The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Chapters 1 - 3
Interesting Words:
alacrity, beseeching, covet, guile, intrepid, morose, pliant, sagacity
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Tom shows off so much?
Why do you think Tom treats Sid the way he does?
What do you feel is the significance of the "whitewashing the fence" scene?
Possible Extensions:
Using the information you receive from the "whitewashing the fence" scene to create a character thinking map. Perhaps you could use the boards on the fence to write each character trait.
Twain uses many literary devices as he tells his story. Find examples of an oxymoron, a simile, and a metaphor.
Chapters 4 - 8
Interesting Words:
disconcerted, éclat, effusion, facetious, mien, pariah, zephyr
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think all of the boys in town wish they were Huck Finn?
What happens when Tom brings a bug to church?
What are some ploys Tom uses to get Becky's attention?
Possible Extensions:
Generate a list of superstitions that students are familiar with. Do they believe in superstitions?
Create a cartoon using any of the superstitions mentioned in the text.
Chapters 9 - 17
Interesting Words:
apprehensive, clandestinely, monotonous, pallid
Discussion Questions:
How does Tom show his concern for Muff Potter?
What do the boys think will happen if they tell on Injun Joe?
What does Tom consider the "proudest moment of his life"?
Possible Extensions:
Use a thinking map to compare and contrast the characters of Tom vs. Huck.
Chapters 18 - 21
Interesting Words:
conspicuous, encounter, lethargy, perplexity, refrain, vindictive
Discussion Questions:
Why is Aunt Polly still upset with Tom after the funeral?
How does Tom's spelling book become damaged?
Why does Aunt Polly say she could forgive Tom for "a million sins"?
Possible Extensions:
Give examples of Tom's resourcefulness. Springboard into events in your own life that forced you to be resourceful. Create a skit or act out the event.
Debate: Tom lies a lot. Could there ever be a time where lying is the best choice. Be prepared to defend your opinion.
Create a thinking map to compare and contrast your school experience with that of Tom's.
What is your opinion of the prank played on the school master? Do you feel that it was justified? What would happen if someone played a similar prank on a teacher in today's school?
Chapters 22 - 29
Interesting Words:
auspices, attrition, chronic, fluctuates, omniscient, palpable, procured
Discussion Questions:
Why do Tom and Huck dig holes all over town?
Why do Tom and Huck decide to search for Injun Joe?
Why does Injun Joe want to hurt Widow Douglas?
Possible Extensions:
Create a bubble map to show the prejudices that existed against minorities at the time this book was written. Do you feel any of these prejudices are still in existence today? If so, what can be done to reduce prejudice?
Create a play about Muff Potter's trial for murder.
Chapters 30 - 35
Interesting Words:
forlorn, lucid, plausible, sinuous, subterranean
Discussion Questions:
Why does Tom panic when he realizes that the cave entrance is closed off?
How does Tom feel when he sees Injun Joe dead?
Why does Tom take little bags with him when he reenters the cave?
How does Tom encourage Huck to rejoin civilization?
Possible Extensions:
Tom and Huck are rich. Do you believe that the Widow Douglas and Aunt Polly will use their money wisely to provide for the boys? Give examples of what might be purchased with the money during this time in history.
Final:
Create a diorama of the town and the caves.
Create a character map to illustrate each main character in the story.
Pick your favorite character and select dialogue to "reenact" for the class.
Chapters 1 - 3
Interesting Words:
alacrity, beseeching, covet, guile, intrepid, morose, pliant, sagacity
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Tom shows off so much?
Why do you think Tom treats Sid the way he does?
What do you feel is the significance of the "whitewashing the fence" scene?
Possible Extensions:
Using the information you receive from the "whitewashing the fence" scene to create a character thinking map. Perhaps you could use the boards on the fence to write each character trait.
Twain uses many literary devices as he tells his story. Find examples of an oxymoron, a simile, and a metaphor.
Chapters 4 - 8
Interesting Words:
disconcerted, éclat, effusion, facetious, mien, pariah, zephyr
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think all of the boys in town wish they were Huck Finn?
What happens when Tom brings a bug to church?
What are some ploys Tom uses to get Becky's attention?
Possible Extensions:
Generate a list of superstitions that students are familiar with. Do they believe in superstitions?
Create a cartoon using any of the superstitions mentioned in the text.
Chapters 9 - 17
Interesting Words:
apprehensive, clandestinely, monotonous, pallid
Discussion Questions:
How does Tom show his concern for Muff Potter?
What do the boys think will happen if they tell on Injun Joe?
What does Tom consider the "proudest moment of his life"?
Possible Extensions:
Use a thinking map to compare and contrast the characters of Tom vs. Huck.
Chapters 18 - 21
Interesting Words:
conspicuous, encounter, lethargy, perplexity, refrain, vindictive
Discussion Questions:
Why is Aunt Polly still upset with Tom after the funeral?
How does Tom's spelling book become damaged?
Why does Aunt Polly say she could forgive Tom for "a million sins"?
Possible Extensions:
Give examples of Tom's resourcefulness. Springboard into events in your own life that forced you to be resourceful. Create a skit or act out the event.
Debate: Tom lies a lot. Could there ever be a time where lying is the best choice. Be prepared to defend your opinion.
Create a thinking map to compare and contrast your school experience with that of Tom's.
What is your opinion of the prank played on the school master? Do you feel that it was justified? What would happen if someone played a similar prank on a teacher in today's school?
Chapters 22 - 29
Interesting Words:
auspices, attrition, chronic, fluctuates, omniscient, palpable, procured
Discussion Questions:
Why do Tom and Huck dig holes all over town?
Why do Tom and Huck decide to search for Injun Joe?
Why does Injun Joe want to hurt Widow Douglas?
Possible Extensions:
Create a bubble map to show the prejudices that existed against minorities at the time this book was written. Do you feel any of these prejudices are still in existence today? If so, what can be done to reduce prejudice?
Create a play about Muff Potter's trial for murder.
Chapters 30 - 35
Interesting Words:
forlorn, lucid, plausible, sinuous, subterranean
Discussion Questions:
Why does Tom panic when he realizes that the cave entrance is closed off?
How does Tom feel when he sees Injun Joe dead?
Why does Tom take little bags with him when he reenters the cave?
How does Tom encourage Huck to rejoin civilization?
Possible Extensions:
Tom and Huck are rich. Do you believe that the Widow Douglas and Aunt Polly will use their money wisely to provide for the boys? Give examples of what might be purchased with the money during this time in history.
Final:
Create a diorama of the town and the caves.
Create a character map to illustrate each main character in the story.
Pick your favorite character and select dialogue to "reenact" for the class.