REPRODUCIBLES

A TASTE OF
BLACKBERRIES
D O R I S B U CH A N A N S M I T H

Perfection Learning
®
P ORTALS TO R EADING
Reading Skills Through Literature

A TASTE OF
BLACKBERRIES
Doris Buchanan Smith

Reproducible Activity Book

The purchase of this book entitles an individual teacher to reproduce
pages for use in the classroom. This permitted use of copyrighted
material does not extend beyond the building level. Reproduction for
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Beyond the classroom use by an individual teacher, reproduction,
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© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

1000 North Second Avenue, Logan, Iowa 51546
 The Portals to Reading series accompanies time-tested
literature that should be an important part of every
school’s reading program. The activities will reinforce a
wide variety of language and reading skills which are
generally part of the curriculum at the reading level of the
novel. However, the Portals pick-and-choose format gives
you the final decision about which activities will enhance
your students’ personal learning.
The activities in this book are based on sentences and
paragraphs especially written to support the teaching
objective of each lesson. Clearly, such literary matters as
style and flavor may be experienced only by reading the
book itself. Thus, the words of the author have been left
where they belong—in their pure form in the pages of the
novel.
 Table of Contents
Author! Author! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Story in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Word Attack Skills

Using Short Vowels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using Compound Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Using Long Vowels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Finding Base Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Listening for Syllables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Comprehension Skills
Classifying Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Discovering Meaning Through Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Matching Antonyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Remembering Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Determining Cause and Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Matching Synonyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Classifying Word Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Using Cloze Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Remembering Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Matching Antonyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Study Skills
Choosing Correct Meanings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Determining Alphabetical Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Using Guide Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Creative Skills
Writing a Journal Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Creating a Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Writing a Book Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Explaining Feelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Optional Spelling and Vocabulary Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Supplementary Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Response Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
 A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Author! Author!
Doris Buchanan Smith

Doris Buchanan Smith was born in Washington, D.C.,

on June 1, 1934. She lived there before moving to
Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of nine. Ms. Smith attended
South Georgia College.
As the mother of five children and a foster parent to
many other children, Ms. Smith feels a special affinity for
young people, especially those who are having problems
in life. It is these youngsters who often inspire her stories.
Ms. Smith knew that she wanted to be a writer from
the time she was eleven years old. She has authored ten
successful books. When she talks to aspiring writers or
people who want to develop their talents, Ms. Smith
stresses discipline. She feels that discipline allows her to
earn a living doing what she loves to do most—write.
Although she is interested in all kinds of writing, Ms.
Smith’s main love is writing for young people. She says
she loves to become her characters and remember how
it feels to be young again. Her writings reflect her deep
interest in people, their behavior, and their motivations.
Doris Buchanan Smith divides her time between her
home in Georgia and a primitive cabin in the woods of
North Carolina. When not writing, she spends her time
reading, walking, bicycling, canoeing, listening to music,
sculpting, or star gazing.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 7

 A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
The Story in Brief
Jamie and his neighbor (the narrator)
are best friends. They are always together.
The boys spend their days picking
blackberries, running races, and playing
games. After dark, they use flashlights to
send Morse code messages to each other
across the street.
One day, Mrs. Houser asks the
neighborhood children to collect Japanese
beetles from her grapevines. While the
other kids are capturing beetles, Jamie is
horsing around. Nobody pays much
attention because Jamie is always goofing
off. He enjoys being a clown, the center of
attention, and the one who makes
everyone laugh.
As Jamie begins sticking a willow limb
down a bee hole, the others warn him that
he’ll get stung. But Jamie just laughs and
teases them for being scared of “a little old
bee.” Suddenly, there’s a loud humming and
a furious swarm ascends from the hole.
The narrator freezes in his spot and
watches as the other children run for
safety. Many are stung, including Jamie,
who falls to the ground gasping for breath.
The narrator turns his back on what he
thinks is his best friend’s latest attempt to
get attention.
A short time later, an ambulance arrives
at Jamie’s house. The neighborhood
8 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation
gathers to see Jamie carried away. The
narrator goes back to collecting beetles,
refusing to believe that anything would
possibly be wrong with Jamie the great.
Later after taking Jamie’s younger sister
and brother to their home, the narrator’s
mother gently breaks the news of Jamie’s
death. Apparently, Jamie was allergic to
bee stings and no one knew.
The narrator is stricken with grief over
his best friend’s death. Who will help him
pick blackberries? Who will flash messages
from across the street? Who will make him
laugh?
The evening after Jamie’s funeral, the
narrator realizes that Jamie would want
him to continue with his life. It is okay to
smile.
The next morning, the narrator takes
two baskets and heads for the blackberry
patch. As he fills the baskets, he talks to
his friend, telling him about the big, juicy
berries. One of the full baskets he leaves
for his mother. He takes the other basket
across the street to Jamie’s house. No
words are needed between the narrator
and Jamie’s mother as they hug each other
and Jamie’s memory.
The healing process has begun, and the
narrator takes off down the street, racing
an angel.
 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 1-2
Using Short Vowels
confidence nodded Heather
Read the words in the word box.
mimicked thicket minute
Each word contains a short vowel
sound. Say the words to yourself and blackness pumped crimson
listen for the short vowel sounds. challenge clutched
Then read each sentence. Choose a
word from the word box to complete
each sentence. Write your answer on
the blank line.

