In this stirring new play, young Annemarie and Kirsti Johansen face soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs, personal danger, the loss of loved ones, and their own fears as they try to help their friend Ellen Rosen escape across the ocean to Sweden and safety.

This teaching unit helps introduce fine literature to students with a wide range of reading abilities. Each teaching unit promotes oral and written language proficiency through discussion questions and writing assignments that develop comprehension, application, synthesis, and evaluation skills. Reproducible pages contain classroom-tested activities that reinforce thinking skills while introducing the concept of analysis through class discussion. Extensive background information is provided for the teacher; students are presented with the elements of fiction, including setting, characterization, plot, point of view, and theme.

Presents the libretto for a musical based on Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars," a story in which the family of Annmarie Johansen and their Christian neighbors aid the Danish Jews during World War II by helping them escape to neutral Sweden.

A guide to facilitating the discussion of the novel by Lois Lowry by students in grades four through eight offers suggestions for identifying themes, analyzing vocabulary, and responding to the text.

At head of title on cover: Literature unit.

Experience the fear and danger of World War II as one girl risks her life to save her Jewish friend. High-quality, detailed questions and support materials go beyond the typical drill questions. Find proof from the text that shows Mama is determined and quick-thinking. Put events at the end of World War II in order that they happened in the novel. Find examples of foreshadowing in the story and explain what it may be hinting at. Match vocabulary words to their underlined synonyms in the sentences. Create questions for the game Jeopardy using information from the story. Conduct an interview with one of the characters from the book with questions and the character's response. Aligned to your State Standards, additional crossword, word search, comprehension quiz and answer key are also included. About the Novel: A story of a ten-year-old girl, her family and their courageous journey to save the lives of their Jewish friends. During the darkest days of World War II living in Copenhagen, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen is caught up in these unfolding historical events when she learns that the life of her best friend—Ellen Rosen—is in danger. The Rosens go into hiding and Annemarie’s parents volunteer to take Ellen into their home until the voyage to the safe country of Sweden can be arranged. Annemarie is thrust into several perilous adventures as she does the utmost to save the lives of the Rosens. Annemarie’s courage and ingenuity are severely tested as she is forced to confront German soldiers intent on killing her friend.

These assessment questions for Number the Stars are modeled after current testing models requiring students to revisit the text for answers. Students have to support their opinions and inferences with examples from the text.

These vocabulary activities for Number the Stars incorporate key skills from the Common Core. The activities integrate vocabulary with a study of the text. Includes text-dependent questions, definitions, and text-based sentences.

These assessment questions for Number the Stars are modeled after current testing models requiring students to revisit the text for answers. Students have to support their opinions and inferences with examples from the text.