The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. SchmidtStudy Guide

As you read The Wednesday Wars, add notes about each character using the chart below. Write a brief description about who they are and why they are important to the story.

Using specific details and page numbers will help you later!

Character Description

Holling Hoodhood

Mr. Hoodhood

Heather Hoodhood

Mrs. Baker

Mrs. Sidman

Doug Swieteck

Meryl Lee Kowalski

Danny Hupfer

Mai Thi

Mrs. Bigio

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During Reading Activities

Graphic Organizer Novel Timeline Calendar (with answer key)http://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheWednesdayWars/Graphic%20Organizer.pdf Vocabulary Bookshttp://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheWednesdayWars/Vocabulary.pdf Vocabulary Books Instructionshttp://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheWednesdayWars/Vocab%20Book%20Instructions.pdf Vocabulary Strategyhttp://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheWednesdayWars/Vocabulary%20Strategy.pdf 

After Reading Activities

Writing Assignmenthttp://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheWednesdayWars/Writing.pdf Taxonomy Novel Guidehttp://novelinks.org/uploads/Novels/TheWednesdayWars/Taxonomy%20Overview.pdf

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The following questions are intended to help guide your reading and understand the novel. Write your answers on a separate sheet of

paper.

SEPTEMBER

1. What is the setting of the novel?2. What are your first impressions of the following characters: Holling Hoodhood, Mrs.

Baker, Mr. Hoodhood, and Mr. Guareschi?

3. Holling uses the word “perfect” a lot when describing his house, why do you think he does this? Describe the irony.

4. Holling likes to read, and he mentions several books that he enjoys. With which character from Treasure Island does Holling identify, and why?

5. Holling complains to his family that Mrs. Baker hates him, yet they are unsympathetic. Why do you think this is?

6. Explain why Holling has to spend Wednesday afternoons alone with Mrs. Baker. What does he think Mrs. Baker is planning?

7. Who is Lieutenant Tybalt Baker, and where is he going?

Extend your thinking:September pg. 1-22

In this first chapter, Schmidt uses tons of sensory language to introduce to Holling and his life to you. Holling is convinced that Mrs. Baker is plotting against him. Why does he think that? As we read, lean in and infer why she might dislike him? How do you know?

OCTOBER

1. Why doesn’t Holling complain to Mrs. Baker about cleaning erasers and straightening her classroom?

2. What are the priorities for Holling’s father?

3. What happens to the cream puffs? Why doesn’t Holling tell anyone about them?4. What is the conflict between Mr. Hoodhood and his daughter, Heather?

5. On page 37, Heather said, “I want support for believing in something bigger than me.” What was she referring to?

6. What does Mrs. Baker mean when she says to Holling that “we have been wasting our opportunities”?

7. Who are Sycorax and Caliban? What happens to them?

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8. Which Shakespearean play does Holling read first? What does Holling think Mrs. Baker’s intentions are in getting him to read this play? Does he think she succeeds?

9. What are Holling’s final thoughts about the character Shylock?

Extend your thinking:October pg. 23-48

Sometimes we make mistakes that we may not want to admit to others. In this chapter, Holling makes a mistake that humiliates Mrs. Baker. Write an I poem either as Mrs. Baker or Holling reflecting on the events that occur in this chapter. Be sure to use sensory language. You may also want to use quotes from the chapter.

NOVEMBER

1. What is the second Shakespeare play Holling reads?

2. Why does the character Caliban fascinate Holling?

3. How does it come about that Holling takes part in the Long Island Shakespeare Company’s Holiday Extravaganza?

4. What are Mrs. Baker’s thoughts on how The Tempest ends? What are your feelings about Mrs. Bakers’ comments? (pages 70-71)

5. Based on the ending of The Tempest, Holling disagrees with Mrs. Baker and feels that “Defeat doesn’t help you to grow.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

6. Mrs. Bigio comes in at the end of the chapter and Holling hears sounds of sadness. What has happened?

Extend your thinking:November pg. 49-72Reflection-Describe what happens with the cream puffs and Sycorax and Caliban? Holling is extremely frustrated, and he worked really hard to appease his demanding classmates. How would you feel if you were Holling? Using Holling’s language, write a brief journal entry as Holling Hoodhood responding to this situation.

