Literature for Learning®
Where the Red Fern Grows
Wilson Rawls
Student’s Edition
Standards-Based Study Guide
H o p e n h a g®e N
p u b l i s h i n g
Hopenhagen Publishing ©2013
Page i
Literature for Learning
Where the Red Fern Grows
Standards-Based Study Guide
®N
Hopenhage
p u b l i s h i n g
Hopenhagen Publishing
www.hopenhagenpublishing.com
cover- shutterstock.com
ISBN 978-0-578-11667-9
Copyright infringement is a violation of Federal law.
Copyright © 2013 Hopenhagen Publishing. Irvine, California. All rights reserved. Printed in the
United States of America.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication protected by this copyright may be reproduced,
utilized, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written
permission of the Publisher. Only the Post Test and Vocabulary Quizzes at the end of the
Teacher’s Edition may be reproduced for classroom or nonprofit organizational use in the amount
not to exceed one copy per pupil.
This study guide is based on the book Where the Red Fern Grows:
Copyright 1961 by Wilson Rawls
Published by Yearling Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books a division of
Random House, Inc.: New York
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Contents
Introduction to the Literature for Learning Standards-Based Study Guide ...........................1
Pre-teach Terminology and Rules ................................................................................................3
Author Biography: Wilson Rawls ................................................................................................6
Author Biography Comprehension Questions ............................................................................8
Vocabulary List
Chapters 1–6 ........................................................................................................................9
Chapters 7–12 ....................................................................................................................10
Chapters 13–18 ..................................................................................................................11
Chapters 19 and 20.............................................................................................................12
Note Taking Skills: Chapter Summaries ...................................................................................13
Chapter 1
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................20
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................21
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................23
Language Practice: Nouns, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ...............................24
Chapter 2
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................25
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................26
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................28
Language Practice: Pronouns, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ..........................29
Chapter 3
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................30
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................31
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................33
Language Practice: Adjectives, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ........................34
Chapter 4
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................35
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................36
Graphic Organizer: Compare and Contrast........................................................................38
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................39
Language Practice: Articles, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ............................41
Chapter 5
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................42
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................43
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................45
Language Practice: Verbs, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization................................46
Graphic Organizer: Narrative Essay .........................................................................................47
Writing Prompt: Narrative Essay ..............................................................................................48
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Chapter 6
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................50
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................51
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................52
Language Practice: Adverbs, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization............................53
Chapter 7
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................54
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................55
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................57
Language Practice: Prepositions, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization .....................58
Chapter 8
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................59
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................60
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................62
Language Practice: Conjunctions, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ....................63
Chapter 9
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................64
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................65
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................67
Language Practice: Parts of Speech Review I, Spelling, Punctuation and
Capitalization......................................................................................68
Chapter 10
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................69
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................70
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................71
Language Practice: Parts of Speech Review II, Spelling, Punctuation and
Capitalization......................................................................................72
Graphic Organizer: Compare/Contrast Essay .........................................................................73
Writing Prompt: Compare/Contrast Essay...............................................................................74
Chapter 11
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................76
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................77
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................79
Language Practice: Simple Subjects, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ...............80
Chapter 12
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................81
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................82
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................83
Language Practice: Complete Subjects, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ...........84
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Chapter 13
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................85
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................86
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................88
Language Practice: Simple Predicates, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ............89
Chapter 14
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................90
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................91
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................93
Language Practice: Complete Predicates, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ........94
Chapter 15
Vocabulary .........................................................................................................................95
Comprehension Questions .................................................................................................96
Short Answer .....................................................................................................................97
Language Practice: Complete Subjects/Complete Predicates Review, Spelling,
Punctuation and Capitalization ...........................................................98
Graphic Organizer: Argument (Opinion) Essay ......................................................................99
Writing Prompt: Argument (Opinion) Essay..........................................................................100
Chapter 16
Vocabulary .......................................................................................................................102
Comprehension Questions ...............................................................................................103
Short Answer ...................................................................................................................105
Language Practice: Direct Objects, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ................106
Chapter 17
Vocabulary .......................................................................................................................107
Comprehension Questions ...............................................................................................108
Short Answer ...................................................................................................................110
Language Practice: Prepositional Phrases, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization .....111
Chapter 18
Vocabulary .......................................................................................................................112
Comprehension Questions ...............................................................................................113
Short Answer ...................................................................................................................115
Language Practice: Independent and Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses, Spelling,
Punctuation and Capitalization .........................................................116
Chapter 19
Vocabulary .......................................................................................................................117
Comprehension Questions ...............................................................................................118
Short Answer ...................................................................................................................120
Language Practice: Appositives, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ....................122
Chapter 20
Vocabulary .......................................................................................................................123
Comprehension Questions ...............................................................................................124
Short Answer ...................................................................................................................126
Language Practice: Review, Spelling, Punctuation and Capitalization ...........................127
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Graphic Organizer: Informational/Explanatory Essay .........................................................128
Writing Prompt: Informational/Explanatory Essay ..............................................................129
Posttest: Where the Red Fern Grows.........................................................................................131
Answer Key to Posttest ..............................................................................................................136
Vocabulary Quizzes
Chapters 1–4 ....................................................................................................................137
Chapters 5–8 ....................................................................................................................138
Chapters 9–12 ..................................................................................................................139
Chapters 13–16 ................................................................................................................140
Chapters 17–20 ................................................................................................................141
Answer Key to Vocabulary Quizzes
Chapters 1–8 ....................................................................................................................142
Chapters 9–16 ..................................................................................................................143
Chapters 17–20 ................................................................................................................144
Bibliography ...............................................................................................................................145
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Introduction to the Literature for Learning Standards-Based Study Guide
The Literature for Learning Standards-Based Study Guide is based on the
English/Language Arts national content standards of the National Council of Teachers of English
(NCTE), the International Reading Association (IRA) and the National Common Core
Standards. The Literature for Learning series was developed by a teacher who implemented
reading novels in the classroom for two decades as part of her language arts curriculum. The goal
was to provide reading and writing experiences for students to help increase reading interest as
well as prepare them for standardized testing.
