1. Write an advertisement for the novel as one of the following:

a. a television or radio commercial

2. Write an imaginary interview with the author.

3. Write a poem or a song to describe a person or an event in the story.

4. Take the role of a major character. Write his or her diary for the most exciting part of the story.

5. Select pictures that suit the characters or setting of the story. Write captions to explain your illustrations.

6. Write a limerick about one of the characters.

7. Create a cartoon to illustrate a sequence of events in the novel.

8. Design a book jacket. Include illustrations, a blurb for the flap, and information about the author.

9. Write an obituary for one of the characters.

10. What do you like or dislike about the novel that you have read? Discuss. Would you recommend this novel? Why or why not?

Divide the characters, assuring that every individual in the group has a character even if the character is an inanimate object (Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland both have animated objects that add significantly to the story).

Decide upon the key events within your chosen scene and create a series of tableaus (frozen pictures) showing those key events.

Special touches such as costumes and backdrops should be used to enhance the portrayal of the story.

Remember to work on only one tableau at a time.

A photo of each completed tableau must be taken. You should take turns acting as the photographer ensuring that all of your team members are included in photographs.

Each time you create a new tableau, make sure to review the others previously created to see that they portray what you have intended.

As you finish each tableau review the photograph and answer the following questions:

Once all of the tableaus have been created, and the photos have been taken you will then work to create a Photo Story for your novel.

You may include music and dialogue with your Photo Story if you wish. If you chose to do so, make sure that you take turns as the narrator.

Finished tableau Photo Stories will be placed on your group’s blog for other students to view and comment on.

You will be expected to view the Photo Stories of other groups involved in the project and complete the following sentences:

Each member of the blog is required to submit, as a comment, a well written paragraph expressing his or her opinions and feelings about the novel. What do you like or dislike about the novel that you have read? Discuss. Would you recommend this novel? Why or why not?

To be answered individually.

A real-life tragedy led Katherine Paterson to write Bridge to Terabithia. Her son
David’s best friend, Lisa Hill, was struck by lightning and killed. How does knowing
about this tragedy add to your understanding and appreciation of the book? Discuss in a paragraph.

Terabithia is a place where Jess and Leslie can escape from everyday cares and pressures
and indulge in the life of the imagination. Write a paragraph about the importance of the imagination as a means of escape from the problems and stresses of everyday life. Can dreaming and imagining be productive activities, or are they just a waste of time? Think about Leslie and Jess’s experiences as you write.

Click here to watch clips from an earlier film version of the novel.

Answer the following question individually.

By the end of the novel, Jess has changed in important ways and has learned a great deal about himself and others. Write a few paragraphs tracing Jess’s growth and development over the course of the novel. As you write, consider these questions: What lessons does Jess learn? From whom? What strengths does he discover in himself and in others? What new beliefs and values does he develop? Which experiences are especially valuable to him?

Click here for more movie clips.

Review the following vocabulary before you read.
VOCABULARY PREVIEW

flank n. animal’s side
intently adv. with concentration
leaden adj. heavy, like lead
piteously adv. in a way that arouses pity; pathetically
procession n. parade
relentlessly adv. without stopping
solemn adj. very serious
traitorous adj. betraying trust


1. Summarize what happens on the “perfect day” described in chapter 10. What
makes the day so perfect for Jess? What news does Jess learn when he gets home?

2. How does Jess react to this news? Describe the stages he goes through as he tries
to deal with what has happened.

3. What does Jess do after the Burkes move away? Why do you think he does this?

Watch the following clip from the movie.

Click here to watch a trailer from the film version.

Read chapters 1 to 4. Then as a group respond to the following question.

Review the following vocabulary before you read.


VOCABULARY PREVIEW

clabber n. soured milk

falter v. to stumble

grit n. courage; toughness

hypocritical adj. pretending to be what one is not or to believe what one does not

muddled adj. mixed up

pandemonium n. total confusion

reassess v. to reexamine

regally adv. like a king or queen

siege n. attack


1. In what ways is Leslie different from the other students at Lark Creek School? How do the other students treat her?

2. How does Jess react when Gary Fulcher wants to see his drawing? What do you learn about Jess from his reaction?

3. Describe the secret place that Leslie and Jess create. Why is this place so special and so important to them?

Conflict

Many stories contain a conflict, or struggle between two opposing forces. In a novel, the conflict is central to the plot, or series of events that make up the story, and involves the main character. The conflict can be internal or external. In an internal conflict, the struggle takes place within the main character. In an external conflict, the struggle is between the main character and an outside force, such as another character, society, nature, or fate. Sometimes, one kind of conflict reflects another. An external conflict can mirror an internal conflict.

Plot

The plot of a novel is the sequence of events. The plot begins with the exposition, which introduces the setting, the main characters, and the conflict. Events that contribute to the conflict (or conflicts) are called the rising action. This action leads to the climax, the emotional high point of the story. Watch for the climax as you read the last chapters of Bridge to Terabithia. Notice howthe falling action, what happens after the climax, leads to the resolution, or final outcome.

Point-of-View

The narrative point of view used in Bridge to Terabithia is called third-person limited.



What kind of person is Jess Aarons? You can learn about his personality and character from whathe says, does, and thinks. You also can gain insight into his character by paying attention to what other characters say about him.

Click here to watch a slide show of pictures from the film.

Jess Aarons had to be the fastest runner at Lark Creek Elementary School, the best, but when he was challenged by Leslie Burke, a girl, that was just the beginning of a new season in Jess's life. Leslie and her parents were newcomers to the rural community where Jess lived, and were thought to be a bit odd, for they didn't even own a TV, though their house was filled with books. Somewhat to Jess's surprise, he and Leslie became friends, and the worlds of imagination and learning that she opened to him changed him forever. It was Leslie's idea to create Terabithia, their secret kingdom in the woods where they reigned supreme. There, no enemy, not their teacher Monster Mouth Myers, their schoolmates Gary Fulcher and Janice Avery, Jess's four sisters, or even Jess's own fears and Leslie's imaginary foes could defeat them. The legacy that Leslie finally brought to Jess enabled him to cope with the unexpected tragedy that touched them all.

Click here for more information about the author: http://www.terabithia.com/