As you read “The Goodness of Matt Kaizer,” gather information about the main characters. Create cluster charts like the one on page 5 for Matt Kaizer, Rev. Kaizer, Mr. Bataky, and Mary Beth.
1. As your teacher reads the first three paragraphs of the story aloud, add information about Matt to the outer circles of the chart for Matt.
2. Read the rest of the story on your own. Add information about Matt, Rev. Kaizer, Mr. Bataky, and Mary Beth to each of their cluster charts as you read.
If you are having trouble staying connected to the story, read the story with a partner. Pretend you and your partner are detectives uncovering clues about the characters. Stop three times as you read and make predictions about what Matt will do next. Will he get in trouble? Will he do something good? Each time you stop, summarize what has happened so far, make predictions about what will happen next, and fill in your cluster charts. Then continue reading and stopping until you reach the end of the story. When you finish reading, complete your cluster charts. Make predictions at the following points in the story:
Top of page 8 after “No way was he going to be good! Not in front of us.”
Top of page 10 after “So I’d really like to see him”
Page 14, 3rd paragraph, after “What’s the matter with Matt?”
Share your chart with two to three other students. Discuss information you collected, and help each other complete the charts. Share what you learned about Matt, Rev. Kaizer, Mr. Bataky and Mary Beth with the class.