicated or with a lot of parts. _____________________________

4. A sworn promise. _____________________________

5. Order of words, like in a dictionary. _____________________________

6. Something that is equal to no other. _____________________________

unparalleled lexicographic complex primly etymological oath

A Little Extra!

Think of a new word for something in the classroom. Write a sentence using your new word.

Object: _________________________ New word for object: ___________________________

Sentence: __________________________________________________________________________

Which Word? On the provided lines, write the matching vocabulary word for each definition.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

At the end of Chapter 6, Nick and his friends make an oath to never use the word ‘pen’ again. Have you ever made a promise with your friends? If so, was it easy or hard to keep?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

1. What is the rule at Nick’s house?

(a) No sweets after 6pm.(b) No shoes indoors.(c) Homework first.(d) No T.V. on school nights.

2. How long is left in the class after Nick does his oral report in Chapter 5?

(a) Ten minutes.(b) Twenty minutes.(c) Thirty minutes.(d) Forty minutes.

3. Why does Nick ask the cashier at the Penny Pantry for a ‘frindle’ instead of a pen?

4. What three things lead Nick to think of his ‘big idea’ in Chapter 6?

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer



Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________




5. Draw a picture of something you think represents this section.



Name:____________________________________________


emphasized

committee

forbidding

rebellion

overreaction

vandalism

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:



What do you think Mrs. Granger wrote in her sealed letter to Nick? Write what you imagine Mrs. Granger might have written (use the back of this paper if you run out of space below).

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Name:____________________________________________


overreaction •

emphasized •

forbidding •

vandalism •

rebellion •

committee •

1. The ( forbidding / committee ) had a meeting about the new playground.

2. They led a ( overreaction / rebellion ) against the controlling government.

3. The fence was torn down in an act of ( vandalism / emphasized ).

4. The mother ( emphasized / committee ) the importance of wearing a helmet to her child.

5. The mean teacher’s favorite thing to do was ( forbidding / rebellion ) students from having any fun in class.

6. The two-year-old had quite the ( overreaction / vandalism ) when his popsicle was taken.

• banning

• revolt

• council

• destruction

• exaggeration

• stressed

A Little Extra!

Best Word Circle the word which works best in each sentence.

Match Up A synonym is a word that means the same as another word. For example, happy and joyful are synonyms. Match the vocabulary words with their synonyms!

Date:___________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

Chapter 8 is titled “Mightier Than The Sword”. Why do you think this chapter was given this title?

__________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. When is Mrs. Granger going to send Nick the letter she shows him in Chapter 8? (a) When he is no longer her student.(b) When he stops using the word ‘frindle’.(c) When stamps are less expensive. (d) When she retires from teaching.

2. Who is Mrs. Margaret Chatham?

(a) The principal at Nick’s school.(b) Nick’s nosy neighbor.(c) Mrs. Granger’s teaching assistant.(d) The school guidance counselor.

3. Why does Mrs. Granger think ‘pen’ is a better word for pen than ‘frindle’?

4. What does Nick compare his ‘war’ with Mrs. Granger to in Chapter 9?

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer



Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________







Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________________________


pursed

masterminded

investment

preliminary

controversial

ruckus

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:



Mrs. Granger tells the reporter, “When you add e to fad you get fade.” Can you think of any others three-letter words that can become four-letter words with the addition of the letter e? Write them below:

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


investment •

pursed •

controversial •

ruckus •

masterminded •

preliminary •

1. The team played a __________________________ game before the big tournament.

2. Mom __________________________ her lips together to show that she was unhappy.

3. Animal testing is __________________________ in many countries.

4. The robber __________________________ a robbery that involved all seven banks in his town.

5. The kids caused quite a ________________________ jumping around and playing the loud music. 6. The young couple made an __________________________ on a house; they planned to fix it up and sell it for twice what they paid for it.

• to fold or wrinkle tightly together• a noisy uproar• something that happens before the main event• something that some might disagree with• putting money or effort into something with the hope that it will grow into something better• planned

investment ruckus pursed masterminded controversial preliminary

A Little Extra!




Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

The Westfield Gazette article in Chapter 11 is titled, “Local 5th Grader Says, “Move over, Mr. Webster”. What is the meaning of this title?

_________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

1. What does Judy Morgan do for a living?

(a) She is a lawyer.(b) She is a teacher.(c) She is a baker. (d) She is a reporter.

2. In the fifth grade class picture, what are all the students holding up?

(a) A camera.(b) A dictionary.(c) A pen. (d) An apple.

3. How do the students know that Mrs. Granger isn’t looking at their punishment papers anymore?

4. How does the whole country (and even the world) hear about Nick and his frindle in Chapter 12?

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer



Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________




5. Draw a picture of something you think represents these chapters.



Name:____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________________________


imported

consumers

villain

endures

oblong

impatiently

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:

Definition:




Making Sentences Make a sentence for each word below.

1. Imported: ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Consumers: __________________________________________________________________________________

3. Villain: _______________________________________________________________________________________

4. Endures: _____________________________________________________________________________________

5. Oblong: _____________________________________________________________________________________

6. Impatiently: _________________________________________________________________________________

1. Puts up with something. _____________________________

2. Brought from one place to another to be sold. _____________________________

3. A long rectangular shape. _____________________________

4. People who buy things. _____________________________

5. Feeling or acting restless; not waiting calmly. _____________________________

6. A bad person/character. _____________________________

consumers impatiently imported villain endures oblong

A Little Extra!

Why do you think Chapter 13 is called “Ripples”?

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

What three things were in the package sent to Nick in Chapter 15?

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

1. What does Nick do for the first time in his life in Chapter 14?

(a) He keeps a good idea to himself. (b) He listens to his parents.(c) He scrubs behind his ears. (d) He forgets to do his homework.

2. What does Nick give Mrs. Granger at the very end of the story?

(a) An autograph.(b) A gold fountain pen.(c) A thesaurus.(d) A framed picture of Nick’s 5th grade class.

3. What change does Mrs. Granger and Nick’s mom notice in Nick in Chapter 14?

4. Mrs. Granger is very clear about her feelings about words in her letter to Nick in Chapter 15. What do you think of words?

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer



Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________







Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________

Time for a Test! Frindle

1. What does Nick do to Miss Deaver’s classroom one February?

(a) He sprays perfume on every surface.(b) He paints a wall black.(c) He rearranges all the desks.(d) He turns it into a tropical island.

2. What does Mrs. Granger ask Nick to do as extra homework in Chapter 3?

(a) Interview the class president.(b) Research for an oral report. (c) Watch the news.(d) Thirty pages of math.

3. What question is asked in class in Chapter 5 that Nick replays in his mind?

(a) “Who says dog means dog?”(b) “What are you going to be?”(c) “Are there aliens among us?”(d) “Is math more important than art?”

4. Who does Nick thank after coming up with his big plan to make ‘frindle’ the new word for ‘pen’?

(a) His mother.(b) Mrs. Granger.(c) Mrs. Chatham.(d) Miss Deaver.

5. What does Nick’s mom think when she hears about the problems at school with the word ‘frindle’?

(a) She is extremely angry.(b) She is embarassed.(c) She thinks it’s a lot of fuss over nothing.(d) She is disappointed in her son.

6. When Nick compares the ‘war’ with Mrs. Granger to a chess game, who does he say is the ‘black queen’?

(a) Mrs. Chatham.(b) His mother.(c) Mrs. Granger.(d) Mrs. Avery.

7. After the newspaper article is published, what do Mrs. Chatham, the superintendent and Nick’s mom ask? (a) “What is a frindle?”(b) “Where is Nick?”(c) “Why is this in the paper?”(d) “What is the meaning of this?!”

8. What word did a theater manager in Dublin make up in 1791?

(a) ‘Kite’.(b) ‘Poodle’.(c) ‘Quiz’.(d) ‘Ruler’.

9. In Mrs. Granger’s letter to Nick, what part does she say she is playing in this ‘drama’?

(a) The part of the joker.(b) The part of the villain. (c) The part of the host.(d) The part of the main character.

