Name: ______Date: ______Core: ______

Week 1: We Beat the Street

Directions: Answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.

Chapter One

  1. What is the setting (time AND place) of this novel.
  1. Describe Newark and the projects in TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. Evaluate: Could Sampson’s accident have been prevented? Explain why or why not in TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. Infer:What do you learn about Sampson based on his reactions from his experience at the hospital?
  1. Why does the chapter end with the word, “Almost?” What does the author foreshadow with this word?

Chapter Two

  1. Infer: Why do you suppose Rameck gets into trouble all of the time? Write your answer in TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. Evaluate how well the principal at Rameck’s school understands him. What feelings does she bring out in Rameck?
  1. Analyze how the fight with Meatball was actually beneficial to Rameck. In other words, how did the fight work out in Rameck’s favor? Explain in TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. Why is the school considering Special Education for Rameck, even though he used to be in a Gifted and Talented class?
  1. Describe Rameck’sfamily, based on details from Chapter Two. Compare and contrast his family to your own. Write a FULL PARAGRAPH (3-5 sentences) and make sure to INDENT.

Chapter Three

  1. Contrast George to his brother Garland.
  1. What positive message does George’s third-grade teacher convey to her students? In other words, what does she say that encourages her students to be better people?
  1. In the t-chart below, list ways in which Miss Johnson is special and different from normal teachers.

Miss Johnson“Normal” Teachers

  1. Based on what she says and how she acts, illustrate Miss Johnson in the space below.

Chapter Four

  1. Assess: Does Sampson do the right thing by giving up the bat? Explain your answer in TWO OR MORE COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. Do you think it is strange that the boys didn’t call an ambulance for the man who was hurt? Why did they just walk away?
  1. What lesson do the boys learn from watching “The Bomb” hurt the man?
  1. Why didn’t Jack call the police on the boys? Do you think they learned their lesson? Why or why not?
  1. What theme do the dogs in Chapter Four help reinforce? In other words, what lesson can you learn from the dogs?

Chapter Five

  1. What doesRameck say he likes best about acting? What does this tell you about his personality? Explain in TWO OR MORE COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. Evaluate: Did Ma make the right decision by giving Rameck the money? Explain in TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES.
  1. What do you suppose actually happened to the money?
  1. Much of Chapter Five centers around the difficult financial (having to do with money) decisions Rameck’s family must make. Identify and discussONE of these difficult decisions. Write a FULL PARAGRAPH (3-5 sentences) and be sure to INDENT.