Class #________ Name:__________________________________ Per:_______
Johnny Tremain
Reading Guide
By Esther Forbes
PART 1
Ch 1-4
Test Date: October 18, 2012
Complete the following as they are assigned throughout the Part.
Use this packet to prepare for your test.
Vocabulary Cards
Day 1 Focus Activity
Day 2 CHAPTER 1 “Up and About” Section 1
Day 3 Section 2, 3
Day 4 Section 4, 5, 6
Day 5 CHAPTER 2 “The Pride of Your Power” Section 1, 2, 3
Day 6 Section 4, 5
Day 7 CHAPTER 3 “An Earth of Brass” Section 1, 2
Day 8 Section 3, 4, 5
Day 9 CHAPTER 4 “The Rising Eye” Section 1, 2, 3
Day 10 Section 4, 5
Day 11 LITERATURE GROUPS Questions/Pride Chart
Day 12 Group Activity
All assignments should be neat and complete.
All work should be detailed and thoughtful.
Score: _______________/20
Answers must contain at least eight (8) words.
Assignments should be written IN PEN and corrections made in RED PEN.
Johnny Tremain
Chapters 1–4 Quiz Date: Oct. 18
DAY 1:
Before You Read
FOCUS ACTIVITY
What personal qualities or accomplishments are you proud of? _____________________________
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PRIDE Chart
What are some positive effects of pride?
What are some negative effects of pride?
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SETTING A PURPOSE
Read to find out how pride affects Johnny Tremain’s life.
BACKGROUND
Time and Place
In the 1770s, the city of Boston was almost an island. It projected out into Boston Harbor,
connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land called “the Neck.” This was both good and bad for
Bostonians. It was good because it provided easy access to Boston Harbor, while the Neck’s
guarded gates helped protect the city from attack. It was bad because it meant that the city could be
easily isolated from communities on the mainland.
The city itself was a fairly typical eighteenth-century British-style town. A main feature was the
Common, which still exists today. This land was shared by all and was used for pastureland,
military training, horse-riding, and general recreation. People gathered at the Common to exchange
news, as they did at the many water pumps scattered throughout the city.
Did You Know?
Johnny Tremain, like many poor boys of his time, was apprenticed to a master craftsman to learn
his trade: silversmithing. Apprentices worked and usually lived with their masters for a period of
about seven years. In exchange for the boy’s efforts, the master would train, house, and feed him.
Paul Revere, whom Johnny consults for advice on a difficult smithing task, was a very talented and
well-regarded silversmith in Boston. He learned the trade during an apprenticeship with his own
father. Revere was particularly famous for his ability to keep the basic beauty of a design, while
adding many decorative frills that were popular at the time.
(Johnny Tremain Study Guide.Glencoe McGraw-Hill)
Johnny Tremain
Reading Guide: Chapters 1-4
DAY 2:
For the first test, you are responsible for knowing the following terms,
the correct answers to the reading questions, and the order of events in the section.
VOCABULARY
Flashcards: Place each vocabulary word on a 3x5 card: word on one side, definition on the other.
1. apprentice (n.): person learning a trade or art, especially one bound by a legal
agreement to work for an employer for a certain length of time in return for instruction and
maintenance, but little or no pay
2. parasitic (adj.): living off of another life form, not self-sustaining
3. brackish (adj.): slightly salty
4. crucible (n.): container in which metals, ores, etc. can be melted
5. pious (adj.): having or showing reverence for God; religious
6. repousse (adj.): raised in relief by hammering on the reverse side of thin metal
7. poultice (n.): a soft, moist mass of mustard, herbs, etc. applied to the body as a
medicine
8. illiterate (adj.): unable to read and write; showing a lack of education
9. indolent (adj.): disliking work; lazy; idle
10. diffident(adj.): lacking in self-confidence, shy
11. assuage (v.): calm or soothe; make less intense; make easier or milder
12. nonchalance (n.): cool unconcern; indifferent
13. effigy (n.): an image or statue usually of a person; images burned or hanged to
show dislike or contempt
14. enigmatic (adj.): like a riddle, baffling, puzzling
LITERARY TERMS: know the definitions and look for examples of these elements as we read
Historical fiction: Fictional characters set against the backdrop of an actual time,
event, period. Actual people may be used as characters, though dialogue and actions may be
the interpretation or creation of the author. Historic events are closely linked to the plot and
influence the actions of the characters.
Point of view: The perspective from which a story is told. First person point of view
occurs when a character within the story tells it to the reader. Third person point of view is
a story told by a narrator outside of the story. Second person point of view is less common,
and involves the narrator speaking to the reader through use of the pronoun “you”.
Theme: central message, concern, over-arcing message of a piece of writing.