Part A – Multiple Choice


Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________

Time for a Test! Frindle

Part B – Short Answer1. Describe the main character, Nick Allen.

2. In your opinion, what does this story teach us about words?

1. Did your opinion of Mrs. Granger change throughout the story? If so, how and why?

2. How does Nick’s made-up word ‘frindle’ spread throughout the country and the world?

Part C – Long Answer


Do you think the dictionary is an important classroom resource? Why or why not?

Answers will vary.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________

Vocabulary Study - Answer Key Chapters 1 - 3

acquire •

crimson •

frantically •

monopoly •

procedures •

worshipped •

1. Beth worshipped her older sister and would follow her everywhere.

2. The barn was painted crimson to match the red and white farmhouse.

3. Joshua went to school to acquire the skills needed to build homes.

4. The large company had a monopoly on paper sales.

5. “Follow the proper procedures and you will pass the test and get your licence,” the instructor told the student.

6. Stacey frantically searched the house for her car keys.

• highly respected and adored

• deep red

• done wildly

• to get for oneself

• ways in which things are to be done

• having total control

monopoly crimson frantically acquire procedures worshipped

A Little Extra!




Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________

Understanding the Story - Answer Key Chapters 1 - 3

A Little Extra!

In the first paragraph of the story, the narrator says that Nick is not a really good, bad or smart kid. Based on what you have read about Nick, what kind of kid do you think he is?

Answers will vary.

1. How does Nick annoy Mrs. Avery in Chapter 1?

(a) He asks her “Why?” after everything she says.(b) He passes notes to his friends.(c) He makes up silly excuses for being late. (d) He makes high-pitched chirps during class.

2. What nickname does Nick call Mrs. Granger?

(a) The Lone Granger.(b) Granger Danger.(c) Strange Grange.(d) Mrs. Granger the Grade Changer.

3. How does Nick try to get out of doing homework in Chapter 3? Example - Nick tries to get out of doing homework by asking Mrs. Granger a question. He thinks this will delay her enough that she will not have enough time to give out the homework assignment. It backfires and instead Nick is left with an extra homework assignment.

4. Based on what we learn about Mrs. Granger in Chapters 2 and 3, what do you think Nick’s year in fifth grade will be like?

Answers will vary.

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer



Making Sentences - Answers will vary. Make a sentence for each word below.

1. Complex: ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Unparalleled: ________________________________________________________________________________

3. Etymological: ________________________________________________________________________________

4. Lexicographic: _______________________________________________________________________________

5. Primly: _______________________________________________________________________________________

6. Oath: ________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Having to do with the study of words. etymological

2. In a proper way. primly

3. Complicated or with a lot of parts. complex

4. A sworn promise. oath

5. Order of words, like in a dictionary. lexicographic

6. Something that is equal to no other. unparalled

unparalleled lexicographic complex primly etymological oath

A Little Extra!

Think of a new word for something in the classroom. Write a sentence using your new word.

Object: Answers will vary. New word for object: Answers will vary.

Sentence: Answers will vary.


Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

At the end of Chapter 6, Nick and his friends make an oath to never use the word ‘pen’ again. Have you ever made a promise with your friends? If so, was it easy or hard to keep?

Answers will vary.

1. What is the rule at Nick’s house?

(a) No sweets after 6pm.(b) No shoes indoors.(c) Homework first.(d) No T.V. on school nights.

2. How long is left in the class after Nick does his oral report in Chapter 5?

(a) Ten minutes.(b) Twenty minutes.(c) Thirty minutes.(d) Forty minutes.

3. Why does Nick ask the cashier at the Penny Pantry for a ‘frindle’ instead of a pen? Example - Nick asks for a frindle because he wants frindle to become a word. He even gets his friends, including Janet, to ask the cashier for a frindle later in the week. By the end of the week, the cashier knows what the kids mean when they ask for a frindle.

4. What three things lead Nick to think of his ‘big idea’ in Chapter 6?

Example - First, Janet finds a pen on the side of the road. Second, Nick comes to understand what Mrs. Granger had said in class, (“Who says dog means dog? You do, Nicholas”). Third, when Nick hands Janet her pen after she drops it, he calls it a ‘frindle’ instead of a pen.

