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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 did classroom management require as Mrs. Zajac practiced it?

2. Who was Lil?

3. Counting all of her math and reading students, how many students did Mrs. Zajac teach every day?

4. What did Mrs. Zajac say about Judith when comparing the child with herself?

5. What were the other subjects students had in the afternoons in Mrs. Zajac's class?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened in the 1970's to the town of Holyoke? How did this affect the town and its economy? What plans did the state and local governments come up with to renew Holyoke?

2. In the first chapter, what does the reader learn about Mrs. Zajac? How old is she? How long has she been a teacher? Does she have a family?

3. Why were Fridays good days in Mrs. Zajac's fifth grade class? How did they compare to Mondays?

4. What are some of the frustrations teachers teaching today face?

5. How did the students respond to Miss Hunt's leaving the class once her student teaching time was over? How did Mrs. Zajac respond? Which students surprised Mrs. Zajac when they were sad to see Miss Hunt go?

6. Why did Clarence immediately catch Mrs. Zajac's eye? What were some of his behaviors in the classroom? What did she and her student teacher Miss Hunt notice about Clarence?

7. What were the demographics of Kelly School? Were they in line with the demographics of the community? What else do we know about the families attending Kelly School?

8. What were the afternoons like for Mrs. Zajac? Why were they easier for her?

9. When and where did Mrs. Zajac have time to grade her social studies papers? What trend did Mrs. Zajac see in her students' performance? Who in particular had made real strides in class and homework? Who had not done so well?

10. How did Mrs. Zajac begin her school day? What did she teach in the mornings? Why was this a challenge?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The writer uses many different literary devices to create a dynamic picture of Mrs. Zajac. What different literary devices does the author use to create a three dimensional person of Mrs. Zajac? Give an example of each device you discuss.

Essay Topic 2

Much of the story of Kelly School's fifth grade class involved Mrs. Zajac and her work with Clarence. Do you believe Mrs. Zajac did all she could do for Clarence and made the right call by having him removed from the class? Or, do you think she should have kept Clarence in the room and continued to try and help him? Support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Mrs. Zajac and her student teacher Miss Hunt. Are there traits they share in common? What are some of the ways the two women contrast each other.

(see the answer keys)

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