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

2. What container does Codell create to allow students to symbolically rid themselves of worries?

3. Whose mother complains about Codell insisting on buying dictionaries for the children?

4. Who is the first student to use the "time machine"?

5. What was Codell's impression of prostitutes on her block as a young child?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What toll has the school year taken on Codell?

3. Explain the story of Ozzie becoming ill at school.

4. Describe the circumstances surrounding Melanie's birthday on January 8?

5. Describe Miss Clark's attempt to teach Codell's kids on January 11.

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

7. Why do the students stab the substitute teacher in the back with a pencil on February 1?

8. What is the Fairy Tale Festival?

9. What changes does Ms. Coil suggest in a January 18 entry, and what does Codell think of these suggestions?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Codell offers several criticisms of the educational bureaucracy. Describe these criticisms in the context of the following:

1)The Michael Jordan Foundation

2)The Educational "Chiropractor"

3)The approval process for the Fairy Tale Festival

(see the answer keys)

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