a child called it essay questions

A Child Called "It"

By dave pelzer, a child called "it" essay questions.

Why did Dave's father never intervene in Dave's abuse? How did this make Dave's situation even worse?

Although he cared about his son, Dave's father allowed his wife to control him, so much so that he feared standing up to her. His weak personality meant that he did not have the strength to intervene. This took an additional psychological toll on Dave, who had to give up on the idea of his father being his superhero. This meant not only one parent had failed Dave, but rather that both of them had.

How did Dave's mother employ fear politics in her home?

Oftentimes, the fear that Dave's mother was able to instill in him was worse than the punishments themselves. Whenever something went wrong, Dave would wait in terror to find out what his punishment would be, with that mental uncertainty eating away at him. Her fear tactics worked not only on Dave, but also on the rest of the family. Fear of the consequences prevented Dave's father from intervening to save his son, and it kept his brothers at bay, too, as they feared ending up like Dave.

How do spirituality, faith, and God figure into Dave's life?

Dave does not begin to acknowledge God in his memoir until he reaches the tail end of his abuse, when he convinces himself that God did not exist because, if he did, he would not allow Dave to keep living this way. Dave slowly loses faith over the course of his maltreatment, believing at first that there is some kind of hope that he will escape his mother, but eventually growing desperate and hopeless. The final line of Chapter 7 makes it clear that Dave did not ever fully lose faith, however: his willingness to keep praying shows that a part of him did still believe that there was a way out, and this knowledge kept him surviving until someone finally intervened.

Discuss the bystander effect and how it contributed to Dave's ongoing abuse.

Numerous adults in Dave's life, including his schoolteachers and his neighbor, Shirley, are aware that some sort of abuse is happening to Dave, and yet it takes them years and years to intervene. This is a real-life illustration of how terrible the bystander effect can be. Each of these individuals is unaware of how bad Dave's abuse really is, or they do not want to intrude, or they expect someone else to take care of it. The result is a horror that goes on for far too long before someone actually steps in.

Why is the Russian River significant?

In the "good times" before his abuse, Dave saw the Russian River as a special place, one that symbolized his childhood innocence and happiness. His mother corrupts this place for him when she takes him back and then abuses him while there, ruining his fond memories and feelings of contentment and safety. He shows that his mother has not truly beaten him, however, when he announces to his own son that the Russian River is still his favorite place in the world. No matter how hard Dave's mother tried, she could not take those happy memories away forever.

Why does Dave love his baby brother Kevin so much?

Even though he is not permitted to spend time with Kevin, Dave loves him so much because his mother had told him that because of something Dave did while she was pregnant, he would be born with defects. This was yet another thing that Dave blamed himself for, so finding out that he had not hurt his unborn brother was a relief and a reassurance. It also proved that the things his mother says to him are said not because Dave himself has done something wrong, but rather because it is part of her way of ruling with fear.

Does Dave ever explain what caused his mother to abuse him? What do you think her motive was?

The shift from the happiness of Dave's "good times" before the abuse to the terror that his mother put him through for eight years seems sudden in the text, and this is largely because Dave himself does not know exactly what made her suddenly start to abuse him. He attributes it to a lot of little things—discipline, small facets of his behavior, a short temper—but also hints at some larger issues, like alcoholism and mental illness.

Why did Pelzer choose to begin the memoir with the story of the end of his abuse?

Even though it chronologically fits into the narrative after Chapter 7, having Chapter 1 be about Dave's freedom gives readers a sense of hope with which to move through the book, the same kind of hope that Dave feels as he tries to keep himself going. It plants the idea of freedom in readers' heads and then allows readers to slowly discover just how important such freedom is to Dave, as they uncover chapter-by-chapter the horror of everything he went through.

How does the piece of driftwood in the epilogue symbolize Dave's life?

When standing over the Pacific Ocean in the epilogue of his memoir, Dave watches a piece of driftwood taken in and out by the tide and sees traces of his own experience in it. Just like the driftwood, Dave had to struggle against forces that attempted to pull him backwards, all the while trying to reach a shore—his freedom—that he hoped was there.

Why is Dave's relationship with his son Stephen important?

Because of the way his mother treated him, Dave missed out on the love and family experiences that are a part of most people's childhood. This did not make Dave bitter, however—instead, it made him resolve to give his son the kind of life full of love that he did not have. Stephen gives Dave the motivation to be the best father he can be, unlike the way his own parents treated him.