Example: The friends made their way to the thicket of the

blackberry patch.

1. Jamie his head in agreement.

2. The narrator his arms as he raced Jamie to

the creek.

3. Every with Jamie was an adventure.

4. Jamie his friend’s shirt as he fell down.

5. Jamie laughed so hard that his face turned .

6. The boys liked to each other.

7. Jamie entered the farmer’s field with .

8. Next to Jamie, was the narrator’s best friend.

9. The sky’s told of the approaching storm.

10. Martha her big brother.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 9

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 1-2

Using
Compound Words base/ball eye/balls
after/noon eye/brows
The word box contains all school/mates play/ground
compound words. Compounds are thunder/storm some/one
made by putting two smaller words grape/vines shot/gun
together. Read each compound black/berry
word. Then read the sentences
below. In the blank in each sentence,
write the compound that best
completes the sentence.

Example: The boys hid from the others in the blackberry patch.

1. The boys spent the in the blackberry patch and at

the creek.

2. The farmer held a in his arms.

3. The boy’s stomach was spinning as fast as a ride.

4. Jamie could throw a very well.

5. called out as the narrator crossed the street.

6. Japanese beetles were eating Mrs. Houser’s .

7. The children didn’t want to be caught in the .

8. The father of one of their picked up the children.

9. The narrator’s mother raised her as she listened

to their story.

10. Pictures of kids helping Mrs. Houser raced behind the

narrator’s .

10 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 1-2
Using Long Vowels
wail maybe floating
Read the words in the word box.
replied breathe Jamie
Each word contains a long vowel
sound. Say the words to yourself and between sneaked cradled
listen for the long vowel sounds. squeezed remind
Then read each sentence. Choose a
word from the word box to complete
each sentence. Write your answer on
the blank line.

Example: Jamie stuck himself on a blackberry bush thorn.

1. “ the blackberries aren’t ripe yet,” someone said.

2. Jamie himself to keep from laughing.

3. Jamie into the farmer’s field to steal some apples.

4. The boys had to themselves how cold the

water was.

5. The farmer a shotgun as he looked toward the field.

6. The apple was on top of the water.

7. Martha began to when the storm hit.

8. The boys kept Martha them as they looked for

shelter.

9. The narrator could barely as they climbed into

the stranger’s car.

10. Jamie without hesitation.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 11

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 1-2

Finding Base Words

Each word below has been made by adding an
ending such as -ly, -ed, or -ing to a base word.
On the blank beside each word, write the base
word.

Example: puckered pucker

1. ripen 11. shinnied

2. berries 12. golden

3. charging 13. sweetness

4. funny 14. scuffing

5. pretending 15. youngest

6. strides 16. putting

7. bigger 17. careful

8. surrounded 18. driver

9. snitching 19. hoisted

10. tried 20. quickly

12 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 1-2
Listening for Syllables
Say each of the words below to yourself. The
number of vowel sounds you hear in each word
will be the same as the number of syllables.
Decide how many syllables are in each word.
Then write the number on the blank line after
each word.
Example: berry 2
1. snagged 16. paradiddles

2. another 17. wondered

3. laughed 18. stepped

4. brambles 19. disappear

5. exaggeration 20. swallowed

6. aggravate 21. Japanese

7. teasingly 22. youngest

8. shivered 23. faraway

9. umbrella 24. everybody

10. finished 25. permission

11. accidentally 26. direction

12. boundary 27. besides

13. precious 28. automobile

14. skimmed 29. chauffeur

15. skittered 30. uncanniest

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 13

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 3-4

Classifying Words
In each group of words below, one word does
not belong with the others. Read all four words
in each group. Decide which word doesn’t
belong and cross it out.