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer


What do you think Mrs. Granger wrote in her sealed letter to Nick? Write what you imagine Mrs. Granger might have written (use the back of this paper if you run out of space below).

Answers will vary.

Name:____________________________________________


overreaction •

emphasized •

forbidding •

vandalism •

rebellion •

committee •

1. The ( forbidding / committee ) had a meeting about the new playground.

2. They led a ( overreaction / rebellion ) against the controlling government.

3. The fence was torn down in an act of ( vandalism / emphasized ).

4. The mother ( emphasized / committee ) the importance of wearing a helmet to her child.

5. The mean teacher’s favorite thing to do was ( forbidding / rebellion ) students from having any fun in class.

6. The two-year-old had quite the ( overreaction / vandalism ) when his popsicle was taken.

• banning

• revolt

• council

• destruction

• exaggeration

• stressed

A Little Extra!

Best Word Circle the word which works best in each sentence.

Match Up A synonym is a word that means the same as another word. For example, happy and joyful are synonyms. Match the vocabulary words with their synonyms!

Date:___________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

Chapter 8 is titled “Mightier Than The Sword”. Why do you think this chapter was given this title?

Answers will vary.

1. When is Mrs. Granger going to send Nick the letter she shows him in Chapter 8?

(a) When he is no longer her student.(b) When he stops using the word ‘frindle’.(c) When stamps are less expensive. (d) When she retires from teaching.

2. Who is Mrs. Margaret Chatham?

(a) The principal at Nick’s school.(b) Nick’s nosy neighbor.(c) Mrs. Granger’s teaching assistant.(d) The school guidance counselor.

3. Why does Mrs. Granger think ‘pen’ is a better word for pen than ‘frindle’? Example - Mrs. Granger thinks ‘pen’ is a better word because it has a long and rich history. She tells Nick that ‘pen’ comes from the Latin word for feather, ‘pinna’. The word ‘pen’ came about because people used to use quills made from feathers as writing tools. Mrs. Granger thinks the word ‘pen’ makes sense, but frindle doesn’t.

4. What does Nick compare his ‘war’ with Mrs. Granger to in Chapter 9?

Example - Nick realizes that his ‘war’ with Mrs. Granger is a chess game. The narrator writes, “Mrs. Granger had just tried to end the game by using her queen – Mrs. Chatham is her black raincoat, the black queen. Nick didn’t know it until the attack was under way, but he had a powerful defender of his own – good old Mom, the white queen. And the game was not over. It would go on until there was a winner and a loser.”

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer


Mrs. Granger tells the reporter, “When you add e to fad you get fade.” Can you think of any others three-letter words that can become four-letter words with the addition of the letter e? Write them below:Answers will vary.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


investment •

pursed •

controversial •

ruckus •

masterminded •

preliminary •

1. The team played a preliminary game before the big tournament.

2. Mom pursed her lips together to show that she was unhappy.

3. Animal testing is controversial in many countries.

4. The robber masterminded a robbery that involved all seven banks in his town.

5. The kids caused quite a ruckus jumping around and playing the loud music. 6. The young couple made an investment on a house; they planned to fix it up and sell it for twice what they paid for it.

• to fold or wrinkle tightly together• a noisy uproar• something that happens before the main event• something that some might disagree with• putting money or effort into something with the hope that it will grow into something better• planned

investment ruckus pursed masterminded controversial preliminary

A Little Extra!




Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

The Westfield Gazette article in Chapter 11 is titled, “Local 5th Grader Says, “Move over, Mr. Webster”. What is the meaning of this title?

Answers will vary (but should mention the Webster’s Dictionary).

1. What does Judy Morgan do for a living?

(a) She is a lawyer.(b) She is a teacher.(c) She is a baker. (d) She is a reporter.

2. In the fifth grade class picture, what are all the students holding up?

(a) A camera.(b) A dictionary.(c) A pen. (d) An apple.

