Study Guides and Lesson Plans for "Maniac Magee"
About Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli:
Maniac Magee is a folk story about a boy, a very excitable boy.
One that can outrun dogs, hit a home run off the best pitcher in the neighborhood, tie a
knot no one can undo. "Kid's gotta be a maniac," is what the folks in Two Mills
say. It's also the story of how this boy, Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee,
confronts racism in a small town, tries to find a home where there is none and attempts to
soothe tensions between rival factions on the tough side of town. Presented as a folk
tale, it's the stuff of storytelling. "The history of a kid," says Jerry
Spinelli, "is one part fact, two parts legend, and three parts snowball." And
for this kid, four parts of fun. Maniac Magee won the 1991 Newbery Medal.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Reader reviews of Maniac Mcgee
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Complete lesson plans for teaching Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Includes
introduction to the unit, unit objectives, reading assignments, unit outline, study
questions (short answer), study/quiz questions (multiple choice), vocabulary worksheets,
daily lessons planned, related nonfiction reading assignment, oral reading evaluation,
biographical info about the author, three detailed writing assignments (inform, persuade,
personal opinion), vocabulary review games & activities, unit review games &
activities, at least one group activity assignment, discussion questions on all levels
(factual, critical, interpretive, personal response), 2 short answer unit tests, 2
multiple choice unit tests, 1 advanced short answer unit test, unit and vocabulary
crossword puzzles, unit and vocabulary extra worksheets & games, bulletin board ideas,
ready-to-copy student materials, answer keys, and more!
CD-ROM: 181 pages
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This resource is directly related to its literature equivalent and filled with a
variety of cross-curricular lessons to do before, during, and after reading the book. This
reproducible book presents an exciting approach to teaching well-known literature! It
includes sample plans, author information, vocabulary building ideas, cross-curriculum
activities, sectional activities and quizzes, unit tests, and many ideas for culminating
and extending the novel. 48 pages.
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Easy-to-use, reproducible lessons on literary terms, comprehension and analysis,
critical thinking, related scriptural principles, vocabulary, activities, plus a complete
answer key. Ring-bound, 84 pages.
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Everything You Need for Successful Literature Circles That Get Kids Thinking, Talking,
Writing, and Loving Literature
This one-of-a-kind guide to running literature circles, based on the book Maniac Magee,
shows teachers how to organize small discussion groups that work. Includes stimulating
questions and writing prompts that motivate students to think and respond thoughtfully. As
students dive into lively discussions, they learn to identify themes, analyze vocabulary,
recognize the author's craft, and respond meaningfully to the text. 32 pages. ISBN:
0439355389
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