Podcast
Questions and Answers
What were the 3 recipients each doing when they received the letter? (Select all that apply)
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?
What grade are they in?
6th
What is their teacher's name?
What is their teacher's name?
Ms. Hussey
What is their school called?
What is their school called?
Where is their school located?
Where is their school located?
Who started their school?
Who started their school?
Why did John Dewey start 'the U'?
Why did John Dewey start 'the U'?
What do they debate about in class?
What do they debate about in class?
What does Calder always carry with him?
What does Calder always carry with him?
How many houses do Calder and Petra live apart?
How many houses do Calder and Petra live apart?
What was Petra doing at Powell's when Calder saw her?
What was Petra doing at Powell's when Calder saw her?
Why does the class go to the art museum?
Why does the class go to the art museum?
Where does Petra go to look for more paintings?
Where does Petra go to look for more paintings?
When Calder and Petra are returned to Ms. Hussey by the security guard, how does Ms. Hussey react?
When Calder and Petra are returned to Ms. Hussey by the security guard, how does Ms. Hussey react?
Why does the class give up on their life-changing letter project?
Why does the class give up on their life-changing letter project?
What book does Petra pick up?
What book does Petra pick up?
What is 'Lo' about?
What is 'Lo' about?
Who is the author of CHASING VERMEER?
Who is the author of CHASING VERMEER?
What phrase is written inside the front cover?
What phrase is written inside the front cover?
Who does Petra see when she closes her eyes?
Who does Petra see when she closes her eyes?
What does Calder think is art?
What does Calder think is art?
What did Calder's grandmother always say helped you think?
What did Calder's grandmother always say helped you think?
Who is in the weird trio outside Calder's window and why are they there?
Who is in the weird trio outside Calder's window and why are they there?
Why is the weird trio outside Calder's window?
Why is the weird trio outside Calder's window?
How is the letter from Tommy written?
How is the letter from Tommy written?
What does the letter from Tommy say?
What does the letter from Tommy say?
What is the story with Tommy's parents?
What is the story with Tommy's parents?
What does Calder tell Tommy to do?
What does Calder tell Tommy to do?
What did Petra say was art?
What did Petra say was art?
Who wrote 'Lo!'?
Who wrote 'Lo!'?
Who invites them to tea?
Who invites them to tea?
What painting does Ms. Sharpe have a print of?
What painting does Ms. Sharpe have a print of?
Who does Calder research?
Who does Calder research?
What does Petra hear her father saying?
What does Petra hear her father saying?
Who does Petra dress up like?
Who does Petra dress up like?
Who are Petra's parents?
Who are Petra's parents?
Who are Calder's parents?
Who are Calder's parents?
What street do the kids live on?
What street do the kids live on?
What neighborhood do the kids live in?
What neighborhood do the kids live in?
What does Calder think about Vermeer?
What does Calder think about Vermeer?
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.
Social Interactions
- 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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
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.
