Comic

Comic-Strip Writing Prompts Karen Kellaher, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Comic-Strip
Writing Prompts
by Karen Kellaher
New York
Toronto
Mexico City
London
New Delhi
Auckland
Hong Kong
Sydney
Dedication
With love to my grandmother, Anna Gertrude Burns
The publisher thanks the following copyright holders for permission to use
the strips in this book: Universal Press Syndicate, United Media, North
America Syndicate, and King Features Syndicate.
Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the reproducible pages from this book for classroom use.
No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written
permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New
York, NY 10012.
Cover design by Pamela Simmons
Cover illustration by Norma Ortiz
Interior design by Grafica, Inc.
ISBN: 0-439-15977-6
Copyright 2001 by Karen Kellaher
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Acknowledgments
CONTENTS
Introduction
.....................................4
Garfield by Jim Davis

...................7
..........................................8
Background Information and Cast of Characters
Prompts
Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Prompts
Dennis the Menace by Hank Ketcham

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Claire and Weber by Doug Shannon
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Prompts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Citizen Dog by Mark OHare
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Prompts
Nancy by Guy and Brad Gilchrist

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Prompts
Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Topical Index
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Today a lot has changed. Many people get their daily dose of news from television or an
Internet service rather than a print newspaper. But as far as I can tell, kids still love
comicsand these witty strips continue to influence our popular culture. Step into any
toy store or T-shirt shop and youll see an amazing variety of merchandise sporting
popular comic-strip characters. Even my preschooler recognizes Garfield and Snoopy.
And I have noticed that when todays media-savvy children pick up a newspaper, they
still turn to the comic section first. For educators, the message is clear: By using comic
strips in your classroom, you can tap into students enthusiasm and turn the writing
process into an enjoyable, laughing matter. This book, the latest in Scholastics popular
line of writing-prompt collections, is a great place to start!
An All-American Art Form

By using comics in your classroom, you are celebrating an art form that is uniquely
American. The first real newspaper comics appeared in this country in the late nineteenth century, as big-city newspapers competed fiercely for readers. The competition
was especially tough in New York City, where newspaper publishers Joseph Pulitzer
and William Randolph Hearst waged an all-out war. The rival publishers learned that
readers were drawn to illustrations, and in the mid 1890s Pulitzer unleashed a new
weapon in the battle for readers. It was a simple but funny Sunday strip called The
Doings in Hogans Alley (later renamed The Yellow Kid) by Richard Felton Outcault. The
new feature was unlike anything newspaper readers had seen before: It was a sequence
of pictures supplemented by limited text and dialogue, and it featured a cast of characters readers could come to know and love. The strip was wildly popular, and soon both
newspapers were boasting comic strips as a selling point.
Today there are hundreds of newspaper comic strips, some told in single panels, others
in a series of frames. Some strips are simply humorous, while others are satirical or
reflective. These newspaper funnies often make telling statements about the world in
which we live; they help us see the comedy and drama in our own lives.
y fondness for newspaper comic strips dates back several decades to my

own elementary school days. Although I am trained as a journalist and
have spent much of my adult life as a consumer, writer, and editor of news,
I admit that it was the ink-laden funny pages that first attracted me to the daily newspaper that graced my familys coffee table. Back then, comics were such a prevalent
part of kid culture! I still remember that my third-grade reading group proudlyand
unanimouslydubbed itself Peanuts after Charles Schulzs beloved strip.
Finding Inspiration in the Funny Pages

Using comic strips to inspire young writers makes sense for many reasons. First,
comics can ease one of the toughest parts of the writing process: finding ideas and
getting started. As you know, many students regularly groan that they dont have
anything to write about. But introducing and discussing a comic strip can help get
their creative juices flowing. Because students come to know comic characters well,
they feel as if old friends are guiding them into the writing process. Because the
comics touch on a variety of kid-friendly, compelling issues, students wont have any
problem coming up with ideas to write about! And best of all, because this book
includes so many comics on so many topics, youll be able to make writing a regular
part of every day, an important step in nurturing children into literacy.
A second reason it makes sense to use comics to teach writing is that they appeal to
readers of all levels. The pictures and simple text work together to help struggling
readers successfully read a strip. At the same time, students wont feel as though the
material is babyish; most kids are proud to read newspaper comic strips because they
see the strips as something grown-ups enjoy.
A thirdand very importantreason to teach writing with comic strips is that comics
often call upon students higher-order thinking skills. A comic rarely states its main idea
outright; instead it implies or gently hints at its message. That means your students will
put their thinking skills to the test as they interpret, reflect, and write.
Special Features of This Book

