Summary of the book:

Claudia Kinkaid has decided to run away with the help

of her younger brother Jamie. They get on the bus for
school, but do not get off when the bus arrives at school;
instead they stay on and hide until the bus driver gets off.
From there on out Claudia and Jamie are on their own. They
make it to New York City, and decide to stay at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. During the days they explore
the museum and learn all they can while pretending to be
with different school groups. At night they hide in the
bathroom until the guards and cleaning crew have left, and
then they sleep in the exhibits. One day while exploring the
museum they find a piece of art that intrigues them, an
angel, but they are not sure who sculpted the angel. Some
say it is Michelangelo, but no one knows for sure. Claudia
and Jamie make it their responsibility to figure out who
sculpted the angel and that leads them right to Mrs. Basil E.
Frankweiler.

About the Author:

Elaine Lobl Konigsburg was born on February 10, 1930

in New York City. Her family moved when she was a baby to
different small towns in Pennsylvania where she graduated
high school. She attended college at Carnegie Mellon
University where she majored chemistry. After graduating
she went to grade school and later became a teacher at an
all girls school. She and her husband David Konigsburg had
three children, Paul, Laurie, and Ross. When all three of them
were in school she began writing. She used her own
experiences and the experiences of others she knows for
ideas for her books. She also gets ideas from places where
she has been as well and what has happened to her and
from things she has read. Elaine Lobl Konigsburg died on
April 19, 2013 when she was 83 years old.

Dear Parents:
As a class, we will be reading the book From the Mixed-Up
Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. The
book was published in 1967, so some of you may even
1

remember reading this book in school! This book won a

Newbery Award, and I think it would be a great read for our
class!
There is, however, a mention of dope on page 76 in the
novel. This chapter will not be read in class, but rather, will
be assigned as homework. I am doing this to allow you to
decide whether or not your child should read this passage.
I am sending this permission slip home and need it signed
and brought back to school on this date XX/XX/XX. Please
keep the top half of the sheet for a reference.
Thank you so much!
Grace Culbreth

I _____________ agree to let my child _______________ read the

book From the Mixed-Up File of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Signature ____________________

Date________________

5th Grade
Before Reading the Book:
The teachers will then ask the students these questions
before reading the book.
Have any of you ever heard about the book From the Mixesup Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? You may have heard
about it from your parents or another teacher. What have
you all heard about this book? What do you all imagine
might happen in this book? What expectations do you have?
The teacher will then make a predictions chart and the
students will fill in what they predict this book will be about
and record it on the chart.
2

Has anyone ever been to a museum? What experiences did

you have at the museum? What kind of museum did you go
to?

Journaling:
Students will choose from one of these prompts to write
about in a journal. The journal will be made out of a file
folder and the students will get to decorate the outside
saying From the Mixed Up File of Student A. The students will
be using these journals throughout the novel study.
Prompt 1: Look at the title of this book. What does it make
you think about, and why? What do you think will happen in
this book?
Prompt 2: Describe a sculptured, painting or photograph that
has captured your attention. You may have loved it or you
may have hated it, but for some reason you cannot stop
thinking about it. Where did you see it? What were your first
thoughts when you saw it? What questions might you have?
What do you think now about it?
Prompt 3: You have been chosen to be on a special team of
explorers! Why did they choose you? What special skills do
you have? Do these skills every get you in trouble? Maybe
you are very god at asking questions. Could this be a good
thing or a bad thing?

After Reading the book:

The students will revisit their predictions and see if what
they predicted was true. They will record their findings in
their Mixed-Up Files Folder. As a class we will then predict
what might happen in a sequel to the book. We will do a
shared reading experience, and write the sequel as the
class.
3

Project:
Students will get into groups of 3 or more and research E.L.
Konigsburg. They will need to include her name, birthplace,
birthdate, early life, family life, professional life, death, and
at least 5 interesting facts. The students will create a talk
show where they are interviewing E.L. Konigsburg. They will
videotape the interview and present to the class.

