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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What organization is established to evaluate Codell's Fairy Tale Festival proposal?

2. What kind of music do the Slick Boys use in their assembly presentation?

3. Once a week, Codell tutors Ruben in what subject?

4. What is Codell's true intention in using the time machine?

5. Why does Codell organize a field trip to the university science fair on October 13?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the nature of the fight between Shira and Twanette on September 30?

2. What steps does Codell take to prepare her classroom for the first day of school?

3. What is the Fairy Tale Festival?

4. Why does Codell resent the "educational chiropractor" brought in by Mr. Turner?

5. How does Ms. Federman convince Codell to remain a teacher at the school on February 15?

6. Describe some things Codell's class does for Halloween.

7. Why does Codell take B. B. and his little sister in to her home for a night?

8. What happens with Perry, the gang member Codell confronts regarding an incident on October 13?

9. Describe how Codell divides her students into reading groups, and the roles assigned to students.

10. Describe the Storyteller Festival.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the numerous challenges of the poor, urban educational environment? How does Codell's attitude on this topic differ from Mr. Turner's?

Essay Topic 2

The class has a moment of unity when they read The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.

1)Describe the plot of The Hundred Dresses.

2)Why do you think the story caused Ashworth to reveal the fact of his missing finger to the class?

3)What larger comment does this incident make about the power of learning and of reading?

Essay Topic 3

Codell's own ambition plays a key role in the text.

1)How does ambition guide Codell's teaching philosophy, and the choices she makes with her curriculum and teaching methods?

2)What does the Fairy Tale Festival proposal say about Codell's ambition? Is Codell's ambition rewarded or punished?

3)At the end of the Epilogue, Codell agrees with adage that "Those who can't do, teach." How does Codell relate this statement to her own ambition? In the end, how has Codell's ambition affected her career, and the degree of success she's had?

(see the answer keys)

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