This prompt collection is designed to meet the needs of busy teachers who want to make
writing enjoyable, relaxing, and meaningful. In this book, you will find the following:
creative prompts that help students practice a wide variety of writing genres and
call upon young writers to predict outcomes, understand the main idea, compare
and contrast, make character sketches, generate lists, connect the comics to their
own lives, express their own opinions, and more
background information about the featured comic strips, characters, and cartoonists
a thematic banner at the top of each page for easy reference
a topical index (page 64) to help you find prompts that connect to your curriculum
two or more prompts for each comic strip so you can choose which is best for your
class or allow students to choose their favorite prompt
a resource list (page 63) including Web sites and books to help you create additional
comic-strip writing prompts
Using the Prompts
Read aloud or make copies of the background information and character sketches
provided for each comic strip. This will help your students become more familiar
with the stripand better able to respond creatively to the writing prompts.
Allow your students to choose the prompt theyd like to respond to for each strip
(each strip includes two thought-provoking prompts). Each prompt includes several questions or ideas for writing topics. Children can choose from among these
prompts based on the direction in which they wish to take their writing. They dont
need to answer every question.
Use the Web addresses and other resources listed in the back of the book to e-mail
or write to a cartoonist whose work your class particularly admires. Students can
pose questions and express their admiration while building letter-writing skills.
In addition to having students respond in writing to each comic strip, invite them
to act out the scenes. Students can use their imagination to portray what happened before the first illustrated frameor what might happen next.
As you read the daily newspaper, keep your eyes open for comic strips that relate
to your curriculum. Clip them out and write your own prompts to go with each
one. Encourage students to do the same.
Use the prompts as part of a classroom Comic Corner. Make copies of some of the
prompts, and store them in a folder or binder in a designated area of your classroom. Send students to the Comic Corner when they finish work early, while you
are working with small groups, or when individual students are looking for something to do.
The following tips will help you make the most of the comic-strip prompts:
GARFIELD
Created by Jim Davis
Because Garfield has an audience that

spans many nations and generations, it
usually deals with simple, universal
themes such as friendship, as well as
daily routines such as sleeping, eating,
and watching television. With his wit and
subtle wisdom, Garfield the cat is sure to
delight your young readers!
Background Information
Garfield is among the best known and
most beloved comic characters ever created. When this humorous strip about a lazy
tabby cat was first syndicated in 1978, it
appeared in 41 newspapers. Today it is
printed in more than 2,600 newspapers
around the world. The comic strip is the
most widely syndicated Sunday strip in
the United States, and it has more than
220 million faithful readers. Collections of
Garfield strips have been translated into
26 languages and have frequently hit the
tops of best-seller lists. Through the years,
the comic strip has given rise to a popular
animated CBS television series, Garfield
and Friends, and more than a dozen
prime-time TV specials.
Cast of Characters
Garfield: A lazy tabby cat who loves
naps and every kind of food except
vegetables
Jon Arbuckle: Garfields kind owner,
who leads a simple life and always
seems to be serving Garfield a meal
Odie: The other pet in the Arbuckle
household. Often teased by Garfield,
Odie is not the smartest dog under the
sun!
Garfield cartoonist Jim Davis began

drawing when he was a child. As a result
of his asthma, Davis spent much of his
free time indoors with pencils and paper.
And his familys farm provided plenty of
inspiration for drawing cartoon cats: At
one time more than two dozen cats
roamed the property! Today Davis has a
dog named Molly, but, surprisingly, he
does not own a cat.
Pooky: Garfields beloved teddy bear
Pets
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
GARFIELD Paws, Inc. Reprinted with permission of UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE. All rights reserved.
Write About It:
Which animal makes a better pet: a dog or a cat? Write an imaginary conversation on this topic between Garfield the cat and Odie the dog. Have each
animal argue why he deserves the title the countrys favorite pet.
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Keep Going:
On a piece of posterboard, draw a picture of your favorite pet. It can be a

real pet that you know or one youd like to have one day. Beneath the picture, write at least
five sentences explaining why this pet is so great. Be sure to give your poster a title, too!
Number One Pet?
Dreams/Animals
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Dream On
Write About It:
What did Garfield do while he was dreaming? How do you suppose

Jon, his owner, will react? Do you think cats and other animals really dream? If so,
what do you think they dream about? Choose three kinds of animals and describe a
dream each one might have.
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Keep Going: What is the strangest dream you remember having? Write a story
telling what happened in your dream. Include as many details as you can, such as the
setting or location of your dream, the characters in your dream, and even how you felt.
Daily Routine/Food
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Do you think Garfield is a morning person? Are you a morning

person, an afternoon person, or a night owl? Tell which time of day you like the best
and which time you like the least. Based on this information, would you and Garfield
make good housemates?
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Keep Going:
Do you agree with Jon that breakfast is the most important meal of the
day? What do you usually eat for breakfast? What is your favorite breakfast food? Do
you ever skip the morning meal? If so, how do you feel during the day?
10
Rise and Shine
Pets/Procrastination
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Chore Time
Write About It:
What does Garfield mean when he says, Now Im a procrastinator? Use clues from the comic strip to define this word, or look it up in a dictionary.
Have you ever been a procrastinator? Describe a time when you waited until the last
minute to do something.
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Keep Going:
If you could give your pet a list of chores, what three tasks would you
have the pet do? Why? Before you answer, think about the animals special talents or
habits. What kind of reward would you give your pet in return for finishing the chores?
(If you dont have a pet, you can make a list of chores for a pet you would like to have.)
11
Television/Activities
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Based on this comic strip, do you think Garfield is a frequent

television viewer? What clues in the strip helped you answer? What do you think:
Can television damage a persons intelligence? Explain your ideas and give examples
whenever possible.
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Keep Going:
How many hours of TV do you watch each week? How else could you
spend that time? Make a list of ten activities you could do instead of watching TV. Be
sure to include things you can do by yourself, things you can do with friends, and
things you can do with family members.
12
TV Trouble
Days of the Week

Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Monday Blues
Write About It:
What makes Garfield realize that it is Monday? Based on this

strip, how do you think he feels about Mondays? How do you feel about Mondays?
Explain why you either like or dislike them.
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Keep Going:
List the seven days of the week. Write one reason why you like each
day. Is there something you look forward to doing on particular days? Which day of the
week is your favorite and why?
13
Inventions/Television
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Is Garfield interested in learning more about the inventor of the

remote control? How do you know? Do you think Garfield likes the remote control? Why
or why not? List your five favorite inventions of all time. Why is each one important or
useful to you?
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Keep Going: Like most inventions, the television remote control was created to make
peoples lives easier. Think of your own invention to make your life easier. Tell how it
would work, what you would call it, and when you would use it.
14
Remote Control
Animals
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Write About It:
Do you agree with Garfields comment that if cats could talk,

nobody would like them? Why or why not? What would cats say if they could speak?
How would talking cats compare with other creatures? If all animals could speak,
which do you think would be the funniest? The friendliest? The grouchiest?
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Keep Going: Write a short story in which a talking animal is the main character. You
may feature Garfield as the animal or create a character of your own.
15
Bad Days
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Tell what you think has happened to Jon in the last frame of the
comic strip. Has he been whisked away by aliens from outer space? Has he landed in
the cat box in the basement? Use your imagination! Then compare Jons bad day with
Garfields. What kinds of disasters might have happened to each character throughout
the day? In your opinion, whose day was worse?
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Keep Going:
What makes you feel better after youve had a bad day? Do you like to
relax with a good book? Go for a long bike ride? What activities would you recommend
to someone who has had a terrible day?
16
The Worst Day
Tricks/Newswriting
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Tall Tales
Write About It:
Why do you think Garfield is telling Jon about mutant spiders and
giant tidal waves? Can you tell if he is trying to trick Jon? Does his trick work? How
does Jon react to Garfield in each frame of the comic strip?
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Keep Going:
What if one of Garfields wild stories were really true? Write a newspaper story about mutant spiders crushing the city, a tidal wave striking, or some other
incredible event. Be sure to answer the questions who, what, when, where, why, and
how. Give your news story a headline and draw a picture to go with it.
17
Sports
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
How do you think Garfield feels about fishing? Explain. What kind
of sport is just right for you? A relaxing fishing trip? A fast-paced game of ice hockey?
Do you prefer team sports or sports you play alone? Why?
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Keep Going:
Add some excitement to Garfields day of fishing! What kind of adventure could he and Jon have on the lake? Describe the adventure and draw some pictures to illustrate the action. In the end, would Garfield still feel the same way about
fishing?
18
Somethings Fishy
Food
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Cat-sup Caper
Write About It:
What is Garfield doing in this comic strip? Is he really trying to

help Jon by putting catsup on the eggsor is he up to no good? Why do you think so?
If you were Jon, what would you do next?
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Keep Going:
As the comic strip shows, a food that is delicious to one person may
not be so appetizing to another. Describe one of your favorite snacks or meals that others might not like. When did you first try this food? What could you say to others to
convince them to try it? Share your answer with your class.
19
Pets/Games
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Do you think Garfield is bored? Do you think real pets get bored
when they are home alone? Explain your answer. Think about how your pet or a
friends pet spends the day. Describe a game or pastime the pet might enjoy when no
one else is around.
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Keep Going: Do you enjoy being by yourself sometimes? Why or why not? What
games or activities do you like to do when you are by yourself?
20
Pets at Play
Weather
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Wild Weather
Write About It:
Have you ever experienced a terrible snowstorm, hurricane, or

other wild weather event like the one in the comic strip? Describe your experience.
What did it look like outside? What sounds did you hear? How did you stay safe, and
how did you feel? (If you have never experienced stormy weather, imagine and describe
what a storm might be like.)
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Keep Going:
What type of weather do you suppose Garfield likes best? Why? What is
your favorite type of weather? What is your least favorite? Explain your responses.
21
Spiders/Fears
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
What makes this strip funny is that the reader knows something
that Garfield does not know. What is it? What do you think will happen next in the
strip? Write a paragraph describing your prediction, and draw a picture to go with it.
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Keep Going:
How do you think Garfield feels about spiders? Do you feel that way
about anything? Explain. Then make a poster to help people with arachnophobia
(fear of spiders). Find some reassuring facts about spiders in books or on the
Internet. For example, do they usually hurt people? Where do they live? Include
these facts as well as a drawing of a spider.
22
Creepy Crawlers
Nutrition
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
No More Veggies
Write About It:
Why do you think Jon is trying to get Garfield to eat vegetables?

How do you suppose Garfield feels about veggies? Invent a fun new way for junk-food
lovers like Garfield to eat their vegetables. For example, you might invent a spinach
donut or a veggie milkshake. Be sure to list the ingredients and give your invention a
neat name!
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Keep Going:
Which vegetables do like best? Which do you like least? Jot down the
names of ten veggies and rank them from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best. Write a few
sentences explaining why you chose the veggies at the top and bottom of your list.
23
PEANUTS
Cast of Characters
Peanuts, which first appeared in a handful of American newspapers in 1950, had

one of the largest and most devoted followings of any comic strip. At the time of
Charles Schulzs retirement in late 1999,
the strip appeared in more than 2,000
newspapers in 68 countries and was
translated into 26 languages. Charles
Schulz passed away on February 12,
2000 at the age of 77.
Charlie Brown: Nicknamed Blockhead

by his friends, Charlie often worries and
thinks about the true meaning of life.
Snoopy: Charlie Browns pet beagle, who
dreams of all kinds of exciting adventures. Snoopy does not speak, but he
communicates through comic thought
bubbles and facial expressions.
Lucy Van Pelt: In control and occasionally grouchy, Lucy craves compliments and
attention.
The lovable Peanuts gang has starred in

