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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. Who is the author of the book King Matt the First, which is chosen by Codell for read-aloud time?

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

3. How many new teachers are introduced prior to the school's opening in Part I?

4. Shira undergoes a change on December 13 when she begins dancing to which Christmas song?

5. Why do school administrators reject Codell's proposal for the Fairy Tale Festival?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is Marky?

4. At the beginning of Part I, what does fifth-grader Melanie warn incoming students about the fifth grade?

5. Describe Ismene, including her appearance and personality.

6. What is B.B.'s home situation like?

7. How is the "time machine" built?

8. How does Codell build up suspense in her class for the introduction of the "time machine"?

9. What is Codell's attitude toward teaching sexual education?

10. What is the significance of the blue, pink, and gold sari Codell receives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Codell uses innovative (and sometimes controversial) teaching techniques for her lessons.

1)Choose three instances of Codell using an unconventional teaching technique.

2)Argue why these teaching techniques might be effective in getting the students to learn the material.

3)Take the other side, and argue why these teaching techniques may not be effective.

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the epilogue, Codell states: "Everything [my students] become, I also become. And everything about me, they helped to create." Dissect and explain this enigmatic statement. What implications does this have for the teaching process as well as the learning process? How might such a statement help to explain Codell's larger philosophy about the correct way to teach?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the tone of EDUCATING ESME. What does Codell wish for readers to take away from her journal? How is any discussion of tone complicated by the fact that, presumably, Codell was writing a private journal and did not expect her entries to be read by anyone else?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 974 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample