dear mr henshaw cleary novel study

7/18/2019 Dear Mr Henshaw Cleary Novel Study

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Dear Mr. Henshaw Beverly Cleary

Section 1 – Pages 1-33

PROMPT: Write a list of ten questions that you would ask Beverly Cleary.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.

Think about the fact that Mr. Henshaw wrote to Leigh as well as his answers to Leigh’s questions.What kind of person do you think Mr. Henshaw is? Why?2. Does Leigh seem like he’s a happy boy? Why or why not? Use examples from the story to support

your answer.3. What did Leigh mean when he said he was “medium” in his December 1 letter (in the answer to

question #10)? HINT : He was NOT talking about his size.

Section 2 – Pages 34–67 (up to Feb. 4)

PROMPT: Pretend that you are Mr. Henshaw and Leigh has just written you about the problems he’s having

in school and with his father. Write him a letter and give him advice about how to handle his problems.


1.

Leigh said that he felt “blank” like the paper in his diary. What did he mean by that? Have youever felt that way? When?

2. What do you think of Leigh’s father? Do you think he’s a good father? Why or why not? Use

examples to support your answer.3.

How is Leigh’s life similar to the bears’ lives in Mr. Henshaw’s new book? How is it different?

Section 3 – Pages 67-98 (up to Mar. 5)

PROMPT: Leigh’s mother said Leigh’s father had many good qualities or traits. Based on what you knowabout him from the story, make a list of at least 5 good qualities and 5 bad qualities that Leigh’s father

has.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1.

Does Leigh have a right to be mad at both of his parents? Why or why not? If you were in Leigh’s

place, how would you feel towards your parents? Explain.2. Why do you think seeing the butterflies make Leigh feel good?3.

Why did it make Leigh angry that his father sent him $20 with the note about Bandit? If you werein Leigh’s place, how would it have made you feel? Why?

Section 4 – Pages 98-134

PROMPT: Write a letter to Beverly Cleary. Tell her all about yourself and what you thought of her book.BE HONEST.


1.

What did Leigh mean when he said “maybe I’m not so medium after all”? 2. Leigh said that he learned that he couldn’t count on his father. How does that make you feel? How

would you feel if you couldn’t count on your parents? 3. Why do you think Leigh continued to write to Mr. Henshaw even though he’d never actually met him?

Why do you think Mr. Henshaw answered Leigh’s letters? Do you think Leigh and Mr. Henshaw will

ever actually meet each other? Why or why not?



NAME ___________________________________ TITLE: ____________________________________________

Before beginning each section, write 3 questions or things you want to find out about the story. Then write a prediction for what willhappen in that section of the story.

Section 1

What I want to know:

Prediction:

Section 2


Prediction:

Section 3


Prediction:

Section 4


Prediction:



NAME ____________________________ SECTION 1

Comprehension Questions (Pages 1-33 )

Dear Mr. Henshaw

REMEMBER TO WRITE THE PAGE NUMBER WHERE YOU FOUND THE ANSWER.

1. Who is Mr. Henshaw? Why is Leigh writing to him?

2. What grade was Leigh in when he first wrote to Mr. Henshaw?

3. What did Mr. Henshaw suggest Leigh should do after Leigh’s third letter about Ways toAmuse a Dog?

4. Why did Leigh send Mr. Henshaw a list of questions?

5. What made Leigh angry about the letter he received from Mr. Henshaw?

6. Why did Leigh and his mother get into an argument? What did she make Leigh do?

7. What does Leigh say is the reason that his parents got divorced?

8. How did Leigh’s family get their dog, Bandit?

9. Leigh said there were many things that bothered him. What were THREE things he listed?

10. Why does Leigh say that he’ll call his own book The Great Lunchbag Mystery?



NAME ______________________ Dear Mr. Henshaw ( Pgs. 1-33) Section 1

Vocabulary Word Pg I think it means… The dictionary definition is…

duplicated (duplicate) (Verb)

nagging (nag) (Verb)

mobile

hauling (haul) (Verb)

antique (Adjective)

cautious

lonesome

partition

11

14

16

16

22

25

32

33



NAME_____________________________ #__________ DATE__________________

Section 1 – Dear M r. Henshaw

COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY QUIZ

Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word. You will use each word only once! Spelling counts!!

antique cautious duplicated haulinglonesome mobile nagging partition

1. The teacher __________________________ the math worksheets for the class.

2. Justin’s father keeps _________________________ him to get his hair cut.

3. This _______________________ trunk has been in my family for years.

4. Sally’s grandmother lives in a __________________________ home in Florida.

5. Do you need help _____________________________ those bags to the curb?

6. Michaela was _________________________ after her friends went home.

7. The librarian keeps the old boxes behind a ____________________________ in the library.

8. You should always be ________________________ around strange animals.

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the best answer for each question.

