Inside Out
1. Francisco was very excited about attending school for the first time, but Roberto told him a story that made him feel very nervous about it. What was the story? Have you ever had a bad experience in school? If so, describe it.
2. What did Francisco like about his classroom?
3. How did Francisco's lack of English affect him in the classroom and on the playground?
4. Why do you think the caterpillar was so important to Francisco?
5. What happened that made Francisco say "I wanted to wake up and find it was only a dream"? Describe the incident and explain why it happened. What simile describes Curtis's behavior?
6. Do you think it was fair that both Curtis and Francisco were punished for the incident on the playground? Explain your answer. If you had been Miss Scalapino, how would you have handled the situation?
7. When everyone had left the room and Francisco was alone with the caterpillar, what did he discover about it? Write the simile that describes its appearance. How does he imagine the caterpillar? (Find two adjectives).
8. Toward the end of the school year, Francisco writes, "Miss Scalapino took me by surprise." What was the surprise? What simile does Francisco use to describe his feelings about it? (p. 24)
9. In the end, what does Miss Scalapino ask Francisco to do? Why do you think she asked him to do this?
10. Describe each stageEach part or state in a process of change in the caterpillar's metamorphosis. The process of changing into something very different How might each change symbolize represent something else Francisco's feelings and social development at a particular time?
11. Bracket the sentence that describes the reaction of the whole class to Francisco's "announcement." Underline the simile that depicts the students' reaction. (25)
12. What does Francisco do with his drawing of the butterfly? Write a couple of sentences to express your personal reaction to Francisco's gesture.
Reflect and Write
What made you feel sad as you read this chapter? Explain why? What made you feel happy as you read it? Explain why?
Word Bank: Add at least five new words from the chapter to your word bank.