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Ramona Quimby, Age 8



Last updated Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Author: Beverly Cleary
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 006246454X
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2016

Synopsis: Ramona likes that she’s old enough to be counted on, but must everything depend on her? Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work so that Mr. Quimby can return to school, and Ramona is expected to be good for Mrs. Kemp while her parents are away, to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself, and to put up with being teased by Danny the Yard Ape. In Ramona’s world, being eight isn’t easy, but it’s never dull!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you like most about 3rd grade?
•  Do your siblings go to the same school as you, or a different one?
•  What is your teacher like?

Vocabulary

•  Quivery- to shake or tremble
•  Prompt- to cause someone to do something
•  Stagecoach- a large carriage pulled by horses that was used to carry passengers
•  Triumphant- resulting in victory or success
•  Fibbing- an untrue statement about something minor or unimportant
•  Ferocious- very fierce or violent
•  Encumbered- to make someone, or something, hold or carry something heavy
•  Exasperation- the state of being very annoyed or upset
•  Dismount- to get down from something
•  Conspiratorial- involving a secret plan by two or more people

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How do you get to school (bus, walk, car)?
•  How does Ramona feel when her eraser is missing?
•  What is Ramona's favorite part of school?
•  What do you do, or where do you go, after school?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a thank you card for your teacher.
•  Draw a picture of what you think Ramona's family looks like.
•  See examples on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/september-2016-back-to-school/

Special activities:
•  Tell stories about school that relate to the book.
•  Play 20 questions with school related themes.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!