The Literature for Learning Standards-Based Study Guide was created to help bring back
the joy of reading novels into the classroom. This study guide uses an entire novel, rather than an
abridged version, to teach students the fundamentals of reading, writing, and grammar as a
primary or secondary source for learning many of the content standards in language arts. This
study guide provides practice activities to help students improve reading comprehension skills,
increase vocabulary, develop essay organizational and writing skills, and improve spelling,
grammar, and punctuation skills within the context of the novel. The format of the study guide is
modeled after the types of questions commonly found on standardized tests. This format is
stylized in a comparable layout and contains similar terminology used in state and national
standardized tests so that students become familiar with the types of questions on which they will
be tested, based on their grade-level standards.
For each chapter in the novel, the Literature for Learning Standards-Based Study Guide
provides practice pages for the following skills in language arts: vocabulary, reading,
comprehension, grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, essay organization, and writing.
Teachers may use this study guide to assess students’ skills in each of these categories as a
whole-group lesson, in small groups, as independent work assignments, assessments, and/or as
homework assignments. Teachers may use the Literature for Learning Standards-Based Study
Guide at a pace that is comfortable to the needs of each student or class.
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Vocabulary
Vocabulary pages are designed in a test format found in many standardized tests. For
each chapter, eight vocabulary words are written from the context of the novel. Students are
directed to find the meaning for each word using the context clues for help. These practice
worksheets can also be used as quizzes.
Additional vocabulary quizzes are found in the back of the Teacher’s Edition to the
guide. Each quiz consists of sixteen vocabulary words taken from two or more chapters of the
vocabulary practice worksheets. The number of vocabulary words and tests assigned each week
are up to the teacher’s discretion. Teachers may test sixteen words once or twice a week or all
thirty-two words at the end of a one-or two-week period.
Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension questions (multiple choice and short answer) for each chapter
may include questions relating to the main idea, the theme, mood, figurative language used in
literary devices, the problem, its solution, cause and effect, climax, tone, inferences, conclusions,
facts, or opinions. Teachers may use these exercises as quizzes or as practice pages to check
students’ comprehension. It is recommended that the terminology presented on the Pre-teach
page be reviewed with students before starting the lessons.
Language Practice
The Language Practice pages are designed to provide students with practice in grammar,
spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Each Language Practice page begins with a brief
grammar lesson with examples used in context to the novel, followed by practice problems. In
the Spelling Practice, students are directed to find and correct the misspelled word(s) in each
sentence. The Punctuation and Capitalization Practice provides excerpts or sentences used in
context to the novel that students rewrite, correcting punctuation and capitalization on the lines
provided.
Writing
Suggested writing prompts are provided throughout the study guide. Each prompt is
based on grade-appropriate genre recommended by NCTE, the IRA, and the National Common
Core Standards. A graphic organizer is provided as a pre-writing tool to help students organize
their ideas for their essay.
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Chapter 1- Vocabulary
Directions: Choose the word or phrase that means the same as the underlined word.
1. Read this sentence.
The injured hound hid under the hedge to
protect itself from the pack of dogs.
A
B
C
D
row of small bushes
deck or porch
fallen tree trunks
vehicle
2. Read this sentence.
The big ugly cur was injured severely on its
left shoulder.
A
B
C
D
leader of the pack
mongrel or mutt
bully or antagonist
victim
5. Read this excerpt.
“The sight of the gray old eyes of the hound
revived many memories that had remained
dormant in my mind for many years.”
A
B
C
D
clear; vivid
in a state of rest
active
forgotten
6. Read this sentence.
The dog had grown weary from its days of
traveling on the road in search of its master.
