The Wringer



The Wringer

By Jerry Spenelli

This book explores the life of a boy named Palmer. He latest birthday brings with it many rite of passage including becoming a wringer in a local competition. The book explores many of the changes that go on in Palmer’s life both emotional and physical as he passes through this point in his life.

Themes: Rites of passage, values of friends, bullying, respect for nature, learning to be yourself and follow your heart.

Literature Circle Unit

Grade Levels: Advanced 4th or 5th

By Alan Brown

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 1 pp. 1-32; Chapters 1-6

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Your job is to sketch a picture of Farquar. Find character traits that are representative of this character including the page and paragraph the information comes from . Come up with a question about this characters motives.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 4 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Difference of Opinion

1 Prediction

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 8 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

2 Foreshadowing

2 Informative

2 Similes

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

punctured p. 3 par. 4

cackled p. 7 par. 1

hoodlums p. 11 par. 1

cringed p. 13 par. 3

yelping p. 16 par. 1

careening p. 17 par. 1

noose p. 24 par. 1

abruptly p. 28 par. 8

SUMMERIZER

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 1 pp. 1-32; Chapters 1-6

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Your job is to sketch a picture of Farquar. Find character traits that are representative of this character including the page and paragraph the information comes from . Come up with a question about this characters motives.

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DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 4 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

What is the significance of the newspaper article printed before the first chapter at the beginning of the book?

This article tells about the event that Palmer refers to throughout the book. This event is an annual event and involves shooting and killing pigeons.

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

What is the significance of “the Treatment”?

This is a ceremony that every boy must endure when they turn 9 years old. Seems to be a tradition in the neighborhood, is usually carried out by the bully; seen as a right of passage in a way. (p. 21 par. 4)

1 Difference of Opinion

Explain the difference in opinion among Palmer’s parents regarding “the Treatment”.

Palmer’s mother sees it as something that is wrong and should not be carried out because it causes harm. His father sees it as a tradition and is proud of his son for being able to endure it without getting hurt. (p. 27 par. 1)

1 Symbolism

What does the gift of the tin soldiers symbolize?

The gift of the soldiers from Palmer’s father symbolizes a right of passage. Palmer is now of age that he can be responsible and take care and play with this family heirloom so that it can be passed along to the next generation.

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 7 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

a) “The pigeon’s eye is like a polished shirt button. The pigeon’s eye is orange with a small black button in the center. It looks up at him…wring it! (p. 4 par. 4)

b) “ The front yards along Palmer’s street were very small… houses were grey. (p. 12 par. 2)

2 Foreshadowing

a) “Palmer LaRue – Snots—the world’s newest nine-year-old—was one of the guys. (p. 10 par. 1)

b) “He was not aware… to a flutter of wings.” (p. 32 par. 2)

1 Informative

“Fishface was Beans’s name for Dorothy Gruzik… Maybe now he could finally find a fish in her face.” (p. 13 par. 8)

1Important

“He rang the doorbell… He screamed and beat them all to the corner.” (p. 14 par. 3)

2 Similes

Four hands clamped… twisting it this way and that.” (p. 17 par. 1)

a) By the time… you had to feel it.” (p. 23 par. 5)

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

punctured p. 3 par. 4

to put a hole or cut in an object

cackled p. 7 par. 1

talking or laughing in a manner that is annoying

hoodlums p. 11 par. 1

individuals who acted uncivilized or misbehave

cringed p. 13 par. 3

to physically draw up due to disgust or pain

yelping p. 16 par. 1

to yell in a rhythmic manner

careening p. 17 par. 1

to extend or protrude out of

noose p. 24 par. 1

rope tied in a loop usually used for hanging individuals

abruptly p. 28 par. 8

sudden or without notice

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SUMMERIZER

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

In this first section of the book, Palmer has his ninth birthday. This birthday represents many things and is sort of a period of coming of age. Because of this birthday Palmer is now a part of the boys. They are invited to his birthday party and they give him gifts that are mostly trash. After that Palmer and the boys got o the park to play. While there they meet Farquar. He calls Palmer over and gives him ìthe Treatment.î Plamer survives and goes home. Palmerís mother and father discuss whether ìthe Treatmentî is right or wrong. Palmerís father then gives him a set of tin soldiers that belonged to his great-grandfather. At the end of the chapter Palmer goes to sleep haunted by the fact that he is soon to become a wringer in the upcoming competition.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 2 pp. 33-58; Chapters 7-11