Name _______________

Date_____________

E.L. Konigsburg Talk Show

You will get into groups of 3 or more and research E.L.
Konigsburg using your iPad. You will need to find out her
name, birthplace, birthdate, early life, family life,
professional life, death, and at least 5 interesting facts. You
need to include these in your talk show script. Be sure to
follow the guidelines, be creative, and HAVE FUN!
1
2
All facts were
Most facts were
included in the talk included in the Talk
Show
Show
The video is
The video is
creative and
interesting.
interesting.
All group members
Most group
participated.
members
participated.

Weekly
Day 1
Day 2/Chapter 1

3
Very few facts
were used in the
Talk Show
The video lacks
creativity.
Very few group
members
participated.

Schedule
Introduction to the book/
prediction chart/ make
journal/ journaling.
Read chapter 1 together as a
class out loud.
5

Day 3/Chapter 1
Day 4/Chapter 2
Day 5/ Chapter 2
Day 6/ Chapter 3
Day 7/Chapter 3
Day 8/ Chapter 4
Day 9/ Chapter 4
Day 10/Chapter 5
Day 11/Chapter 5
Day 12/ Chapter 6
Day 13/ Chapter 6
Day 14/Chapter 7
Day 15/Chapter 7
Day 16/ Chapter 8
Day 17/ Chapter 8
Day 18/ Chapter 9

Discuss the chapter further/

reading guide due.
Read chapter 2 individually in
class.
Discuss the chapter further/
predictions activity / reading
guide due/
Read chapter at home for
homework.
Discuss the chapter further/
visualization activity/ reading
guide due.
Read the chapter out loud as
a class.
Discuss the chapter further/
recall activity/ reading guide
due.
Read chapter at home for
homework.
Discuss the chapter further/
making inferences / reading
guide due.
Read chapter individually in
class.
Discuss the chapter further/
questioning/ reading guide
due.
Read chapter aloud as a
class.
Discuss the chapter further/
making connections activity/
reading guide due.
Read chapter at home for
homework.
Discuss the chapter further/
summarizing activity/ reading
guide due.
Read chapter aloud as a
class.
6

Day 19/ Chapter 9

Day 20/ Chapter 10
Day 21/ Chapter 10
Day 22

Discuss the chapter further/

vocabulary activity/ reading
guide due.
Read chapter aloud as a
class.
Discuss the chapter further /
determining importance
chart/ reading guide due.
Closure activates for the
book/ summative
assessment/ Talk Show
project.

Math
Standard: Standard: 10.) Add, subtract, multiply, and
divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or
drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of
operations, and/or the relationship between addition and
subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method, and
explain the reasoning used. [5-NBT7]
Objective: Using fake money the students will create a
budget for running away, they will record their answer to
85% proficiency on the worksheet provided.
Activity: The students will be given a worksheet and fake
money. Each student will be given different amounts of
money that will need to use for the worksheet. On the
worksheet they will record how much money they have been
given for an allowance and how much they will need to
spend on food, laundry, and other supplies they may need.

Name _______________

Date_____________

Running away from home budgeting

You have just run away from home. The only money
you have is the money you have saved from 3 weeks
of allowance. Figure out how you are going to live on
the money you have saved!
Allowance total: $_______
Amount of money you will
Amount of money you will
Amount of money you will
$_______
Amount of money you will
$_______

spend on food: $_______

spend on laundry: $_______
spend on transportation:
spend on other needs:

Workspace

Science

Standard: Standard: 5.) Contrast ways in which light rays

are bent by concave and convex lenses.
Identifying the contribution of van Leeuwenhoek to the
development of the microscope
Objective: Students will use an inkpad to stamp their
fingerprint onto a worksheet, and then use a magnifying
glass to compare their fingerprint to their neighbors
fingerprint, and write their findings on the worksheet.
Activity: Students will be given an inkpad and put their
thumb on it. They will then stamp their thumbprint onto the
worksheet given. They will discover how their thumbprint
looks by using a magnifying glass. They will compare the
way their thumbprint looks to the way their partners
thumbprint looks.

