Number the Stars
Chapters 3 – 4
Reading Strategy: Making Predictions
At this point in the story, you probably have a pretty firm idea about the nature of the danger that Ellen and her family are facing. You also know that the Johansens are determined to keep Ellen safe. In fact, you may be predicting some ways in which they’ll try to protect her. As readers become engrossed in a story, they cannot help but predict what’s going to happen next. A prediction, of course, is an intelligent guess. As the story unfolds, a reader often changes his/her prediction based upon new information. How have your predictions about the story changed so far?
Vocabulary
Look for these words as you read, define in context
lingered |
dawdled |
scampered |
rationed |
haughtily |
kroner |
unruly |
sarcastically |
swastika |
curfew |
practical |
tormenting |
sophisticated |
glowering |
exasperated |
disdainfully |
belligerently |
submerged |
awed |
dubiously |
tension |
imperious |
intoned |
murmur |
contentedly |
stalk |
scornfully |
|
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 3
1. Summarize this chapter in two or three sentences
2. Once the Germans took over Denmark, the Danish people had to live without many necessities. List some of the ways that the characters in the novel compensate for these losses. (For example, how do they keep warm?)
3. Why does Peter visit this time? Why do Annemarie’s parents want her to talk with Peter?
4. Why does Annemarie feel bad after talking about the time when Kirsti slept with her parents?
5. Annemarie is very concerned about her friend, Ellen. Describe a time when you were worried about someone you cared about.
6. Annemarie now says she is not sure whether she would die for King Christian or the Jewish people. What do you think caused her to question this more than she did at age 7?
7. What do you predict has happened to the Hirsch family?
8. Peter brings shells for the girls. Tell why the following simile is true: Annemarie’s life is like a sea shell.
Chapter 4
1. What did the Danish people do to keep the Germans from getting control over their fleet of ships?
2. What is the plan to save the Rosens from the German soldiers? Who comes up with this plan?
3. Why does Kirsti believe she has seen fireworks before?
4. Compare and contrast the events and celebration of a Jewish New Year with a calendar New Year.
5. Why is “It Will Be A Long Night” an appropriate title for this chapter?
6. What do you think Annemarie and Ellen will talk about this evening in bed?
7. How would you feel if you had to go live with a friend and your parents had to go into hiding, just to be safe?
8. Where do you predict the Rosens have gone? When and how will they be reunited with Ellen?
9. Pretend the state you live in was suddenly taken over by an enemy country. In what ways would your life change? (Be specific)
Literature Journal (Choose one topic)
1. Write a journal entry about the events in Chapter 3 and/or 4. If you chose Ellen, pretend you have also been visited by Peter this evening. (What does he say to your family? How do you feel about this?) If you chose Annemarie, write how you feel about the Jews, their situation, and Peter’s news.
2. You will find an example of foreshadowing in the last part of this chapter. Copy the sentence that foreshadows a future event in the novel. What do you predict will happen based on this clue?
3. Pretend you have to give up the following things: meat, new shoes, new clothes, electricity after 5:00 pm, phones, and cars. How does your life change? What can you no longer do? How do you make up for these losses? What do you miss most? Why?
Discussion Group (complete as many as time allows)
N.B. - As a group, you will probably have different answers to the above topics. It isn’t necessary that you decide upon one correct answer, but you must listen to each other’s ideas so that you develop a broader, richer understanding of the book.
1. Annemarie’s father says that she and Ellen must pretend to be sisters. Who do you suppose he gives this instruction? Predict why Ellen may have to act like a member of the Johansen family.
2. Annemarie says to herself that she’s glad to be an ordinary person who will never be called upon for courage. What’s your prediction? Will she turn out to be correct or incorrect? Explain why you think so.
3. What are the Nazis doing that make you realize Jews are in immediate danger? With your group, predict what might happen to people who attempt to protect the Jews.
4. Mr. and Mrs. Rosen have left with Peter, and Mr. Johansen assures Ellen that they are safe. What’s your prediction about the Rosens’ destination? Do you think Mr. Johansen is positive about their safety, or is he trying to console Ellen? Explain your point of view.
5. What do you think Mr. Johansen means when he says,”It will be a long night”? With your group, predict what might happen at the Johansens’ home during the night.
6. Annemarie recalls the night of Kirsti’s birthday when the Dames blew up their naval fleet to keep it out German hands. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of their actions.
7. How does Lois Lowry create suspense in chapters 3 and 4? Discuss whether or not you think the chapters build tension in the story.
When you have finished talking about these topics, take some time to write to complete a copy of the discussion group rubric and store it in your Number the Stars Portfolio.
Extended Activities
1. You have been assigned the job of making new designs for items that are usually made of leather. Since leather is no longer available, you need to be creative and find another way to make these things. They should be as sturdy as possible. Make a drawing of each creation, tell what it is made of, and explain how durable the material is. ITEMS TO MAKE: purse, belt, gloves, luggage, shoes, and one additional item of your choice.
2. Many adjectives and adverbs are used throughout chapters three and four. Find and list eight excellent adjectives that modify nouns. List each adjective and the noun it describes. Then look for six adverbs you feel give clearer images of the verbs they modify. List each adverb with the verb it modifies. (complete this activity using a T-chart graphic organizer)