frindle - carroll county public schools
TRANSCRIPT
LSE Reads Program
Frindle
By
Andrew Clements
Parents,
Our LSE Reads Program is starting today! Your student received this packet and a paper
back copy of Frindle while at school today. Please look through the following pages and
familiarize yourself with the contents. The packet contains a reading calendar, discussion
questions and vocabulary words to discuss while reading.
The calendar designates which chapter should be read each night. Students are
encouraged to read one chapter every two days with their family members and review the
discussion questions for that chapter as a family.
The list of discussion questions is given to help spark conversation between you and your
child, as well as give our school reading community common conversation items to talk
about and discuss. Please do not feel that you are limited to talking only about these items.
Stories come alive when we share them with others by making text-to-text, text-to-self, and
text-to-world connections. Our hope is that this event will be a very powerful experience for
all LSE families.
In addition, the chapter information for each reading will be shared on the morning
announcements as well as questions related to the readings.
Any questions can be directed to Mrs. Myers at [email protected] or
Mrs. Twery at [email protected] or 410-751-3280.
Thank you for participating in this event.
Happy Reading!
LSE Reads 2020
By: Andrew Clements
Reading Schedule for LSE Reads
Your family’s copy of Frindle went home with the youngest family member at Linton Springs on Monday, January 27th.
Week One Monday, Jan. 27th 1. Nick Wednesday, Jan. 29th 2. Mrs. Granger Friday, Jan. 31st 3. The Question
Week Two
Monday, Feb. 3rd 4. Word Detective Wednesday, Feb. 5th 5. The Report Friday, Feb. 7th 6. The Big Idea
Week Three
Monday, Feb. 10th 7. Word Wars Wednesday, Feb. 12th 8. Mightier Than The Sword Friday, Feb. 14th 9. Chess
Week Five
Monday, Feb .17th 10. Freedom of the Press Wednesday, Feb. 19th 11. Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Friday, Feb. 21st 12. Airwaves
Week Six
Monday, Feb. 24th 13. Ripples Wednesday, Feb. 26th 14. Inside Nick Friday, Feb. 28th 15. And The Winner Is …..
Frindle
Fifth grader Nick Allen knows just how to make school more
cool. In third grade, he transformed Miss Deaver's room into a
tropical paradise with some paper palm trees and a sandy
beach. In fourth grade, he taught his classmates to mimic the
high-pitched calls of blackbirds. But now, in fifth grade, clever
Nick has come up with his most ingenious idea yet. After
learning about the origins of words, he decides to change the
word "pen" to "frindle." At first, it seems like a harmless prank,
a way to annoy his dictionary-obsessed teacher. Then the
whole class starts using the new word, and the joke spreads
across town like wildfire. Suddenly Nick finds himself in the
middle of a media frenzy over "frindle." Will Nick emerge from
the controversy a troublemaker or a hero?
Monday, January 27th
Chapter 1: Nick Meet Nick Allen. Discover how his ideas liven up his classrooms in third and
fourth grade. Can you think of an idea that your teacher would approve that would liven up
your classroom? Would you like to learn more about the red wing blackbird?
Use the World Book site Http://worldbookonline.com (Username: linton Password: springs)
to find out more information on red wing blackbirds. Listen to the sounds they make that Nick
and his friend Janet tried to imitate. Give it a try.
Troublemaker – a person who causes trouble
Pitch – the highness or lowness of a sound
Tropical – an area with warm weather all year
Promptly – to happen immediately
Delighted – made very happy
Experiment – a scientific test
Thermostat – a device that adjusts the temperature in a room
South Seas - areas of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans
Pounced – to jump on
Wednesday, January 29th
Chapter 2: Mrs. Granger Nick is introduced to fifth grade and his new ELA teacher, Mrs.
Granger. What scares or scared you about starting your fifth grade year at Linton Springs?
One thing Mrs. Granger loves is the dictionary. All her former students will forever remember
her famous battle cry, “Look it up! That’s why we have the dictionary.” Today most people
use an online dictionary. Have you ever used a print dictionary? Try looking up the following
vocabulary words from chapter two using a print or online dictionary.
You could use the Word Central site http://wordcentral.com/index.html.
