Frindle

In Chapters 13-15 we find out how the frindle “war” finally ends, and we finally get to read what Mrs. Granger had written to Nick back in 5th grade when it all started. Think about the prediction you had made when Nick first signed the back of the envelope. What did you think the letter said then? What made you think that at that point?

Please also share your thoughts about the book “Frindle” and what you may have learned from the themes of the novel.

In class, we discussed how just about everything in our lives has a cause and an effect. The cause is something that makes something else happen, so it typically happens first. To determine the cause, ask the question “Why did it happen?”

An effect is what happens as a result of the cause. Of two related events, it’s the one that happens second or last. To determine the effect, ask the question “What happened?”

For example, if you forget to roll up the windows in a car before a storm, chances are the inside of the car is going to get wet. The cause is forgetting to roll up the windows, and the effect is a wet seat!

Share a real cause and effect from something that you have done. How do you know which is the cause and which is the effect?

In Chapter 12, frindle mania hits a whole new level. While the craze was about to die down in Westfield, it suddenly became national news when Alice Lunderson broke the story on the CBS Evening News. Now Bud Lawrence is prepared to sell frindle products and Nick will earn a 30% royalty on any profits.

What products would you suggest to Bud Lawrence and why? Which do you think would make the most profit?

In class we discussed that idioms are phrases that don’t mean what they actually say. Sayings like “break a leg” and “in a pickle” sound silly if we don’t understand their real meanings (good luck and in trouble). This is why idioms don’t usually translate well into other languages.

Think about an idiom that you use often. What does it really mean, and why would it sound strange to someone who isn’t familiar with the English language?

In Chapters 9-11, the “frindle” controversy rises to new levels. Mrs. Chatham, the school’s principal, visits Nick’s house to speak with his parents. Judy Morgan, a writer from the local newspaper, visits Lincoln Elementary and eventually writes an article about the situation.

There is also a scene from these chapters where Mrs. Granger lists some of the things that did not exist or had not taken place when she had started teaching many years ago (cassette recorders, computers, no one had landed on the moon).

Think about the way the world will have changed when you grow up. Write about some of the ways that the world may have changed since you were younger, and tell why you think that way.

Today we looked at plot structure and how it is used in reading as well as writing. The exposition is the beginning of the story, when the author introduces characters, setting, etc. Next comes rising action, when a conflict is usually introduced. The climax is the turning point of the story, and is typically the most intense moment. The action following the climax is called falling action. The resolution or ending ties up any loose ends and completes the story.

Think of your favorite movie. When does the climax occur? Is it toward the beginning, middle, or end? How do you know that it is the turning point?

-Mr. Dunn

In Chapters 6-8 of Frindle, there are some key events that take place that are starting to shape the story. We first learn that when Nick was a baby, he used the word “gwagala” to mean music since he didn’t yet know how to speak properly. This leads to the creation of the word “frindle” when Nick is in 5th grade.

Think of something that you used to use a different name for when you were younger (or maybe still do). If you can’t remember, ask someone at home if they can remember any. Explain why you think that you used that word instead of the “real” one.

-Mr. Dunn

In Chapters 6-8, we talked about and looked for the use of simile and metaphor. Similes and metaphors are examples of figurative language used to make writing more vivid and interesting to the reader.

Similes are comparisons of two unlike things using “like” or “as”. For example, “Bob ran as fast as lightning”. We are comparing Bob to lightning using the word “as”. The effect of the comparison is that we understand that Bob can run really fast, but the lightning reference paints a much better picture in our heads.

Metaphors are comparisons of two unlike things as well, but do not use “like” or “as”. An example of this would be “Donovan is a throwing machine”. Here we are comparing Donovan and a machine. We know he is not really a machine, but in this case it shows us just how well he throws. Again, this is the difference between showing and not simply telling.

Try to think of at least one simile and one metaphor that would effectively “show” a reader what you’re trying to explain. Is one or the other (simile or metaphor) harder to come up with?

-Mr. Dunn

In Chapters 4-5, we began to characterize the different people we have met so far in Frindle. We tried to look beyond their physical attributes, and looked instead into their personalities and beliefs. Once again we saw some key differences between Nick and Mrs. Granger, and we agreed that these might lead to even bigger conflicts later in the story.

Consider some of the character traits that you possess, and compare those to the traits of one of your close friends. While there are probably similarities, look for the differences. Do these differences ever lead to disagreements with that friend?

*Remember not to share any personal information!

-Mr. Dunn

In Chapters 1-3, we discussed the different meanings of “Point of View”. We first looked at the author’s point of view. First person tells the story through a character in the book; Second person places you in the story; Third person limited it told by a narrator through the eyes of one character; and Third person omniscient is the all-knowing narrator or “eye in the sky”.

We also looked at a character’s point of view. This time we’re talking about that person’s perspective, or the way they see things. In Frindle, Nick and Mrs. Granger have conflicting points of view when it comes to school.

Compare and contrast some of your points of view on school against those of your parents/guardians. Are there some things you agree on? What do you disagree on?

-Mr. Dunn