Rules

Directions: Complete the activities for each section. You do not need to answer the comprehension questions in your journal, but you do need to make sure you can answer the questions during discussion.

Pre Reading

• • Journal Entry- Judge a book by its cover

    • Looking only at the cover of the book Rules, write a paragraph predicting what the book will be about.

  • Journal Entry - When you hear the word "rules", how do you feel and what comes to your mind?

  • Journal Entry - Would you rather have NO rules, or VERY strict rules? Explain why in a paragraph or two.

Rule 1: Follow the rules. 1 (1-12)

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to understand how the author developed her characters.

• Journal Entry: How are rules for you different than rules for David?

Extra Discussion Questions

• 1. Where is Catherine taking David at the beginning of the novel?

  2. Where does David want to go?

  3. What does Catherine ask the moving men?

  4. Why is it important to Catherine?

  5. Why does Catherine keep a list of rules?

  6. Based on what you have read so far, what problems does Catherine have with her brother?

Rule 2: Don't run down the clinic hallway. (13 -28)

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to identify character traits of Catherine.

• Journal Entry: How did Catherine feel after she "got in trouble" for drawing Jason? What are some clues from the text that told how she was feeling?

Extra Discussion Questions

• 1. Why does Catherine like to go to occupational therapy with David?

  2. What does Catherine do while David is in therapy?

  3. Who is Jason, and what is his condition?

  4. Why is Jason angry?

  5. What does Catherine give Jason?

  6. Why do you think Catherine gives it to Jason?

Rule 3: If it's too loud, cover your ears or ask the other person to be quiet. (29-40)

• • Read for the gist

  • Read with a lens to identify how people treat David.

  • Journal Entry: Can you tell if people like someone or not by how they treat them? Use some examples from the text to help you prove your opinion.

Extra Discussion Questions

• 1. Who is Ryan Deschaine?

  2. Why is five o'clock important to David? Why is it important to Catherine?

  3. While they are on the front porch, what does Catherine know is going to happen?

  4. Why does repeating the lines from Frog and Toad Are Friends make sense to David?

  5. Why is Catherine frustrated because Dad is always late?

Rule 4: Sometimes you've gotta work with what you've got. 41-49

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to identify some character traits for Jason.

• Journal Entry: Do you think having "better" or "different" cards will help Jason? Explain.

Extra Discussion Questions

• 1. What does Catherine offer to do for Jason?

  2. How does Catherine feel about the cards in Jason's communication book?

  3. What kind of person is the speech therapist? How do you know that?

  4. What does Jason's private joke to Catherine at the end of the chapter tell you about Jason? Explain.

  5. Why is this chapter's rule appropriate for Jason?

Rule 5: If you don't have the words you need, borrow someone else's. 50-58

• Journal Entry: If you saw Catherine's room, what would you know about her? Why?

Extra Discussion Questions

• 1. What are two of the rules that David breaks in this chapter?

  2. Why is Catherine frustrated with her brother?

  3. Why is Catherine worried when she sees Ryan talking to the girl next door?

  4. Why does Catherine recall the rule, "Pantless brothers are not my problem"?

Rule 6: Sometimes things work out, but don't count on it. 59-65

• • Read for the gist.

  • To Do: Choose one of the first 6 Chapters to do a written reflection in your Rules Reading Journal

    • You should state the title of the chapter.

    • You should state the main idea of the chapter.

    • You should describe a character's actions as "good" or "bad" during the chapter, with examples.

    • You should state how the chapter title frames the chapter.

    • Your written reflection should be between 1-2 paragraphs.

Extra Discussion Questions

1. Why is Catherine worried about inviting the new neighbors over for a barbeque?

2. What happens with David as Catherine is inviting the neighbors over?

3. How is Mom’s reaction to David’s response to the bee different from Dad’s reaction?

4. Why do you think Catherine lies to her parents about the barbeque?

5. When Catherine asks for colored pencils, her mother suggests that she can earn money for them by babysitting. Catherine thinks, “Everyone expects a tiny bit from him [David] and a huge lot from me.” How do you think that makes her feel?

Rule 7: Saying you'll do something means you have to do it -unless you have a very good excuse. 66-75

• Read for the gist

• Read with a lens to find reasons why characters acted the way they did. Then find three examples and complete the graphic organizer right here.

• Journal Entry: Catherine’s new rule is: “Some people think they know who you are, when really they don’t.” What do you think this rule means?

Extra Discussion Questions

1. What does Catherine do to explain “awesome” to Jason?

2. What do you think Catherine means when she states, “I think of us more as clinic friends than always friends” (p. 70)?

3. Why do you think the word “friend” isn’t in Jason’s book?

4. What does Catherine realize about the card for “drawing”?

Rule 8: If you can only chose one, pick carefully. 76-88

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to find reasons why characters acted the way they did. Then find three MORE examples and add to your graphic organizer from yesterday.

• Journal Entry: Do you think Catherine should have kept her promise to Jason and gone to therapy? Explain your answer.

Extra Discussion Questions

1. How does Kristi feel about Ryan?

2. What two things does David do to disturb the girls?

3. Why do you think Catherine doesn’t tell Kristi the truth about Jason?

4. Instead of telling Kristi what she really thinks of Ryan, Catherine remembers the rule: When you want to get out of answering something, distract the questioner with another question. Do you think she should have told Kristi her true feelings? Why or why not?