A Child Called “It” Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for A Child Called “It” is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What piece of clothing does Dave's mother make him wear to school every day for the past two years?

David's mother has made him wear the same long sleeved shirt for two years.

My longsleeve shirt has more holes than Swiss cheese. It’s the same shirt I’ve worn for about two years.

Why did the nurse call David to her office?

David has bruises all over him. When he arrives at school, the nurse calls him in and documents his injuries, a routine that David has grown accustomed to.

Why do you think the mother only abused David? What do you think brought on the change from once being a loving mother to being an abusive mother?

I think that mother had unresolved mental illness issues. She really needed psychological help but did not get it: she was mentally ill.

Study Guide for A Child Called “It”

A Child Called "It" study guide contains a biography of Dave Pelzer, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About A Child Called "It"
• A Child Called "It" Summary
• Character List

Essays for A Child Called “It”

A Child Called "It" essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer.

• Life Lessons in "A Child Called It" and "The Lost Boy"

Wikipedia Entries for A Child Called “It”

• Introduction
• Childhood experiences
• Controversy

A Child Called It

Dave pelzer, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The memoir begins in 1973, with Dave Pelzer , a fifth-grade student living in Daly City, California, doing his morning chores for his Mother , Catherine Roerve Pelzer . Mother hits Dave, and Dave thinks about all the abuse he’s experienced at her hands. At school, Dave is sent to the nurse’s office. The nurse notices the many bruises and scratches on his body, and alerts the principal, who calls the police. A police officer takes Dave away, and Dave initially thinks he’s being arrested. However, the officer informs Dave that he’s finally “free” from his Mother—he’ll never have to see her again.

Dave flashes back to the late 1960s, when he’s a young child growing up in California with his two brothers, Ronald Pelzer and Stan Pelzer . Dave loves his Mother and Father , who works long hours as a firefighter. Mother is a kind, loving woman, and treats him with great warmth. As time goes on, however, Mother begins drinking more. She also becomes more and more overtly abusive to Dave. One night, while Father is out of the house, Mother hits Dave, seriously hurting his arm. Mother takes Dave to the hospital, falsely claiming that Dave fell out of bed. She later makes Dave say, “I’m a bad boy” again and again, and forces Dave to repeat the first grade, even though Dave is a bright student.

Dave notices that Mother doesn’t treat him as badly when Father or his siblings are present. However, Father doesn’t actively protect Dave from Mother’s abuse. When Mother tells Dave that he won’t be receiving Christmas presents, Father gets Dave a few gifts, but Mother becomes so furious with Father for contradicting her authority that, Dave senses, Father won’t defend him again. Dave gradually learns that the only way to survive Mother’s abuse is to delay, in the hopes that Father, Stan, or Ron will come home.

Mother’s abuse becomes even harsher. While she takes good care of Ron and Stan (and gives birth to another child, Russell ), she denies Dave food and regularly hits him. She also stops using Dave’s name. At school, the principal calls Mother in for a visit, to discuss why Dave always has bruises on his body. Mother carries Russell to school, building sympathy for herself, and tells the principal that Dave has an active imagination and hits himself to attract attention. Shortly afterwards, Mother forces Dave to eat the feces in Russell’s diapers. Dave refuses, but Mother smears feces all over his face, stopping only when Father, Ron, and Stan come home.

Mother continues denying Dave regular meals, and forces him to wear the same clothes to school every day, to the point where Dave begins to smell horrible, and decides that he needs to steal food to survive. He steals food from his peers, and later from a nearby grocery store. He also steals frozen lunches from the cafeteria, and fishes scraps of food from the trash can at home. However, Mother deliberately puts spoiled food in the trashcan, and later sprinkles ammonia in the trash to prevent Dave from eating any scraps. One day, after eating stolen frozen lunches, Dave comes home, and Mother forces Dave to vomit up his meal. She later shows the vomit to Father, who watches dispassionately as Mother forces Dave to eat his own vomit. Afterwards, Mother forces Dave to sleep under a table, and later in a garage. She also forces Dave to swallow ammonia, burning his tongue and causing him a night of intense pain.

