Encyclopedia Brown

Unit 4 Week 5

Genre – Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction tells about events that could really happen. The characters have feelings just like you.

Vocabulary Strategy – Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms are words that mean almost the same thing. For example: Anxious and Nervous

• Antonyms are words with opposite minute. For example: Kind and Mean

Comprehension Skill - Plot

• A plot is found only in fiction.• A plot begins when a character has

a problem or conflict.

ProblemRising Action

Climax Resolution

Comprehension Strategy –

Ask QuestionsActive readers ask themselves questions before they read, while they read, and after they read.

VocabularyAmphibians

CrimeExhibitLizards

ReferenceReptiles

SalamandersStumped

Amphibians

•Animals that live on land and water

Crime

•The act of breaking the law

Exhibit

•Act of displaying; public showing

Lizards

•Kind of reptiles; reptiles with long bodies and tails, movable eyelids, and usually four legs

Reference

•Source of information

Reptiles

•Animals with scales; cold-blooded animals with backbones and lungs

Salamanders

•Type of animal; animals shaped like lizards, but related to frogs and toads

Stumped

•Puzzled

When and where did this story take place?

• In the morning at the aquarium• In the evening at the Brown’s house• During the night at Idaville’s car

wash

If Encyclopedia Brown did not live in Idaville, what would

most likely happen?

• Some crimes would go unsolved.• There would be no crimes

committed.• More crooks would move away from

the town.

Why did the author write this story?

• To compare and contrast clues that are left at crime scenes

• To explain how to become a real-life detective

• To entertain with a story about a boy that solves crimes

What was the main reason that Chief Brown was stumped

about the crime?

• The crook left very few clues• Few people knew about the

salamander• The chief had never been to the

aquarium

How are frogs and salamanders alike?

• They are birds.• They are amphibians.• They are reptiles.

What did Encyclopedia Brown need before he solved the

crime?• A picture of the stolen salamander• A list of questions to ask each

employee• The specific details about the crime

Which event happened around the same time Dr. O’Donnell examined the new crocodile?

• Mrs. King took a coffee break• Sam Maine told a lie to the chief• Chief Brown went to the aquarium

What is an important lesson in this story?

• It helps to pay careful attention to details

• It takes a lot of clues to solve a crime.

• Children make better detectives than adults.

Encyclopedia Brown showed that he had solved the crime

when he--• Took his Dad to the back room of

the aquarium• Found the salamander at Mrs.

Brown’s house• Said that Sam was lying about his

experience

Why did Sam Maine act suspicious of Mrs. King?

• He knew she had let visitors into the back room

• He wanted the police to think she was the thief

• He was trying to get her to stop volunteering

What is the most likely reason Sam Maine lied about his experience

with taking care of animals?

• He lied because he wanted to get a job at the aquarium. He wanted to be hired.

In addition to working at the aquarium, what else did O’Donnell, Mrs. Brown, or Sam Maine have in

common?• They all appeared to be busy doing

other things when the salamander was stolen.

Check it out – More information about

Encyclopedia Brown !!

• http://www.kidsreads.com/series/series-brown-author.asp