Example: foot arm blink head

1. bees plants butterflies beetles

2. leaf limb thorn garden

3. downstairs playroom bath kitchen

4. fifteen fingers one eleven

5. door steps backyard floor

6. bird flowers trees shrubs

7. table mother sofa chair

8. police car ambulance fire engine driver

9. baby horses lambs dogs

10. green black crayons purple

14 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 3-4
Discovering Meaning
Through Context
Read the following sentences. Three meanings
are given for each italicized word. Use the
context of the sentence to figure out which
meaning is correct. Underline the correct
meaning.

Example: The narrator took the long way to his house to avoid the bees.

find stay away from capture

1. The bees didn’t like being disturbed, so they were filled with fury as they
attacked the children.

anger happiness sadness

2. The narrator ignored Jamie writhing on the ground in pain.

sitting standing thrashing

3. The birds felt safe in Mrs. Mullins’ garden sanctuary.

church refuge plot

4. Mrs. Houser bustled around collecting jars for the kids.

hurried sat looked

(continued)

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 15

 Name ____________________________
Discovering Meaning
Through Context
Chapters 3-4

5. The bees carried daubs of dirt that had fallen into the tiny hole.

clods mounds bits

6. After seeing the ambulance, the narrator’s instinct told him things might
be more serious than they appeared.

mother friend reason

7. After the busy day, the narrator was exhausted.

pleased tired happy

8. The narrator wanted a banana Popsicle, so he rummaged through the

freezer until he found one.

searched jumped walked

9. The children talked in hushed tones so they wouldn’t disturb anyone.

loud nonsense quiet

10. Such a freak accident wouldn’t happen very often.

funny unusual common

16 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 3-4
Matching Antonyms
divided jolly tiny
An antonym is a word that means
difficult loudly bored
the opposite or nearly the opposite
of another word. Read each displeasure same pushed
sentence. Choose an antonym from whispered normal
the word box to replace the italicized
word. Write your answer on the
blank line.

Example: loudly The boy practiced closing the door quietly.

1. The narrator had a feeling of satisfaction as he

scraped the beetles into the jar.

2. Jamie pulled the stick out of the bee hole.

3. All of a sudden there was a grand humming noise.

4. The kids yelled as they ran for home.

5. All the kids thought Mrs. Mullins was weird.

6. Mrs. Mullins wasn’t as grouchy as Mrs. Houser.

7. The narrator lived on the opposite side of the street.

8. When the narrator went back, it seemed that the

number of beetles had multiplied.

9. Martha’s eyes were bright and excited.

10. It wasn’t easy getting the string up to the window.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 17

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 3-4

Remembering Details
The following questions are about some of the
characters and events in the book. Write the
answers on the lines below the questions. Be
sure to use complete sentences.

1. Why did the narrator think he would have trouble finding kids to help

Mrs. Houser? ____________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

2. What were the children doing in Mrs. Houser’s backyard? ______________

________________________________________________________________

3. How did Jamie get stung by the bees? _______________________________

________________________________________________________________

4. Why didn’t anyone believe that Jamie was really hurt? _________________

________________________________________________________________

5. What made the narrator think that something was really wrong? ________

________________________________________________________________

6. Why did Jamie die? _______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

7. How did the boys talk to each other at night? _________________________

________________________________________________________________

18 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 3-4
Determining Cause and Effect
To determine a cause, ask “What is the reason?”
To determine an effect, ask “What is the result?”
Match the causes and effects below. Write the
number of the cause in front of its effect.
Cause Effect
1. Japanese beetles covered the Mrs. Mullins’ yard looked
grapevines. like an overgrown jungle.
2. Jamie poked a stick into the The bees didn’t sting
bee hole. the narrator.
3. The narrator stood very still. Mrs. Houser asked the
narrator’s help.
4. The screen door slammed shut. The narrator’s mother said
to close the door quietly.
5. Mrs. Mullins had a lot of plants. The angry bees swarmed
out of the hole.