Monopoly - ________________________________________________________________________________
Reputation - _______________________________________________________________________________
Attendance - _______________________________________________________________________________
Universe - _________________________________________________________________________________
Essential - _________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, January 31st
Chapter 3: The Question It is the first day of school, and Nick finds out that his usual tricks
won’t work on Mrs. Granger. How does your first day of school compare to Nick’s? Have you
ever tried to sidetrack your parents or teacher, and how? How would you describe a
dictionary? Where do you think new words come from? How could Nick research his
assignment from Mrs. Granger? Learn more about dictionaries by going to BrainPop -
https://www.brainpop.com/
(User Name: lintonsprings Password: missymiss) and searching Dictionary and Thesaurus.
Acquainted – get to know
Procedures – steps to doing something
Sidetrack – to distract from the main subject
Cursive – a type of writing where letters are connected
Guarantee – a promise
Monday, February 3rd
Chapter 4: Word Detective Nick’s parents have a rule at their house – Homework First!! Do
you think this is fair? When do you do your homework at your house? Nick has to find out
where all the words in a dictionary come from, and then report back to his class. Nick reads
the introduction to the dictionary and thinks that it is like “trying to read the ingredients on a
shampoo bottle.” What do you think he means by that? He decides to make his report more
interesting. If you had to guess what idea Nick came up with that would make his report fun,
what would you say he was going to do? Watch this video to get an idea of where new words
come from: https://youtu.be/Ytr28t5VzAs.
Semester – half a year of classes in a school year
Etymological – related to the development of words
Origin – when something begins
Lexicographic – the making of a dictionary
Complex – having many parts
Wednesday, February 5th
Chapter 5: The Report Nick is nervous to present his report in Mrs. Granger’s class, and he
hopes that his time-wasting plan works. Has there been a time when you felt like Nick did,
that time was flying by too quickly? How do you feel when you need to present to your class?
Did Nick's time-wasting plan work? What do you think Mrs. Granger means when she says
“everyone in this class…school…town… state and country” decides what words mean and
which go into the dictionary?
Nick says Mrs. Granger’s class ends in a blur of “verbs and nouns…” Learn about these parts
of speech by going to Brain Pop Jr. - https://jr.brainpop.com/
(User Name: lintonsprings Password: missymiss) and watch the videos on “Verbs” and
“Nouns.”
Maximum – the largest possible amount Linoleum – a type of floor covering
Fluorescent – able to give off light
Adjusted – made to fit
Prim – correct and proper
Reputation – being known for something
Friday, February 7th
Chapter 6: The Big Idea Nick comes up with a plan to add a new word to the English
language. Three things happened to spark his idea:
1. His friend Janet found a pen.
2. He understood what his teacher, Mrs. Granger, was telling him about the dictionary.
3. He gave the pen a new name.
Do you think Nick’s plan will work? If you had to pick a new name for an object, what would it
be? Can you find out what a pen is called in other languages? Try using this kid’s translator:
https://kidssearch.com/KidsTranslator.html.
Concentration – thinking hard about one thing
Absorbed – taking up all of your thoughts
Squinted – to look at something with your eyes partly closed
Monday, February 10th
Chapter 7: Word Wars Nick and John launch their new word in Mrs. Granger’s class. Nick
says he can’t find his frindle, and John says he has an extra frindle that Nick can borrow. Mrs.
Granger talks to Nick at the end of class. Do you think Nick is smart to keep using the word
frindle when talking to Mrs. Granger? Would you have done the same? Mrs. Granger warns
Nick that he shouldn’t interrupt her class again. Do you think Nick is going to listen to Mrs.
Granger’s warning?
Mrs. Granger says that Nick and John have put on a performance for the class. A performance
is a play put on for an audience. Would you say that what Nick and John did was a
performance? Watch this actual performance of some Frindle scenes by other elementary
students - https://youtu.be/HiT4EzBqRCQ
If Linton Springs put on a performance of Frindle, who would you cast as Nick, Mrs. Granger,
and John? Launch – introduce to the public for the first time
Emphasized – stress when speaking
Bravery – having courage
Wednesday, February 12th
Chapter 8: Mightier Than the Sword Mrs. Granger announced that any students heard using
the word frindle would have to stay after school. Do you think that Mrs. Granger’s punishment
plan to keep kids late after school worked? Why or why not? Mrs. Granger tried to convince
Nick that he should use the word “pen” instead of frindle. Mrs. Granger showed Nick a letter
that she would mail to him once their “war” was over.