One evening, Mother drinks heavily and brandishes a knife at Dave. Out of the corner of his eye, Dave sees Mother stumble toward him, and then feels an intense pain in his chest. He realizes that Mother has stabbed him. Mother treats the wound with gauze and then orders Dave to resume doing the dishes. In the following days, Dave refuses to beg Mother for mercy. He treats his own wound and feels a deep sense of satisfaction for remaining independent. Mother later starves Dave for ten days straight, and forces him to clean an unventilated bathroom with ammonia and Clorox, almost suffocating him. She also forces him to lie in freezing cold water for hours. During these ordeals, Dave’s brothers and Father do nothing to intervene. Dave no longer feels like a part of the family.

Dave enters the fourth grade, and Mother’s abuse continues, harsher than ever. She beats him with chains, hits him, and forces him to vomit and inhale ammonia. When teachers ask Dave about his appearance and bruises, Dave repeats what Mother has instructed him to say—he had an “accident.” He comes to despise his brothers, whom Mother continues to treat lovingly. Mother gives birth to another child, Kevin , whom Dave immediately loves.

One day, Mother abruptly tells Dave that she’s sorry for hurting him. She begins treating Dave kindly and feeding him well. Then, a few weeks later, an officer from social services shows up at the house and asks Dave if his mother ever hits him. Dave realizes that Mother has been treating him well so that he won’t tell the truth to the officer. Dave lies to the officer anyway, fearing that Mother will hurt him.

By the time Dave enters the fifth grade, he’s almost given up on life altogether. His classmates tease him and tell him to kill himself, and he’s come to doubt that there is a God—surely, no God would allow him to suffer so greatly. His brothers seem to think of him as the “family slave” and take turns hitting him. However, Dave’s teacher, Mr. Ziegler , treats him with kindness and respect. Dave continues to love Kevin, although he fears that one day Kevin will grow up to hate him, just like his other brothers do.

As Christmas approaches, Father and Mother begin to argue more and more often. Shortly after the holiday, Father packs his bags and leaves forever. He apologizes to Dave for not doing more to protect him, but tells him, “I can’t take it anymore.” After Father leaves, Mother sneers, “You are all mine now. Too bad your father’s not here to protect you.”

In the Epilogue, Dave, now an adult, drives along the beach and thinks about how lucky he’s been. Since being separated from Mother, he’s gotten an education, served in the military, and done a lot of wonderful work raising awareness of child abuse. He’s most proud of having a child of his own, Stephen , whom he treats with nothing but love, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of cruelty to children, of which he was a part.

In the final chapter, “Perspectives on Child Abuse,” several people from Dave’s life, including Mr. Ziegler and workers from Child Protective Services, comment on the prevalence of child abuse in American society. People need to be vigilant and look out for signs of abuse in children—otherwise, the horrific cycle of abuse will continue, year after year.

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Essays on A Child Called "It"

The importance of writing an essay on a child called "it".

Writing an essay on the book A Child Called "It" is important for several reasons. This memoir by Dave Pelzer tells the heartbreaking story of his childhood abuse and neglect, and delves into the resilience and strength of the human spirit. By writing an essay about this book, you can help bring awareness to the issue of child abuse and the lasting effects it can have on individuals.

Additionally, writing an essay on A Child Called "It" allows you to critically analyze the themes and messages conveyed in the book. You can explore the impact of trauma on a child's development, the role of resilience in overcoming adversity, and the importance of speaking out against abuse.

When writing your essay on A Child Called "It," consider the following tips:

• Thoroughly read and analyze the book: Take the time to carefully read the book and make note of important themes, characters, and events. Consider the author's writing style and the impact it has on the reader.
• Research the topic of child abuse: To provide context and depth to your essay, conduct research on the topic of child abuse. Look for statistics, case studies, and expert opinions to support your analysis.
• Use evidence from the text: When making arguments or drawing s, be sure to provide evidence from the book to support your claims. This could include quotes, descriptions of events, or character analysis.
• Consider the broader implications: Think about how the themes and messages in A Child Called "It" relate to larger societal issues. How does this book contribute to the conversation about child abuse and the treatment of survivors?
• Edit and revise: After drafting your essay, take the time to edit and revise your work. Look for clarity, coherence, and proper citation of sources.

By taking the time to craft a thoughtful and well-researched essay on A Child Called "It," you can contribute to the ongoing dialogue about child abuse and help shed light on the experiences of survivors.