Name _______________

Date_____________

Thumbprint Exploration
Using your inkpad press your thumb down to get a good
amount of ink on your thumb. Once you have gotten your
thumb inked up press down it down in the box.

Thumbprint Box

Now look at your

thumbprint
thoroughly with a magnifying glass.
Record your observations below.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Now switch papers with your partner. Take a thorough look at
your partners fingerprint with the magnifying glass.
Record your observations below.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

10

Art
Standard: 7.) Associate a particular artistic style with an
individual artist.
Objective: Students will create a project including details
about Michelangelo including details about his life, and his
art pieces after researching the artist online.
Activity: Students will make a project of their choice, either
a wordle, a PowerPoint, or a poem after researching the live
of Michelangelo. They will then present these projects to the
class teaching them about what they have learned through
researching.

Name _______________

Date_____________
11

Michelangelo Research Project

Choose one of the choices below. Color in the choice you
have chosen. Make sure your research is thorough because
you will be presenting the project to the class! Have fun and
do your best!

12

e up a summary of all you know about Michelangelo. Include information about his life and titles o
Choose
of your
Michelangelo s works
Design it how you see
fit and2print
outfavorite
your work.

Create a PowerPoint about Michelangelo. Include a minimu

13

14

Music

Standard: Standard: 12.) Create a dance project that

utilizes concepts from another content area.
Objective: Students will use the Internet to look up dance
styles from Egyptian times; they will learn how to dance like
an Egyptian and record themselves dancing using an iPad,
and will present to the class.
Activity: The students will research Egyptian dance moves.
They will learn how the Egyptians danced and try to recreate
their moves. They will then make a video of the dance
moves they have learned and then present the video to the
class.

15

Name _______________

Date_____________

Egyptian Dance Moves Video Project

In a group of three or more research Egyptian dance moves.

Learn the dance moves and recreate them as best as you
can.
After you have learned the dance moves have someone in
your group video tape everyone dancing like Egyptians.
Be sure to follow the guidelines below, be creative and HAVE
FUN!
1-Aweome!

2-Good job!

Students were
enthusiastic and all
danced to the best
of their abilities.

Students
participated and
danced well,
needed more
enthusiasm.
Video was at 30
seconds.
Students showed
limited knowledge
of research.

Video was over 30

seconds long.
Students showed a
knowledge of
thorough research.

3-Needs some
work!
Students had no
enthusiasm and
needed to dance
to the best of their
abilities.
Video was under
30 seconds.
Students showed
no knowledge of
research.

Social Studies

16

Standard: 1.) Locate on a map physical features that

impacted the exploration and settlement of the Americas,
including ocean currents, prevailing winds, large forests,
major rivers, and significant mountain ranges.
Objective: Students create a map of a museum they
created in their mind, they will need to use the features on a
map such as a key to help others be able to read it.
Activity: Students will create their own map like the map of
the museum in From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E.
Frankweiler. They will have detailed keys and show where
they hid and slept while the museum was closed.

Name _______________

Date_____________

Museum Map
Create a map of a museum like the one in your book. Make
sure you use a key to help people be able to read your map.
Show where in the museum you would have slept at night
and where you would have hid from the guards and cleaning
crew.
Your Museum map

17

Key:

Technology
Standard: 12.) Create a product using digital tools.
Examples: productsdigital story, podcast, digital artwork
Objective: After making the map of their own museum on the
worksheet the students will demonstrate their knowledge of
technology and build the map on their iPads.
Activity: The students will use the map they made on their
worksheet from the Social Studies lesson and build the map
on their iPad so they can present them to the class.

18

Name _______________
1: Awesome Job!

Date_____________
2: Good Job!
3: Needs
Improvement!
Student was very Student used some
Student used no
creative with their
creativity with
creativity with
map.
their map.
their map.
Student followed
Student followed
Student did not
their map from the
some of the map
follow the map
previous
from the previous
from the previous
worksheet.
worksheet.
worksheet.
Student included a Student included a
Student did not
detailed key.
key.
include a key.