1. The siren grew louder and closer. The girl’s classmates felt
sorry for her.
2. Jamie’s mother went with Jamie Each of the boys was able
to the hospital. to buy a flashlight.
3. A girl at school was allergic to They looked up Morse code
chocolate. in the encyclopedia.
4. The boys needed a way to Mrs. Houser watched
communicate at night. Martha and the baby.
5. Both boys saved their money. Children came out of
their houses.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 19

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 5-6

Matching Synonyms
leaped scary hefty
A synonym is a word having the
ripping stumbled rocks
same or nearly the same meaning as
another word. Read each sentence. speak delicate quiet
Choose a synonym from the word closest weeping
box to replace the italicized word.
Write your answer on the blank line.

Example: rocks Jamie used to throw stones into the pond.

1. Uncle Jonah was killed when he tripped with

a shotgun.

2. Many people at the funeral parlor were crying.

3. The narrator began tearing the flower to shreds.

4. The narrator’s mother waited patiently until he was

ready to talk.

5. The boys often made spooky faces by holding the

flashlights under their chins.

6. The narrator sprang into bed when he heard

footsteps in the hallway.

7. He walked down the nearest garden path.

8. The sunflower’s head was too heavy to stand

straight up.

9. The silence made the narrator uncomfortable.

10. The butterflies in the garden were fragile.

20 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 5-6
Classifying Word Groups
Read the following sentences. Decide if the
italicized part of the sentence tells you where,
when, or how. Underline the correct choice.

Example: The boy made ripples in the bathtub. where when how

1. The narrator’s wet hair looked better after it

was combed. where when how

2. That night the family went to the funeral parlor. where when how

3. The preacher spoke about Jamie during

the funeral. where when how

4. The narrator rested his body against the

door frame and watched the people inside. where when how

5. Jamie usually slept all bunched up. where when how

6. The narrator ran out of the room and

out the door. where when how

7. He hugged his dad until his face hurt. where when how

8. He wanted his mother to sit quietly on the side

of his bed. where when how

9. After the tears dried, his face felt tight. where when how

(continued)

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 21

 Name ____________________________
Classifying Word Groups
Chapters 5-6

10. The boy’s father picked him up and held him

on his lap. where when how

11. The narrator stood at the top of the stairway. where when how

12. Mrs. Mullins wasn’t in the garden that morning. where when how

13. The narrator tried to stay out of sight. where when how

14. The boy breathed deeply and sighed as he sat

down next to Heather. where when how

15. The family stopped talking as he came into

the room. where when how

22 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 5-6
Using Cloze Reading
sunflowers garden special
Read the paragraphs below. Use
window color sorry
the words in the word box to fill in
the blanks. The first example is done butterflies quickly private
for you. helicopter minutes

The boy quietly entered Mrs. Mullins’ (1) garden . It was the

most (2) place that he could think of. He walked

(3) down the path and sat down on one of the rocks.

He could see every (4) in the garden. Beautiful

(5) darted from flower to flower, and a hummingbird

hovered like a (6) . The yellow (7)

hung their heads in mourning.

Mrs. Mullins had watched the boy walk past her (8) .

She also felt (9) about Jamie’s death. They sat together

for a few (10) and quietly asked questions that would

never be answered. She agreed that Jamie had been a (11)

person. Then she left the narrator with his thoughts and memories.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 23

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 5-6

Remembering Details
The following questions are about the main
character and some of the events in the book.
Write the answers on the lines below the
questions. Be sure to use complete sentences.

1. Why did the narrator change his mind about going to the funeral parlor?

________________________________________________________________

2. Why did the narrator run from the funeral parlor? _____________________

________________________________________________________________

3. What did the narrator’s father do when he entered the room? ___________

________________________________________________________________

4. Why did the narrator go into Mrs. Mullins’ garden? ____________________

________________________________________________________________

5. How did the boy know that Mrs. Mullins was walking in the garden? _____

________________________________________________________________

6. What did the boy do at the dinner table? _____________________________

________________________________________________________________

7. Why wouldn’t the boy eat anything? _________________________________

________________________________________________________________

24 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 5-6
Matching Antonyms
shallow boldly loud
An antonym is a word that means
stood faraway harsh
the opposite or nearly the opposite
of another word. Read each shouts shrank dull
sentence. Choose an antonym from awake huge
the word box to replace the italicized
word.

