Joey Pigza Loses Control, by Jack Gantos Lit Link Grades 4-6

By Nat Reed

Students will enjoy reading about the continuing adventures and experiences of Joey Pigza, a young boy who suffers from ADD, Attention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder. Joey Pigza's life is turned upside down when his mother allows him to spend a few weeks in a nearby city with his estranged father and grandmother. Joey has an idealized image of his father, and resents his mother's smothering ways, however when he moves in with his dad, Joey quickly discovers the man is actually very much like him in many respects. Carter Pigza is impulsive and has great difficulty controlling his actions and tongue. During Joey's visit, his father convinces him to stop wearing the medicated patch which controls his erratic behavior. Joey's behavior and unhappiness spiral out of control. The climax of the novel occurs during a championship baseball game, when Joey, unable to control his frustration has a meltdown on the mound. His mother is called for and whisks him home. Joey finally realizes that his mother has only his best interest in mind and now has a more realistic picture of his father.

Chapter questions will strengthen students' reading comprehension and assist them in developing critical thinking and emotional development. The vocabulary and word study activities will improve literacy skills in an enjoyable way. Plus a story summary, author biography, and answer key. A novel by Jack Gantos

Overall Expectations

The students will:

- learn about: character development/growth, self-acceptance, living with the shortcomings of others (i.e., one's parents), family relationships, the dangers of smoking and alcohol.

- relate events and the feelings of characters found in the novel to their own lives and experiences.

- learn from a first person perspective the challenges of being an individual with special needs (ADHD - Attention-Deficit, Hyperactive Disorder).

- appreciate that the growth of one's character is often the result of trials that come into one's life.

- learn the importance of dealing with adversity and developing perseverance in the face of difficult experiences.

- state their own interpretation of a written work, using evidence from the novel and from their own knowledge and experience.

List of Skills

Vocabulary Development:

1. Using content clues

2. Locating descriptive words/phrases

3. Listing synonyms, antonyms, homonyms

4. Use of capitals and punctuation

5. Identifying syllables

6. Determining alphabetical order

7. Use of singular/plural nouns

8. Developing dictionary skills

9. Identifying parts of speech

10. Identifying alliteration

11. Identifying personification

12. Identifying simile

13. Write a description of personal feelings

Setting Activities:

1. Identify the details of a setting

Plot Activities:

1. Identify conflict in the story

2. Determine the role of others in one's personal growth

3. Develop a Storyboard

4. Identify the climax of a novel

5. Create a synopsis

6. Identify a cliffhanger

Character Activities:

1. Determine character traits

2. Compare two characters

3. Relating personal experiences

4. Comparing two characters using a Venn Diagram

Creative and Critical Thinking:

1. Research

2. Complete Observation Chart

3. Write a letter

4. Conduct an interview

5. Create a film review

6. Conduct a Talk Show

Art Activities:

1. Design a collage

2. Design a cover for the novel

3. Develop a Storyboard

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155495004X
• ISBN13: 9781554950041
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: On the Mark Press
• Length: 66 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"