9. What was the title of the book that Leigh first wrote about to Mr. Henshaw?A. Moose on ToastB. Things to Teach Your Cat C. Ways to Amuse a Dog D. Dear Mr. Henshaw

10. Why did Leigh move to a new school in sixth grade?A. His father got a new job and the family had to move.B. He went to live with his grandparents.C. His parents got divorced and he moved with his mother.D. None of the above

11. Why did Leigh write to Mr. Henshaw in sixth grade?A. He wanted to invite Mr. Henshaw to come visit him.B. He wanted to tell Mr. Henshaw how awful his new book was.C. His mother made him write to Mr. Henshaw.

D. He had to do a report in school on an author.

12. What did Leigh’s mother make him do that made him upset? A. Take the trash outB. Rewrite his report on Mr. HenshawC. Write a thank you note to Mr. HenshawD. Answer the questions Mr. Henshaw sent to him



13. Why doesn’t Leigh see his father very often? A. His father lives in another country.B. His father works as a cross-country trucker so he is gone a lot.C. His father is in the hospital.D. He doesn’t like his father.

14. Why did Leigh’s father take Bandit, his dog, after the divorce? A. Leigh’s mother didn’t like the dog.

B. Bandit ran away after the divorce.C. Leigh’s father takes Bandit with him for company when he is wor king.D. All of the above

15. What upsets Leigh about his lunch?A. Someone keeps taking things out of it.B. His mother is a horrible cook.C. He doesn’t like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. D. He has to carry a lunch box.

16. Leigh said that all of the following things bothered him EXCEPT :

A. Someone stealing food from his lunchbagB. Little kids with runny nosesC. His mother dropping him off at school too earlyD. His father doesn’t call him very often

17. Leigh apologized to Mr. Henshaw for being rude in his last letter. What did Leigh say he was upset about?A. His father didn’t send the monthly child support check. B. His father didn’t come to see him very often. C. He got a bad grade in school.D. Both A & B

18. What did Leigh say would be the title of the book he would write someday?A. Why Divorce Stinks for Kids B. Sixth Grade Stories C. The Great Lunchbag Mystery D. Dear Mr. Henshaw



SECTION 1 QUIZ – ANSWER KEY

1. duplicated2. nagging3. antique

4. mobile5. hauling6. lonesome7. partition8. cautious9. C10. C

11. D12. D13. B14. C15. A16. C17. D18. C



NAME ____________________________ SECTION 2


Dear Mr. Henshaw


1. What was the nice thing that happened to Leigh in December?

2. What advice did Mr. Henshaw give to Leigh about writing in his diary?

3. What idea does Leigh come up with to keep someone from stealing food from his lunchbag?

4. Who came to the door on Christmas Eve? What did the person bring?

5. Why did Leigh say that Monday, January 8 was a great day?

6. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh about his lunchbag?

7. What was one of the tips that Mr. Henshaw gave Leigh about being a writer?

8. Why did the librarian stop Leigh in the hallway?

9. What surprised Leigh about Mr. Henshaw’s new book?

10. Why was Leigh upset with his father? What did his mother tell him to make him feelbetter?



NAME ________________________ Dear Mr. Henshaw ( Pgs. 34-67 ) Section 2


halyard

fastened (fasten)

nuisance

grateful

foil (Verb)

relieved (relieve)

scowling (scowl)

wrath

34

34

36

37

40

57

62

64



NAME_____________________________ #__________ DATE__________________




fasten (fastened) foil grateful halyardnuisance relieved scowling wrath

1. Can Superman ________________________ the villain’s evil plans?

2. Make sure you _________________________ your coat because it is cold outside.

3. We used the __________________________ put the flag at half mast on September 11.

4. Kelly was ________________________ when she found her missing diamond ring.

5. If you keep breaking the rules, then you have to accept the teacher’s ____________________.

6. I was _______________________ to Jenny for letting me borrow her sweater when I was cold.

7. The angry boy is ________________________ at his mother.

8. My little brother is always breaking my things; he is such a _________________________!


9. What advice did Mr. Henshaw give to Leigh?A. Try not to get upset about your father not calling.B. Start writing in a diary.C. Pretend that each entry in the diary is a letter to someone.D. Both B & C

E. Both A & C

10. What was Leigh’s idea to keep someone from stealing food from his lunchbag? A. Write a pretend name on the bagB. Put a mousetrap inside so it would pinch the thief’s fingers C. Keep the lunchbag by his deskD. Both A & C

11. What did Leigh remember about Christmas last year?A. His parents weren’t divorced and they still lived together. B. They each made up a song about lost shoes on the highway.