• The portrayal of child abuse in "A Child Called It"
• The impact of abuse on the protagonist's mental and emotional well-being
• The role of resilience and survival in the protagonist's journey
• The dynamics of the protagonist's family and their influence on the abuse
• The significance of the protagonist's mother in the narrative
• The psychological effects of long-term abuse on the protagonist
• The protagonist's coping mechanisms and survival strategies
• The portrayal of hope and healing in the narrative
• The significance of the protagonist's relationship with his siblings
• The portrayal of the protagonist's relationship with authority figures
• The theme of forgiveness and reconciliation in the narrative
• The impact of abuse on the protagonist's self-worth and identity
• The role of social services and child protective agencies in the narrative
• The portrayal of the protagonist's journey from victim to survivor
• The depiction of the protagonist's experience in the foster care system
• The significance of the protagonist's education and academic achievements
• The portrayal of the protagonist's relationship with his peers and classmates
• The theme of trust and betrayal in the narrative
• The impact of abuse on the protagonist's future relationships and romantic life
• The portrayal of the protagonist's journey towards self-acceptance and healing

"A Child Called It" is a powerful memoir by Dave Pelzer that chronicles his experience of enduring extreme abuse at the hands of his mother during his childhood. The book has sparked discussions and debates about the impact of abuse on children and the resilience of the human spirit.

One of the most compelling essay topics related to "A Child Called It" is the portrayal of child abuse in the narrative. This topic allows for an exploration of the graphic and harrowing details of the abuse that Pelzer endured, as well as the emotional and psychological toll it took on him. It also provides an opportunity to discuss the author's decision to share his story and the impact it has had on raising awareness about child abuse.

Another important essay topic is the impact of abuse on the protagonist's mental and emotional well-being. This topic delves into the long-term effects of abuse on a child's psyche and emotional development. It allows for an exploration of the protagonist's struggles with trust, intimacy, and self-worth, as well as his journey towards healing and recovery.

The role of resilience and survival in the protagonist's journey is also a compelling essay topic. This topic invites an analysis of the protagonist's inner strength and determination to survive despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him. It also allows for a discussion of the factors that contributed to his ability to persevere and ultimately thrive in the face of adversity.

In addition to these topics, essays on "A Child Called It" can also explore themes such as the protagonist's relationship with his family, the portrayal of hope and healing, the impact of abuse on his future relationships and romantic life, and the depiction of his experience in the foster care system.

Overall, "A Child Called It" offers a wealth of thought-provoking essay topics that can spark meaningful discussions about the impact of abuse on children, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of hope and healing. By delving into these topics, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the profound and lasting effects of childhood trauma, as well as the capacity for individuals to overcome adversity and find strength in the face of unimaginable suffering.

A Child Called It: Reflection on The Good and Bad of Abusive Childhood

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A Child Called It

58 pages • 1 hour read

A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapter 7-Perspectives on Child Abuse

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive is a memoir detailing author Dave Pelzer’s struggles with his abusive mother until the fifth grade. Published in 1995 by Health Communications Inc., it is the first in a series of books that chronicle Pelzer’s fight to leave his dysfunctional household, move through the foster care system, and enter into a stable adulthood. The book was listed on The New York Times best-seller list for several years. Pelzer has made appearances on television programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Montel Williams Show . Though the book received mass public acclaim, it drew skepticism regarding the story’s authenticity, most notably voiced in a 2002 The New York Times article by Pat Jordan. Several of Pelzer’s family members have denied the account. However, Dave Pelzer’s brother Richard Pelzer wrote his own memoir in 2006, A Brother’s Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse , that corroborates much of Dave Pelzer’s story.

Dave Pelzer begins his memoir with the story of his rescue. When the reader first meets young Dave, a fifth grader, he is emaciated, black and blue with injuries, and barely surviving. One morning, as soon as he enters the school building, he is summoned to meet with the school nurse and several other administrators who question him about his bruises. By the end of a lengthy interrogation with these well-meaning school guardians, Pelzer is handed over to law enforcement and then Child Protective Services.

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In Chapter 2, “Good Times,” Pelzer looks back to his early childhood, when his mother Catherine was loving and creative, albeit controlling. Pelzer describes elaborate picnics at Golden Gate Park, trips to San Francisco Chinatown, and warm family Christmases. This chapter contextualizes the transition that Dave’s mother makes from kind parent to child abuser.

