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Novel ideasBarbara robinson’sThe best Christmas pageant everCrystal and Thomas Rende 2006 New Learning Publishing1Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Authors: Crystal and Thomas RendeCover Illustrator: Heather TangNovel IdeasBarabara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant EverCopyright 2006 New Learning PublishingAll rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act, noportion of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means,or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission from thepublisher other than is necessary for classroom use.Printed in the United States of AmericaPRODUCT #: NLP9835 2006 New Learning Publishing2Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

using the novel studyThe novel study can be used in four ways: Independent reading at student created paced Small group independent reading student created paced Small group reading guided by the teacher Whole class reading guided by the teacher.Each chapter or set of chapters has a particular task:Vocabulary:Students need to be able to write the definition/meaning of the word intheir own words as the word is used in the story. If they are unable to, theyneed to find the word in the dictionary and match the correct definition withthe context that the word is used in the book.Short response questions:The questions come in two forms. The first is basic comprehensiondirectly from the story. This is your “Who, What, Where, Why, How,When” question.The second form is analysis of information and events in the story.The student is required to explain an answer, respond as if they were in thestory, or state what they think the character(s) should do.The remaining sections are key components in studying literature in adetailed and meaningful way. The directions for each part are given withineach section.THE NOVEL STUDY CAN BE PRINTED AND STAPLED AS APACKET USING THE INTRODUCTION AS THE COVER PAGE. 2006 New Learning Publishing3Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

TABLE OF CONTENTSACTIVITYPAGE NUMBERTHE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVERIntroduction Cover PagePre-Reading ActivityChapter OneChapter TwoIllustrating ActivityChapter ThreeSequencing of Events ActivityChapter FourPoint of View ActivityChapter FiveCharacter Analysis ActivityChapter SixChapter SevenBook SummaryRubric for The Best Christmas Pageant EverAnswer Key 2006 New Learning Publishing4567891011121316172021222627Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

the best Christmas pageanteverbyBarbara robinsonSome might think it was Charlie’s fault. Some might think it was justanother part of life the Herdmans had not destroyed yet. Whatever thereason, when the Herdmans show up for Sunday School, the whole towntakes notice. It is perfect timing, too. It is time for the Christmas Pageant atchurch and the usual director is out with a broken leg.When the Herdmans push their way into every key role in the pageant,everyone thinks it is going to be a disaster. What everyone does not expectis how powerful an experience it ends up. Read on and experience a point ofview of the nativity scene not many could ever imagine and no one shouldever miss.Name 2006 New Learning Publishing5Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Pre-Reading Activity1. The holiday season is a time of family traditions. Write about somethings you and your family do every holiday season.2. What is your favorite part of the holiday season? Explain in detail what itis and why it is your favorite. 2006 New Learning Publishing6Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter OneVocabularyWordPage sBlamedCot1. How did the Herdmans burn down Mr. Shoemaker’s toolhouse? How dideveryone feel about it?2. Why did the new kids laugh at the Herdmans’ sign warning about theircat? Would you if you didn’t know the cat?3. What finally calmed the Herdmans’ cat down in school?4. Why did Imogene want to know everyone’s weight and secrets? 2006 New Learning Publishing7Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter twoVocabularyWordPage ntimentSlouchingPageant1. What did Charlie’s dad say he wanted to see at the pageant? Why?2. How did Charlie’s mother get stuck running the pageant?3. Why did Charlie lie about all the treats in Sunday School?4. Why did the Herdmans go to church on Sunday? 2006 New Learning Publishing8Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Illustrating an Event ActivityMost chapter books are written with very few to no illustrations. Visualizingthe events of the story is left to the reader’s imagination. On this page, Iwould like you to illustrate any scene from the book so far. Try to do ascene that you feel gave you a clear picture of what was occurring in thestory. Underneath your picture write a sentence or two that explains the partof the reading that you drew.Explanation: 2006 New Learning Publishing9Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter threeVocabularyWordPage ideRidiculousAdmire1. How is Mrs. Armstrong driving the mother crazy?2. What would you do if you were the mother and Mrs. Armstrong wascalling you all the time?3. Who volunteered for all the main roles in the pageant? Why do you thinkthey did?4. Why didn’t Alice volunteer to be Mary like she always does? 2006 New Learning Publishing10Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Sequencing of Events ActivityIn order to be able to correctly summarize the key events in a story, youneed to be able to put those events in the correct order. Sequencing events isjust that, putting events in the correct order from start to finish. On thispage, use the first three chapters of the book to help you put these mainevents in order. Use pencil so that you can erase if you need to. Good luck!Imogene was finding out secrets about everyone in school.The Herdmans volunteer for every role in the pageant.Mrs. Armstrong broke her leg and can’t run the Christmas pageant.Alice didn’t volunteer to be Mary.The Herdmans burn down Mr. Showmaker’s toolhouse.The Herdmans go to Sunday School.Charlie’s mother has to run the Christmas pageant.Now use the table to put the above events in the correct order.First Second Third Then Next After that Finally Rewrite the listed events into a summary paragraph on the lines below. 2006 New Learning Publishing11Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter fourVocabularyWordPage rSwaddling1. What was the biggest lie ever said out loud in church? Why?2. How would you learn the Christmas story if you didn’t go to church?3. Why do you think Imogene was so mad about the way they took care ofthe baby Jesus?4. Why did the Herdmans want to beat up Herod? 2006 New Learning Publishing12Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