Students map was

easy to follow.

Students map was

difficult to follow.

I could not follow

the students map.

Map Building on iPads

After you have completed the drawn map on the last
worksheet you will use your iPad to build the map virtually. I
want all of the elements to be the same and make sure you
include the key! Follow the guidelines below, have fun and
be creative! Remember you want to get all 1s!

19

Visualization
Students will use a sketch-to-stretch to help them visualize a
scene from the book. The will re-read a passage from the
options I give them, and sketch it like how they saw it in their
mind while reading. This allows students to make
connections from their readings. I will have the students
present their sketches to the class when they are finished.

Name _______________

Date_____________

Sketch to Stretch

Pick one of these 3 scenes from the book to create a sketchto-stretch below. I want you to really think about how you
think this scene would have looked in real life. Color in the
shape of which scene you chose.

20

Sketch the scene of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilers house. Make sure you include th

ch the scene when Claudia and Jamie were waiting in line to see the angel.

Sketch the scene of the car ride back home after Claudia and Jamie have found out the secret of

21

Name _______________

Date_____________

Sketch to Stretch Work Page

Create your sketch to stretch in the box below.

22

Recall

Students will fill out a chapter-reading guide for each chapter

in the book. The questions will be thick and thin questions to
make sure that the students comprehend what they are
reading thoroughly.

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 1 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. Why did Claudia feel that she needed to run away from
home?

23

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. What did Claudia choose the Metropolitan Museum of
art as the place where she and Jamie would run away?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. Why did Jamie have so much money?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. What did Claudia tell Jamie to pack?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. Why did Claudia choose Wednesday as the day they
would leave?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
6. If you were Jamie would you have gone along with your
brother or
sisters plan to
run away from home?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________

24

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 2 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. Where did Claudia tell Jamie to hide his trumpet?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. Explain why the bus driver did not discover Jamie and
Claudia hiding on the bus.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. What two Phrases did Claudia and Jamie argue over?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. What was in the two letters Claudia mailed?

25

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. How did Jamie think they should travel to New York?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
6. How would you feel if you were Jamie in this chapter?
Would you trust Claudia and think she had everything
under control? Explain.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________

26

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 3 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. How many guests came to the museum on an ordinary
Wednesday?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. How would Claudia ad Jamie get back into the museum
after they left?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. Where do Claudia and Jamie meet after they are sure
no one is in the museum?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. Where did they decide to sleep for the night?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. What does becoming a team mean according to the
narrator?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
27

6. How do you think they felt on their first night sleeping

in the museum? Do you think they regretted their
decision of running away?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________

28

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 4 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. How did the author describe the way Claudia and
Jamies stomach felt when they woke up the next
morning?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. Where did Claudia and Jamie stash their bags during
the day?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. How did they feel when they joined the class? Do you
think they were missing their friends?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. What was everyone in line waiting to see?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. Do you think Michelangelo created the statue?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
29

6. Do you think they are going to get caught? Why/why

not?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________

30

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 5 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. How did Claudia and Jamie bring their dirty clothes to
the laundry mat?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. What did Claudia and Jamie find out through their
research of the statue?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. Why did Jamie want Claudia to stay put?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. Where did they bathe?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. Some one very rich must have thrown in this quarter,
Jamie whispered. Some one very poor, Claudia
corrected. Rich people have only penny wishes. What
do you think she means?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

31

________________________________________________________
____________________________

32

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 6 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. Why do you think Claudia and Jamie care so much
about the angel?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. Why did they hide from the guard?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. What did they find in the velvet?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. Do you think the M really stands for Michelangelo?
Why/ why not?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. Why does Claudia not want to go home yet?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
6.
33

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 7 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. How much did the post office box cost?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. Why did they need a P.O. Box?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. Why do you think Jamie chose Angelo Michaels to be
the name on the P.O. Box?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
7.