four movies, several television specials, a
Broadway musical, and a variety of other
media. The strip has also won countless
awards. Your students may find it interesting that the strip originally was called
Lil Folksand was rejected six times
before being accepted by United Feature
Syndicate.
Linus Van Pelt: Lucys brother, who totes

around a security blanket and comes up
with wise solutions to all kinds of problems
Schroeder: One of the quietest members
of the Peanuts gang, Schroeder spends all
his time playing his piano and ignoring
Lucys flirtations.
Although the Peanuts readership spanned

all ages, the strip is credited with being
one of the first newspaper comics to
address childrens real fears, frustrations,
and hopes. Typical topics included the
pressures of playing sports, challenges at
school, and other day-to-day issues that
kids face.
Sally Brown: Charlie Browns little sister,

who is always searching for the easy way
outespecially when it comes to schoolwork
Peppermint Patty: A fun-loving character
who loves baseball, Patty is a good friend
to Charlie Brown, whom she calls Chuck.
Woodstock: A tiny bird, who is Snoopys
closest friend and playmate
24
Created by Charles M. Schulz
Sports/Bloopers
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Excuses, Excuses!
PEANUTS reprinted by permission of United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
Write About It:
Create a Top 10 list of funny excuses Lucy could have given

Charlie Brown for missing the ball (in addition to the excuse she gave in the strip). Was
she distracted by an alien spaceship? Frozen in place by a magicians spell? Use your
imagination! When you are done, come up with some funny excuses for an embarrassing
moment of your own.
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Keep Going:
How do you think Lucy feels in the first part of this comic? Have you
ever missed the ball during an important game? Tripped in the middle of a dance
recital? Tell about an embarrassing moment you have experienced. Explain how you felt
during and after the blooper. Then draw a picture to show what happened.
25
Summer/School
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
How does Sally feel about the end of summer? Did you ever feel
that way? Sallys teacher has asked her to write about what she did last summer. You
have probably written about this same topic many times! Now write about a summer
that you would like to experience! Pretend you are enjoying the summer of your
dreams. Write a letter to a friend telling him or her all about your imaginary summer
adventures.
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Keep Going:
In some places (maybe even where you live), kids go to school yearround, with short vacations throughout the year. Do you think Sally would enjoy such
a setup? Would you? Make a chart listing the pros and cons of a year-round school
schedule.
26
Good-bye, Summer
Opinions
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Kids Are People, Too!
Write About It:
How do you think Linus feels in this comic strip? Do you agree
that no one asks kids for their opinions? What are some opinions you have that you
would like to express to others? Explain your opinions and give reasons why you feel
the way you do.
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Keep Going:
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on a topic that is

important to you. Clearly state your opinion, and give some facts to support it. Then proofread and send your letter to the newspaper! (Check the editorial pages for the address.)
27
Animals
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
What is the topic of Sallys school report? Help Sally finish her
report by answering the following questions: What are some ways in which animals
help humans? Do you think people treat animals fairly? Why or why not?
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Keep Going:
Do you think animals should have rights? If so, imagine that you are a
lawmaker and it is your job to come up with an Animal Bill of Rights for all animals in
general or for your favorite species. List each right and tell why each is important. If
you dont think animals should have rights, explain why.
28
Animal Helpers
Sports
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Be a Good Sport
Write About It:
In your opinion, what does it mean to be a good sport? Do you

think Lucy is being a good sport in this comic strip? Why or why not? What are some
ways that athletes can be good sports? Do you think it is hard to be a good sport when
you lose a game or contest? Explain.
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Keep Going:
Imagine that you are the coach of a sports team and that your team
just lost a big game. How do you think your team members feel? What could you say to
help them feel better? Write a short speech you would give to your team after the game.
29
DENNIS
DENNIS
THE
THE MENACE
MENACE
Cast of Characters
Comic-strip readers have enjoyed the mischief of Dennis the Menace for more than
half a century. The strip first appeared in
American newspapers in 1950, and it is
now syndicated in more than 1,200
papers in 48 countries. Over the years,
this popular strip has been the subject of
a television series, two hit movies, countless books, and thousands of licensed
products. The strips star character,
young Dennis Mitchell, has been used in
public-relations campaigns for the Boy
Scouts of America, UNICEF, and other
prominent organizations.
Dennis Mitchell: An active, curious boy

who has been five an a half years old
since the strip was created in 1950.
Denniss mischief is always getting him
into trouble with his parents and with his
neighbor Mr. Wilson.
Creator Hank Ketcham produced the daily

and Sunday Dennis the Menace strips
himself until 1994, when he turned the
reins over to two assistant artists, Marcus
Hamilton and Ronald Ferdinand.
Ketcham, now in his eighties, continues
to supervise work on the strip.
Alice Mitchell: Denniss mother, who

seems to have a never-ending supply of
patience and love
Henry Mitchell: Denniss father, an aeronautical engineer
George Wilson: The Mitchells grouchy
next-door neighbor, whom Dennis visits
frequently and badgers with a million
questions
Martha Wilson: Georges kind wife, who
opens her heart and kitchen to little
Dennis
Joey: Denniss best friend
Margaret: A girl who lives in the neighborhood
Ruff: Denniss pet dog
30
Created by Hank Ketcham
Families
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
What do you
think Dennis has done to make his
mom angry? Make up a story to
explain why Dennis is in trouble, and
set it up in comic-strip form.
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Keep Going: What does it mean when we say someone is in the doghouse? Where
do you suppose this expression came from? Have you ever felt as though you were in
the doghouse? How did it feel?
31
DENNIS THE MENACE used by permission of Hank Ketcham and by North

America Syndicate.
In the Doghouse
Weather/Folktales
Storm Stories
Write About It:
Almost everyone
has a story to explain why thunder
happens. What is Denniss explanation? Can you make up your own folktale to explain thunder and lightning?
(Remember that a folktale is a story
people create to explain something in
nature. It is not really true.)
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Keep Going:
Do thunderstorms send you running scaredor do you enjoy thunder

and lightning? Explain.
32
Date ______________
DENNIS THE MENACE used by permission of Hank Ketcham and by North

America Syndicate.
Name ______________________________________
Technology/Inventions
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Camping Out
What have Dennis
and Joey brought along on their camping trip? Why is this funny? Do you
think you would like camping? Why or
why not? How long could you live without
conveniences such as TV, refrigerators, or
comfortable beds? What would you miss
most while camping?
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Keep Going:
Like many of the things in your home, Denniss television needs electricity to run. Make a list of all the electrical gadgets and appliances your family uses in
one day. Then imagine what you would do if the electricity failed for a whole day. How
would you spend your time? How would you cook meals?
33
DENNIS THE MENACE used by permission of Hank

Ketcham and by North America Syndicate.
Write About It:
Grandparents
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Grandparent Appreciation
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Keep Going:
Many older people do not have grandchildren to spend time with. You
can brighten the day of an older neighbor or nursing home resident by writing and
illustrating a funny story for him or her to enjoy. Or make your own mini-book full of
jokes and riddles.
34
Based on this
strip, how would you describe Denniss
relationship with his grandfather? Are
you close to a grandparent or other
special relative? Tell why you think the
person is special, and describe an
activity you enjoy doing together.
DENNIS THE MENACE used by permission of Hank Ketcham

and by North America Syndicate.
Write About It:
Solar System/Thankfulness
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Stargazing
What does Mr.
Wilson mean by counting your lucky
stars? What does Dennis think he
means? Think about your own life.
What are your lucky stars? Make a list
of the things you are most thankful
for, and write a sentence or two about
each one.
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Keep Going:
Imagine that you could own a star or planet. What would you name
yours? Why? What would daily life be like in this place?
35

Write About It:
Toys/Inventions
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Toy Trouble
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Keep Going: What are some of your favorite toys? Explain what you like best about
each. If you could invent a toy, what would it be? What would you call it?
36
Why might
Denniss neighbor Mr. Wilson be hiding
the boys football? Make up a funny
story to explain why. Then describe
what Dennis and Joey could do to get
their ball back.

Write About It:
Allowance/Money
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Time for a Raise?
What does
Denniss dad mean? Does Denniss dad
really get an allowance? Explain. Is
Denniss dad being fair? Do you think
kids should get allowances? If so, how
much? Should kids do chores to earn
the money?
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Keep Going:
What kinds of things do you imagine Dennis and Joey need money for?
How could they earn it (besides asking for more allowance)? Write a story in which the
boys try to raise money for a special item. What money-raising scheme do they come up
with? Is it a success or a big flop?
37

Write About It:
Mail
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Mailbox Blues
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Keep Going:
For several days, keep track of the junk mail your family receives. Or ask
your principal or school secretary to pass along the junk mail delivered to your school.
Write a letter to one of the junk-mail companies asking it to take your family or school off
its mailing list. Or make a list of the ways you could use junk mail to keep it from getting
thrown into the garbage.
38
What do you think

Dennis and Mr. Wilson mean by junk
mail? Why does Mr. Wilson complain
about this kind of mail? Why do you
think businesses send so much junk
mail to people? What is your favorite
kind of mail? If you could receive a letter
from anyone, who would it be?

Write About It:
Television/News
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Whats News?
Do you agree with

Dennis that television news can be
frightening? Which do you think is more
frightening: a scary movie or the news?
Explain. In your opinion, should kids be
allowed to watch scary things on TV
and in the movies? If so, at what age?
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Keep Going: Its time for some good news! Talk to students, teachers, and other people in your school community to learn about some of the wonderful things going on. Is
your school planning to build a playground? Has a student won a special award? Use
your schools good news to write an imaginary television news broadcast. You and your
classmates can produce the broadcast for the rest of the school.
39

Write About It:
Seasons/Travel
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Birds on the Go
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Keep Going:
In some parts of the country, seeing birds migrate south is a sign that
winter is approachingand seeing the birds return months later is a sign of spring.
What are the signs of winter where you live? What are the signs of spring?
40
What are the

ducks doing in this comic strip? If you
could choose a place to spend the winter months, where would it be? Why?
Create a travel brochure advertising
your special place. Be sure to describe
the weather and some fun activities you
might do there.

Write About It:
Weather/Activities
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
What do you think

of Denniss comment in the comic
strip? Do you like going to a shopping
mall? Why or why not? Make a list of
ten things Dennis could do in addition
to or instead of going to the mall.
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Keep Going: Some people like to shop, but others cant stand it! If you were building
a mall, what would you do to make it a pleasant experience for everyone? Draw a picture showing some of the special features you would include for people who dont enjoy
shopping. Would you have comfy lounge chairs? A playground? Use your imagination!
41
DENNIS THE MENACE used by permission of Hank Ketcham and

by North America Syndicate.
Mall Madness
Health/Inventions
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
The Best Medicine
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Keep Going:
In your opinion, whats the worst part of being sick with a cold or the
flu? Whator whomakes you feel better when you are sick? Why?
42
How do you think

Dennis feels in this comic strip? How
can you tell? What do you think of
Denniss idea for a cold medicine that
tastes like ketchup? If you could
design a medicine that kids would not
mind taking, what would it taste like?
DENNIS THE MENACE used by permission of Hank Ketcham and

by North America Syndicate.
Write About It:
CLAIRE
AND WEBER
Created by Doug Shannon
Claire and Weber, created by Doug
Shannon, is a daily comic strip about a
girls adventures at school and at home.
Claire is an ambitious eight-year-old who
dramatizes the events of everyday life in an
appealing and humorous way. Weber the
frog is one of Claires friends. (Weber does
not appear in the strips in this book, but
he is often featured in the regular strip.)
Claire and Weber was launched in 1998
and is syndicated by King Features
Syndicate to approximately 25 newspapers.
As a boy, Doug Shannon loved delivering
the morning newspaperand his favorite
part was getting to read the funny pages.
He especially admired the comic strips by
cartoonists Al Capp and Charles Schultz.
Before switching gears in his forties to
become a cartoonist, Shannon worked as
a successful animator, illustrator, and
caricaturist.
Shannon says he hopes the strip Claire

and Weber promotes laughter and selfreflection in both children and adults. The
heroines typical exploits involve friendships, crushes, secrets, name-calling, and
moreall real-life issues that resonate
with readers of all ages.
Cast of Characters
Claire: A smart elementary school student who worries about popularity,
grades, and more
Amy: Claires bright friend, who is a perfectionist
Jason Grimes: The school bully
Raina: The most popular girl at school
Weber: One of Claires best friends, Weber
is a frog of few words.
43
Friendship
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Reprinted with special permission of King Features Syndicate.
Write About It:
What do you think of the way Claire and her new friends are acting? How do you think Claire feels in this situation, and why? (Claire is the girl with the
ponytail.) If you were Claire, what would you do next?
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Keep Going: There is a saying that New friends are silver; old friends are gold.
What do you think this means? Do you agree? Write a letter to a dear friend you have
not spoken to in a while. Tell your friend what he or she means to you.
44
Making Friends
Journals
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Top Secret
Write About It:
What happens in the second half of the comic strip to make Claire
want to read Amys diary? Do you think it is ever okay to read another persons diary?
Explain. Then predict what will happen next in the strip. Will Amy find out that Claire
read her diary? Or will Claire admit what she has done? Write a paragraph telling what
you think will happen.
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Keep Going:
Try keeping a diary for one weekpretending you are your favorite
comic-strip character! Before you begin, brainstorm how your character talks and what
kinds of things he or she thinks about.
45
Moral Dilemmas/School
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Claire just discovered that the valuable trading card she found
belongs to the not-so-nice class bully, Jason Grimes. Should Claire return the card to
Jasonor keep it for herself? Why? Tell about a time you lost or found something valuable. How did you feel about the finders keepers, losers weepers rule?
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Keep Going:
Many schools dont let kids bring valuables such as trading cards on to
school property. They worry that the toys will cause fights and other problems. What do
you think: Should kids be allowed to bring valuable items to school? Why or why not?
46
Finders, Keepers
Elections
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Winning Votes
Write About It:
What message is the cartoonist trying to get across with this comic
strip? Before you answer, think about how Claire feels in the first three frames of the
strip. Then think about how she must feel in the last frame. If you were Claire, would
you vote for Raina in the school election? Why or why not? If you were voting in a
school election, how would you decide whom to vote for?
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Keep Going:
If you were running for president of your class, what would you say
and do to encourage students to vote for you? Write a speech that you would deliver to
your classmates to earn their votes.
47
School/Grades
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
What is Amys attitude toward grades? If you were Amys friend,

what would you say to her? What is your own attitude toward grades? Do you get upset
when you dont get the grade you had hoped for?
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Keep Going: Some schools do not give grades at all. Instead, teachers write paragraphs explaining how each student is doing in each subject. What do you think about
this method? Create a chart listing the pros and cons of a no-grading system.
48
Making the Grade
Activities
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
On Schedule
Write About It:
Based on the comic strip, how do you think Amy spends most of
her time? (Amy is the girl with dark hair.) How do you think Claire likes to spend her
time? What does Claires comment in the last frame mean? Do you agree with her viewpoint? Why or why not?
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Keep Going:
If someone asked you to choose just one after-school activity, which

one would you select? Why is this activity so interesting or important to you?
49
Fashion
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Why do you suppose Jason wants people to see the label on his
underwear? Are youor is anyone you knowvery concerned about having clothes
with the right designer labels? Why or why not?
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Keep Going: What is more important to you when it comes to clothes: style or comfort? If you could design your own clothes, what would they look like? Would they have
any unusual or interesting features? Would they have special pockets for certain
belongings? Would they be self-cleaning? Use your imagination!
50
Name Brands
CITIZEN
CITIZEN DOG
DOG
Created by Mark OHare
Cast of Characters
Although Citizen Dog has only been on

the comic-strip scene since 1995, it
already enjoys tremendous popularity.
The strip, which appears in more than
100 newspapers, focuses on the daily
antics of a wisecracking dog named
Fergus and his owner, Mel. Through the
duos conversations and experiences, cartoonist Mark OHare highlights the joys
and pitfalls of everyday life, from ice
cream cones to computer crashes.
Fergus: A quick-witted dog who can