3. How do the students know that Mrs. Granger isn’t looking at their punishment papers anymore? Example - The students have been writing “I am writing this punishment with a frindle” instead of “I am writing this punishment with a pen” in their punishment papers sporadically. Mrs. Granger says nothing about it so the students assume she isn’t looking at them anymore.

4. How does the whole country (and even the world) hear about Nick and his frindle in Chapter 12?

Example - A news reporter reads about the frindle story in the local paper and tells a neighboring T.V. station about it. Eventually, CBS takes interest and pretty soon Nick, his family, Mrs. Granger and others are seen in an interview on the national evening news. The news spreads to other TV shows and magazines and it isn’t long before everyone is calling a pen a frindle!

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer



Making Sentences - Answers will vary. Make a sentence for each word below.

1. Imported: ____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Consumers: __________________________________________________________________________________

3. Villain: _______________________________________________________________________________________

4. Endures: _____________________________________________________________________________________

5. Oblong: _____________________________________________________________________________________

6. Impatiently: _________________________________________________________________________________

1. Puts up with something. endures

2. Brought from one place to another to be sold. imported

3. A long rectangular shape. oblong

4. People who buy things. consumers

5. Feeling or acting restless; not waiting calmly. impatiently

6. A bad person/character. villain

consumers impatiently imported villain endures oblong

A Little Extra!

Why do you think Chapter 13 is called “Ripples”?

Answers will vary.


Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________


Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________


A Little Extra!

What three things were in the package sent to Nick in Chapter 15?

Example - A dictionary, a short note taped to the dictionary and a fat white envelope.

1. What does Nick do for the first time in his life in Chapter 14?

(a) He keeps a good idea to himself. (b) He listens to his parents.(c) He scrubs behind his ears. (d) He forgets to do his homework.

2. What does Nick give Mrs. Granger at the very end of the story?

(a) An autograph.(b) A gold fountain pen.(c) A thesaurus.(d) A framed picture of Nick’s 5th grade class.

3. What change does Mrs. Granger and Nick’s mom notice in Nick in Chapter 14?

Example - Nick’s mom notices that Nick seems kind of down and sad at home and Mrs. Granger notices that Nick is more careful and quieter than before. He also doesn’t laugh or joke like he used to.

4. Mrs. Granger is very clear about her feelings about words in her letter to Nick in Chapter 15. What do you think of words? Answers will vary.

Multiple Choice

Short Answer

Long Answer


Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________________________

Time for a Test! - Answer Key Frindle

1. What does Nick do to Miss Deaver’s classroom one February?

(a) He sprays perfume on every surface.(b) He paints a wall black.(c) He rearranges all the desks.(d) He turns it into a tropical island.

2. What does Mrs. Granger ask Nick to do as extra homework in Chapter 3?

(a) Interview the class president.(b) Research for an oral report. (c) Watch the news.(d) Thirty pages of math.

3. What question is asked in class in Chapter 5 that Nick replays in his mind?

(a) “Who says dog means dog?”(b) “What are you going to be?”(c) “Are there aliens among us?”(d) “Is math more important than art?”

4. Who does Nick thank after coming up with his big plan to make ‘frindle’ the new word for ‘pen’?

(a) His mother.(b) Mrs. Granger.(c) Mrs. Chatham.(d) Miss Deaver.

5. What does Nick’s mom think when she hears about the problems at school with the word ‘frindle’?

(a) She is extremely angry.(b) She is embarassed.(c) She thinks it’s a lot of fuss over nothing.(d) She is disappointed in her son.

6. When Nick compares the ‘war’ with Mrs. Granger to a chess game, who does he say is the ‘black queen’?

(a) Mrs. Chatham.(b) His mother.(c) Mrs. Granger.(d) Mrs. Avery.

7. After the newspaper article is published, what do Mrs. Chatham, the superintendent and Nick’s mom ask? (a) “What is a frindle?”(b) “Where is Nick?”(c) “Why is this in the paper?”(d) “What is the meaning of this?!”

8. What word did a theater manager in Dublin make up in 1791?

(a) ‘Kite’.(b) ‘Poodle’.(c) ‘Quiz’.(d) ‘Ruler’.