34

4. Who did they mail the letter to, and why did they mail
it?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. What happened when Claudia and Jamie were in the
Egyptian wing?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
8.

35

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 8 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you understood

what you read in the text.
1. Why were Claudia and Jamie disappointed when they
returned to Grand Central Station?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
2. How did they feel after they read the letter?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
3. Why did they go to the United Nations building?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
4. How do they get to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilers house?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
5. What do you think will happen when Claudia and Jamie
get to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilers house?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________

36

37

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 9 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you

understood what you read in the text.
1. Why are Jamie and Claudia in the newspaper?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
2. Who is Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
3. Why is she so important to the story?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
4. What did Claudia do before she ate lunch?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
5. Describe her house in detail.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
9.

38

Name _______________

Date_____________

Chapter 10 Reading Guide

Answer the questions thoroughly so I know you

understood what you read in the text.

1. Why do you think Claudia and Jamies parents let

them spend the night at Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilers
house?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
2. Why did she sell the statue for just a little bit of
money?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
3. What do Claudia and Jamie adopt Mrs. Basil E.
Frankweiler as?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
4. What is the relationship between Saxonburg, Mrs.
Basil E. Frankweiler, and the children?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________
6.

39

Predicting
The students will watch this Brainpop video to introduce
predicting
(https://jr.brainpop.com/readingandwriting/comprehension/m
akepredictions/preview.weml) before reading the novel.
They will then fill out a chart to put in their Mixed-up Files
folder. After reading the novel they will revisit this sheet after
reading the novel and compare what they predicted to what
actually happened in the novel.

40

Name _______________

Date_____________

Predictions Chart

Predictions before reading:

______________________
______________________
_____________
______________________
______________________
_____________
______________________
______________________
_____________
______________________
______________________
_____________

______________________
______________________
_____________

Answers found through

reading:
_______________________
_______________________
______________
_______________________
_______________________
______________
_______________________
_______________________
______________
_______________________
_______________________
______________
_______________________
_______________________
______________

41

Making Connections
The students will make connections by using a text to self,
text to text, and text to world chart provided for them in
class.
We will discuss making connections before reading the novel
so the students will understand this procedure. This will help
the students think outside the text and relate it their world.

42

Name _______________

Date_____________

Making Connections Chart

Text to Text

Text to Self

Text to World

43

Summarizing
To help the students learn how to summarize we will first talk
about what are the most important in the story. We will
brainstorm on the board what we think are the main points
of each chapter. We will then discuss how we can break the
story down into a summary. The students will do this on their
own on a worksheet provided for them.

44

Name _______________

Date_____________

Summarizing From the Mixed-Up Files

of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

With a partner use what we have brainstormed on the board,

summarize each chapter in two sentences. At the end
summarize the entire novel in five sentences.
Chapter 1:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 2:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 3:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 4:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 5:

45

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 6:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 7:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 8:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 9:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Chapter 10:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

46

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________
Entire Novel
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________

Making Inferences
Students will make inferences while reading each chapter.
This sheet will stay in their From the Mixed-Up Files folder
and keep it updated after reading each chapter.
47

Name _______________

Date_____________

Inferences

While reading each chapter make an inference about what

you have read. Remember an inference is an educated
guess; use something you have read in the book to help you
infer what might happen next.
Chapter 1:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 2:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 3:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 4:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 5:
Inference:

Evidence:

48

Chapter 6:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 7:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 8:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 9:
Inference:

Evidence:

Chapter 10:
Inference:

Evidence:

49

Questioning

I will first ask the students what questioning means. We will

brainstorm these ideas on the board. I will then ask the
students what types of words do we use to write questions?
We will brainstorm their ideas on the board. And lastly I will
ask the students what they always have to have at the end
of a question. I will explain to the students that they need to
question books before, during, and after we read. We will
brainstorm some questions that we had before we started
reading the book. We will discuss what questions we have
while we read the book. Finally we will discuss the questions
we have after we have read the book.

