CHARLES

Who is telling the story ? How did you know?

How does Laurie feel about Charles? How can you tell?

What five bad things does Charles do?

Since the author wrote this story, concern has grown about abuse of children; therefore, punishment practices have changed . Which of the punishments listed for Charles are still acceptable and which are unacceptable in your school?

How does Laurie say that the trickster Charles compares with Laurie himself?

•How has Charles become an almost legendary trickster figure for the family? MOTIF

Do you think the teacher’s strategy of making Charles her helper is a good idea? If not, what would you do if you were Charles's kindergarten teacher?

According to the teacher, who has had trouble adjusting and is now usually a good helper?

According to Laurie, Charles had trouble adjusting and is now usually a good helper?

What does it mean when the teacher says there is no Charles in Laurie’s class?

Hint: Plot Twist

CLASS WORK ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. What is the plot twist at the end of the story? Did it surprise you?

2. What clues does Jackson give to Charles’s identity?

3. In your opinion , why does Laurie invent Charles?

4. Do you think Laurie’s parents should have realized the truth about Charles sooner? Explain.

5. How would you have felt about Laurie if he had been in your kindergarten class? Would you have wanted to be friends with him? Explain your response.

IMPORTANT NOTES1. A plot twist is: an un expected development or

turn of events.Humor writing often includes sudden turnarounds that

startle us [ shock us], then make us laugh. The ending of Charles had an unexpected turn in the story. Laurie is Charles ; Laurie made Charles up so he could find a chance to talk about himself.

2. A motif is: A dominant theme or central idea.

The motif in the story is whopping lies told by Charles, a young boy in kindergarten. He invents Charles so that he can talk about what happens at school without getting into more trouble at home for the way he has acted at school.