READING QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1
“Up and About”
Section 1
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Fourteen-year-old Johnny Tremain is a silversmith’s apprentice in Revolutionary-era Boston. He
lives with an elderly master silversmith, Mr. Lapham, and two other apprentices. Rounding out the
bustling household is Mr. Lapham’s daughter-in-law and able housekeeper, Mrs. Lapham, and her
four daughters. Johnny has a special status within the Lapham house because he is considered the
most talented young silversmith in Boston, and his skill brings in enough money to comfortably
support the family. Johnny’s time is deemed so valuable that he is not forced to take part in the
menial chores that the other two apprentices, eleven-year- old Dusty and sixteen-year-old Dove, are
expected to perform.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. Where is the story set? (be specific)
2. What point of view is the story told in?
3. Describe Dove.
4. Describe Johnny.
5. How does Mrs. Lapham treat Johnny compared to the other two boys?
6. What is Dove’s opinion of Johnny?
7. What trade are the boys apprentices in?
8. How do Cilla and Isannah treat Johnny?
9. What are the plans for Johnny’s future once he’s a master smith?
Big Question: __________________________________________________________________
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DAY 3:
Section 2
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your
reading.
At breakfast, old Mr. Lapham exhorts Johnny to take to heart God’s warning that
pride goeth before a fall and to conduct himself more humbly from now on. It’s a pledge Johnny
makes but then cheerfully ignores. He is supremely confident in his certain future as a master
silversmith and owner of the Lapham business.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. Describe Mr. Lapham.
2. What’s different about the level of education among the young people in the story compared
to what you would expect today?
3. What lesson does Mr. Lapham hope to teach Johnny through his selection of Bible verses?
Section 3
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Everyone at the Lapham shop is greatly excited when John Hancock appears and orders a sugar
basin to match a creamer Mr. Lapham made for Hancock’s uncle years earlier. Hancock requested
the sugar bowl to be completed in one week.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
4. What is John Hancock doing in the Lapham silver shop?
Big Question: __________________________________________________________________
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DAY 4:
Section 4
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny works on the elaborate handles. Mr Lapham’s gnarled hands can no longer
accomplish this task.
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Section 5
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny reveals a secret to Cilla. Before his mother died, she told him about his heritage.
Johnny tells Cilla his mother gave him evidence and told him never to sell it.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. What secret does Johnny reveal to Cilla and Isannah?
2. Who, possibly, is Johnny related to?
3. What do you find out about Johnny’s mother?
4. What evidence of his relationship to the Lyte family does Johnny have?
5. Why do you suppose his mother told him to show it only as a last resort?
Section 6
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny shows Cilla the cup. We discover the reason why Johnny becomes a silversmith. Cilla sees
the emblem and the motto engraved on the cup and Johnny swears her to stay mum.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
Foreshadowing is when hints or suggestions are given about something that will occur later
in the novel.
6. What do you think the many comments about Johnny’s excessive pride and
pride going before a fall are foreshadowing?
CHAPTER 2
“The Pride of Your Power”
DAY 5:
Section 1
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny is dissatisfied with his handles. He asks the advice of Paul Revere. Revere offers to take
Johnny on as his own apprentice.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. Why does Johnny go to talk to Paul Revere?
2. What do you think of Johnny’s response to Paul Revere’s offer?
Section 2
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny is running out of time. He decides to work on Sunday to complete the bowl by Monday.
This violates both Boston Law and Mr. Lapham’s religious convictions.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
3. Why can’t Johnny work on Sunday?
4. Why does Mr. Lapham put an end to Johnny’s work on Saturday?
5. What does Mrs. Lapham think of that?
6. What does Johnny risk by working on Sunday?
Section 3
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Dove sees a chance at revenge. He hands Johnny a cracked crucible in which to melt the silver.
Johnny’s right hand is terribly burned.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
7. Why does Dove give Johnny a cracked crucible?
8. What happens to Johnny?
DAY 6:
Section 4
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny is treated by the old midwife, Gran’ Hopper. He spent a month with his hand in
poultices. When the bandages are removed, his thumb and palm have grown together.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
9. How will the injury affect his future?
10. How does Johnny react to the comments about his hand?
11. What did Mr. Lapham do about Mr. Hancock’s order?
12. Why does Johnny now feel an outsider on Hancock’s Wharf?
Section 5
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny’s position in the household plummets to that of chore-boy. Mr. Lapham gently tells him he
must find another respectable trade. Dove and Dusty laugh about his new lower station.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
13. How does Mrs. Lapham’s treatment of Johnny change?
14. How do you suppose Johnny would act after the accident if he had been a more humble
person beforehand?
15. What advice does Mr. Lapham give Johnny?
16. How does Johnny react when he learns of Dove’s role in his accident?
Big Question: __________________________________________________________________
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CHAPTER 3
“An Earth of Brass”
DAY 7:
Section 1
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny is angry and embarrassed about his crippled hand. He has little luck finding any
skilled work he thinks acceptable. He does find a potential friend, Rab Silsbee, who is an apprentice
at the Boston Observer Newspaper.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. How does Johnny’s pride affect his search for a new trade?