Name _______________

Date_____________

50

Questioning

Fill out this chart before you read the book, during your
reading, and after you have finished the book. Be sure to
keep this sheet in your Mixed-Up Files folder!
Questions before reading:

Questions after reading:

Questions during reading:

Determining Importance
The students will be given a determining importance chart
to determine which parts of the book are important and
which parent are not. This will help students understand
what contributes to the main idea and what does not.
51

Name _______________

Date_____________

Determining Importance Chart

Use your own knowledge to figure out if each statement is:

not important, somewhat important, or extremely important.
Put a check in the box that corresponds with your thinking.
Not
Somewh Extreme
Importa
at
ly
nt
Importa Importa
nt
nt
Claudia and Jamie decide to
run away to the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York
City.
Claudia and Jamie find the
52

letter M carved on the bottom

of the angel.
Claudia and Jamie eat some of
their dinners at the
Laundromat.
Claudia and Jamie decide to
adopt Mrs. Frankweiler as their
grandmother.
Claudia and Jamie choose to
explore the Italian
Renaissance section of the
museum first.
Mrs. Frankweilers driver is
named Sheldon.

53

Writing Connection
After reading the novel we will discuss as a class narrative
writing. We will discus the narrator in the book, and how
that affected the story. The students will brainstorm ideas
for their own narrative writing piece.
The students will go through the entire writing process
individually starting with prewriting, drafting, revising,
editing, and then publishing their work.
For prewriting we will brainstorm ideas. As a class we will
brainstorm ideas of a narrative story. I will then have the
students fill out their own brainstorming worksheet.
For drafting we will talk about how to students will write their
ideas down, but they will skip every line to have room for
revisions later.
For the revising process the students will get into groups and
read their stories aloud. The peers in the group will then
write down compliments and suggestions for the readers
writing.
For the editing process the students will focus more the
grammar, spelling and punctuation instead of the content.
They will follow a checklist given to revise their story, and
their partners story.
For the publishing the students will make a new copy of their
revised work and get into the same groups for revising and
read their new story to their peers.
Name _______________

Date_____________

Brainstorming

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a

narrative book. Brainstorm your ideas about a narrative story
you will write in the clouds below. Good luck and be creative!
54

Name _______________
Date_____________

Drafting Your Story

Use one of your ideas from the brainstorming activity to

write a narrative story. Use the lines below to create your
first draft. Remember this draft does not need to be perfect
just yet! You will revise and edit later on the lines with xs so
be sure not to write on those yet. Be creative and good
luck!!
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________

55

_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
x____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________x_______________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________x_______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
56

x____________________________________________________
Name _______________
Date_____________

Revision Comments

While your classmate is reading their rough draft make

comments in the boxes below. Write complements for what
you liked, and write suggestions for what they could fix. Be
sure to include their name on the sheet!
Name of reader __________________

Compliments

Suggestions

57

Name _______________

Date_____________

My Editing Checklist

Use this checklist to go over your writing and your partners

writing, but sure to write YOUR name at the top and your
partners name at the bottom. Switch sheets with each other
after you have finished your own, then check your partners
work!
Author
Editor
1. I have circled the words that might be
misspelled.
2. I have checked that all sentences begin
with a capital letter.
3. I have checked that all sentences end with
a punctuation mark.
4. I have checked that all proper nouns begin
with a capital letter.
Other suggestions:

_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
___________________
Partners Name: ___________________

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Author_______________
Date_____________

Final Draft

On this sheet publish the final draft of your story!

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________

59

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________

60

From the Mixed-Up File of Mrs. Basil E.