Example: shrank The pattern of ripples in the bathtub

broadened.

1. It didn’t seem possible that a tiny thing like a bee

could kill someone.

2. The people were talking in whispers when the

narrator and his family arrived at the funeral
parlor.

3. Everyone said Jamie looked like he was asleep.

4. The boy knelt by his bedroom window and stared

across the street.

5. He took a deep breath and pretended he was asleep.

6. The children were speaking in hushed tones as

they waited outside Jamie’s house.

7. The narrator went to the side gate and lifted the

latch timidly.

8. His favorite flower was a bright blue cornflower.

9. Mrs. Mullins sat on a nearby stone.

10. She was as gentle as the butterflies that inhabited

her garden.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 25

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 7-8

Choosing
Correct Meanings feel ran carried
through funny back
Each of the words in the word box
can have more than one meaning. held straight
Read the sentences below. Complete
each sentence by writing one of the
words from the word box in the blank
space. You will use each word twice.

Example: It was time for Martha to go back home.

1. He warm water in the bathtub and climbed in.

2. The narrator made his way the crowd and sat next
to Heather.

3. The boys stretched out on the ground and tried to

the earth spin.

4. The preacher’s tie the boy’s attention.

5. Jamie’s parents stood and tall as the preacher said

the final prayer.

6. His throat felt whenever he thought about Jamie.

7. The narrator on a conversation with himself.

8. When he was picking the blackberries, the

narrator headed home.

9. Not many things seemed anymore.

(continued)

26 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

Choosing Name ____________________________
Correct Meanings
Chapters 7-8

10. He the blackberry basket as he rang the doorbell.

11. The boy sat with his sister in the of the car.

12. He across the road and into the woods.

13. The narrator didn’t think anything would

right again.

14. The man with the blue-striped tie a Bible.

15. The family drove to the cemetery.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 27

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 7-8

Determining
Alphabetical Order
Words are listed in a dictionary in alphabetical
order. Number the five words in each list below
to show the order in which they would appear in
the dictionary. Write a 1 in the blank before the
word that comes first alphabetically, and so on.

Example: A. B.
4 forth mouth snuggled

2 feed mother scrambled

1 face minute something

3 food making studying

5 front matter seemed

C. D. E.
delicious angels popping

disloyal already protest

downstairs ashamed picking

disturb anxious plump

door answered pressed

28 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 7-8
Using Guide Words
At the top of each dictionary page are guide
words. These words are the first and last words
on a dictionary page. The other words on the
page fall in alphabetical order between the guide
words.
Put the words in the word box in alphabetical
order under the correct guide words. The first
one has been done for you.

lonesome making maybe

chapel family happened
golden revolved remind
attention plastered fingers
bringing supposed errands

act—fin final—march mare—tongue

1. attention 1. 1.

2. 2. 2.

3. 3. 3.

4. 4. 4.

5. 5. 5.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 29

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 7-8

Writing a Journal Sample

Imagine that you are one of Jamie’s friends. In
the sample journal below, write about an
adventure you had with Jamie.

30 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES
Chapters 7-8
Creating a Picture
Draw one of the scenes the author describes in
chapters 7-8 of A Taste of Blackberries. Then write
your own description of what you have drawn.

© 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation 31

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Writing a Book Recommendation

Do you think other students would enjoy
reading A Taste of Blackberries? On the lines
below, explain why you would recommend
reading the book. Mention specific things you
liked about the story. For example, did you think
the story seemed believable? Did you think the
characters were realistic? Did the descriptions
of the setting seem accurate? If you didn’t like
the book, tell why you would not recommend it.

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32 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 Name ____________________________

A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Explaining Feelings
The questions below ask you to describe the
feelings you had as you read the book. Read
each question carefully. Write your response on
the lines provided. Explain why you felt the way
you did. Be sure to use complete sentences.