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Choose the character that you feel is the most important character in this section and draw a picture of that character. On your picture be sure to include traits of that character as well as the reason you think this character is so important.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 4 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Prediction

1 MCEOG Question

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 6 passages that demonstrate the following:

1 Descriptive

2 Interesting

2 Informative

1 Surprising

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

squeamish p. 23 par. 2

diminishing p. 24 par. 1

disdainful p. 25 par. 5

pronounced p. 43 par. 8

nuisance p. 48 par. 10

apologetic p. 52 par. 1

winching p. 55 par. 1

Connnector

Find 2 examples of passages from the previous section that foreshadow events that took place in this section. Be sure to write the page and paragraph of the passages that you find.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 3 pp. 59-87; Chapters 12-16

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Pick the most important secondary character and sketch a picture of that character. Be sure to include traits about that character on your drawing. Also write a statement about how this characters role is important to the main character of this section.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Difference of Opinion

1 Prediction

1 Question on you own

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 6 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

1 Foreshadowing

2 Informative

1 Similes

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

obedient p. 61 par. 4

crimson p. 69 par. 5

plumpness p. 71 par. 2

crouching p. 73 par. 3

snooping p. 85 par.10

SUMMERIZER

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 4 pp. 88-116; Chapters 17-22

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Choose any character you would like that appeared in this section. Be sure to include traits about that character as well as the reason why you picked that character.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Difference of Opinion

1 Prediction

1 MCEOG Question

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 8 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

1 Foreshadowing

1 Important Quote

2 Informative

2 Surprising

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

gargling p. 88 par. 1

acquainted p. 89 par. 1

stupendous p. 94 par. 2

mushy p. 95 par. 3

primitive p. 99 par. 3

bellowed p. 110 par. 2

CONNECTOR

Pick a situation or scenario from this section and relate it to a situation in your own life when you may have felt the same way or done the same thing. Write down this experience and share with your group

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 5 pp. 119-144; Chapters 23-26

CHARACTER SKETCHER

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 4 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Difference of Opinion

1 Prediction

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 6 passages that demonstrate the following:

1 Descriptive

1 Foreshadowing

2 Informative

1 Surprising

1 Simile

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

dilemma p. 120 par. 3

cackling p. 123 par. 4

carcass p. 129 par. 4

shrieked p. 131 par. 1

expression p. 142 par. 4

SUMMERIZER

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 6 pp. 145-173; Chapters 27-31

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Pick an adult character that has been an important part of the story and draw a picture of them. List their character traits and also include a statement as to why you feel that they are important to the story.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 4 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Difference of Opinion

1 Prediction

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 6 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

2 Informative

1 Simile

1 Important Quote

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words: (pick 4)

immensely p. 146 par. 7

muffled p. 148 par. 9

murmur p. 149 par. 15

sensation p. 150 par. 5

walloped p. 151 par. 13

humanely p. 156 par. 2

dopey p. 171 par. 2

SUMMERIZER

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 7 pp. 174-203; Chapters 32-37

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Pick any character other than Palmer and draw their picture. On your picture include important traits of this character as well as how this character contributes to the story.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 4 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Difference of Opinion

1 Question on your own

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 8 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

2 Foreshadowing

2 Informative

2 Surprising

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words:

roofline p. 182 par. 3

audible p. 185 par. 4

quivered p 194 par. 1

formidable p. 199 par. 3

SUMMERIZER

Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and points.

The Wringer

By Jerry Spinelli

Section 8 pp. 204-228; Chapters 38-40

CHARACTER SKETCHER

Draw a picture of what you think Palmer’s character looks like at the end of the book. Be sure to include his traits and mark those that you think were new traits that Palmer gained throughout the story.

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to the questions, and the page and paragraph where the answers can be found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:

1 “Thinking”

1 Concerning Descriptiveness

1 Question on your own

2 MCEOG

PASSAGE PICKER

Pick 6 passages that demonstrate the following:

2 Descriptive

1 Important Quote

2 Informative

1 Your Pick

WORD WIZARD

Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words:

churning p. 204 par. 2

banishing p. 205 par 2

3 other words of your choice

CONNECTOR

Compare the Palmer’s character at the beginning of the book with his character at the end of the book. Make a list of things that changed through the course of the story and the things in the story that brought these changes about.

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