POINT OF VIEW ACTIVITYHave you ever heard the expression, ‘ walk in someone else’s shoes ’? Whatthat means is looking at a situation or event from someone else’s life. When you read astory, the author is trying to help you imagine what the character is thinking to help youunderstand why the character did something. Have you ever felt like you wouldn’t havedone an event the same way a character did it in a book?Think about a scene from a movie or television show you have recently watchedwhere a character, or a group of characters, had a point of view that was different thanyours for the situation they were in. Fill in the chart below for two separate shows ormovies.Name of the characterWhat the character didWhat you would have doneIn the last chapter, the Herdmans begin to learn the details of the Christmas story.They were shocked that the family had to stay in a barn, Herod wanted to kill the babyJesus, and the three kings brought gifts they thought were stupid. Everyone else has justaccepted the story as it is for the sake of what it was. There are two points of view in thisscenario. Use the table below to identify the two points of view and use supportingdetails from the book.Point of ViewDetails that support this viewThe Herdmans’ pointof view.The traditionalacceptance of thestory. 2006 New Learning Publishing13Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Point of View continued Directions: Write a letter from the Herdmans’ point of view, asking foradvice on how to deal with facts from the Christmas story they didn’t like.Ask for advice on how to understand why certain things happened. Tell the person that you are writing to the main problem(s) that you arehaving with the Christmas story. Ask for his/her advice on how to deal with the situation. Be specificabout the kind of advice that you want. Thank him/her for taking the time to read your letter. Correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.Planning PageIntroduction: List the problem(s) you are having:List what specific advice you are going to ask for in the letter:Conclusion: Notes on how you would end your letter. 2006 New Learning Publishing14Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Dear ,Yours truly, 2006 New Learning Publishing15Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter fiveVocabularyWordPage thdrawAdopted1. Why did the Herdmans want to go to the library?2. What was Alice writing down on her little pad of paper? Why?3. Why didn’t any parents want their baby to play Jesus in the pageant?4. Why was Imogene pleased with the idea of a doll being used as the baby?5. How do you think the rehearsals are going so far? 2006 New Learning Publishing16Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Character Analysis ActivityWhen reading a novel it is very natural for the reader to develop opinions of thecharacters. You decide which characters you like and dislike, which are funny, and which aresincere. This process is called analyzing characters. A good writer wants the reader to do this. Ithelps the reader understand the story better and enjoy the story more. It also helps the readerbecome part of the story, in a way, because we also compare characters in stories with people weknow or have met.You have really been able to ‘get to know’ Imogene in this story. Fill in the chart belowabout her character traits. When you are done, use one character trait in the chart to write aparagraph about Imogene’s character. It is important that you include several details from thestory to support your choice of trait.Character TraitDetails To Prove ItConnection to Your Life1.2.3.4. 2006 New Learning Publishing17Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Now, choose one other character from the book (Beth, Charlie, the mother,Alice, any other Herdman). Be sure to use a lot of details to support thecharacter traits you choose.Character TraitDetails To Prove ItConnection To Your Life1.2.3.4.Write a paragraph that describes the character. 2006 New Learning Publishing18Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

ratehappymannerlyindependent 2006 New Learning ntiveconceitedmeanNovel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter sixVocabularyWordPage erlastingParsonageUproar1. What is a dress rehearsal?2. Do you think it is safe to let your little sister pierce your ear like Imogenedid? Why, or why not?3. Why was Imogene upset about the baby’s name?4. Why did Mrs. McCarthy call the fire department?5. Make a prediction on how you think the pageant will be? 2006 New Learning Publishing20Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Chapter sevenVocabularyWordPage CollapsibleBewildered1. Why do you think Imogene and Ralph didn’t come out right away likethey were supposed to?2. How did the ham make more practical sense as a gift than what theoriginal wise men brought?3. Why do think Imogene was crying?4. Why do you think the Herdmans wouldn’t take the ham back?5. Was this the best Christmas pageant ever? Why, or why not? 2006 New Learning Publishing21Novel Ideas: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever