The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo
by  Jean Craighead George

    The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo is the story of Lisa K., her mother and other “woods people” who live in Gumbo Limbo Hammock located in a secret part of the Florida Everglades.
Lisa K. struggles to find and save Dajun, a 12-foot ‘gator, from being killed.  The reader learns just how important ‘gators are to the ecological balance of the Everglades.

click to return to title page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo
Chapter 1, Pages 1-14

Discussion Director
1. Point of View
Who is telling the story?  Lisa K.
How do you know?  Uses “I”.
2. Problem / Solution
What is Lisa K.’s main problem?  Keeping Dajun, the 12-foot long ‘gator, from being killed.
What are some possible solutions?
Move him, trap him and send him to a zoo, hide him.
3. Cause / Effect
Why did Lisa K. start walking toward the condominiums?  She wanted Travis to think she lived there instead of the hammock.
4. Prediction
 What do you think will happen to Dajun?  He will be killed, Lisa K. will
 manage to save him, etc.
5. MCEOG
All of the following describe Lisa K. except which one?
N  A. unconcerned
Y  B.  independent    p. 13 – par 3
Y  C.  caring              p. 2 – par 5
Y  D.  wise                p. 8 – par 7
      Answer:  A
Passage Picker
Passage 1:  Figurative Language
 1.
 2.  p. 8&9 – par 8
 3.  “I’ll be…vanilla cupcake.”
 4.  Reason:  descriptive, funny, metaphor.  Description of Travis’ hair that was
 covered by his cap.
5. Question:  Identify the metaphor and tell the two things being compared.
            Answer:  “Chocolate-covered vanilla cupcake tells what Travis’ hair looked like            under his cap.
6. Author’s purpose:  to describe or entertain.
Passage 2:  Cause / Effect
 1.
 2.  p. 6&7 – par 8
 3.  “I made…he sat down.”
 4.  Reason:  Cause / effect – tells why the ferns were withered.  (It was December,
 the dry season in Florida.)
 5.  Question:  Why were the ferns withered?  Answer:  It was December, the dry
 season in Florida.
6.  Author’s purpose:  To inform.
Passage 3:  Descriptive
 1.
 2.  p. 10 – par 4
 3.  “Mom and…suspense and romance.”
 4.  Reason:  Descriptive – describes the live oak under which Lisa K. and her
  mom live.
5. Question:  Why did Lisa K. call the live oak tree a theatre?  Answer:  She
could watch orchids growing, butterflies hovering over flowers, birds chasing
butterflies and lizards chasing insects.
6.  Author’s purpose:  To describe.
Passage 4:  Scary / Frightening
 1.
2.  p. 11&12 – pars. 3, 4 & 5
 3.  “Mom, I said…in her arms.”
 4.  Reason:  Scary / frightening – explains why Lisa K. is afraid her father might
 come and live with them.
 5.  Question:  Why was Lisa K. afraid of her father?  Answer:  He would punish
 her severely for things she hadn’t done.
 6.  Author’s purpose:  To inform.
Word Wizard
1. 1.   peering (p. 3 – par. 2)
2.  “’ That’s got to be Dajun,’ I said, looking up into a sun-beaten face
and keen eyes peering out from under the cap like an armadillo’s under his bony
armor.”
3.
4.  peer – to look closely at something
5. verb
6. The scientist was peering through her telescope.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

peering
p. 3 – par. 2
 
 

peering – to look closely at something. Verb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. 1.  vicious (p. 3 – par. 5)
 2.  “’Dajun’s not vicious,’” I answered, and was about to tell him how a man
 named James James and I fed the big alligator the snapping turtles we caught
 in an under water trap.”
 3.  -
 4.  vicious – dangerous or cruel
5. adjective
6. Our dog is so vicious we have to keep him in a pen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

vicious
p. 3 – par. 5

Vicious – dangerous or cruel.  Adjective.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. 1.  unobtrusively (p. 4 – par. 1)
2.  “As unobtrusively as I could, I searched under the coco plum branches that
hung out over the water.”
3.
4.  unobtrusively – not calling attention to oneself.
5. adverb
6. She reached unobtrusively into the cookie jar.
4. 1.  disgruntled (p. 6 – par. 8)
2.  “A disgruntled Travis walked a few steps to a log covered with resurrection
ferns, the kind that wither when it’s dry and revive when it rains.”
 3.
 4.  disgruntled – upset, angry
 5.  adjective
 6.  The child became very disgruntled when her mom wouldn’t buy her a toy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Character Sketcher
Chapter 1, Pages 1-14
Lisa K.

Character Traits / Proof     Character Goal
1.  caring (p. 2 – par. 5)     Lisa K.’s goal is to save
                (p. 3 – par. 3, par. 5)    Dajun from being killed.
     Lisa K. tries to talk Travis out
     of shooting Dajun.
2.  cunning (p. 8 – par. 7)
     Lisa K. leads Travis away from Gumbo
     Limbo so he won’t find Dajun.
3.  independent (p. 13 – par. 3)
     Lisa K. will have to take care of herself
     because her mother has taken a job.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Problem:       Solution or Possible Solution:
Lisa K. needs to find Dajun before    Get her friends to help look
Travis does and save him from being    for Dajun, trap him and move
killed.        him to a zoo.
 
 

Investigator
Chapter 1, Pages 1-14

After you read the information on alligators and crocodiles, please answer the following questions and be ready to present this information to the group.

1. Where are American alligators found?
In the southeastern United States.
2. Where are crocodiles found?
Southern tip of Florida.
3. How can you tell the difference between crocodiles and alligators?
Alligators usually have a broad, blunt snout while crocodiles have a tapered and triangular-shaped snout.
4. What do alligators eat?
Fish, turtles, raccoons, birds, dead animals, other alligators and even humans.
5. What do crocodiles eat?
Fish or other aquatic animals.
6. How have alligators shaped the landscape of the Florida wetlands?
By their ponds, nests and trails.  The compacted vegetation left in old nest mounds and pond banks form a peat that is resistant to decay and fire.
7. How do young ‘gators differ from adults?
The young ones have bright stripes and yellow blotches.  As they mature their skin becomes darker.
8. Draw a crocodile and an alligator.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ALLIGATOR                                                                            CROCODILE
 
 

Chapter 2, Pages 15-31

Discussion Director
1.  Italics
     Why is “Dajun of Gumbo Limbo Hole” (p. 16 – par. 1) written in italics?
      It is the name of a poem being written by Pricilla.
2.  Figurative Language
     Find an example of a simile.  Tell the two things being compared.
     p. 20 – par. 3 “He crosses Gumbo Limbo like a bulldozer.”  Dajun is being compared
     to a bulldozer.  That is the way he removes weeds from the water.
3.  Cause / Effect
     Why did James James invite Caruso to Gumbo Limbo?
     Caruso was homeless.
4.  MCEOG
     All of the following describe a Florida solution pit except which one?
A. found only in limestone
B. stays filled with water year round
C. created by acid from decaying plants
D. can be a few feet across or a hundred
   Answer:  B
Passage Picker
Passage 1:  Descriptive
1. –
2. p. 17 – par. 3
3. “I liked…its walls.”
4. Reason:  descriptive.  Tells what a solution pit is and describes the one in Gumbo Limbo Hammock.
Answer:  It was about 20 feet across, nobody knew how deep and was surrounded by trees.  Mosses and ferns grew down the walls.
5. Author’s purpose:  To describe.
Passage 2:  Problem / Solution
1. –
2. “We’ll have…the lake.”
3. Reason:  Problem / solution.  Tells how Lisa K. and James James planned to save Dajun.
4. How did Lisa K. and James James plant to save Dajun?
Answer:  They planned to use a turtle to lure him from Gumbo Limbo Hole to the solution pit.
5. Author’s purpose:  To describe.
Passage 3:  Cause / Effect
1. –
2. p. 20&21 – par. 4
3. “James James…and stayed.”
4. Reason:  Cause / effect.  Tells why James James moved slowly.
5. Question:  Why did James James move slowly?
Answer:  So he could enjoy being alive.  He wanted to take time to see beautiful places.
6. Author’s purpose:  To describe.
Word Wizard
1. 1.  preened (p. 19 – par. 4)
2.  “Two egrets in a coco plum preened their snowy white feathers and an anhinga
swan with its body underwater and its head and long neck above the surface like a snake.”
3.  -
4.  preened – to smooth or clean with the beak.
5.  verb
7. The robin preened her baby chicks.
2. 1.  scornfully (p. 23 – line 3)
2.  “Mom looked at her scornfully.”
3.  -
4.  scornfully – to look down on something or someone
5.  adverb
6. Why did Lisa K.’s mom look scornfully at Priscilla?  (p. 23 – line 3)  When they first met, Priscilla asked Lisa K.’s mom if she had any mini gin bottles instead of saying hello.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Character Sketcher
James James

Character Traits / Proof     Character’s Goal
1.  caring (p. 16 – par. 4)     James James’ goal to save
     James James says he hopes Priscilla   Dajun from being killed.
     isn't harming herself.
2.  intelligent (p. 18 – par. 2)
                      (p. 21 – line 4)
     James James knows how to test the drinking
     water.  He had studied wildlife biology and
     geology in college.
3.  generous (p. 22 – lines 4&5)
     When James James met Caruso who was homeless,
     he invited him to Gumbo Limbo.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Problem:  James James wants to move    Solution:  James James tries
Dajun from Gumbo Limbo to the     to lure Dajun with a snapping
solution pit.       turtle.
 

Summarizer

 Lisa K. told James James that an official was trying to shoot Dajun.  They decided to move him out of Gumbo Limbo Hole to the solution pit for a while.  James James had trapped a snapping turtle and they tried to use it as bait to lure Dajun out of Gumbo Limbo Hole.  That didn’t work.  Then James James tried to call Dajun by roaring like a bull alligator.  That didn’t work either.  Dajun was not in Gumbo Limbo Hole.  They looked for him, but could not find him.  Lisa K. told Caruso, her mother, and Priscilla about the official who was trying to kill Dajun.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 3
Pages 32-47

Discussion Director
1. MCEOG
Lisa K. saw all of the following from her perch in the tree expect which one?
A. Travis
B. Dajun
C. The highway to Miami
D. The County Government Center
Answer:  B
2. Problem / Solution
How did Lisa K. let James James know her mother was on the path?
She gave one hoot like a great horned owl to let him know.
3. Compare / Contrast
How are the Florida solution pits and Florida lakes different?
Solution pits are steep sided and rocky, Florida lakes slope gently and are lined with clay.
Passage Picker
Passage 1:  Figurative Language
1. –
2. p. 33 – par. 2
3. “The sun…flowers rustled.”
4. Reason:  Descriptive, simile.  Describes how the palm leaves moved in the breeze.
5. Question:  Identify the simile and the two things being compared.
Answer:  “Green palm leaves pranced like tethered ponies in the morning breeze.”  The simile, like tethered ponies, compares the way the leaves move to prancing ponies.
6. Author’s purpose:  To describe.
Passage 2:  Scientific
1. –
2. p. 42&43 – par. 1,2,3
3. “Another look…and leaves.”
4. Reason:  This passage explains the difference between good alga and bad alga.
5. Identify the two types of alga and describe each.  Green alga is good.  It grows on underwater rocks, sticks and leaves.  It is food for microscopic animals and cleans the water.  Blue-green alga is not good.  It is thick and stringy and grows in blobs and clumps.  It means the water is polluted with phosphorus and nitrogen from septic tanks, farms and lawns.
6. Author’s purpose:  To inform.
Word Wizard
1. 1. animated (p. 38 – par. 3)
2.  “Travis looked animated.”
3.  -
4.  animated - lively
5.  adjective
7. The children enjoyed watching the animated puppets.
2. 1.  futilely (p. 46 – par. 2)
2.  “’He was,’ I imagined, ‘walking around the lake on the golf course, weaving in and out among golfers, stopping for their shots and looking futilely for Dajun.”
3.  -
4.  futilely – uselessly, to no avail.
5.  adverb
6. We futilely searched three hours for the lost dog.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Character Sketcher
Travis

Character Traits / Proof    Character Goal
1.  determined (p. 46 – par. 2)    Travis’ goal is to kill Dajun.
     Lisa K. imagines Travis determinedly
     looking for Dajun on the golf course.
2.  tricky (p. 34 – par. 2)
     Travis hides in the willows and pulls
     branches over himself so he can find
     Dajun.
3.  trusting (p. 38 – par. 3)
     Travis accepts James’ theory that
     Dajun is near the golf course.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Problem:      Solution:
Travis is trying to find Dajun.    He looks on the golf course.
 
 

Investigator

Read the pamphlet about Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and answer the following questions.

1. Where is Big Cypress Swamp?
Southwest Florida.
2. Describe the Big Cypress Swamp.
It is a flat gently sloping limestone plain.
3. How is a slough formed?
Water flowing over limestone dissolves a channel, which accumulates organic soils.
4. What is a strand?
A linear swamp.
5. Why is Fakahatchee Strand one of Florida’s most unusual natural features?
It has a unique mix of bald cypresses, royal palms and epiphytic plants.  It contains the largest stand of native royal palms and the largest concentration and variety of orchids in North America.
6. What unusual wildlife lives within the preserve?
Florida panther, wood stork, Florida black bear, mangrove fox squirrel and Everglades mink.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo
Assessment Chapters 1-3
Pages 1-47

1. All of the following describe Lisa K. except which one?
N A.  unconcerned
Y B.  independent (p. 13 – par. 3)
Y   C.  caring  (p. 2 – par. 5)
Y D.  wise  (p. 8 – par. 7)
 Answer:  A
2.  What genre is Priscilla’s book about Dajun?
A. realistic fiction
B. epic poem   (p. 16 – par. 1)
C. fable
D. biography
Answer:  B
3. What would Caruso most likely buy with $100.00?
A. new shoes
B. opera clothes (p. 7 – par. 5)
C. a new watch
D. food
Answer:  B
4. From whose point of view is the story being told?
A. Travis
B. The author
C. Dajun
D. Lisa K.
Answer:  D
5. All of the following could be found in the tropical hammock except which one?
A.  soapberry trees (p. 11 – par. 1)
B.  tree snails  (p. 11 – par. 1)
C.  baby crocodiles
E. edible cabbage plants (p. 11 – par. 1)
Answer:  C
6. “I caught two nice bass before he returned looking discouraged, his green shirt ripped by the jungle’s claws,” is an example of which literary technique?
A. personification
B. dialect
C. metaphor
D. idiom
Answer:  A
7. Why do mosquitoes never bite James James when he’s in his bed?
A. He uses mosquito netting around his bed.
B. Mosquitoes don’t fly higher than 9 feet.
C. He covers himself with bug spray.
D. Both A and C.
Answer:  B  (p. 22 – line 6)
8. Lisa K. compares Gumbo Limbo to all of the following except which one?
Y A.  An air conditioner and humidifier.  (p. 41 – par. 1)
Y B.  A greenhouse.    (p. 41 – par. 1)
N C.  An emerald-green swimming pool.
Y D.  An island in the woods.   (p. 41 – par. 1)
 Answer:  C
9. Using context clues you can determine that “scuttled” on p. 35 – par. 1 means what?
A. floated
B. trampled
C. murmured
D. hurried
Answer:  D
10. All of the following describe green alga except which one?
Y A.  Is food for microscopic animals.  (p. 43 – line 4)
N B.  Needs no sunlight.
Y C.  Cleans the water.    ( p. 43 – line 6)
Y D.  Grows underwater.   ( p. 43 – line 3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 4
Pages 48-64

Discussion Director
1. Italics
On page 63, why is the word “fortissimo” written in italics?
A. It is a title.
B. It is a direct quote.
C. It is an unfamiliar word.
D. It is spelled incorrectly.
Answer:  C
Choose questions that show:
2. Compare / Contrast
3. MCEOG
4. On Your Own
Passage Picker
Passage 1:  Dialect
1. –
2. p. 62 – par. 3
3. “H’aint found…was smiling.”
4. Reason:  Dialect – h’aint.
5. Question:  What does h’aint mean in this passage?
Answer:  Haven’t you found him yet?
6. Author’s purpose:  To entertain.
Choose passages that satisfy these reasons:
Passage 2:  Idiom (p. 53 – par. 4)
Passage 3:  Cause / Effect
Passage 4:  Problem / Solution
Word Wizard
1. 1.  pleaded (p. 62 – par. 6)
2.  “’Then help us find Dajun, Caruso, so we can hide him,’ I pleaded.”
3.  -
4.  pleaded - begged
5.  verb
6.  The small child pleaded for a toy at Wal-Mart.
Choose 3 of the following words:
2.  brackish  (p. 58 – par. 2)
3.  pry   (p. 64 – line 1)
4.  flitted (p. 56 – par. 3)
5.  flanges (p. 57 – par. 4)
 
 
 
 
 

Character Sketch
Caruso

Character Traits / Proof     Character’s Goal
1.  caring (p. 62 – line 1)     Caruso’s goal is to stay in
     Caruso often brought people to Gumbo   Gumbo Limbo
     Limbo for a bowl of soup.
2.  creative (p. 61 – par. 8)
     Caruso carved a fork from a piece of wood.
3.  determined (p. 62 – par. 5)
     Caruso is determined Travis won’t find
     out he is homeless.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Problem:       Solution:
Caruso is afraid Travis will     Caruso will tell Travis that he
report him and he will have to    saw a poacher shoot Dajun.
leave Gumbo Limbo.      This will make Travis quit
        hunting Dajun and leave.
 
 
 
 

Meaning Mapper
 
 

2.  Picture       3.  Sentence from the story:
        “The air reeked of decay.”
        (p. 57 – par. 4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4.  Definition:       5.  Your own sentence:
reeked – to give off a strong     The closer we got to the
and unpleasant odor.      skunk, the more the air
        reeked.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 5
Pages 65-79

Discussion Director
Choose questions that show:
1.  Problem / Solution   p.72
2.  Prediction
3.  Fact / Opinion
4.  MCEOG
5.  On Your Own
Passage Picker
Choose passages that satisfy these 4 reasons:
1.  Funny / Amusing  (p. 69 – par. 6)
2.  Cause/ Effect
3.  Mysterious   (p. 66 – par. 2)
4.  Descriptive   (p. 75 – par 4)
Word Wizard:
1.  burly  (p. 74 – par. 1)
2.  stalking (p. 75 – line 2)
3.  hunched (p. 71 – line 1)
4.  artificial (p. 74 – par. 4)
Other jobs:
Character Sketcher, Meaning Mapper or Summarizer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 6
Pages 80-95

Discussion Director
Choose questions that show:
1. Compare / Contrast
2. Cause / Effect
3. Problem / Solution
4. Fact / Opinion
5. On Your Own
Passage Picker
Choose passages that satisfy these 4 reasons:
1.  Figurative language (p. 90 – par. 6)
2.  Mysterious   (p. 92 – par. 4)
3.  Scientific   (p. 91 – par. 1)
4.  Fact / Opinion
Word Wizard
Words:
 1.  exquisite   (p. 92 – par. 1)
 2.  serene  (p. 82 – par. 2)
 3.  diverted  (p. 85 – par. 5)
 4.  analyze  (p. 88 – par. 6)
Other jobs:
Character Sketcher or Artful Artist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo
Assessment  Chapters 4-6
Pages 48-95

1. All of the following are facts about hydrilla except which one?
A.  It suffocates big fish.     (p. 52 – par. 2)
B.  It grows almost an inch a day.  (p. 52 – par. 2)
C.  It produces thousands of bulbs. (p. 52 – par. 2)
D.  It is a pretty weed.
Answer:  D
2. On page 53, “Just grabbing at the stars” is an example of what literary technique?
A. Dialect
B. Personification
C. Idiom
D. Metaphor
Answer:  C
3. Which of the following is not a possible solution to the problem of salt in the drinking water of La Playa?
Y A.  Block up the canals and hold the water where it ought to be. (p. 86 – par. 3)
N B.  Pour fluorine in it.
Y C.  Install a desalinator. (p. 87 – par. 2)
Y  D.  Drill wells farther inland. (p. 87 – par. 2)
 Answer:  B
4. What was the reason James James lost his first job?
A.  He wasn’t properly trained.
B. He couldn’t get along with other people.
C. He was late because he was watching a butterfly hatch. (p. 56 – par. 11)
D. All of the above.
Answer:  C
5. Why is “fortissimo” on page 63 written in italics?
A. It is part of a title.
B. It is part of a conversation.
C. It may be a new word for some readers.
D. It is a direct quotation.
Answer:  C
6. According to Lisa K. how are woods people like nature?
A. They die.
B. They need food and water.
C. They need air.
D. They are mysterious. (p. 64 – line 5)
Answer:  D
7. What were James James’ “college leftovers”?
A. His grades and research papers.
B. His chinos.
C. His sports jacket.
D. Both B and C. (p. 65 – par 1&3)
Answer:  D
8. Using context clues, you can determine that a “borrow pit” on page 74 – paragraph 4, is what?
A. A trap for alligators.
B. A hole the county had dug for road materials.
C. An underground cave.
D. A steep limestone canyon.
Answer:  B
9. What is the most likely reason there were people walking around in the cypress slough?
A. They were searching for Dajun so they could claim the reward. (p. 76 – par. 5)
B. They were searching for endangered butterflies.
C. They were lost.
D. They wanted to live in Gumbo Limbo Hammock.
Answer:  A
10. “Priscilla was bent over like a potato digger in the middle of the field,” is an example of which of the following?
A. Dialect
B. Metaphor
C. Limerick
D. Simile
Answer:  D
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 7
Pages 96-110
 

Discussion Director
Choose questions that show:
1. Cause / Effect
2. Prediction
3. Character
4. MCEOG
5. On Your Own
Passage Picker
Choose passages that satisfy these 4 reasons:
1. Intriguing
2. Figurative Language
3. Cause / Effect
4. Funny / Amusing
Word Wizard
Words – choose any four of the following:
1.  poacher  (p. 107 – par. 3)
2.  condescending (p. 102 - par. 4)
3.  phenomenon (p. 103 – par. 1)
4.  niche  (p. 105 – par. 1)
5.  lapsed  (p. 100 – par. 1)
Other jobs:
Character Sketcher, Investigator (Sherlock Holmes), or Artful Artist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 8
Pages 111-127

Discussion Director
Choose questions that show:
1. Cause / Effect
2. MCEOG
3. Italics
4. Problem / Solution
5. On Your Own
Passage Picker
Choose passage that satisfy these 4 reasons:
1. Cause / Effect
2. Figurative Language  (p. 113 – par. 2)
3. Amusing    (p. 116 – par . 3)
4. Scientific    (p. 112 – lines 4-12)
Word Wizard
Words:
1.  torment  (p. 111 – par. 1)
2.  allay  (p. 111 – par. 2)
3.  tousled  (p. 117 – par. 2)
4.  maneuver  (p. 124 – par. 2)
Other jobs:
Character Sketcher, Summarizer or Meaning Mapper
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 9
Pages 128-148

Discussion Director
Choose questions that show:
1. Cause / Effect
2. Problem / Solution
3. Prediction
4. MCEOG
5. On Your Own
Passage Picker
Choose passage that satisfy these 4 reasons:
1. Figurative Language
2. Funny / Amusing
3. Surprising
4. Problem / Solution
Word Wizard
Words:
1.   perplexed  (p. 130 – par. 7)
2.   lure  (p. 134 – line 2)
3.   divert  (p. 139 – par. 6)
4.   gaping  (p. 140 – par. 8)
Other jobs:
Character Sketcher (Ms. Dade) or Summarizer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo
Assessment  Chapters 7-9
Pages 96-148

1. What does Priscilla use her mini gin bottles for?
A. coin holders
B. flower vases
C. hummingbird feeders (p. 101 – par. 4)
D. coffee cups
Answer:  C
2. All of the following are reasons James James didn’t take the job except which one?
A. Someone else would be telling him what to do. (p. 102 – line 2)
B. His own ideas would get squelched. (p. 102 – line 3)
C. He felt he could do a lot more “hanging loose.” (p. 101- par. 9&10)
D. He wasn’t offered enough money.
Answer:  D
3. What did Lisa K. name the parrot?
A. Sherlock Holmes
B. Long John Silver
C. Polly
D. Sir Bird
Answer:  A
4. Why did Travis never come into the Hammock to look for Dajun?
A. He was scared.
B. It was not a ‘gator’s niche. (p. 113- par.2 )
C. He had been warned not to.
D. He did not have permission.
Answer:  B
5. Why were Lisa K. and her mother leaving the Hammock?
A. A social worker made them.
B. Lisa K.’s mother got the job she wanted. (page 114)
C. Lisa K. wanted to live in town.
D. The “woods people” chased them away.
Answer:  B
6. Who gave Lisa K. the missing clue to Dajun’s whereabouts?
A. Travis
B. Ms. Dade
C. James James
D. Sherlock Holmes (p. 126 – par. 8)
Answer:  D
7. Why could Travis not find Dajun?
A. He did not know where to look for him.
B. He did not know how to look for him.
C. He did not know when to look for him. (p. 125 – par. 3)
D. Both A and B.
Answer:  C
8. All of the following describe Ms. Dade except which one?
A.  intelligent (p. 138 – par. 7)
B.  helpful  (p. 140 – par. 5)
C.  caring  (p. 140 – par. 3)
D.  insensitive
Answer:  D
9. Where was Dajun hiding?
A. in the canal
B. in the culvert
C. on the beach
D. in Gumbo Limbo Hole (p. 141- par. 8) (p. 142 – par. 1)
Answer:  D
10. Why could Lisa K. not easily see Dajun where he was hidden?
A. The water was too muddy.
B. He was covered with green alga. (p. 141 – par. 8)
C. The water was too deep.
D. She wasn’t looking in the right place.
Answer:  B