Donavan’s Word Jar

donavans word jar bundle

IMPORTANT: Comprehension questions will be in chronological order as you read through the story. Page numbers are approximate, and will vary with different editions of the book.

Section 1:Chapters 1-3

Vocabulary
  1. solution: an answer to a problem
  2. collection: a gathering of objects
  3. nutrition: nourishment received from food
  4. dictionary: a book that gives words their meanings
  5. squabble: a noisy argument
  6. dilemma: a difficult choice
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
  1. “…Maybe you’ll come up with a better solution,” his mother said, getting up from the table. (Ch. 3, pg. 17)
  2. He kept his marble collection in a leather pouch with his name stamped on it. (Ch. 1, pg. 4)
  3. Donavan was staring at the back of a cereal box when he noticed the word NUTRITION.(Ch.2, pg. 7)
  4. Donavan went up the stairs and into his room, pulled his big dictionary from the shelf, and looked for the word PINCHERS. (Ch. 2, pg. 10)
  5. Silly words like SQUABBLE slipped off his tongue and tickled his ears. (Ch. 2, pg. 13)
  6. DONAVAN’S DILEMA. (Ch. 3, pg. 15)
Vocabulary Sentences
  1. The student used the class dictionary to complete his vocabulary homework.
  2. It is important to practice good nutrition to have a healthy body.
  3. Jody faced a dilemma when she had to choose between two types of ice cream.
  4. My father has a large collection of antique model trains.
  5. The teacher had to break up the squabble between two students on the playground.
  6. Finding the right solution to a difficult math problem can take time.
Comprehension Questions
  1. Donavan collects words in a jar. (Ch. 1, pg. 6)
  2. Donavan is inspired to begin his collection when he sees a new word on a cereal box, “nutrition” and then decides to collect new words. (Ch. 2, pg. 7 & 11)
  3. Donavan discovers the word “ballyhoo” on his way to school. (Ch. 2, pg. 9)
  4. Donavan likes the word “hush” because it soothes his fears. (Ch. 2, pg. 13)
  5. Donavan’s favorite way of collecting words is from people. (Ch. 2, pg. 14)
  6. Donavan’s dilemma is that his collection is too large for his jar. (Ch. 3, pg. 15)
  7. Mrs. Panky suggests that Donavan start his own dictionary. (Ch. 3, pg. 19)

Section 2: Chapters 4-5

Vocabulary
  1. rhythm: a repeated pattern of sound
  2. splatter: to splash something
  3. squint: to half close the eyes to see better
  4. snuffles: a stuffy nose from a cold
  5. hesitant: reluctant to do or say something
  6. canvas: a stiff, strong cloth
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
  1. When Donavan woke up,the rain was beating a steady rhythm on the windowpanes. (Ch.4, pg. 26)
  2. Donavan stared at the splattered windowpanes until he saw his mother’s umbrella disappear around the corner. (Ch.4, pg. 29)
  3. Nikki looked sleepy and squinty eyed. (Ch. 5, pg. 31)
  4. “… you’ve got the snuffles.” (Ch. 5, pg. 32)
  5. “Donnie?” Nikki asked hesitantly . (Ch. 5, pg. 33)
  6. She picked up her big canvas bag and green umbrella and headed for the front door. (Ch. 4, pg. 29)
Vocabulary Sentences
  1. Sara loves to splatter bright color onto her canvas when she paints.
  2. The small boy was hesitant to pet the large dog.
  3. The sun was so bright that Joe had to squint as he watched the baseball game.
  4. The sailor’s duffle bag was made out of white canvas.
  5. The drummer made sure that the band’s rhythm was steady.
  6. Even though Amy had the snuffles, she still sang in the performance.
Comprehension Questions
  1. When Donavan looks out of his window he sees lots of umbrellas. (Ch. 4, pg. 26)
  2. Donavan wants to visit his grandma. (Ch. 4, pg. 27)
  3. Donavan does not want to stay at home because he really wants to see his grandmother, and wear his new raincoat and stomp in the puddles. (Ch. 4, pgs. 27-28)
  4. Mom needs to take a copy of Dad’s business card to the printer. (Ch. 4, pg. 29)
  5. When Donovan opens the door to Nikki’s room she is sitting in the middle of her bed with a box of tissues in her lap, with her stuffed animals, games, books, and toys all around her. (Ch. 5, pg. 31)
  6. Nikki wants to look at Donavan’s word collection because they might make her feel better. (Ch. 5, pg. 33)
  7. Nikki wants silly words, happy words, get-well words, and magic words. (Ch. 5, pg. 34)