speak, write, and outsmart his master
Mel: Ferguss owner, Mel does not always
have the best of luck.
Maggie: One of Ferguss human friends
Cuddles: A neighborhood cat who witnesses many of Ferguss antics
Mark OHare has created newspaper

comic strips since his college days in the
late 1980s, but Citizen Dog is his first
nationally syndicated strip. OHares
inspiration for Fergus the dog came
entirely from his imagination; in fact, he
does not even own a dog. OHare is also a
talented animator and has worked as a
storyboard artist for several animated television programs.
51
Technology/Future
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
CITIZEN DOG Mark OHare. Dist. by UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
Write About It:
What do you think of Ferguss prediction that electronic books will

replace books made of paper? Do you believe this will happen? If so, how old do you
think you will be when paper books become extinct? Would you enjoy reading books
on computer, or would you miss the old-fashioned kind? Explain.
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Keep Going:
What else do you think will change in the next century? Make your own
predictions for the future. What will homes look like? What activities will kids enjoy?
How will people travel around? Provide plenty of details!
52
Eye on the Future
Seasons/Haiku
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Autumn Antics
Write About It:
Do you think Maggie and Fergus like autumn? Why or why not?
What is the fall like where you live? Describe the colors, smells in the air, weather, and
anything else you can think of. What are some autumn activities that you enjoy?
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Keep Going: What is your favorite season and why? Write a haiku about it. (A haiku
is a three-line poem. The first and last lines each have five syllables, and the second
line has seven syllables.)
53
Letter Writing/The President

Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Write two letters: one that Fergus the dog might write to the presidents dog and one that the presidents dog might write back to Fergus. What would the
two canines say to each other? What questions might Fergus ask about being a presidential pet? How might the dog respond? Use your imagination!
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Keep Going: Which member of the First Family would you like to write to? Why?
What would you say in your letter? Write a draft of your letter and send it to: The White
House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20502. If you are writing to the president, you can go to www.whitehouse.gov to e-mail your message.
54
Dear Dog
Pets/Journals
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
A Dogs Day
Write About It:
Whatbesides foodmight Fergus write about in his diary?

Pretend you are Fergus and record one days thoughts and activities in a diary entry.
Then decide if you agree with the conclusion Fergus reaches in the last frame of the
comic strip? Why or why not?
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Keep Going:
Would you agree to spend one day as a dog? If so, what type of dog
would you like to be and whom would you choose as your owner? If not, which other
animal would you like to be for one day? Why? What do you think it would be like?
55
Technology
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
In this comic strip, Mel points out that people can do their grocery
shopping on the Internet. Do you think the Internet will ever completely replace food
stores or other types of stores (clothing, toys, and so on)? Why or why not? Do you
agree with Fergus that shopping by computer wouldnt be the same? Explain.
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Keep Going:
There are Web sites for just about everything: stores, banks, airlines,
and information of all kinds. If you were going to create a Web site, what would it be
about? What kind of information could people find on it? What would it look like?
56
Attention, Shoppers
NANCY
Created by Guy and Brad Gilchrist
Cast of Characters
Cartoonist Ernie Bushmiller created the

comic character Nancy in the 1930s.
Bushmillers popular strip revolved
around seven-year-old Nancy and her
glamorous Aunt Fritzi. The cartoonist
never explained to readers what happened
to Nancys mother and father, or why the
little girl lived with her aunt, but readers
did not seem to mind. The strip remained
a mainstay of the funny pages for nearly
five decades.
Nancy: A funny, often mischievous little

girl with a wild imagination
After Bushmillers death in 1982, a

cartoonist named Jerry Scott took over
the comic. Although Scotts style was
very different from Bushmillers, the
strip survived. In 1995, United Feature
Syndicate decided to return the strip to
its original look and hired comic artists
Guy and Brad Gilchrist to revive
Bushmillers old-fashioned style. The
brothers have been quite successful, and
Nancy continues to attract readers young
and old alike.
57
Aunt Fritzi: Nancys aunt and guardian

Sluggo: Nancys best friend
School/Grades
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
NANCY reprinted by permission of United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
Write About It:
How does Nancy feel in the last part of this comic strip? Why do
you think she feels that way? If you had studied all week for a test, how would you feel
if it were canceled? What are some ways that you prepare for a test or quiz? Make a list
and then share it with a partner.
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Keep Going: Do you sometimes worry about how you will do on a big test? Make a
list of five ways to beat test stress and stay calm. For example, do you feel more calm
when you get a good nights rest the night before? When you are finished with your list,
combine your tips with those of your classmates. Display the tips in your classroom.
58
Just Rewards?
Dreams
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
In Your Dreams
Write About It:
What has Nancy done to remember her cool dreams? Choose one
of Nancys dreams and turn it into the plot for a new movie. Write a short summary
telling what happens in the movie. (Dont forget to include a beginning, middle, and
end.) Then list the actors and actresses you would choose to star in the movie.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________
Keep Going:
Do you believe dreams are meaningful? Explain. Did you ever have a
dream that related to events going on in your life?
59
Pets/Weather
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Who are the two meteorological sources (or weather experts)