Mrs. Granger explained to Nick that the word pen comes from the Latin word “pinna.” Many
other words that we use also come from the Latin language. Match Latin words that we use in
English with what they mean. For help, use the Origin Of section of Dictionary.com.
Latin words that we use in English what the word means
bonus towards versus seize the day
et cetera and the rest carpe diem good
ego in another place alibi I
Secret agents – spies
Spark – look of excitement or anger
Furious – very angry
Oath – promise
Notice – written warning
Abruptly – quickly and without warning
Badge of honor – something to be proud of
Complain – tell that you are upset
Settled – sitting comfortably
Quills – pen made from the feather of a bird
Disruption – something that takes attention away from what should be happening
Friday, February 14th
Chapter 9: Chess
Lincoln Elementary School’s principal Mrs. Chatham visits Nick and his parents to talk about
the word frindle. Mrs. Chatham feels like the students are rebelling against their teachers.
Mrs. Allen explains that she thinks the whole thing is silly and that Mrs. Granger overreacted.
After Mrs. Chatham leaves, Nick agrees that he’ll be respectful of the teachers and explains
that the word frindle is bigger than him now. He couldn’t stop the other students from using it
even if he wanted to.
In this chapter, Nick compares what is happening to a chess game between Mrs. Granger and
himself. Mrs. Granger tried to use her queen to defeat Nick. Watch some or all of this video to
learn how to play chess - https://youtu.be/KlTEQZ5Sy4E.
Do you agree that Nick is playing a game of chess with Mrs. Granger?
Served – worked
Rebellion – group of people refusing something
Stiffly – the opposite of relaxed or friendly
Trailed off – got quieter and ended
Encouraging – telling others to do something
Defender – someone protecting you
Forbidding – not allowing something
Stumped – say something that no one else could respond to
Monday, February 17th
Chapter 10: Freedom of the Press Lincoln Elementary catches the attention of a newspaper reporter. The Westfield Gazette reporter Judy Morgan investigates the “secret code word” that the kids are using. Do you think that frindle is really a “secret code word?” Why or why not? Judy Morgan interviewed a very uncomfortable Mrs. Chatham who gave her permission to have a chat with Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger believes that this fad will fade. When do you think the fad will fade? Someone sent a picture of the 5th grade class, with a description of how to find Nick in the picture. Who do you think sent the picture? Why do you think they sent it? Use the following website:
https://picklebums.com/images/printables/picklebums_morsecode.pdf
to decode the message below:
_ .... .. … .. … .._. .._ _.
Occasional- sometimes
Phony- not real
Rowdy- rough or loud behavior
Prank- trick
Squirmed- twist around
Predict- to tell what will happen a head of time
Fad- an interest that is very popular for a short time Fade- go away slowly
Wednesday, February 19th
Chapter 11: Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Frindle makes the front page of The Westfield
Gazette. Have you ever seen a newspaper? What does the front page of a newspaper look
like? Is it special to be on the front page of a newspaper? The article calls the kids frindle-
fighters; what an interesting name! The reporter seems to really have people thinking. Do you
think that the way Judy Morgan shared the article makes a difference in how the readers feel?
People around town are upset, including the superintendent. Mrs. Chatham is worried that
she and Mrs. Granger might be fired. We still don’t know who sent the photo of the 5th grade
class.
Use the Encyclopedia Britannica site to find the video on how felt tip pens are made:
http://school.eb.com/levels Username: Linton Password: springs
Login - Select middle - Search “pen” - Select the video showing how felt tip pens are made.
Authority- a person in charge Identified- to figure out who (or what) someone (or something) is
Superintendent- the person in charge of all of the schools and the people that work there
Friday, February 21st
Chapter 12: Airwaves The middle and high school kids have caught on and are using the
word frindle instead of pen. Nick became famous in his town. This made him feel
uncomfortable. How would you feel if you were famous? Would you think it is fun or would it
feel uncomfortable? Bud Lawrence invested some money in selling plastic ballpoint pens with
frindle printed on the side. He sold over 3,000 frindles in the first week. Would you buy an
official frindle? A TV reporter found the frindle story and now Mrs. Granger and Nick were on
national news, on the Late Show with David Letterman, in People magazine and more!
The new word frindle was being used all across the nation. How do you think Nick feels about
all this attention? Bud Lawrence is getting orders for frindles from all over. The problem is
that he didn’t make the word up. Nick could sue Bud. So Bud had Mr. Allen sign over the rights
to use the new word. Bud will give the Allen family 30% of the profits from his sales. Would
you have agreed to sign over the rights to the new word?
The Allen Family lives in New Hampshire. Use Culture Grams to research the state of New
Hampshire to find out about where they live.
Check out CultureGrams:
http://online.culturegrams.com
Username: Linton Password: springs
Investment- money put toward something that will make more money
Editor- a person that chooses what is seen in newspapers, or on TV (and other things shared with the public)
Citizens- a person who lives in a city or town
Published- printed for public sale/ reading
Zip- interest, energy, life
In stock- in the store
Preliminary- something that is done to prepare for something more important
Trademark- a mark that is used to tell others that something legally belongs to your company (like the Nike swoosh)
Lawsuit- take a case to court
Profit- money made
Guardian- a person that legally takes care of another person
Royalty- money owed to a person that owns a thing or idea that has been used to make a profit
Monday, February 24th
Chapter 13: Ripples It seems as though frindle-mania was over in Westfield. Have you ever
seen something that is really popular slowly lose popularity? Do you think these things just go
away or do they just become a normal part of everyday life? What do you think will happen to
frindle? Will it go away or will it become part of the new normal? The word was still spreading
across the country and maybe overseas. Bud keeps making money and giving Mr. Allen royalty
checks for Nick’s college fund. Mrs. Granger has let it go, but Nick can’t stop thinking about it.
Imported- to bring goods into a country from another country
Habit- a way of behaving that is repeated often
Trust fund- a special savings account that can’t be used until a certain time
Mania- crazed over excitement
Wednesday, February 26th
Chapter 14: Inside Nick Nick still has good ideas, but he is afraid to share them. After a
conversation with Mrs. Granger, Nick returns to his normal self. Have you ever felt scared or
nervous about something because of what has happened in the past? Should these things stop
you from doing good things? Nick went on to do great and creative things in middle school
and high school. He didn’t hear about what happened to frindle until 10 years later. What do
you think Nick finds out about in 10 years?
Consumers- a person who buys and uses things
Clever- smart
Rascal- a mischievous person
Clamming up- refusing to talk
Commotion- noisy excitement and confusion
Friday, February 28th
Chapter 15: And the Winner Is….. Nick turns 21 and he can now use the trust fund that holds
the profits from the frindle sales. Mrs. Granger sent a package with a dictionary with the word
frindle in it. Have you ever received a package in the mail? How did you feel when you opened
it? Nick finally gets to read the letter from Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger admits to playing the
villain and apologizes. Nick believes that she was rooting for frindle all along and by playing the
villain she made its existence possible. What does that mean? Did Mrs. Granger somehow
support the word by making a big deal out of not using it? What do you think about the end of
the book? Did you expect the note that Mrs. Granger received on Christmas morning? Now
that you’ve finished the book, who do you think sent the class picture to the newspaper?
Endures- to continue in the same way Oblong- longer on one side than the other
Plucked- picked up
Scholarship- money given to a student to help pay for education
If you enjoyed this story, you may want to read some of the following books written by
Andrew Clements:
The Last Holiday Concert No Talking The School Story Lost and Found The Report Card The Friendship War
Extra Credit Room One: A Mystery or Two The Losers Club The Landry News
The Janitor's Boy Lunch Money The Map Trap Trouble-Maker
Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series
About Average
About the Author “In 1990 I began trying to write a picture book about a boy who makes up a new word. That
book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole
story of how it developed on the Frindle page of this website:
https://www.andrewclements.com/books/frindle
Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far.
And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. My wife and I now live in
Maine—not far from where I spent my earliest summers. These days I spend a lot of my time
in a room attached to the far side of the garage—just far enough from the rest of our home to
make me feel like I’ve gone to work. The room is larger than the small garden shed I worked in
for almost twenty years, but it’s the same desk, same chair, same paper and pencils, same
keyboard and screen. And I’m grateful to say that the books keep coming.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one
word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You
don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look
for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go
to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that
next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.”
See more at: https://www.andrewclements.com/