Section 3: Chapters 6-7

Vocabulary
  1. wonder: feeling of surprise
  2. pleasant: pleasing and enjoyable
  3. lullaby: a gentle song for children
  4. drizzle: light rain
  5. display: to be shown
  6. glitter: to shine with a shimmering light
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
  1. He wondered if all senior citizens’ apartment buildings were like that. (Ch. 7, pg. 43)
  2. “Donnie! What a pleasant surprise,” Grandma said, opening the door wider. (Ch. 7, pg. 43)
  3. They had played with his words until she picked the word LULLABY. (Ch. 6, pg. 38)
  4. Donavan opened the kitchen door and stepped out into the steady drizzle. (Ch.6, pg. 41)
  5. Here she displayed photographs of people she knew and liked. (Ch.7, pg. 45)
  6. The veil was sprinkled with lots of glittery stars. (Ch. 7, pg. 45)
Vocabulary Sentences
  1. Sitting on the beach and watching the waves roll to shore was a pleasant activity.
  2. The boy was filled with wonder as the fireworks exploded in the night sky.
  3. When it began to drizzle, Kara pulled out her pink umbrella.
  4. Mark noticed the snowman glitter in the sunshine.
  5. Mother sang her favorite lullaby every night as she put her little baby to sleep.
  6. During Christmas, there is a large display at the center of town.
Comprehension Questions
  1. Donavan tiptoes across the room because he didn’t want Nikki to wake up. (Ch. 6, pg. 38)
  2. While in the kitchen Donavan asks his dad if he can visit his grandma. (Ch. 6, pg. 39)
  3. Donavan tucks the word jar under his arm because it is raining outside. (Ch. 6, pg. 41)
  4. Grandma decided to sell her big house after Grandpa died. (Ch. 7, pg. 43)
  5. Donavan can visit his grandmother anytime he wants because she lives only a few blocks away. (Ch. 7, pg. 43)
  6. Grandma collects anything she is given from family and friends. (Ch. 7, pg. 44)
  7. Grandma’s picture wall is Donovan’s favortie place because whenever he misses is Grandpop he can visit him there. (Ch. 7, pg. 45)

Section 4: chapters 8-10

Vocabulary
  1. leisure: free time
  2. perseverance: not giving up
  3. bamboozle: to trick somebody
  4. hassock: a footstool
  5. diplomacy: skill in dealing with other people
  6. lounge: a room for waiting
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
  1. “…I just gave Mr. Kincaid the word LEISURE…” (Ch. 10, pg. 67)
  2. “PERSEVERANCE,” he called out. (Ch. 10, pg. 65)
  3. Grandma showed him the word BAMBOOZLE, and they both laughed. (Ch. 8, pg. 49)
  4. Mr. Crawford, the mailman, was sitting on a hassock rubbing his feet. (Ch. 9, pg. 56)
  5. DONOVAN’S DIPLOMACY. (Ch. 9, pg. 55)
  6. “Miz Marylou, this lounge will open or close when I say so,” Mr. Bill Gut said in a gruff voice. (Ch. 9, pg. 57)
Vocabulary Sentences
  1. This summer, the students will enjoy their leisure time.
  2. Dad uses the hassock to rest his weary feet after a day of work.
  3. On April Fool’s Day, people traditionally bamboozle family and friends for fun.
  4. I was asked to wait in the hotel’s lounge before they took me to my room.
  5. Kayla’s great diplomacy helped her to get her bicycle back from the bully.
  6. The runner needed great perseverance to finish the marathon.
Comprehension Questions
  1. Grandma suggests that Donavan trade his words for other things. (Ch. 8, pg. 51)
  2. Grandma says the word “persnickety” is perfect for Miz Marylou because she has to have everything just right. (Ch. 8, pg. 52)
  3. Donavan is disappointed at the end of his visit because he still doesn’t have a solution. (Ch. 8, pg. 54)
  4. Donavan stops Miz Marylou and Mr. Bill Gut from arguing when he hands them the word COMPROMISE. (Ch. 9, pg. 58)
  5. Donavan returns to Grandma’s apartment to invite her over for dinner. (Ch. 9, pg. 60)
  6. Donavan is excited that Grandma’s neighbors took his words because his words changed them and he feels like a magician. (Ch. 10, pg. 69)
  7. Grandma has Grandpop’s humidor in the brown bag. (Ch. 10, pgs. 69-70)