In Chapters 3 through 6 Pelzer outlines the cruel and bizarre methods that his mother uses to control and abuse him. In Chapter 3 Catherine justifies her abuse by claiming that Dave is a “bad boy” (33). One of Catherine’s methods of punishment is to force Dave to stand in front of a mirror and repeat to his reflection that he is bad. Later, in Chapter 6, Catherine expands these methods of cruelty by creating the “gas chamber treatment,” in which she locks Dave in the bathroom with a toxic bucket of ammonia (86). Throughout this section Pelzer outlines the manipulations and lies that Catherine uses to hide her abusive behavior. This includes insisting Dave tell the school administrators and teachers that he fell to account for his bruises, and claiming that Dave fell out of bed when Catherine injures his arm. For Dave, these instances of abuse and manipulation signal a point of no return in his relationship with his mother. Dave increasingly understands that his mother will not revert back to the sweet, kind parent of his childhood.

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These chapters also reveal the delusional aspect of Catherine’s behavior, as she begins making up crimes to punish Dave for. As foreshadowed in the beginning of the book, Pelzer learns to reclaim part of his agency by finding tactics to blunt the force of his mother’s abuse, such as distracting her or obtaining food in creative ways when she attempts to starve him.

Chapter 5, “The Accident,” outlines Catherine’s accidental stabbing of Dave. Though this section reveals the lengths of Catherine’s rage, it also signifies the complacency of Dave’s father Stephen Joseph . Dave is shocked and angry to find that when he approaches his father, wounded and dripping with blood, Stephen refuses to look up from his newspaper. In Chapter 7, “The Lord’s Prayer,” Stephen leaves the family for good. During this time, Dave’s teachers become increasingly suspicious of Dave’s family life and, as illustrated in the first chapter, they turn him over to Child Protective Services.

In the Epilogue, “Sonoma County, California,” Pelzer reflects on the many challenges he overcame while visiting his childhood vacation cabin on the Russian River. The reader learns that Pelzer eventually joins the military, cultivates a deep love and respect for the United States, and starts a family of his own. Pelzer is accompanied by his son, Stephen, with whom he has a loving relationship. Stephen embraces his father and tells him that this spot on the Russian River is his favorite place in the world.

The book’s “Perspectives on Childhood Abuse” section outlines resources that those suffering from abuse can turn to, as well as several short narratives from experts in the field and minor characters in Pelzer’s memoir, including Pelzer’s former teacher at Thomas Edison Elementary School in San Francisco, Mr. Ziegler, and former executive director of the California Consortium for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Glenn A. Goldberg.

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A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Lesson Plans for Teachers

Teaching A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive

The A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. Inside you'll find 30 Daily Lessons, 20 Fun Activities, 180 Multiple Choice Questions, 60 Short Essay Questions, 20 Essay Questions, Quizzes/Homework Assignments, Tests, and more. The lessons and activities will help students gain an intimate understanding of the text, while the tests and quizzes will help you evaluate how well the students have grasped the material. View a free sample

Target Grade: 7th-12th (Middle School and High School)

Length of Lesson Plan: Approximately 136 pages. Page count is estimated at 300 words per page. Length will vary depending on format viewed.

Browse The A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Lesson Plan:

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The A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive lesson plan is downloadable in PDF and Word. The Word file is viewable with any PC or Mac and can be further adjusted if you want to mix questions around and/or add your own headers for things like "Name," "Period," and "Date." The Word file offers unlimited customizing options so that you can teach in the most efficient manner possible. Once you download the file, it is yours to keep and print for your classroom. View a FREE sample

Lesson Plan Calendars

The Lesson Plan Calendars provide daily suggestions about what to teach. They include detailed descriptions of when to assign reading, homework, in-class work, fun activities, quizzes, tests and more. Use the entire A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive calendar, or supplement it with your own curriculum ideas. Calendars cover one, two, four, and eight week units. Determine how long your A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive unit will be, then use one of the calendars provided to plan out your entire lesson.

Chapter Abstracts

Chapter abstracts are short descriptions of events that occur in each chapter of A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive . They highlight major plot events and detail the important relationships and characteristics of important characters. The Chapter Abstracts can be used to review what the students have read, or to prepare the students for what they will read. Hand the abstracts out in class as a study guide, or use them as a "key" for a class discussion. They are relatively brief, but can serve to be an excellent refresher of A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive for either a student or teacher.

Character and Object Descriptions

Character and Object Descriptions provide descriptions of the significant characters as well as objects and places in A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive . These can be printed out and used as an individual study guide for students, a "key" for leading a class discussion, a summary review prior to exams, or a refresher for an educator. The character and object descriptions are also used in some of the quizzes and tests in this lesson plan. The longest descriptions run about 200 words. They become shorter as the importance of the character or object declines.