Rule 9: At someone else's house, you have to follow their rules. 89-97

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to identify key details to summarize the chapter. Then write a three sentence summary on a piece of paper and turn it in to Mr. McCulloch.

• Journal Entry: Do you agree with Catherine’s thoughts at the end of the chapter, “Why can’t the world be simpler, like it is for guinea pigs? They only have a few rules”? Explain your answer.

Rule 10: If it fits in your mouth, it’s food. 98-103

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to identify the relationship between Jason and Catherine.

  • Journal Entry: Catherine realizes that Jason needs many words. What do you think that realization says about her personality or character?

Extra Discussion Questions

1. What does Catherine bring to therapy?

2. Why is it difficult for Catherine to play the “secret” game with Jason’s cards?

3. How does the “secret” game help Catherine understand how frustrating it is for Jason to communicate?

4. How does Jason show that he has a sense of humor?

Rule 11: Sometimes people laugh when they like you, but sometimes they laugh to hurt you. 104-112

• Read with a lens to identify how the chapter title frames the chapter.

  • Journal Entry: How has your opinion of Catherine changed since the beginning of the book? Explain what your opinion of her was in the beginning, what it is now, and why it has changed.

Rule 12: Open closet doors carefully. Sometimes things fall out. 113-123

• • Journal Entry: One response for each character below.

    • How has your opinion of David changed since the beginning of the book? Explain what your opinion of him was in the beginning, what it is now, and why it has changed.

    • How has your opinion of Jason changed since the beginning of the book? Explain what your opinion of him was in the beginning, what it is now, and why it has changed. 

Rule 13: Sometimes people don't answer because they didn't hear you. Other times it is because they don't want to hear you. 124-128

No journal entry!

Answer the questions below in complete sentences in your Rules reading journal.

1. How does Dad feel about his tomatoes? How do you know?

2. What does Catherine want from Dad?

3. Why do you think it’s important to Catherine to spend time with just her dad?

4. When Dad tells Catherine he’s been busy and wants to stay home, why does she mouth the words “What about me?” instead of saying them out loud?

5. Do you agree with Catherine’s actions in this chapter, or do you think she should have been more forceful with Dad? Why?

Rule 14: No Toys in the Fish Tank. 129-144

• Read the chapter for the gist.

• Watch this video on Theme. Determine the Theme

• Read with a lens to identify the supporting details that give clues about the theme.

• Journal Entry: Identify the theme of the chapter and then summarize using supporting details.

Rule 15: Solving one problem, can create another. 145-154

• Read the chapter for the gist.

• Watch this video on Theme. Determine the Theme

• Read with a lens to identify the supporting details that give clues about the theme.

• Journal Entry: Identify the theme of the chapter and then summarize using supporting details.

Rule 16: No Dancing unless I'm alone in my room and it is pitch-black-dark.  155-161

• Read for the gist.

• Read with a lens to identify the relationship between Kristi and David.

• Journal Entry: In your opinion, was it okay for Kristi to make David dance? Use text evidence to support your opinion.

Rule 17: Not everything worth keeping has to be useful. 162-166

• No Entry

Extra Discussion Questions

1. What does Catherine get at Elliot’s Antiques?

2. Contrast Jason in this chapter to how he was at the beginning of the book. How has he changed?

3. How did Catherine illustrate the card for the word “together”?

4. Why do you think the card upsets Jason? Explain your answer.

5. What does Jason’s reaction to the card tell you? How do you know that?

Rule 18: Pantless brothers are not my problem. 167-177

• • Journal Entry: Why do you really think Catherine doesn't want to go to the dance? Use text evidence from this chapter and previous chapters to support your thoughts.

Rule 19: Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't. 178-185

• No Entry

• Read with a lens to identify and answer the following questions in your reading journal. Answer in complete sentences by restating the question.

  • Who are the important characters in this chapter?

  • What is the setting of this chapter?

  • What is the most important thing that happens in this chapter?

  • What problem does Catherine have in this chapter?

  • What questions do you have after reading?

Discussion Questions

1. What does Catherine do that upsets David so much?

2. Who are the two people that Catherine calls? Why does she call them?

3. Why do you think Catherine begins screaming rules at David when the cassette tape breaks? Explain your answer.

4. Why doesn't Jason want to talk to Catherine on the phone?

5. Were you surprised by Catherine's conversation with her dad? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

Rule 20: Late doesn't mean not coming. 186-190

• Read with a lens to identify why Catherine is so upset or determined.

• Journal Entry: How does Catherine feel in this chapter? Do you understand how she feels? Why or why not?

Extra Discussion Questions

• 1. What does David wish for?

  2. How is David's wish different than Catherine's wish?

  3. What do their two wishes tell you about them?

  4. What does Catherine mean when she tells Dad, "I have to matter, too"?

  5. Can you understand how Catherine feels in this chapter? Why or why not?

Rule 21: A real conversation takes two people 191-197

• Pick 1

• Journal Entry 1: What do you think Jason has taught Catherine about life? Explain your answer. 

• Journal Entry 2: What do you think Catherine has taught Jason about life? Explain your answer.

Rule 22: If you need to borrow words, Arnold Lobel wrote some good ones. 198-200

• • Finish the book! 

WHEN YOU FINISH TODAY YOU CAN DO AN ELA DESSERT ACTIVITY:

• Study Island

• IXL - ELA

• Free Read

  • Greek and Latin Root page (independent)

  • Bananagrams

  • Quiddler

  • Mensa