Chapters 13 - 16 MPP

Chapter 13- "More Worries"

fare- the money a person pays to travel by public transportation 
perform- to do something requiring special skill 

portable- possible to carry or move about 

1. What does Mr. Popper train his penguins to do? 
2. What would you train your pet to do? 
3. Make a list of the various acts you would teach your pet to
perform. 
4.  What music would you play while your pet performed? Why?

Chapter 14- "Mr. Greenbaum"

transfer- to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another 
conference- a meeting for discussion or exchange of opinions
protest- a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness or disapproval 
politely- showing consideration and courtesy 

Alliteration Activity:
Alliteration is the repetition of the first consonant sound in a phrase such as Popper’s Performing Penguins (or Popper’s Pink-toed Penguins).  Make up more alliterated names for the penguins or for another group of performing animals.  You will need to make up at least 3 sentences or phrases that contain alliteration.

Chapter 15- "Popper's Performing Penguins"

rehearsal- a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance
audience- a group that listens or watches
dignified- showing importance
semicircle- an object or arrangement of objects in the form of a half circle 
sparred- to box or make boxing movements with the fists for practice or in fun 
indulge- to allow oneself the pleasure of having or doing something

1.  Why do Janie and Bill cry? 

 

Chapter 16- "On the Road"

Vocabulary
fender- a guard over a wheel of an automobile, motorcycle, or bicycle 
annoyed- to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
berth- a place to sleep on a ship or train
ecstatic- a state of being beyond reason and self-control
novelty- something new or unusual

temptation- the state of being tempted especially to do something wrong.

We are introduced to various train occupations in this chapter. Can you remember some of the titles? List the name of the train operators below.  

Chapters 11 and 12

Chapter 11 " Greta"

Vocabulary
tremendous- causing dread, awe, or terror 
amused- to be pleased, entertained, or humored 

1. Why did Mr. Popper choose to use white paint on the penguins' backs?  Explain your answer.


Chapter 12 " More Mouths to Feed"

expensive- having a high price
credit- an amount or sum that a bank or company will let a person use 
astonished- struck with wonder or sudden surprise
droll- having an odd or amusing quality
toboggan- to slide as if on a sled
spar- a pole
solemn- serious 

Alphabetical Order
Put the names of the penguins in alphabetical order. 

Breeding Habits/Lifecycle of Penguins
Once a year penguins leave the sea and return to the place they were born. Male and female penguins call to each other and pair up. A burrow is prepared or a simple nest is prepared using feathers, grass, or rocks. The female penguin lays one or two eggs each time she nests (but never ten eggs- the Atwaters -the authors- included this in the book in order to have a fun, humorous story).

Penguins (both male and female) have a patch for incubation (known as a brood-patch); this is a special patch that is placed on the eggs when the penguin sits on them; this special patch releases just the right amount of heat to incubate the eggs. 

In an Adelie penguin, the patch is only the size of one
egg. Adelie females usually lay the eggs and then go out to sea for six weeks to feed.  At first, on the inside of the egg, you would see the yolk and a little red blob. After ten days, it begins to take shape. After about two months, the chick chips its way out of the shell using an egg tooth on the end of its beak. 

Chapter 9 & 10

Chapter 9 "In the Barber Shop"

Vocabulary -
Lather – suds formed by soap 
Unwearyingly – tiredly

Comprehension Questions –
1. Was Captain Cook a welcomed guest at the barbershop? Why or why not? 
2. What did Captain Cook do on the steps?
3. Why was Mr. Popper all untidy by the time he got home? 

Chapter 10 "Shadows"

Vocabulary –
Curator – a person in charge of a museum or institution
Rotogravure – the process of printing photographs from cylinders etched from plates and run through a rotary press
Mopey - gloomy
Sympathetic – feeling for another’s sufferings
Stupor – when your senses or faculties are greatly dulled

Comprehension Questions
1. What were Captain Cook’s symptoms of illness?
2. What did the curator of the aquarium think might be the cause? 
3. Who is Greta?