Learning Differently: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Lesson 7
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ELA

Alternate Unit 5

4th Grade

Lesson 7 of 23

Objective


Explain what Joey thinks is "normal" and if there really is such a thing as "normal."

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos  — Ch. 5

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What does Joey think is "normal"? Is there any such thing as "normal"? Why does Joey wish that he could be "normal"?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • Why does Mrs. Maxy send Joey to see Mrs. Howard?

  • Joey thinks he has done Harold a favor. Do others see his actions the way he does? Explain why or why not.

  • When he gets home, Joey asks his mom lots of questions about what she did when he was a baby. Why is he asking these questions? How do they make his mom feel?

  • Read the sentence from page 51. "I can have good days. Entire days when I wake up and I'm calm inside like water when it's not boiling, and I just plant my feet on the floor like every kid in America." What does this sentence show about Joey and how he feels about himself? What other evidence does the author include to show that Joey wishes he could change his behavior?

  • On page 52, the author describes in depth how Joey feels about his behavior. What technique does the author use to show what it's like to be Joey?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


press my buttons

phrase

(p. 50)

to do something to anger someone, on purpose

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.4.3 — Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

Supporting Standards

L.4.4
L.4.5
RF.4.3
RF.4.4
RL.4.1
RL.4.4
RL.4.10
SL.4.1
W.4.10
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Lesson 6

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Lesson 8

Lesson Map

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