Frankweiler Genre Web: Theme -

61

Family

The Hunger Games

By: Suzanne Collins

My Sisters Keeper
By: Jodi Picoult
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
By: Brian Selznick

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Charlottes Web
By: E.B. White

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

By: Christopher Curtis

Blackout
By: John Rocco

62

Poem:
Art Gallery Poem II
By: Peter Elliott
Take a picture,
Hanging to a wall
In a restful symmetric frame.
Place carefully,
So as not to over-balance
Very gently
One, Or two, Human Beings,
It is their first time at this exhibition
They gape
Like butterfilies leaving their cocoon
Like playing first time a CD tune
With eyes focused
On the painting they stand,
Gazing rigidly, intently.
Or staring faraway through infinity.
They are trying to understand the painting.
Trying to clarify and classify
A foreign experience
Into their store
Of known experience.
Like a zen novice in the hands of a zen master
Doubts arising in a pastor
They will never understand
Paintings.
And nor do I!

63

64

Vocabulary Words
1. Suburb
2. Knapsack
3. Curator
4. Ornate
5. Conspicuous
6. Sawhorse
7. Pedestal
8. Quarry
9. Mastaba
10.Sari
11.Abrupt
12.Urgency
13.Frantic
14.Auction

65

Name _______________

Date_____________

Vocabulary Worksheet

On this sheet write your own definition of the word, the

key characteristics, an example and a non-example. Be
sure to write the word in the middle circle! Put this sheet
in your Mixed-Up Files folder.

66

Name _______________

Date_____________

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil

E. Frankweiler Test
1. Why Did Claudia want to run away from home?
A. Her brothers told her to run away.
B. She was not feeling appreciated at home.
C. She was mad that she had to do her chores.
D. She failed a test.
2. Why did Jamie have so much money?
A. He mowed lawns in the neighborhood.
B. He stole from his teacher
C. He saved his allowance and cheated at cards.
D. He did not have any money.
3. Where did Claudia tell Jamie to hide his trumpet?
A. In the backyard.
B. Under his bed.
C. In his closet.
D. In a blanket at the foot of his bed.
4. Why did Jamie make so much noise when he walked
off the bus?
A. He was carrying $24.24 in coins.
B. He tripped and fell.
C. He was yelling at Claudia.
D. He was crawling under the bus seats.
5.What was in the two letters that Claudia mailed when
she and Jamie got off the train?
A. A letter to her parents and to a cereal company for
a refund.
B. Letters to her brothers.
C. Letters to the FBI

67

D. Letters to her teacher explaining why she would

not be in class
for a while.
6. What did Jamie bring with him to tell direction?
A. Claudia
B. A GPS
C. His cellphone
D. A compass.
7. When they were hiding in the bathroom what
directions did Claudia give Jamie?
A. Stand behind the mens door and be quiet.
B. Pretend to work at the museum.
C. Stand on the toilet with his head down and keep
the stall closed.
D. She told him to hide in the coat closet.
8. How did Claudia and Jamie become a tame?
A. They wore the same outfit.
B. They started to feel like a family and they cared
about each other.
C. They both decided that they disliked the same
music.
D. They shared the same friends.
9. Where did Claudia and Jamie hide their things in the
museum?
A. In the coat room and restroom.
B. In a storage locker in the basement of the
museum.
C. In a sarcophagus, an urn, and behind a tapestry
and drape.
D. Behind a famous painting and in an old basket.
10.
How did they tour the Egyptian wing?
A. They had a personal tour guide.
B. They watched a video.
C. They joined a class visiting the museum.
D. They used a book they bought in the gift store.
11.
How did Claudia and Jamie find out about the
angel statue?
68

A. They saw it on the news.

B. They read it in the newspaper.
C. They overheard people talking about it.
D. They asked a security guard about it.
12.Who did the museum officials believed sculpted the
statue?
A. DaVinci
B. Van Gogh
C. Monet
D. Michelangelo
13. What did Jamie hear while hiding in the mens
restroom?
A. The bathrooms would be locked that night.
B. They were talking about Claudia and Jamie
running away.
C. The museum was going to move the statue.
D. The museum was going to sell the statue.
14. How did Jamie and Claudia get more money?
A. They were begging visitors at the museum.
B. They found money on the floor of the fountain.
C. They stole money form the gift shop.
D. Claudia got a part time job.
15. What clue did Claudia and Jamie find on the
pedestal?
A. Michelangelos signature.
B. Michelangelos fingerprint.
C. A letter from the previous owner of the statue.
D. Three intersecting circles with an M inside
one of them.
16. How did Claudia and Jamie write the letter to the
museum?
A. They found a typewriter outside a store.
B. They hand wrote the letter.
C. They used a computer at the library.

