“I want you to know, Stanley, that I respect you,” Mr. Pendanski said.To think well of someone and treat them with honor.
Copywork
“I want you to know, Stanley, that I respect you,” Mr. Pendanski said. “I understand you’ve made some bad mistakes in your life.
Read the passage aloud. What does the opening “I want you to know” do before the counselor says anything else?
Discussion
Narration Tell back what happens from the moment Stanley is shown to D tent to the moment he walks away from Armpit, in order.
- Mr. Pendanski says Mr. Sir “isn’t really so bad” and that the Warden is the one to worry about. How might that change how Stanley feels about the camp? Inference
- Stanley decides it is pointless to tell Mr. Pendanski he is innocent, because everyone probably says that. Was keeping quiet wise or a mistake? Moral reasoning
- Mr. Pendanski prefers the boys' real names, but Squid and X-Ray correct him. Why might the boys hold on to their nicknames? Character
- Mr. Pendanski smiles and shakes Zero's shoulder as he says there is “nothing inside his head.” What does the smile do to those words? Tone
- The chapter ends with Stanley wondering if “Armpit” could be “a term of respect.” Why might the author end on his guess? Author's choice
Make a Connection Tell about a nickname you know of, a person's or a pet's. How did it start, and how does it feel to the one who has it?
Vocabulary
- respect
- mistakes
“I understand you’ve made some bad mistakes in your life.
Wrong things done by accident or poor choice.- wearily
The boys glanced wearily at Stanley.
In a tired way.- pointless
It seemed pointless to try and tell his counselor that he was innocent.
Having no use or purpose.- assigned
Stanley was assigned to D tent.
Given a place or a job by someone in charge.- particularly
He wasn’t particularly thrilled about sleeping in the same cot
Especially; more than usual.- sanitary
complain about the need to keep their “home” sanitary
Clean and free of germs.- whirled
Theodore whirled and grabbed Stanley by his collar.
Spun around quickly.- terrified
Stanley stared up at him, terrified.
Very badly frightened.
Critical thinking
- Armpit grabs Stanley and throws him down when Stanley calls him Theodore. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why Armpit might react so strongly.
- When a boy calls him “Mom,” Mr. Pendanski answers, “go ahead and call me Mom.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain why he answers that way.
- Mr. Pendanski tells Stanley, “I understand you’ve made some bad mistakes.” Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether Stanley should trust Mr. Pendanski by the end of the chapter.