Nancy is talking about? How do you know? Does your pet (or a friends pet) act strangely when a big storm is approaching? What does the animal do? How do you feel about
stormy weather?
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Keep Going:
What do you suppose Nancys pets are thinking or feeling in the comic
strip? Imagine that the two animals can speak, and write the conversation they might
be having.
60
Four-Legged Forecast
Weather/Acronyms
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Stuck Inside
Write About It:
Why is Sluggo bothered by the rain? Do you ever feel this way?
What is your favorite thing to do when you have outdoor recess? If you cant go outside
because of the weather, how do you like to spend recess time?
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Keep Going: In the comic, NODR stands for No Out Door Recess. This is called an
acronym. Another example of a weather acronym is SMILE, short for Sunshine Means I
Love Everyone! Now create your own acronym to show how you feel about the weather.
It can be as long or as short as you like.
61
Pets/Birthdays
Name ______________________________________
Date ______________
Write About It:
Were you surprised by the ending of this comic strip? Why or why
not? Have you ever heard of anyone throwing a birthday party for a dog or other pet? What
do you think of the idea? Describe other ways Nancy, Aunt Fritzi, and Poochie might celebrate at the party. What other foods might they eat? What games might they play?
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_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Keep Going: Choose a pet you know (it could be yours, a friends or neighbors, or
even a cartoon pet). If this animal could write a birthday wish list, what would it ask for?
(The animal might prefer a gift that is not an object, such as a whole day playing in the
park.) Imagine that you are the pet, and make a descriptive list of its birthday wishes.
62
Pooch Party
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Writing Prompts Karen Kellaher, Scholastic Teaching Resources
If your students want to know more about a particular comic strip or cartoonist, or if you
would like to read additional comics, consult the following Web sites and books. These
resources will help you make comic strips a regular part of your creative-writing repertoire.
Web Sites
Books for Children
http://www.uexpress.com Visit this

Universal Press Syndicate site for archives
of Citizen Dog, Garfield, and dozens of
other nationally syndicated strips.
Citizen Dog by Mark OHare (Andrews

McMeel Publishing, 1998). This is a
hilarious collection of Citizen Dog strips.
Dennis the Menace: His First 40 Years
by Hank Ketcham (Abbeville Press, 1991).
This is an amusing anthology of classic
Dennis comics.
http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics
Fans will find plenty of Peanuts, Nancy,
and other strips at this United Media site.
Funny Papers: Behind the Scenes of

Comics by Elaine Scott (William Morrow
& Co., 1993). This book includes a brief
history of comics plus a fascinating look
at how comics are created, sold, printed,
and distributed.
http://www.kingfeatures.com The
home page for King Features Syndicate
includes samples and information on
Dennis the Menace, Claire and Weber, and
many other strips.
http://www.garfield.com This official
Garfield site includes interviews with creator Jim Davis, news about the strip,
games, and an online catalog.
Garfield Goes to Waist by Jim Davis

(Paws, Inc., 1990). Check your local
library and bookstore for this and other
rollicking collections of Garfield strips.
Books for the Teacher

The World Encyclopedia of Comics edited by Maurice Horn (Chelsea House,
1998). This updated, comprehensive
resource covers all aspects of comics from
around the globe.
100 Years of American Newspaper
Comics: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
edited by Maurice Horn (Gramercy Books,
1996). This volume contains in-depth
background on many popular comic strips.
63
The World Is Filled With Mondays by

Charles M. Schulz (Harper, 1999). Check
your local library or bookstore for this
and other paperback collections of
beloved Peanuts strips.
TOPICAL INDEX
Use this index to locate a comic strip or prompt related to a particular topic.
Pets 8, 9, 11, 15, 20, 54, 55,
Acronyms 61
Food 10, 19, 23
Activities 12, 20, 41, 49
Friendship 44, 45, 47
Adventures 18, 26
Future 52
Poetry 53
Allowance 37
Games 20
Predictions 52
Animal Rights 28
Grades 48, 58
President 54
Animals 8, 9, 11, 15, 20, 28,
Grandparents 34
Procrastination 11
Haiku 53
Rain 61
Autumn 53
Health 42
Recess 61
Bad Days 13, 16
Hobbies 20, 49
School 26, 39, 46, 47, 48, 58
Birthdays 62
Illness 42
Seasons 40, 53
Bloopers 25
Internet 56
Shopping 41, 56
Books 52
Inventions 14, 33, 36, 42
Solar System 35
Breakfast 10
Journals 45, 55
Spiders 22
Camping 33
Junk Mail 38
Sports 18, 25, 29
Chores 11, 37
Letters 38, 44, 54
Sportsmanship 29
Clothing 50
Letter Writing 26, 27, 28, 29,
Stars 35
Conflict 31
Storms 21, 32, 60
44, 54
Daily Routine 10
Mail 38
Studying 48, 58
Days of the Week 13
Medicine 42
Summer 26
Diaries 45, 55
Migration 40
Technology 33, 52, 56
Dreams 9, 59
Mistakes 25
Television 12, 14, 39
Elderly People 34
Mondays 13
Tests 48, 58
Elections 47
Money 37
Thankfulness 35
Embarrassment 25
Moral Dilemmas 45, 46
Toys 36, 46
Excuses 25
Mornings 10
Travel 26, 40
Families 31, 33, 34
News 39
Tricks 17, 19
Fashion 50
Newswriting 17, 39
Vegetables 23
Fears 22
Nutrition 10, 23
Weather 21, 32, 41, 60, 61
Fishing 18
Opinions 27
Folktales 32
Persuasive Writing 8, 27, 47
64
54, 55, 60, 62
60, 62

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