DECEMBER

1. Everyone at Camillo Jr. High is decorating for the holidays, except for Mrs. Baker. Why do you think she doesn’t?

2. What part does Holling get in the Shakespeare Company’s Holiday Extravaganza? How does he feel about it?

3. How does Holling’s performance go? List the events that happen between the end of his performance and his arrival at the Baker Sporting Emporium.

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a. What do Danny Hupfer’s actions during the incident at the Baker Sporting Emporium tell you about him?

b. How do you feel about Holling’s parents not watching his performance? How does Holling seem to feel?

4. “When gods die, they die hard” (page 93). What is the metaphorical death here?

5. Why is Mrs. Bigio mean to Mai Thi in the lunch line?

6. How does Mrs. Baker make up for what happened at the Baker Sporting

Emporium?

Extend your thinking:December pg. 73-100Reflect about a time in your own life where a friend has stood up for you? Or even someone who you didn’t think was a friend has surprised you?

JANUARY

1. What trick does Doug Swieteck’s brother play on Hollis?

2. Why did Mrs. Baker give Mai Thi her cup of hot chocolate on the day there was no heat in the school?

3. What is the third Shakespeare play that Holling reads?

4. Why does Holling disagree with Mrs. Baker about how “malice is a small and petty thing”?

5. During the snowstorm, Holling saw a chance for revenge against Doug Swieteck’s brother. What does Holling do?

6. Explain Holling’s allusion to Macbeth. (pages 128 and 129)

Extend your thinking:January pg. 101-129- Journal Reflection-Holling is horribly humiliated by the exposure by Doug Swietecks brother throughout the school. Consider the conversation he has with Mrs. Baker on pg. 109. What do you think she knows that he doesn’t know? Why? Will he learn a lesson from this?

FEBRUARY

1. Based on the events in this chapter, what is ironic about Mr. Hoodhood receiving the award for the Chamber of Commerce Businessman of 1967?

2. Explain why Holling thought that Romeo and Juliet were stupid. Why then does he choose to go see the play? How does he get the tickets?

3. How does Holling’s viewpoint about Romeo and Juliet change by the end of February?

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4. What happens with the design for the new junior high? How did Holling play a part in Kowalski and Associates’ design? How did Meryl Lee feel about this?

5. Why does Holling compare his father to Shakespeare’s character, Shylock? How have others in the book so far filled the “father” role for Holling?

6. The last two lines on page 155 read, “DOWNED HELICOPTER TRANSPORT STOP KHESANH STOP LT T BAKER MISSING IN ACTION STOP.” What was the telegram reporting?

Extend your thinking:February pg. 130-155 Holling’s date with Meryl Lee becomes tainted with his father’s architect battler with Meryl Lee’s father. Write a letter to Mr. Hoodhood, Mrs. Baker, or Meryl Lee as if you are Holling. Explain how you feel and why.

MARCH

1. Holling uses a metaphor to explain Mrs. Baker and the classroom. What is this metaphor at the bottom of page 157?

2. What happened when Mr. Vendleri replaced the bulging ceiling tiles?

3. Holling has two experiences of foretelling the future in March. What were these?

4. Mrs. Baker’s classroom is visited by the school board.

a. First, Holling recites Shakespeare (p. 174). Please interpret the poem.

b. Second, what unexpected event interrupted the inspection and how did everyone in the room react?

5. Why did the discrimination against Mai Thi escalate with the finding of the class pets?

6. Explain the following allusion: “Julius Caesar’s army wouldn’t have left such a mess after crossing the Rubicon.” (page 177)

7. Holling made the varsity cross country team. What are the reasons for his success?

8. Why is Danny Hupfer suspended, and how does his family respond? What does this tell you about his family values?

9. What do Danny Hupfer and Mai Thi have in common?

Extend your thinking:March pg. 156-183 SKETCH an Image-Draw a picture to capture one image from this chapter that is significant or caught your attention. Be ready to share with the class and explain why you chose to draw.

APRIL

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1. Mrs. Sidman, Mr. Guareschi, President Johnson, and Mr. Kowalski all have something in common at the beginning of this chapter. What is it?

2. What does Mr. Hoodhood mean when he says that architecture is a blood sport?

3. As Holling and Meryl Lee are working on their project, Mr. Kowalski tells them about a historical event. Which event is he referring to?

4. Describe the events that happen on the New York Yankees Opening Day. What do you think Mrs. Baker wanted to talk with the boss about?