69

D. Someone else wrote the letter.

17. After Claudia and Jamie read the letter from the
museum what did Claudia do?
A. She laughed.
B. She cried.
C. She went home and gave up.
D. She hopped on a train to Ohio.
18. Why did Claudia and Jamie go to Farmington instead
of their home in Greenwich?
A. They were tired of the museum.
B. Claudia wanted to see the countryside.
C. They got on the wrong train.
D. They wanted to visit Mrs. Frankweiler and ask
her about the angel.
19. What secret did Jamie accidently tell Mrs.
Frankweiler?
A. He told her he hated baths.
B. He told her that Michelangelo sculpted the
angel.
C. He told her ne needed a ride home.
D. He told her they ran away to the museum.
20.What did Mrs. Frankweiler serve for lunch?
A. Baked potatos.
B. Macaroni and cheese.
C. Grilled cheese.
D. Meatball subs.
21. Describe Claudias plan for running away.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
____________________________
22. What is the relationship between Saxonburg, Mrs.
Basil E. Frankweiler, and the children?
70

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________

Novel Study Test Answer Key

1. B
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. A
6. D
7. C
8. B
9. C
10. C
11. B
12. D
71

13. C
14. B
15. D
16. A
17. B
18. D
19. D
20. B
21. Students should include facts about brining Jamie,
how they leave by hiding on the bus on a Wednesday, and
where she wants to run away.
22. Saxon was the childrens father and Mrs.
Frankweilers lawyer, and now Mrs. Frankweiler was the
childrens adopted grandmother.

Additional
Resources
72

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Youtube Videos Link

Movie Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LLy4hicvsy8
Book being read out loud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mZMT6mCsVR4

76

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Bibliography
E. L. KonigsburgLesson plans for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil
E.

Frankweiler, more. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/konigsburg.html

FREE Resources - From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

(2012,

April 29). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from

83

http://www.litwitsworkshops.com/free-resources/from-the-mixedup-files

of mrs-basil-e-frankweiler/

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Discussion Guide |

Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/mixed-files-mrsbasil-e
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
|

Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/mixed-files-mrs-basil-e
frankweiler

From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (clip). (n.d.).

Retrieved March 13, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LLy4hicvsy8
FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER ACTIVITIES.
(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FROM-THE-MIXED
UP-FILES-OF-MRS-BASIL-E-FRANKWEILER-ACTIVITIES-91203
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler: Vocab Crossword.
(n.d.).

Retrieved March 13, 2015, from

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/From-the-Mixed-

Up

Files-of-Mrs-Basil-E-Frankweiler-Vocab-Crossword-83779

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Choice Board.

(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from

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https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/From-the-MixedUp

Files-of-Mrs-Basil-E-Frankweiler-Choice-Board-988782

McConathy, K. (2005, January 1). From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil
E.
Frankweiler. Retrieved March 13, 2015, from
https://www.prestwickhouse.com/samples/204977.pdf
Konigsburg, E., & Konigsburg, E. (1967). From the mixed-up files of
Mrs. Basil E.

Frankweiler.

New York: Atheneum.

frankweiler-discussion-guide
Mixed-Up Files. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2015, from
http://cuip.uchicago.edu/~merejones/mixed-up/
The Mixed-Up Files...(Chapters 3 and 4). (n.d.). Retrieved March 13,
2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcvIkJb-PCc
Shmoop Editorial Team. (2008, November 11). From the Mixed-Up Files
of Mrs. Basil

E. Frankweiler Video, Music, Photos, Movies.

Retrieved March 13, 2015,

from http://www.shmoop.com/from-the-

mixed-up-files/resources.html

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