9. In Mrs. Granger’s letter to Nick, what part does she say she is playing in this ‘drama’?

(a) The part of the joker.(b) The part of the villain. (c) The part of the host.(d) The part of the main character.

Part A – Multiple Choice


Name:____________________________________________ Date:__________________________________________

Time for a Test! - Answer Key Frindle

Part B – Short Answer

1. Describe the main character, Nick Allen. Example - Nick is not a really smart, good or bad kid. He is a bit of a troublemaker, but not too much. He likes to do things to annoy his teachers and get out of doing homework. When he tries to annoy Mrs. Granger, he eventually learns an important lesson about the power of words and also how important it is to think things through.

2. In your opinion, what does this story teach us about words?Answers will vary.

1. Did your opinion of Mrs. Granger change throughout the story? If so, how and why?

Answers will vary.

2. How does Nick’s made-up word ‘frindle’ spread throughout the country and the world?

Example - Nick’s use of ‘frindle’ causes many issues at school. The news of this eventually spreads to the local paper. A news reporter reads about the frindle story in the local paper and tells a neighboring T.V. station about it. Eventually, CBS takes interest and pretty soon Nick, his family, Mrs. Granger and others are seen in an interview on the national evening news. The news spreads to other TV shows and magazines and it isn’t long before everyone is calling a pen a frindle!

Part C – Long Answer


Name:____________________________________________ Date:_________________________________________

Before Reading

Title of Book:

Author of Book:

Have you read anything by this author before? If so, what was it?

Read the back cover. What do you learn about the story from the back cover?

Look at the front cover. What hints do you think it gives about the story?

Based on the front and back covers, do you want to read this book? Why or why not?


Who is Andrew Clements? Use the internet and other resources to research the author of Frindle, Andrew Clements.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:____________________________________________

1. What do you already know about Andrew Clements?

2. What do you want to find out about Andrew Clements?

3. What have you learned from your research?

4. Where did you get your information?

Before Researching

After Researching


My Character ChartDraw a picture and record important information about each important character as you read the text.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


My Character Chart (Cont’d)

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________________


Did any of your predictions come true? What ended up happening in the story?

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Making PredictionsCan you predict the future? What do you think will happen next in the story? Write down two

predictions inside the crystal balls. Revisit this page later to answer the last question.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


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Why do you think this will happen?

Why do you think this will happen?

3. ClimaxThe most exciting and emotional part of the story.

1. ExpositionWe learn background information about the story’s characters, setting, and basic plot.

5. ConclusionThe story comes to an end.

2. Rising Action The things that happen to push the story forward as we head toward the climax.

4. Falling ActionThe events that happened

during the climax are dealt with.

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Plot MountainA story’s plot is made up of five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and

conclusion. After you’ve finished reading Frindle, fill in the spaces below.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Beginning

End

1

3

5

7

2

4

6

8

Story TimelineFill in the plot timeline by deciding on the most important plot points of Frindle

and recording them in the order they happen.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Example of Conflict Type of Conflict

Look for some examples of conflict in Frindle and add them to the chart below.

Man Versus Man Two or more characters

struggle against each other.

Man Versus Society A character struggles against

a part of society such as a company, religion, school, etc.

Man Versus Nature A character struggles against a force of nature such as the

weather or an animal.

Man Versus Self A character struggles

to overcome his or her own weaknesses.

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What is Conflict?Conflict refers to the problems and challenges that make stories interesting and

move plots along. Conflict is an important part of any story. Below are some of the different conflict types you may encounter as you read.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


1. Describe the setting of Frindle. When and where does it take place?

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3. Explain what you have drawn above.

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2. Draw a picture of a setting described in the story.

Story SettingThe setting is the time and/or place in which a story happens.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Find three examples from the book that supports this as one of the themes.

One theme of Frindle is...

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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2. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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3. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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What is a Theme?The theme a central topic or idea of a story. A story can have one or more themes. Some examples of themes are acceptance, cooperation, bravery and determination.

What do you think one theme of Frindle is?

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


The Main Problem of the Story

Solution Idea 1

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Solution Idea 3

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Solution Idea 2

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Solution Idea 4

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Problem SolvingAn important part of any story is the problem which the main character faces. Write down the main problem faced in Frindle below, then brainstorm some

possible solutions to the problem.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Cause

Effect

Cause

Effect

Cause

Effect

Cause and EffectAn action or development in a story is the ‘cause’. The result of the action or development is

the ‘effect’. Find some examples of cause and effect in Frindle and record them below.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Major Characters Major characters play a big part in the story.

They influence the plot and take part in solving the main problem of the story.Example(s) from the book:

Dynamic Characters Dynamic characters change through the story,

usually because they overcome a challenge which makes them grow as a person.

Example(s) from the book:

The Protagonist The protagonist is the main character of

the story. Stories are often told from their point of view.


Round Characters Round characters have complicated

personalities and more than one character trait.


Minor Characters Minor characters pop up to help (or hurt)

the story’s major characters.


Static Characters Static characters do not change. Their

personalities and attitudes are the same at the end of the story as they were at the beginning.


The Antagonist The antagonist is the character

(or characters) who causes problems for the protagonist.


Flat Characters Flat characters don’t have complicated

personalities. Readers know them by only one character trait.


Character TypesIn fictional stories, there are many different types of characters that play different roles.

Read about different character types below, and decide which character from Frindle fits each character type. (Some characters may fit more than one character type).

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Relationship KeyFriends

FamilyEnemies

Classmates/Co-workers Teacher/Boss

Other

Character MapWrite a different character name in each bubble below. Then, draw different styles

of lines in different colors (as shown in the Relationship Key) to show the relationships between each character.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


1. ________________________________________________________________________

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2. ________________________________________________________________________

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3. ________________________________________________________________________

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4. _______________________________________________________________________

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OPINIONS

A fact is something that is proven to be true.� An example of a fact is, “The month after July is August”.

An opinion is a feeling or belief about something.� An example of an opinion is, “July is the best month of the year!”

In the spaces below, record four facts and four opinions about Frindle.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

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2. ________________________________________________________________________

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3. ________________________________________________________________________

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4. _______________________________________________________________________

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F A C TS

Facts and Opinions

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


With this passage, what do you hope to persuade your readers to do?

Read this book! Don’t read this book!

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Persuasive WritingTo be persuasive is to be good at convincing people to think a certain way.

Write a persuasive passage in which you try to convince your readers that they should either read or not read Frindle. Make sure to include reasons for why you think the story is good or bad using examples from the text. For example, if you tell your readers that the story is funny, tell them about

something funny that happens in the book.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Quotation: ______________________________________________________________________

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_________________________________________________________ From page #___________

Why I chose this quotation: ____________________________________________________

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Quotation: ______________________________________________________________________

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Quotation: ______________________________________________________________________

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Quotation QuestSkim the novel and write down three favorite quotations, or quotations you think are important to the story.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Character 1 Character 2

The similarities these characters share

The differences between these characters

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Character 1 Character 2

Character ComparisonChoose two characters from Frindle and compare them to each other.

What are their similarities and what are their differences?

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Frindle _________________________

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The similarities these stories share

The differences between these stories

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Story ComparisonCompare Frindle to another story you have read.

What are their similarities and what are their differences?

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Similarities

Character Name: ___________________________________________________

Differences

My Life - Making ConnectionsIn the spaces below, make comparisons between your life and the life of a character of

your choosing from Frindle.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:_____________________________________


Name:____________________________________________

Reading LogRecord information about the books you read on this chart.


Grade 3RL3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.RL3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.RL3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.RL3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.RL3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.L3.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.L3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.L3.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Grade 4RL4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.RL4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.RL4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).RL4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).L4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.L4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Grade 5RL5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.RL5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.RL5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on spe-cific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).RL5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.L5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.L5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

Common Core State StandardsThis novel study is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (U.S.)

Novel Study

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

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Table of Contents · Nick does his oral report in Chapter 5? (a) Ten minutes. (b) Twenty minutes. (c) Thirty minutes. (d) Forty minutes. 3. Why does Nick ask the cashier at the Penny