Chasing Vermeer Chapters 1-8 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What were the 3 recipients each doing when they received the letter? (Select all that apply)

Reading a novel (correct)

Eating lunch

Trying to fall asleep/might have done something wrong (correct)

Listening to sounds outside (correct)

What grade are they in?

6th

What is their teacher's name?

Ms. Hussey

What is their school called?

The University School or 'The U' Signup and view all the answers

Where is their school located?

On the edge of the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park Signup and view all the answers

Who started their school?

John Dewey Signup and view all the answers

Why did John Dewey start 'the U'?

As an experiment because he believed in working on relevant projects Signup and view all the answers

What do they debate about in class?

Art and different ways of communication Signup and view all the answers

What does Calder always carry with him?

Pentominoes Signup and view all the answers

How many houses do Calder and Petra live apart?

3 houses Signup and view all the answers

What was Petra doing at Powell's when Calder saw her?

Spying on Ms. Hussey Signup and view all the answers

Why does the class go to the art museum?

To look for amazing letters Signup and view all the answers

Where does Petra go to look for more paintings?

The storage closet Signup and view all the answers

When Calder and Petra are returned to Ms. Hussey by the security guard, how does Ms. Hussey react?

She tells them that was a good idea Signup and view all the answers

Why does the class give up on their life-changing letter project?

They claim they can't seem to find any letters that affected someone too much Signup and view all the answers

What book does Petra pick up?

Lo! Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Lo' about?

Weird natural occurrences Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of CHASING VERMEER?

Blue Balliett Signup and view all the answers

What phrase is written inside the front cover?

We shall pick up an existence by its frogs. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Petra see when she closes her eyes?

A woman in a yellow dress staring directly at her Signup and view all the answers

What does Calder think is art?

The Geographer Signup and view all the answers

What did Calder's grandmother always say helped you think?

Sitting in geometry Signup and view all the answers

Who is in the weird trio outside Calder's window and why are they there?

Ms. Hussey, Mr. Watch, and Ms. Sharpe, because Ms. Sharpe stumbled and fell Signup and view all the answers

Why is the weird trio outside Calder's window?

Ms. Sharpe stumbled and fell Signup and view all the answers

How is the letter from Tommy written?

In a pentomino code Signup and view all the answers

What does the letter from Tommy say?

He does not like his neighborhood and that the kid next door disappeared Signup and view all the answers

What is the story with Tommy's parents?

Tommy never met his father, and his mother came back from vacation with a new husband Signup and view all the answers

What does Calder tell Tommy to do?

Spy Signup and view all the answers

What did Petra say was art?

Lo! Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote 'Lo!'?

Charles Fort Signup and view all the answers

Who invites them to tea?

Ms. Sharpe Signup and view all the answers

What painting does Ms. Sharpe have a print of?

The Geographer Signup and view all the answers

Who does Calder research?

Vermeer Signup and view all the answers

What does Petra hear her father saying?

That he doesn't feel up for Halloween Signup and view all the answers

Who does Petra dress up like?

The lady in Lady Writing by Vermeer Signup and view all the answers

Who are Petra's parents?

Frank and Norma Andalee Signup and view all the answers

Who are Calder's parents?

Walter and Yvette Pillay Signup and view all the answers

What street do the kids live on?

Harper Avenue Signup and view all the answers

What neighborhood do the kids live in?

Hyde Park Signup and view all the answers

What does Calder think about Vermeer?

That he left more questions than answers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Recipients of the Letter

Three recipients of the letter engaged in various activities: reading a novel, trying to sleep possibly due to guilt, and listening to outdoor sounds.

School Details

The students are in 6th grade at a school known as the University School, abbreviated as "The U".
Located on the edge of the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, the school was founded by John Dewey.
John Dewey established "The U" as an experimental institution focusing on relevant projects.

Classroom Activities

In class, students debate art and various forms of communication.
The class visited the art museum to seek extraordinary letters.

Key Characters

Calder always carries pentominoes, which connect to his creative thinking.
Calder and Petra live three houses apart; Petra was spying on Ms. Hussey at Powell's when Calder encountered her.
Petra aspires to search for paintings in the storage closet.

Museum Experience

When returned to Ms. Hussey by a security guard, she commended Calder and Petra's initiative.
The class ceased their life-changing letter project due to an inability to find impactful letters.

Books and Content

Petra picks up "Lo!" by Charles Fort, a book exploring bizarre natural phenomena, which she considers art.
The front cover of "CHASING VERMEER" features the phrase, "We shall pick up an existence by its frogs."

Imagery and Expressions

Petra envisions a woman in a yellow dress staring at her when she closes her eyes.
Calder recognizes "The Geographer" as a significant work of art and attributes his thought process to geometry, a saying from his grandmother.

Neighborhood Dynamics

A peculiar trio, including Ms. Hussey, Mr. Watch, and Ms. Sharpe, was outside Calder's window due to Ms. Sharpe's fall.
Tommy's letter, written in pentomino code, expresses his discontent with his neighborhood and mentions a missing neighbor.

Personal Backgrounds

Tommy has never met his father; his mother returned from vacation with a new husband.
Petra's parents are Frank and Norma Andalee; Calder's parents are Walter and Yvette Pillay.
Both kids live on Harper Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Halloween and Culture

Petra dresses as the lady depicted in "Lady Writing" by Vermeer, while she hears her father expressing lack of enthusiasm for Halloween.
Calder conducts research on Vermeer and reflects on how the artist’s works leave more questions than answers.

Ms. Sharpe invites Calder and Petra to tea, fostering their connection with the community.
Ms. Sharpe possesses a print of "The Geographer," linking Calder's interest back to art.

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Test your knowledge of the first eight chapters of 'Chasing Vermeer.' This flashcard quiz will help you remember key details about characters, settings, and plot points. Perfect for 6th-grade students studying this engaging mystery novel.