2. Why does Johnny stop going home for midday dinner (lunch)?
3. Who is Mr. Tweedie?
4. What are the things Johnny wants to give Cilla when he’s grown?
5. What reputation does the Boston Observer have?
6. Describe Rab.
7. Why do you suppose Johnny can talk so easily to Rab?
Section 2
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Mrs. Lapham finds Mr. Tweedie to not only become partner with Mr. Lapham in the silversmith
shop but also to marry one of her daughters. Johnny does not like Mr. Tweedie.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. How does Johnny treat Mr. Tweedie?
2. What mistake does Johnny make in talking to Mrs. Lapham?
Big Question: __________________________________________________________________
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DAY 8:
Section 3
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
When Johnny applies for a position with merchant John Hancock, the great man turns him away
sickened at the sight of Johnny’s hand. He then sends his slave, Jehu, after Johnny with a purse full
of coins.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. Why do you suppose Johnny watches the Lytes but won’t approach them?
2. What happens when Johnny tries to get a job on one of John Hancock’s ships?
Section 4
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny celebrates by eating and buying gifts. He went to the Laphams and he did not get the
response he expected. When told to go away, he did so.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
3. What does Johnny spend the money on?
4. What does that tell you about him?
5. What does Mrs. Lapham assume when she sees Johnny in new shoes?
6. How does Isannah ruin the fun?
Section 5
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny goes to find his mother’s unmarked grave. He cries thinking everyone has turned away. He
remembers what his mother says about the cup.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
7. What does Johnny decide to do after the night he spends on Copp’s Hill?
Big Question: __________________________________________________________________
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CHAPTER 4
“The Rising Eye”
DAY 9:
Section 1
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Johnny goes to see Mr. Lyte and he doesn’t respond as Johnny had expected. He does show interest
in the silver cup Johnny describes.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. How does Mr. Lyte react to Johnny’s story?
2. How does Johnny’s mention of a cup change the situation?
Section 2
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
When Johnny arrives at the Laphams’ to retrieve his cup, he is told by Mrs. Lapham he can stay as
long as Mr. Lapham is alive but he must follow two rules. He leaves the Laphams’ and stops by to
see Rab on his way to show Mr. Lyte the cup.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences
3. Why do you suppose Johnny goes to see Rab before going to the Lyte’s?
4. Why doesn’t Rab like Mr. Lyte?
5. Why do you think Rab is so nice to Johnny?
Section 3
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
When Johnny shows Mr. Lyte the cup, they see it matches perfectly. Mr. Lyte declares a different
story about the missing cup. Johnny is arrested.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
6. What happens when Johnny shows the cup to the Lytes?
DAY 10
Section 4
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your
reading.
Rab is a Son of Liberty and finds a patriot lawyer to help Johnny. Mr. Lyte is not a
friend of the patriots. Mrs. Lapham and Mr. Tweedie testify against Johnny, and Mrs. Lapham will
not allow Cilla to testify.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
1. How did Johnny’s rudeness to Mrs. Lapham and Mr. Tweedie come back to hurt him?
2. What do you find out about the Sons of Liberty? Is it a positive or negative description?
Section 5
Summary Add two additional facts not covered in the summary from your reading.
Mr. Lyte enters the courtroom and Johnny feels uncomfortable. Rab appears with Cilla and she tells
her story. The judge gives the cup back to Johnny.
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Questions: (You do not need to answer in complete sentences)
3. How does Mr. Lyte try to influence the court case?
4.
How does the court case turn out?
5.
What brings Johnny to the verge of tears at the end of the chapter? Why?
Big Question: __________________________________________________________________
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Literature Groups
DAY 11/12:
With your group, complete the following:
1. What are some examples from chapters 1-4 that this book is historical fiction?
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2.
“Freedom isn’t always free” is a theme in this novel. How is that evident so far?
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Complete the chart below listing the positive and negative effects of Johnny’s pride. You
need at least three examples for each side.
PRIDE Chart
What are some positive effects of Johnny’s pride?
What are some negative effects of Johnny’s pride?
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ACTIVITY
Choose one activity to complete as a group. You will be sharing with the class. COWS will be
available for use.
*1. Create an illustrated time line of the four chapters. Include one event from each section to
put on a timeline. Describe the event and include a color illustration.
*2. Freedom is a central theme in this novel. Create a chart with examples from the story
that reflect freedom on one side, and examples of freedom being denied on the other.
Each side should have at lest three examples that are explained well.
*3.
Make a chart separating fact from fiction in this novel. Label one side fact, and fill it with 10
pieces of information (settings, people, situations, lifestyle, etc.) that are historically accurate
in this section. Label the other side fiction, and fill it in with 10 examples of people or
situations in this section that were created by the author of the novel.
DAY 13: Group Share/ REVIEW
DAY 14: Quiz Chapter 1-4 October 18