A
B
C
D
lonely
exhausted
lost
scared
3. Read this sentence.
After much coaxing, the hound willingly
came out from under the hedge and
followed me home.
A
B
C
D
persuading
teasing
threatening
guiding
4. Read this sentence.
It was evident that a child had written the
crude letters on the hound’s collar.
A
B
C
D
illegible
small
precise
unrefined
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7. Read this sentence.
Meat and milk quenched the hound’s
hunger and thirst.
A
B
C
D
dissatisfied
overwhelmed
increased
satisfied
8. Read this sentence.
The redbone hound lowered its hindquarters
to rest its frail body.
A
B
C
D
rear back legs
front legs
head
midsection
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Chapter 1- Comprehension Questions
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
1. The setting at the beginning of Chapter 1
takes place at the
A junkyard near the edge of town.
B sidewalk in a residential area.
A The dog’s paws are worn down.
C local dog park.
B The dog does not have an identification
collar around its neck.
D front yard of the narrator’s home.
2. Why does the narrator get involved in the
dogfight?
A He feels sorry for the dog being attacked
and fears it will be killed.
B He wants to protect the dog because it
belongs to him.
C He had always wanted a dog of his own,
and he intends to keep the hound.
D He wants to see the outcome of the dog
fight.
3.
5. Which detail from the chapter suggests
that the redbone coonhound has traveled
a long distance?
“It’s hard for a man to stand and watch an old
hound fight against such odds, especially if
that man has memories in his heart like I had
in mine.”
C The dog looks old and is not properly
groomed.
D The dog has long ears and a short tail.
6. The narrator’s decision to allow the dog to
leave his home to search for its master
supports the idea that the narrator
A does not want to take care of the dog.
B is unsympathetic towards animals.
C fears that the dog will harm him.
D is compassionate and understands the
nature of dogs.
7. The narrator infers that the hound was in
search of its master because
A its hindquarters shifted to the right.
In the excerpt above, the narrator is
referring to memories of when
B it whined and licked the narrator’s hand.
A he fought with his siblings as a child.
D it was unusual for a hound to be
traveling alone.
B he played with his grandfather’s dogs.
C a dog sacraficed its life for him.
D he was bullied as a child.
4. What is the name of the hound rescued by
the narrator?
A Old Fellow
B Buddie
C K.C.
D Old Redbone
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C there was a crude collar around its neck.
8. How does the author introduce the story
to the reader in Chapter 1?
A A boy is writing the events of his
adventures in a journal.
B A man is making plans for the future.
C A man is reflecting on his childhood
memories.
D A boy is recollecting his dreams after
waking up from a deep sleep.
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9. Which point of view is Where the Red Fern
Grows written?
A first person
B second person
C third-person limited
D third-person omniscient
10. Based on the actions and words of the
main character, the reader can infer that
the narrator is
A a young boy
B a dog
C a man
D a woman
11. The narrator lives in
A Idaho
B Missouri
C Oklahoma
D Tennessee
12. Match the types of figurative language to
the underlined parts of the excerpts
below.
A onomatopoeia
B personification
C alliteration
_____ “Firelight shadows began to
shimmer and dance around the
room.”
_____ “As I sat there in the silence, the
fire grew larger. It crackled and
popped.”
___ __ “The highly polished surface
gleamed and glistened with a
golden glow.”
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Chapter 1- Short Answer
1. Wilson Rawls begins the novel Where the Red Fern Grows in the present and then uses flashback to
retell the narrator’s childhood. Define flashback, and explain the author’s purpose in using
flashback in the story.
2. What can you infer about the narrator’s interest and experience with dogs? Provide details from
the chapter to support your response.
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Chapter 1 - Language Practice
Grammar Practice: Nouns
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or quality. There are two types of nouns: common
nouns and proper nouns.
A common noun names any one of a general class of objects.
Examples: dogs, neighbor, memories, office
A proper noun is a noun that names a particular person, place, or thing. A proper noun is capitalized.
Examples: Billy, Ozark Mountains, K.C. Baking Powder
Directions: Write the letter N above each common and proper noun.
1. The old hound had traveled a long way from the Ozarks somewhere in Missouri or Oklahoma.
2. It was a long distance from the Snake River Valley in Idaho.
3. The sun rose behind the rugged Tetons and warmed the valley.
4. The sight of the friendly old hound brought back wonderful memories.
Spelling Practice
Directions: Underline the misspelled words. Then write the correct spelling above them.
1. Piering through the hedje, I could see the old hound cowering on his hanches.
2. The inscripsions on the leather coller were crude and scribbley.
3. The old coonhound was hungary and exhasted from its long journay.
Punctuation and Capitalization Practice
Directions: Rewrite the excerpt below. Correct all punctuation and capitalization errors.
with tears in my eyes I said youre more than welcome old fellow
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