5. During practice, Holling is careful not to run faster than any of the eighth grade boys on the cross country team. Why?

6. What reasons do you think Mr. Hoodhood has for saying Heather is not going to college?

7. How does Holling respond when Mrs. Baker tells him to “Pass those boys.”?

Extend your thinking:April pg. 184- 208 LISTING-Make a list of two different conversations that occur within this section and the characters within each conversation list emotions and draw pictures that relate to the events that are occurring

MAY

1. Holling feels that several people need comforting at the beginning of this chapter. Name the reason for each of the following characters:

a. Mrs. Sidman

b. The eighth grade cross country runners

c. Mr. Hoodhood

2. Explain this line on p. 211: Local Architect Firm to Renovate Yankee Stadium

3. Where does Heather Hoodhood go in this chapter?

4. What thoughts and feelings are provoked in Holling while reading Hamlet, Prince of Denmark?

5. How does Mrs. Baker respond to Holling’s questions about why they practice for the atomic bombs?

6. How does Holling respond to his father’s question to his sister, “Did you find yourself?”

7. What historical event happens in this chapter?

8. What are Holling’s final thoughts on Hamlet? (page 234)

9. What news does Mrs. Baker receive at the end of this chapter?

Extend your thinking:7 The Wednesday Wars Study Guide

May pg. 209- 237-Holling’s sister has run away. Write a free verse poem from either Holling, his sister, or Mr. Hoodhood’s point of view. Get inside the head of your character and explain how they feel. Be creative.

JUNE

1. Mrs. Baker says “A comedy isn’t about being funny.” What insight does she give Holling on comedy? (page 262)

2. Where does Mrs. Baker’s seventh grade class go for their class trip? What mistake does Holling make that results in Mrs. Sidman’s injured fingers?

3. Mrs. Bigio joins the class on the second day. What does she ask Mai Thi? What is Mai Thi’s response?

4. How does Danny Hupfer’s Bar Mitzvah go?

5. What does Mrs. Baker suggest about Holling’s future?

6. Although Holling does not experience a Bar Mitzvah, how has he become a man by the end of the book?

Extend your thinking:June pg. 238--263REFLECTION-How has Mrs. Baker and Holling’s relationship changed throughout the course of novel? Discuss why she uses the word “chrysanthemum?” How can one teacher impact a student’s life? What teacher has most influenced you? How? Why?

FINAL PROJECT OPTIONS

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Create a photostory in a group to demonstrate how Holling changes throughout the course of the book. Using Tableau and other resources to find or creative relevant pictures describe the key events that impact him throughout this book.

In our analysis of various characters we have discussed various character traits. Write a paragraph about at least 3-4 character in this book. Describe how they have changed. Input your paragraph in wordle.com, and create a graphic design of key words or elements of each character as your visual. Also create a tableau with friends depicting an important event in each character’s life. Each group member could split this up or work together

Create a reader’s theatre based upon one theme of this book. With your group members perform your reader’s theatre with props to share with the class. You may want to show interaction between Mrs. Baker and Holling overtime. Or you might show how Shakespeare or historical events connect with the text.

Final Project Rubric

Product demonstrates connections, creativity, and thought (1-10) _____/10

You worked will with group members (1-5) _____/5

Product accurately relates to text and is appropriate (1-10) _____/10

Final Product Completed and turned in on time (1-5) _____/5

Total Points _____/30

Wednesday Wars Unit Rubric

During Reading Activities Character Chart ____/10Graphic Organizer Novel Timeline ____/10

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Vocabulary Book ____/10__/30

September Questions _____/7Extend your thinking _____/3__ /10

October Questions _____/9Extend your thinking _____/1__ /10

November Questions _____/6Extend your thinking _____/4__ /10

December Questions _____/6Extend your thinking _____/4__ /10

January Questions _____/9Extend your thinking _____/1__ /10

February Questions _____/6Extend your thinking _____/4__ /10

March Questions _____/9Extend your thinking _____/1__ /10

April Questions _____/7Extend your thinking _____/3__ /10

May Questions _____/9Extend your thinking _____/1__ /10

June Questions _____/6Extend your thinking _____/4__ /10

After Reading Activities Writing Assignment ____/10Taxonomy Novel Guide ____/10__/20

Final Project Student Choice _______/30

Total points= _____/200

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