Peak Unit Student Pack PDF
Peak Unit Student Pack PDF
Name
Peak by Roland Smith
The majority of the book, Peak, will take place in Nepal. Study the maps. Then, answer the
questions.
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
Use the “Facts and Photos” tab on the website below to answer the questions in complete
sentences.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/nepal/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/nepal/
Draw and color the Nepalese flag below.
Use the website below to find the word that matches each definition. Then, draw a small
picture for each word.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hillary/archive/glossary.htm
Camp 1
Vocabulary
Read pages 1-25
Comprehension
Literary Device: Point of View
Reading Strategy: Visualization
precarious p. 3
Prediction: ___________________________ Definition: _____________________________
Were you correct? Right on! Pretty close… Need to read the context clues better
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
demoralizing p. 4
Prediction: ___________________________ Definition: _____________________________
Were you correct? Right on! Pretty close… Need to read the context clues better
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
audacious p. 8
Prediction: ___________________________ Definition: _____________________________
Were you correct? Right on! Pretty close… Need to read the context clues better
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
denouement p. 13
Prediction: ___________________________ Definition: _____________________________
Were you correct? Right on! Pretty close… Need to read the context clues better
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
duress p. 20
Prediction: ___________________________ Definition: _____________________________
Were you correct? Right on! Pretty close… Need to read the context clues better
Sentence: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: Would you want to attend Greene Street School? Why or why not?
Point of View
Camp 2
Vocabulary
Read pages 26-44
Comprehension
Literary Device: Characterization
Reading Strategy: Making Connections
In each box, write a short sentence that uses the vocabulary word plus a word that sounds
like or rhymes with the vocabulary word. Then, draw a picture to illustrate the sentence.
concurred (p. 25): agreed mellowed (p. 27): to become more easygoing
cringed (p. 28): pulled back in fear, pain, or disgust smitten (p. 34): in love
legit (p. 36): for real; something you can believe undisclosed (p. 39): secret or hidden
1. What special day do Peak and the twins have in common? _________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Why didn’t Peak want to change his last name?__________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. To which country was Peak flying? ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. What happened to Peak's mom when he was three months old? ____________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. How did Rolf and his mom get together?________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. Why did Peak start climbing skyscrapers?______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. What was the change in travel plans that surprised Peak?__________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. What were the two “hurdles” Peak had to overcome?______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. Why couldn't Peak climb up Everest on the Nepalese side?_________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. What record could Peak make?______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: What are the pros and cons of Peak climbing Mount Everest? Do you think
Peak should climb Mount Everest? Why or why not?
Peak Marcello is the protagonist, or main character, because he is the one narrating the story
and facing the major conflict in the novel. The author shows us his traits through both direct
and indirect characterization.
Indirect Characterization: The writer reveals information about a character and his
personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other
characters act towards that character.
As you are reading, you should be making connections. Connections tie the events or
characters to something you already know, so it is more likely you will understand and
remember what you are reading. There are three types of connections.
Camp 3
Vocabulary
Read pages 45-66
Comprehension
Literary Device: Similes
Reading Strategy: Background Knowledge
Directions:
1. Roll one dice secretly in the cup to find out your vocabulary word.
2. Roll the second dice to find out what action you will perform.
3. Set the timer for 30 seconds.
4. Begin the action. No one may guess until after 30 seconds have passed.
5. Continue the action until someone in your group correctly guesses the word. Play until
your teacher tells you time is up. Words will be used more than once.
In complete sentences, explain the significance of the following terms to the plot.
1. Dozen letters______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Two months______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. HAPE___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Two week window _________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. Zopa ___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. Sun-jo___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. K2______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. Sagarmatha______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. Friendship Bridge__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. People’s Republic of China_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: What are Zopa's reasons for taking Peak up the mountain?
Writers use figurative language to make their writing more interesting and effective. Similes
compare two seemingly different things using the words like or as. Analyze the following five
similes from the text.
Example: They were six years old and looked up to the third “Pea” (me) like I was a god.
