Vocabulary, Grammar, Writing & Thinking Exercises for:
Dar and the Spear-Thrower
(a novel by Marjorie Cowley)
BOOK 2; Student�s Version (L003)

This 160-page exercise book, Book 2, is the second of a two-book set based on Marjorie Cowley�s wonderful novel: Dar and the Spear-Thrower, which is about a Cro-Magnon boy living 15,000 years ago in southeastern France. Book 2 serves as an extended exercise book to Book 1. Whereas Book 1 provides extensive exercises in novel analysis, Book 2 provides extensive exercises in vocabulary, grammar, writing, and thinking. In this manner, we have squeezed as much value from the novel as possible and have created maximum opportunity for the student to become familiar with the content of the novel.

Like Book 1, this book is divided into chapters mirroring the chapters in the novel. Unlike Book 1, where the student completes the chapter exercises right after reading each chapter, Book 2 is a stand-alone book that doesn�t require having the novel in hand and which can be done at any time after reading the chapter, such as during the student�s vocabulary, grammar, and writing periods.

Vocabulary:

The vocabulary exercises are relatively easy compared to the other exercises described below. For each chapter, the student is given a list of definitions with a blank beside each one for the word being defined. Below these are a series of sentences taken from the novel and containing the words. The student is merely required to fill in the blanks with the correct words.

After every two or three chapters, the student is given a crossword puzzle for the words covered in such chapters. At the end of this book are three large crossword puzzles containing all the words covered in all of the chapters.

Grammar:

The grammar exercises are more challenging. For each chapter, the student is supplied with a few sentences from the novel. Below each sentence is a list of Parts of Speech and Parts of Sentence. For each item specified in this list, such as �simple subject,� �adverb,� �subordinate clause,� etc., the student is required to supply the word or words that fit the part requested. This type of exercise will significantly improve the student�s grammar skills and also prepare the student for sentence diagramming in future grammar courses.

The grammar exercises assume that the student already has studied basic grammar. If not, Appendix A in Book 2 provides a brief summary of grammar knowledge needed to perform these exercises. The teacher will initially have to carefully go through Appendix A and enough exercises until the student grasps the material in Appendix A. A good supplementary grammar text is Rex Barks by Phyllis Davenport, which can be purchased via Amazon. (Click me for a direct link.)

Making Connections (Writing & Thinking):

For each chapter the student is given a series of statements, each one describing something concrete that happened in the chapter and stating the abstraction that subsumes the concrete. Then, for each statement, the student is asked to describe one or more concrete events in today�s world that are subsumed under the same abstraction. In this manner, the student practices the art of concretizing abstractions which, is a crucial aspect of conceptual thinking. Furthermore, these also serve as exercises in writing to improve the student�s writing skills. The abstractions given are sometimes the same as those presented in the subtheme exercises of Book 1, but with more elaboration and connections.

Miscellaneous:

Although this book is intended for grades 5-6, the material will be suitable for higher grades, especially if the student has not been properly challenged at school.

If you purchase this book, then we highly recommended that you also purchase at least one copy of the teacher�s version which contains the same material in the same format plus all the answers to the exercises. (See below.)

Our first, Book 1, is also based on Marjorie Cowley�s novel and contains numerous exercises designed to improve the student�s ability to read carefully, think logically, and analyze a novel in terms of plot, characterization, conflicts, subthemes, plot-theme, and overall theme. Together, the two exercise books allow the student to maximize the benefit attainable from a single good novel. (Click me for BOOK 1.)

Although the exercises in this book can be performed without having access to the novel, it is recommended that the student read and have access to the novel before doing them. (Click me to separately purchase the novel.)