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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 pop culture figure does Codell use for her "best papers" bulletin board?

2. Why do Codell and Mr. Turner fail to secure any donations, according to the July 28th entry?

3. Why is Codell angry after she breaks up a fight between two girls on December 8th?

4. When interviewed for her first teaching job, how does Codell characterize her discipline style?

5. What is Codell's impression of the scary story contest she holds for Halloween?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is The Happy Box?

2. Describe how Zykrecia resolves a conflict with Kyle on March 28.

3. Why is Codell relieved when she refrains from yelling at Latoya for continually coming in late one week?

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

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

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

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

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

9. How is the learning environment different at Codell's new school, versus the students described in the journal?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

As evidenced by teaching about the Holocaust and about sexual education, what does Codell see as the limits of presenting material to her class? What is Codell's attitude towards teaching uncomfortable or adult subjects to children?

Essay Topic 3

Jim Trelease in his Afterword calls Codell "always child-wise." What does he mean by this statement? Cite specific examples in the text to confirm this assertion.

(see the answer keys)

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