1. How did you feel when Jamie was picking apples in the farmer’s field?

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2. How did you feel when the children got into the car with the stranger?

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3. How did you feel when Jamie was playing around the bee hole?

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(continued)

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 Name ____________________________
Explaining Feelings

4. How did you feel when the narrator walked away and left Jamie
on the ground?

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5. How did you feel when the ambulance came?

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6. How did you feel when Mrs. Mullins talked to the narrator?

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7. How did you feel when the narrator brought the blackberries
to Jamie’s mother?

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34 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

 A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Optional Spelling
and Vocabulary Lists
Below are four word lists from the book. The
words can be used as spelling or vocabulary
words.

Chapters 1-2 Chapters 3-4

degrees diamond bruise enjoying
guarded permission satisfaction wrestling
wrinkled lightning formation miracle
scornfully passenger quietly writhing
stomach casually audience allergic
pavement kidnapper probably announced
public suspicious ambulance trellis
property mimicked neighborhood engineers
problems tongue swollen system
exactly wondered emergency encyclopedia

Chapters 5-6 Chapters 7-8

whiskers granite pudgy servings
funeral radiant gravity loneliness
submerged favorite pretended invisible
remembered raggedy organ snickered
snatched concrete reverse ripening
disappear uncomfortable cemetery forefinger
scurried question edged immediately
faucets surprised oblong important
vacuum required cotton scraping
attention gnawing swallow swirling

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 A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Supplementary Activities
Below is a list of ideas that could be used as
supplementary or culminating activities.
I. Oral reading

A. To the entire class

B. To each other

C. To the teacher

D. To a tape recorder

II. Group discussions

A. Author’s writing style

B. Ideas gained from the book

C. Parts of the book

1. Most important

2. Most humorous

3. Most saddening

4. Most exciting

5. Most liked

D. Characters

1. Did the characters seem real?

2. What did you like best about each character?

3. What did you dislike most about each character?

4. Which character was your favorite? Why?

5. List questions to ask each character.

(continued)

36 © 1996 Perfection Learning Corporation

Supplementary Activities

III. Spelling bee using words from the book

IV. Role play situations from the book

V. Artistic creations

A. Murals

B. Dioramas

C. Book jackets

D. Posters

E. Puppets

F. Poetry

G. Costumes

H. Portraits

I. Mobiles

J. Songs

K. Newspaper headlines, articles, and drawings

VI. Research

A. Morse code

B. Thunderstorms

C. Japanese beetles

D. Bees

E. Allergies

VII. Read other books by the same author

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 A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Response Key

WORD ATTACK SKILLS

Using Short Vowels (page 9)
1. nodded; 2. pumped; 3. minute; 4. clutched; 5. crimson; 6. challenge; 7. confidence;
8. Heather; 9. blackness; 10. mimicked

Using Compound Words (page 10)

1. afternoon; 2. shotgun; 3. playground; 4. baseball; 5. Someone; 6. grapevines;
7. thunderstorm; 8. schoolmates; 9. eyebrows; 10. eyeballs
Using Long Vowels (page 11)
1. Maybe; 2. squeezed; 3. sneaked; 4. remind; 5. cradled; 6. floating; 7. wail; 8. between;
9. breathe; 10. replied

Finding Base Words (page 12)

1. ripe; 2. berry; 3. charge; 4. fun; 5. pretend; 6. stride; 7. big; 8. surround; 9. snitch;
10. try; 11. shinny; 12. gold; 13. sweet; 14. scuff; 15. young; 16. put; 17. care; 18. drive;
19. hoist; 20. quick

Listening for Syllables (page 13)

1. 1; 2. 3; 3. 1; 4. 2; 5. 5; 6. 3; 7. 3; 8. 2; 9. 3; 10. 2; 11. 5; 12. 2; 13. 2; 14. 1; 15. 2; 16. 4;
17. 2; 18. 1; 19. 3; 20. 2; 21. 3; 22. 2; 23. 3; 24. 4; 25. 3; 26. 3; 27. 2; 28. 4; 29. 2; 30. 4

COMPREHENSION SKILLS
Classifying Words (page 14)
1. plants; 2. garden; 3. downstairs; 4. fingers; 5. backyard; 6. bird; 7. mother; 8. driver;
9. baby; 10. crayons

