Mrs. Claus Doesn’t Climb Telephone Poles
About
There are some pretty weird grown-ups living in Bailey City. But why is Mrs. Claus repairing telephone and cable wires in Bailey City after a big blizzard? And could Santa be so worried about her that he'd forget all about Christmas? The Bailey School Kids are going to find out.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
What’s causing the internet to be down and the school to be closed until after Christmas?
Page 1 — snow storm
1
How was snow stopping the kids from going to school and from playing video games or using the internet?
Page 3 — The power was out
3
Who did the children see up on the telephone pole?
Page 3 — A woman
3
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Describe the woman who was working on the telephone pole.
Page 3-6,8 — Grandma; said “Ho! Ho! Ho!” into the receiver; friendly; wore red; name is Joy;
3-6,8
What made Liza try sledding down the hill?
Page 11 — It looked like more fun than standing and watching
11
How did Liza feel about sledding after she zoomed down the hill for the first time?
Page 16 — It was exciting, but she didn’t want to do it again
16
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What is “fruitcake”?
Page 17 — a rich cake containing dried or candied fruit, nuts, etc.
17
How did Eddie cheat when racing Melody to the Burger Doodle Restaurant?
Page 18 — Cut in front of her, forcing her into a snowdrift, then threw a snowball at her
18
What is the definition of “bickering”?
Page 21 — to argue
21
Why was Joy unhappy?
Page 23 — She doesn’t feel appreciated by S.C.
23
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why did Liza scream when she heard the name “Eli”?
Page 28 — she recognized Eli was the same man talking to the janitor who turned out to be Santa Claus
28
What does “abominable” mean?
Page 28 — Very unpleasant; disagreeable
28
How did Joy respond when Liza said that “Santa can do anything, can’t he?”
Page 33 — she cleared her throat, lost her sparkle, ran out of the restaurant
33
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What is a “microscope”?
Page 34 — an instrument with a magnifying lens, used to inspect objects too small to be seen
34
When the children went to the bakery to pick up a cake for Melody’s aunt, what did they overhear Joy saying behind the counter?
Page 37 — Telling the baker how to make cookies
37
What does Joy compare her husband’s red nose to?
Page 40 — a cherry gum drop
40
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Where did the children follow Joy to?
Page 42 — A small cottage
42
List 2 ways to describe the cottage.
Page 44 — Looks like the house from Hansel and Gretal; lots of Christmas lights; snowman on the roof; spruce trees with lights; candy canes lining the brick sidewalk
44
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What does “bragging” mean?
Page 47 — To boast; acting arrogant; to speak of one’s own achievements
47
When the children were going to sledding the second time, why did their breath make little white clouds?
Page 49 — The warm air from their mouths mixed with the cold air outside
49
What happened to Eddie’s sled after it slid down the hill without him?
Page 50 — Broke into 3 pieces
50
What did Joy do for Eddie’s sled?
Page 52 — Fix it
52
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
How did Joy want Eddie to thank her for fixing his sled?
Page 55 — Be more careful; think how his family would feel if he got hurt
55
What did Joy do to help make sledding easier for Liza?
Page 57 — Went down the hill with her
57
Who does Liza think Joy is?
Page 60 — Mrs. Claus
60
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
A simile is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared using like or as. Give me an example of a simile on page 64.
Eddie tossed snowballs like a catapult
How would you describe Eddie during the snowball fight?
Page 66 — Mean; bullyish; crazy
66
Why do you think Joy calling Eli at the end of this chapter?
Page 67 — To tell Eli that Eddie is being naughty
67
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What’s the definition of “romantic”?
Page 69 — displaying or expressing love
69
Who is Cupid?
Page 70 — A winged, infant boy with a bow and arrow that symbolizes love
70
Why do the friends feel like they need to help Joy and her husband?
Page 72 — Christmas will be ruined if they don’t
72
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
How did Liza trick Joy?
Page 76-77 — When Liza spoke about what friends do when they have disagreements, Joy joined in explaining that friendship isn’t easy but worth saving. Joy realized she needed to work it out with her husband
76-77
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Why was Eddie acting so calm and unlike himself?
Page 81 — He got the present he wanted from Joy
81
Why did it bother Eddie he got a present from Joy?
Page 81 — He didn’t really believe until then that Joy was Mrs. Claus
81
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Worksheets
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