Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Extension and Comprehension Activities

Vocabulary Activity On the vocabulary worksheet, copy the words from the list below to define and identify part of speech. Use a dictionary for this activity. hyperactive spastic antsy wagging mesmerized fidgeting pledge snagged streamlined stern smudge hesitate scalded imp hovering

Journal Topic/Grammar Practice 1 Explain this quote from p. 19: “And it wasn’t that the important stuff Mrs. Maxy had to say went in one ear and out the other. It was that it didn’t go in at all but just bounced off.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Locate and write ten (10) prepositional phrases from the chapters you have read

Journal Topic/Grammar Practice 2 Respond to this quote from p. 50: “She was crying but I didn’t know if it was because she drank too much or if it was just the everyday sadness of her life with me.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Locate and write ten (10) nouns from the chapters you have read.

Journal Topic/Grammar Practice 3 React to this quote from p. 94: “I could dive out the bus door and run away and bounce off the walls all the way to Pittsburgh like my dad, or I could pull myself together like my mom and go to special ed and get help. It was as if my life was trapped between two words: run or stay.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Locate and write ten (10) verbs from the chapters you have read.

Journal Topic/Grammar Practice 4 Respond to this quote from p. 125-126: Joey’s mom: “So why, after all I put you through, do you still love me?” Joey: “I don’t know why,” I said, “I just do. You’re my mom and I do. Anyway, you love me and I’m messed up in the head for life.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Locate and write ten (10) adjectives from the chapters you have read.

Journal Topic/Grammar Practice 5 Respond to this quote from p. 148: “And as Special Ed said, ‘You gotta face the hand you’re dealt and deal with it, and make your problems be the smallest part of who you are.’ And he’s right.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Locate and write ten (10) adverbs from the chapters you have read.

Newspaper Critic You have become the new editor of the “Arts and Entertainment” section of the local newspaper. Your first assignment is to review a novel. Review Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Did you like it? Why or why not? Remember to talk about the author’s ability to develop believable characters, the plot, and the setting. Use specific examples from the novel. Also, be sure to either recommend or not recommend this book to your readers.