C. His parents laughed for a long time.D. All of the above

12. Why did the man come to Leigh’s house on Christmas Eve? A. To deliver Leigh’s present from his father B. To deliver a turkey for Christmas dinnerC. To bring Bandit to LeighD. Both A & C



13. What did Leigh’s father give him for Christmas? A. A new diaryB. A quilted jacket with pocketsC. A model truckD. Nothing

14. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh he should do about his lunch being stolen?A. Tell the teacher about what was happening

B. Stop bringing treats in the lunchbagC. Seal the bag with masking tape and staplesD. Put a burglar alarm on the bag

15. Why did the librarian stop Leigh in the hall?A. He was running and she told him to stop.B. She gave him a copy of Mr. Henshaw’s new book to read. C. She told him his library book was overdue.D. She needed help carrying books to the library.

16. What surprised Leigh about Mr. Henshaw’s new book?

A. It was sad, not funny.B. It was about a boy named Leigh.C. It was a book of poetry.D. None of the above

17. Why was Leigh angry with his father?A. He didn’t call even though he said he would. B. He sold Bandit to another family.C. He decided to move to Florida.D. He wouldn’t let Leigh come live with him.

18. What did Leigh’s mother tell him about his father? A. That he shouldn’t be too hard on his father because a trucker’s life wasn’t easy B. That his father is a bad man and he’s better off without him C. That she divorced him because he never called her eitherD. None of the above




1. foil2. fasten3. halyard

4. relieved5. wrath6. grateful7. scowling8. nuisance9. D10. A

11. D12. A13. B14. D15. B16. A17. A18. A



NAME ____________________________ SECTION 3


Dear Mr. Henshaw


1. What surprised Leigh when he called his father’s trailer?

2. What happened to Bandit?

3. Why did Leigh hang up on his father?

4. According to Leigh’s mother, why did she and Leigh’s father get divorced?

5. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh in the hallway?

6. What was in the letter from Leigh’s father? How did Leigh feel about it?

7. What did Mr. Henshaw tell Leigh about Leigh’s wax man story?

8. Why did Leigh check out books about electricity?

9. How did the man at the hardware store help Leigh?

10. Why did Leigh’s mother come running into his room?



NAME _____________________ Dear Mr. Henshaw ( Pgs. 67-98) Section 3


tournament

mildew

stranded (strand)

(Verb)

reception

rig (Verb)

villains (villain)

racket

muffle

67

68

71

72

85

89

98

98



NAME_____________________________ #__________ DATE__________________




mildew muffle racket rigreception stranded tournament villains

1. We couldn’t watch television because the _________________________ from the satellite was poor.

2. In the movies, the good guys always catch the _________________________ in the end.

3. We stuffed cottonballs inside the bell to ________________________ the sound when it rang.

4. The shower needs to be cleaned because there is _______________________ on the walls.

5. I am going to __________________ a trap to catch the animal that keeps eating the vegetables in the garden.

6. My son is playing in a golf _____________________________ this weekend.

7. I couldn’t sleep because of the ____________________ coming from upstairs where the boys were playing.

8. We were _________________________ after our car ran out of gas.


9. Why did Leigh decide to call his father on Sunday?A. He was lonely and bored. B. He was returning his father’s phone call. C. He was looking for his mother.D. None of the above

10. Why was Leigh upset after talking to his father?A. He found out that Bandit was lost.B. He realized that his father had not planned on calling him that evening after all.C. He heard a boy’s voice talking to his father in the background. D. All of the above

11. Why did Leigh’s parents get divorced according to his mother? A. His father was an evil man.B. They had gotten married too young.C. His father was a bum.

D. All of the above

12. Why did Mr. Frindley stop Leigh in the hall?A. He saw that Leigh was about to kick someone’s lunchbag down the hall. B. He saw that Leigh was writing on someone’s locker with a marker. C. He was angry that Leigh had not helped him put up the flags that morning.D. He had bad news for Leigh about Bandit.



13. What did Mr. Frindley tell Leigh after Leigh complained that he had no friends in the school?A. Nobody wants to be friends with someone who scowls all the time.B. Leigh isn’t the only person who has problems. C. Lots of people have jerks for fathers.D. Both A & B

14. What did Leigh realize about the sticks on the branches of the trees in the butterfly grove?A. They were actually butterflies.

