Kanzi's Journey: Language and Identity

The story follows Kanzi, an Egyptian-American girl, on her first day at a new school. She faces challenges with cultural differences but finds support from her teacher, Mrs. Haugen. Kanzi shares her Egyptian quilt, leading to a class project where students write their names in Arabic. This fosters cultural appreciation and unity. The story highlights the beauty of bilingualism and cultural diversity.

What special item does Kanzi carefully fold and pack before heading to school?

• A toy

• Her favorite book

• Her quilt made by her grandmother

• A new dress

What type of sandwich does Kanzi secretly wish her father would pack for her lunch?

• Ham and cheese sandwich

• Turkey sandwich

• Chicken sandwich

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Why does Kanzi feel upset during lunchtime on her first day?

• She lost her notebook

• She forgot her lunchbox

• She didn't like the food

• Her classmates made fun of her mother's language

What does Kanzi's teacher, Mrs. Haugen, say about being bilingual?

• It is confusing

• It is beautiful

• It is unnecessary

• It is difficult

What does Kanzi bring to school to share with her class?

• Her quilt

• A poem

• A book

• A drawing

What project does Mrs. Haugen announce for the class?

• A science experiment

• A math competition

• A history presentation

• Making a quilt with their names in Arabic

How does Molly's attitude change by the end of the story?

• She continues to make fun of Kanzi

• She transfers to another school

• She decides to ignore Kanzi

• She becomes more interested in learning Arabic

What does Kanzi's classmate Tamika wonder about?

• How to make a quilt

• What her name looks like in Arabic

• How to speak Arabic

• What Kanzi's poem is about

What does Kanzi notice across from the Arabic quilt in the hallway?

• A painting

• A map

• A Japanese name collage

• A new bulletin board

What does Kanzi write a poem about at the end of the story?

• Her new friends

• Her favorite book

• Her school

• The importance of languages