1a. How does the author find out that Caesar needs a new home? What does the author decide to do?
2a. Why does Caesar refuse to eat when he first comes to the author's cottage?
3a. What does Caesar eat at the picnic?
4a. Describe Caesar's relationship with Arnie, and give two examples of Caesar's interactions with children.
5a. How would you describe the author's way of telling this story? Why do you think he writes it this way?
1b. Why does the author want to adopt Caesar? Is the author convinced that this is a good idea?
2b. What makes Caesar change his mind about eating?
3b. Why are his manners of eating different in this situation?
4b. What do his interactions with Arnie and the children indicate about Caesar's personality?
5b. How does this story compare with other pet stories you have heard?
Point of View. From what point of view is "Caesar the Giant" told? Why do you think the author wrote the story from this point of view?
Hyperbole. Look at your examples of hyperbole from this story. Then discuss the examples with a classmate or small group. Why do you think the author uses hyperbole in the story?
1. Write a postcard to Caesar's original owner in Hawaii telling him how Caesar is adjusting to his new home.
2. Imagine that you are trying to convince your parents to let you have a dog like Caesar. Write your parents a letter telling them all the reasons why a Great Dane would make a good pet.
3. Imagine that you are Caesar and retell an episode in this story from his point of view. Try to use hyperbole to make the story interesting and amusing.
Synonyms. To add variety to writing, an author will use more than one word or expression to say the same thing. After each numbered word/phrase, fill in the blank with the word/phrase pair that matches most closely.
1. comatose click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
2. force-feed click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
3. gallop click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
4. male cat click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
5. skinny click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
6. slobber click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
7. snapped at food violently click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
8. swearing click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
9. trying to get married click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
10. wiener click to select answer a. emaciated b. "hit like a gator" c. looking for a mate d. lope e. hot dog f. screaming obscenities g. sound asleep h. spit i. tom j. tube
Reviewing I and Me. Before you use the words I and me in a sentence, remember that I is always the subject of a verb and me is always the object of a verb or preposition. Review the rules for using I and me correctly in the Language Arts Survey 3.41, "Using I and Me." Then choose the word in parentheses that completes each sentence correctly.
1. click to select answer I Me wish that I could have seen Caesar playing baseball at the picnic.
2. My sister and click to select answer I me are in charge of feeding and walking our dog, Billy.
3. Sometimes, click to select answer I me ask my friend Sam to help click to select answer I me walk my dog.
4. My dog likes to play with other people, but he likes click to select answer I me best.
5. Between you and click to select answer I me , having a dog is a lot of work, but it's worth it!
6. Mrs. Hathaway always gives birthday presents to my sister and click to select answer I me .
7. My dog and click to select answer I me like to go for walks in the woods.
8. Arnie, Caesar, and Gary came to visit click to select answer I me .
9. Give the pictures to my friends and click to select answer I me .
10. How did you know where to find click to select answer I me ?
Interviewing. Visit a local animal shelter and interview a staff member to find out how a shelter operates. Prepare a list of questions ahead of time, and ask if you can tape record or videotape the interview. Make sure your questions are open-ended so they will elicit more than a "yes" or "no" answer. If you cannot visit an animal shelter, call and ask your questions over the phone and write a report to share with the class. For more information, see the Language Arts Survey 4.14, "Conducting an Interview." Use the lines below to write 10 (or more) open-ended questions to use during your interview:
Researching Dogs. Using the Internet and library resources, research your favorite breed of dog. Find information such as the history of the breed, what activities the dog enjoys, and how to take care of the dog. You might wish to present your findings to the rest of the class using a computer design program, picture displays, videocassettes, or other props. On the left side of this sheet, record resources (both Internet and library) you consulted. On the right side, write the useful information found in each resource.
Writing an Article. Write a feature story for a dog magazine about how much per year it would cost to have a Great Dane. Visit the grocery store or pet store to find out how much dog food costs. Also consider items such as a collar, leash, shampoo, toys, and visits to the veterinarian. You might also wish to include in your article information about the best places to shop for pet supplies. On the left side of this sheet, list the canine supplies and services you want to know the costs of. On the right side, record the corresponding costs as you discover them.