B. They were dead.C. They had leaves growing at the tips of the sticks.D. None of the above.

15. What was in the letter that Leigh received from his father?A. A $20 bill and a note from his father on a paper napkinB. A check for $25 and a letter from his father about BanditC. A $10 bill and a picture of his father and BanditD. A birthday card

16. What was Leigh’s story for the Young Writer’s Yearbook about?

A. A butterfly that moves to a new city and has adventuresB. A boy who catches a thief stealing lunchesC. A wax man who drives a truck cross-countryD. None of the above

17. Why did Leigh check out books about electricity?A. He wanted to do an extra credit project in Science class.B. He wanted to build a burglar alarm for his room.C. He wanted to fix the lamp in the living room for his mother.D. He wanted to build a burglar alarm for his lunchbox.

18. What did Leigh buy with the money his father sent him?A. Materials to make an alarm for his lunchboxB. A lock for his lunchboxC. A puppy to replace BanditD. A present for his mother’s birthday




1. reception2. villains3. muffle

4. mildew5. rig6. tournament7. racket8. stranded9. A10. D

11. B12. A13. D14. A15. A16. C17. D18. A



NAME ____________________________ SECTION 4


Dear Mr. Henshaw


1. What “big problem” did Leigh have at lunchtime?

2. What happened after Leigh opened his lunchbox?

3. What did Leigh and Barry do at Barry’s house?

4. Why did Leigh stop setting his lunch alarm?

5. What did Leigh’s father ask that surprised Leigh when he called?

6. What did Leigh write about for the Young Writer’s Yearbook?

7. What award/place did Leigh win in the Young Writer’s Yearbook contest?

8. Why did Leigh get to go to the author’s lunch?

9. What did Angela Badger say that surprised Leigh?

10. What surprise was waiting for Leigh when he and Barry got back from the butterfly grove?



NAME ________________________ Dear Mr. Henshaw ( Pgs. 98-134) Section 4


dash

startled (startle)

prowls (prowl)

fad

prose

mysterious

splendid

imitate

99

101

101

103

107

113

119

119



NAME_____________________________ #__________ DATE__________________




dash fad imitate mysterious prose prowls splendid startled

1. The teacher said we could write our story in either poetry or _______________________.

2. We heard ____________________ noises coming from the attic so we went upstairs to investigate.

3. Beanie babies were a __________________ a few years ago; everybody wanted to have them.

4. The loud knock on the door _______________________ us.

5. My little cousin tries to _________________________ everything I do!

6. I had to ___________________ to my car to keep from getting too wet in the storm.

7. We really enjoyed the play; it was ____________________________!

8. The cat _______________________ around the barn looking for mice.


9. Why did Leigh have trouble paying attention in class?A. He was tired and wanted to go home. B. He was waiting for the alarm on his lunchbox to go off.C. His teacher was boring.D. He couldn’t see the board.

10. All of the following happened after Leigh opened his lunchbox EXCEPT :A. His alarm went off.B. He caught the thief who was stealing from his lunchbox.C. The principal told him he had quite an invention.D. Leigh gave a demonstration of his alarm to some of the teachers.

11. Why did Barry ask Leigh to come over to his house?A. To help him build model airplanesB. To work on homeworkC. To help him make an alarm for his room

D. To work on a report together

12. Who was stealing food from Leigh’s lunchbox? A. BarryB. Mr. FrindleyC. Leigh never found out.D. Ms. Martinez



13. What did Leigh’s father ask that surprised Leigh? A. He asked if Leigh missed Bandit.B. He asked if Leigh wanted to come live with him.C. He told Leigh he was sorry for being such a bad father.D. He asked if Leigh missed him.

14. What did Leigh write about in his Young Writers’ Yearbook paper? A. The time his father found Bandit

B. The time he and his father hauled grapes to a wineryC. The time he and his father went fishingD. The time his father moved out

15. Why did Leigh get to go to the author’s lunch? A. The girl who wrote the winning poem was disqualified for copying her poem from a book.B. All the students who won an Honorable Mention were invited to come.C. Angela Badger asked for him to be invited because she liked his story.D. Both A & C

16. What did Angela Badger tell Leigh?

A. She enjoyed his story in the Writers’ Yearbook. B. She had met Mr. Henshaw once.C. His story was splendid work for a boy his age.D. All of the above

17. Who was waiting for Leigh when he and Barry got back from the butterfly grove?A. Mr. HenshawB. His father and BanditC. His mother and KatyD. Angela Badger

18. Why did Leigh tell his father to take Bandit with him?A. His father needed Bandit more than he did.B. He wasn’t allowed to have a dog in the house. C. He had not way to amuse a dog.D. Both A & C




1. prose2. mysterious3. fad

4. startled5. imitate6. dash7. splendid8. prowls9. B10. B

11. C12. C13. D14. B15. A16. D17. B18. D

dear mr henshaw cleary novel study

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