Discovering Meaning Through Context (page 15)

1. anger; 2. thrashing; 3. refuge; 4. hurried; 5. bits; 6. reason; 7. tired; 8. searched;
9. quiet; 10. unusual

Matching Antonyms (page 17)

1. displeasure; 2. pushed; 3. tiny; 4. whispered; 5. normal; 6. jolly; 7. same; 8. divided;
9. bored; 10. difficult

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 A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES

Remembering Details (page 18)

1. The kids didn’t like Mrs. Houser very well because she was grouchy. 2. They were
collecting Japanese beetles from her grapevines. 3. He was poking a willow limb down the
bee hole and the bees attacked. 4. They thought that he was putting on another one of his
dramatic shows. 5. The ambulance arrived, and Mrs. Houser appeared at Jamie’s door.
6. He died because he was allergic to bee stings. 7. They used flashlights to flash Morse
code to each other.

Determining Cause and Effect (page 19)

Set 1: 5; 3; 1; 4; 2
Set 2: 3; 5; 4; 2; 1

Matching Synonyms (page 20)

1. stumbled; 2. weeping; 3. ripping; 4. speak; 5. scary; 6. leaped; 7. closest;
8. hefty; 9. quiet; 10. delicate
Classifying Word Groups (page 21)
1. how; 2. where; 3. when; 4. where; 5. how; 6. where; 7. how; 8. how; 9. how;
10. where; 11. where; 12. when; 13. where; 14. how; 15. when

Using Cloze Reading (page 23)

1. garden; 2. private; 3. quickly; 4. color; 5. butterflies; 6. helicopter; 7. sunflowers;
8. window; 9. sorry; 10. minutes; 11. special

Remembering Details (page 24)

1. He wanted to let Jamie know that he was there and that he was thinking about him.
2. He realized that Jamie would never open his eyes again. 3. He held the boy and let him
cry. 4. Her garden was the most private place that he knew. 5. He heard a sound and saw
her raggedy tennis shoes and baggy pants. 6. He forced his hands to stay in his lap even
though he was hungry. 7. He didn’t want things to seem normal until Jamie’s funeral
was over.
Matching Antonyms (page 25)
1. huge; 2. shouts; 3. awake; 4. stood; 5. shallow; 6. loud; 7. boldly; 8. dull;
9. faraway; 10. harsh

STUDY SKILLS
Choosing Correct Meanings (page 26)
1. ran; 2. through; 3. feel; 4. held; 5. straight; 6. funny; 7. carried; 8. through;
9. funny; 10. held; 11. back; 12. ran; 13. feel; 14. carried; 15. straight

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Determining Alphabetical Order (page 28)
A. 5; 4; 3; 1; 2
B. 3; 1; 4; 5; 2
C. 1; 2; 5; 3; 4
D. 2; 1; 5; 4; 3
E. 3; 5; 1; 2; 4

Using Guide Words (page 29)

act—fin final—march mare—tongue
1. attention 1. fingers 1. maybe
2. bringing 2. golden 2. plastered
3. chapel 3. happened 3. remind
4. errands 4. lonesome 4. revolved
5. family 5. making 5. supposed

CREATIVE SKILLS
Writing a Journal Sample (page 30)
Responses will vary.

Creating a Picture (page 31)

Responses will vary.

Writing a Book Recommendation (page 32)

Responses will vary.

Explaining Feelings (page 33)

Responses will vary.

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 A TASTE OF
BLACKBERRIES
WORD ATTACK SKILLS STUDY SKILLS
Using Short Vowels Choosing Correct Meanings
Using Compound Words Determining Alphabetical Order
Using Long Vowels Using Guide Words
Finding Base Words
Listening for Syllables CREATIVE SKILLS
Writing a Journal Sample
COMPREHENSION SKILLS
Creating a Picture
Classifying Words Writing a Book Recommendation
Discovering Meaning Explaining Feelings
Through Context Supplementary Activities
Matching Antonyms
Remembering Details SPELLING AND
Determining Cause and Effect
VOCABULARY
Matching Synonyms
Classifying Word Groups Optional Spelling and
Using Cloze Reading Vocabulary Lists
Remembering Details
Matching Antonyms

#76245 ISBN 0-7891-0215-3

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