Chapter 5

Little Women

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

Laurie colored up, but answered frankly, “Why, you see, I often hear you calling to one another, and when I’m alone up here, I can’t help looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such good times.

Read your copy aloud. Why might Laurie blush before telling Jo that he watches her house?

Discussion

Narration Retell the afternoon in order: Jo at the hedge, the visit upstairs, the library, Mr. Laurence, the conservatory, and the piano.

1. Before Jo crosses the hedge, Alcott describes the two houses side by side. What do you think she wants us to notice about each?Author's choice

2. Jo thinks Laurie needs “a party of jolly boys to play with.” What does he actually seem to want?Inference

3. Jo tells Laurie to make an effort and stop being bashful, and he is not offended. Why does her bluntness work on him?Character

4. Mr. Laurence says Jo has her grandfather's spirit, if not his face. What do you think he values in a person?Theme

5. Mr. Laurence stops Jo's praise of Laurie's playing: “Too many sugarplums are not good for him.” Is he caring for the boy or being unfair to him?Moral reasoning

Make a Connection Tell about a time a visit from a friend or neighbor made your day better.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1						2

3	4		5
					6
				7			8

		9

				10

Across

Across 1. Openly and honestly.
Across 3. With quiet longing for something out of reach.
Across 7. Polite, respectful manners.
Across 9. Very happy and proud.
Across 10. Lively, bright energy.

Down

Down 2. Blushed; turned red in the face.
Down 4. Friendly and ready to talk.
Down 5. Without energy or interest.
Down 6. A kind and friendly wish to help.
Down 8. Alone; without company.

The words in the chapter

frankly Laurie colored up, but answered frankly, “Why, you see, I often hear you calling to one another, and when I’m alone up here, I can’t help looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such good times.
colored Laurie colored up, but answered frankly, “Why, you see, I often hear you calling to one another, and when I’m alone up here, I can’t help looking over at your house, you always seem to be having such good times.
wistfully looking wistfully down into their garden,
listless showing a face which lost its listless look in a minute,
sociable Laurie forgot his bashfulness, and grew sociable at once.

elated Much elated with her success, Jo did “tell on,”
goodwill there was so much goodwill in Jo,
courtesy “Shouldn’t ask you, if I didn’t;” and Mr. Laurence offered her his arm with old-fashioned courtesy.
vivacity vivacity in his manner, and genuine merriment in his laugh.
solitary The solitary, hungry look in his eyes went straight to Jo’s warm heart.

Critical thinking

1. Jo says she knew Laurie would laugh at Beth's kittens. Using two pieces of evidence, explain why they turned out to be just the thing.

2. Jo tidies Laurie's room in two minutes while she talks. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how Laurie takes it.

3. Mr. Laurence says little at tea but watches the young people. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he notices and what he decides.