8th Grade ELA: The War of the Wall

Think about a time when you judged a situation or person too quickly, but later understood it differently. In a paragraph, describe your experience, explain how your thinking changed, and what you learned from the experience.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Lou tells the painter lady that the wall belongs to the kids of the neighborhood most likely to-

• show her that the wall represents community memories and shared childhood experiences.
• remind her adults already granted permission to repaint it.
• threaten her into immediately stopping all painting on it.
• impress the neighborhood kids with dramatic storytelling skills about the wall's history.

Tags

TEKS 8.7A

TEKS 8.5F

What can the reader conclude about the painter lady from her actions in the excerpt?

• She feels guilty about disrespecting the neighborhood’s treasured traditions.
• She secretly doubts her artistic ability and fears criticism.
• She hopes to provoke the boys into starting trouble over Jimmy.
• She remains calm and determined despite the boys’ emotional protests.

Tags

8.7A

8.5F

Based on the interaction between the narrator and Lou with the painter lady, what theme does the author develop? Select TWO correct answers.

• Conflicts are best solved quickly through physical confrontation and anger.
• People often defend places that shape their identity and memories.
• Outsiders should always avoid entering unfamiliar neighborhoods without permission.
• Children frequently misunderstand adults’ artistic and professional responsibilities.
• Change can threaten communities deeply connected to meaningful shared places.

Tags

8.7A

8.5F

Read and annotate paragraphs 6-16. Use the graphic organizer to make inferences to determine the theme.

Tags

TEKS 8.7A

TEKS 8.5F

In paragraph 6, the narrator chooses to mention the description of the food most likely because he-

• hopes to prove the painter lady dislikes traditional southern meals.
• highlights the community’s generosity compared to the painter lady’s indifference.
• suggests the painter lady feels tempted but refuses the meal politely.
• tries to suggest the twins are bribing the painter lady with food from the town’s best cooks.

Tags

8.7A

8.5F

Read the sentence from paragraph 11. "She was rearing back on her heels, her hands jammed into her back pockets, her face squinched up like the masterpiece she had in mind was taking shape on the wall by magic." Based on this sentence, the reader can conclude that the painter lady-

• feels confident and absorbed in carefully envisioning her artistic creation.
• worries the neighborhood children will criticize her unfinished painting.
• deliberately ignores the crowd to avoid confronting their anger.
• struggles to understand how to begin designing the mural.

Tags

8.7A

8.5F

What can the reader conclude about the painter lady from her actions in paragraphs 11 and 12?

• She feels embarrassed by the growing crowd watching her unusual behavior.
• She attempts to entertain the neighborhood with exaggerated dramatic movements.
• She worries her painting will disappoint the people observing her.
• She is intensely dedicated to her artistic process, blocking out distractions completely.

Tags

8.7A

8.5F

Based on the interaction between the twins with the painter lady, what theme does the author develop? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Tags

TEKS 8.7A

TEKS 8.5F

Based on the text, what does the word scheme mean as used in paragraph 27?

• To organize a community event
• To create a secret or clever plan
• To help an artist with a project
• To ask for permission from adults

Tags

8.7A

8.5F