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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How long into Codell's teacher observation time is she allowed to teach?
(a) On the first day.
(b) After one month.
(c) On the second day.
(d) She is never allowed to teach, but only observe.

2. Whose mother complains about Codell insisting on buying dictionaries for the children?
(a) Vanessa.
(b) Twanette.
(c) Shira.
(d) Asha.

3. Why does Codell initially regret asking Twanette's mother to a conference on September 30?
(a) Twanette's mother promises to beat Twanette soundly so her attitude will change.
(b) Twanette's mother decides to pull Twanette from the class and change schools.
(c) Twanette's mother takes Twanette's side and blames Codell for the perceived misbehavior.
(d) Twanette's misbehavior only worsens after the conference.

4. What does Codell notice about the new class of teachers that will be teaching along with her at the new school?
(a) There is not one man among the new teachers.
(b) There is a disproportionate amount of white, slender women in their twenties.
(c) Unlike Codell, most of the teachers are older veterans pulled from surrounding districts.
(d) Codell is one of the few white women among the new teachers.

5. On the first day of school, how does Codell determine where the students will sit?
(a) Codell has the students choose numbered seating assignments from a hat.
(b) Students can choose their own seats on a first-come, first-served basis.
(c) Students take turns picking numbered apples from a bulletin board.
(d) Students are seated in a large circle so everyone is equal.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is Esme Codell when given a job at the public school at the start of the book?

2. Why does Mr. Turner object to Codell's school social committee guidelines on February 15th?

3. Who persuades Codell to remain a teacher after she is ready to quit on February 15th?

4. What about Mr. Turner's phone call habits irks Codell in the first few entries of the book?

5. What does Codell tell her students about their "alphabet museum" in order to avoid potential embarrassment?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What award does Codell win early in Part III, and why is it important to her?

4. What reasons does Trelease give in the Afterword for his contention that Educating Esme is "terribly relevant"?

5. According to the Epilogue, what became of Codell after the events in the journal?

6. Describe the Storyteller Festival.

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

8. What is The Happy Box?

9. What is The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes about, as described in a September 27 entry?

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

(see the answer keys)

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