Daily Lessons

This section of the lesson plan contains 30 Daily Lessons. Daily Lessons each have a specific objective and offer at least three (often more) ways to teach that objective. Lessons include classroom discussions, group and partner activities, in-class handouts, individual writing assignments, at least one homework assignment, class participation exercises and other ways to teach students about A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive in a classroom setting. You can combine daily lessons or use the ideas within them to create your own unique curriculum. They vary greatly from day to day and offer an array of creative ideas that provide many options for an educator.

Fun Classroom Activities

Fun Classroom Activities differ from Daily Lessons because they make "fun" a priority. The 20 enjoyable, interactive classroom activities that are included will help students understand A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive in fun and entertaining ways. Fun Classroom Activities include group projects, games, critical thinking activities, brainstorming sessions, writing poems, drawing or sketching, and countless other creative exercises. Many of the activities encourage students to interact with each other, be creative and think "outside of the box," and ultimately grasp key concepts from the text by "doing" rather than simply studying. Fun activities are a great way to keep students interested and engaged while still providing a deeper understanding of A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive and its themes.

Essay Questions/Writing Assignments

These 20 Essay Questions/Writing Assignments can be used as essay questions on a test, or as stand-alone essay topics for a take-home or in-class writing assignment on A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive . Students should have a full understanding of the unit material in order to answer these questions. They often include multiple parts of the work and ask for a thorough analysis of the overall text. They nearly always require a substantial response. Essay responses are typically expected to be one (or more) page(s) and consist of multiple paragraphs, although it is possible to write answers more briefly. These essays are designed to challenge a student's understanding of the broad points in a work, interactions among the characters, and main points and themes of the text. But, they also cover many of the other issues specific to the work and to the world today.

Short Essay Questions

The 60 Short Essay Questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive by describing what they've read, rather than just recalling it. The short essay questions evaluate not only whether students have read the material, but also how well they understand and can apply it. They require more thought than multiple choice questions, but are shorter than the essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

The 180 Multiple Choice Questions in this lesson plan will test a student's recall and understanding of A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive . Use these questions for quizzes, homework assignments or tests. The questions are broken out into sections, so they focus on specific chapters within A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive . This allows you to test and review the book as you proceed through the unit. Typically, there are 5-15 questions per chapter, act or section.

Evaluation Forms

Use the Oral Reading Evaluation Form when students are reading aloud in class. Pass the forms out before you assign reading, so students will know what to expect. You can use the forms to provide general feedback on audibility, pronunciation, articulation, expression and rate of speech. You can use this form to grade students, or simply comment on their progress.

Use the Writing Evaluation Form when you're grading student essays. This will help you establish uniform criteria for grading essays even though students may be writing about different aspects of the material. By following this form you will be able to evaluate the thesis, organization, supporting arguments, paragraph transitions, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. of each student's essay.

Quizzes/Homework Assignments

The Quizzes/Homework Assignments are worksheets that can be used in a variety of ways. They pull questions from the multiple choice and short essay sections, the character and object descriptions, and the chapter abstracts to create worksheets that can be used for pop quizzes, in-class assignments and homework. Periodic homework assignments and quizzes are a great way to encourage students to stay on top of their assigned reading. They can also help you determine which concepts and ideas your class grasps and which they need more guidance on. By pulling from the different sections of the lesson plan, quizzes and homework assignments offer a comprehensive review of A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive in manageable increments that are less substantial than a full blown test.

Use the Test Summary page to determine which pre-made test is most relevant to your students' learning styles. This lesson plan provides both full unit tests and mid-unit tests. You can choose from several tests that include differing combinations of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, short essay questions, full essay questions, character and object matching, etc. Some of the tests are designed to be more difficult than others. Some have essay questions, while others are limited to short-response questions, like multiple choice, matching and short answer questions. If you don't find the combination of questions that best suits your class, you can also create your own test on A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive .

Create Your Own Quiz or Test

You have the option to Create Your Own Quiz or Test. If you want to integrate questions you've developed for your curriculum with the questions in this lesson plan, or you simply want to create a unique test or quiz from the questions this lesson plan offers, it's easy to do. Cut and paste the information from the Create Your Own Quiz or Test page into a Word document to get started. Scroll through the sections of the lesson plan that most interest you and cut and paste the exact questions you want to use into your new, personalized A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive lesson plan.

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