Merci Suarez Changes Gears Novel Study

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This BUNDLE of activities is for the novel Merci Suárez Changes Gears By Meg Medina, a realistic contemporary fiction novel.

-The set includes the chapter questions (and answers), the flip book of literary elements, and the creative connections booklet.


Chapter Questions
The chapter questions have a total of 38 questions for this novel.

-The questions are a mixture of higher level thinking questions and are intended to be short answer, with one or two paragraphs for each response. They are NOT multiple choice and would NOT be as helpful for a quick check for understanding.

In the file, you will find three version of the questions. Use the directions included to pull out the

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version you need.

1. Printable version - student packet with a cover sheet and three questions on each page. Lines for each answer.

2. Student questions with no lines. Teachers or students can add text boxes to the PDF for typing if your technology allows that.

3. The entire list of questions on just five pages so that students could write their answers in a reading journal they already have or type their answers separately and submit them electronically.

-For each question there is also a model answer included in the file. While answers may vary in your classroom, these sample pieces would be a good place to start, especially if you are leading a class discussion.


Flipbook
The FLIP BOOK (flipbook)for the novel Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina can be used as an on-going check for literary understanding, an end of the unit assessment, or a simple book report. Great for Literature Circles.

-You should be able to print this out, fold, and go. No cutting necessary. Save paper!! Directions included if you need help folding.

-Each panel discusses a different literary element.

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-Characters – Who are the main ones and then choose one to dig a little deeper.

-Setting – Thinking about the time and the place, describe two different settings from the book and decide if the setting influences other elements.

-Conflict – Character vs Character, Character vs Nature, Character vs Self, and Character vs Society.

-Summary – Using the Somebody Wanted But So Then technique, summarize this novel.

-Theme – What is the topic of our book? How is that different than the theme?

-Also places for some sketches or drawings, just to keep it interesting.

Updated to add a black and white version to save ink!


Creative Connections
The Creative Connections are meant to help students connect with the novel (its setting, characters, and plot) in a more creative way than simple questions to check for understanding. Use this as part of a daily warm up, an end of the unit book report, or a supplement for literature circles.

-In this file, you will also find three version of the questions. Use the directions included to pull out the version you need.

1. Printable version - student booklet with a cover and one question on each page. Lines for each

Click on photo for more information.

answer where needed.

2. Student questions with no lines. Teachers or students can add text boxes to the PDF for typing if your technology allows that. One question per page.

3. The entire list of questions on just one page so that students could write their answers in a reading journal they already have or type their answers separately and submit them electronically.

-The topics include making a timeline, creating an award, devising an online ad, sketching a scene, planning a menu, writing a text exchange, designing a logo, writing a poem, casting a movie, writing a letter, and redesigning a cover. You will like the clean format. The packet and booklet both include a cover with space for a student name.

This entire bundle would be perfect for National Hispanic Heritage Month  -- September 15 thru October 15.