(p. 14)
1. The sleet turned to hail, pelting me like a swarm of frozen hornets. (p. 4)
2. I had seen my mom agitated before, but I had never seen her like this. She was pacing
the small holding cell like a caged leopard. (p. 15)
3. It occurred to me that I should thank him [Josh] but by then, he was halfway down the
hallway, tearing the tie off his neck like it was an anaconda. (p. 26)
4. Women, men, trekkers, mountain climbers, old and young, gathered around Josh like he
was a rock star (no pun intended). (p. 48)
5. Sun-jo who had picked a more difficult route, scrambled up the rock like a lizard, smiling
as he climbed past... (p. 63)
In this chapter, many types of climbing equipment are mentioned. Unless you are mountain
climber, you probably do not know what most of these terms mean. Look up the words on the
Internet using the website http://www.mountaingear.com/webstore/. If you would like, copy
and paste a picture of each item into a document as a reference. Write a brief description
about how each piece of equipment is used along with the cost. Calculate the total for all of
the gear.
altimeter watch
ascenders
balaclava
beef stew
camping tent
camp stove
cams
carabineer
climbing helmet
crampons
harness
headlamp
ice axe
pitons
rope
sleeping pad
thermal gloves
TOTAL
In this realistic fiction novel, Peak is trying to become the youngest person to climb Mount
Everest. Read the following article about the real youngest person to summit Everest.
"He says, 'Mom, I'm calling you from the top of the world,'" Leigh Anne How old was he?
Drake told The Associated Press from California, where she had
watched her son's progress on a GPS tracker online. _______________________
"There were lots of tears and 'I love you! I love you!'" Drake said. "I just _______________________
told him to get his butt back home."
The teenager with long curly hair - who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in
Africa when he was 9 years old - says he was inspired by a painting in What inspired him to climb
his school hallway of the seven continents' highest summits.
mountains?
"Every step I take is finally toward the biggest goal of my life, to stand
on top of the world," Jordan said earlier on his blog. _______________________
The former record for the youngest climber to scale Everest had been _______________________
held by Temba Tsheri of Nepal. He reached the peak at age 16.
_______________________
Also Saturday, officials said a Nepalese Sherpa who lives in the Salt
Lake City suburb of Draper broke his own world record by climbing _______________________
Everest for the 20th time. Apa, who goes by one name, went up with
fellow climbers on a mission also to collect garbage, a growing
environmental problem on the mountain.
Mountaineering Department official Tilak Pandey said several climbers With whom did he climb?
took advantage of Saturday's clear weather to reach the summit.
_______________________
Jordan's climbing team reached the peak hours earlier than expected.
_______________________
"The first thing, they all hugged each other and said, 'I love you, I can't
believe we're finally here' and started crying," said Rob Bailey, the _______________________
team's spokesman, by phone from the United States.
_______________________
Jordan, from Big Bear, California, was climbing Everest with his father,
his father's girlfriend and three Sherpa guides. He left for the peak from
the base camp on the Chinese side. _______________________
At the summit, Jordan left behind his lucky rabbit's foot and planted What three things did he do at
some seeds that a Buddhist monk at a local monastery had given him the summit?
for luck on his journey, Bailey said. Then he took the satellite phone and
called his mom.
_______________________
Jordan continues the recent trend of young adventurers. Earlier this
month, 16-year-old Australian Jessica Watson became the youngest _______________________
person to sail around the globe solo, nonstop and unassisted.
Thousands lined Sydney Harbor to cheer as she cruised past the finish _______________________
line in her pink yacht.
_______________________
A Dutch court late last year blocked an even younger sailor, 14-year-old
sailor Laura Dekker, from pursuing a similar round-the-world voyage, _______________________
ordering her to prepare more and wait at least until this year before
starting.
_______________________
And in January, 17-year-old Johnny Collinson of Utah became the
youngest person to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.
Just one mountain remains in Jordan's own quest to climb those peaks, What mountain does he plan
the Vinson Massif in Antarctica. Jordan's team leaves for Antarctica in to climb next?
December, Bailey said.
_______________________
"A piece of cake," his mother said.
_______________________
The Seven Summits
The list comprised of the highest peak on each of the seven continents
was first compiled by mountaineer Richard Bass, who completed his _______________________
seven in the mid-1980s. However, Reinhold Messner compiled a
different list presuming different boundaries of Australia (Carstensz _______________________
Pyramid in New Guinea lies on the Australian continental shelf).
According to 7summits.com the youngest person to have made seven
ascents is 17-year-old John Collinson.
What is the tallest mountain in
Summits Conquered by Jordan Romero: North America?
• Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 19, 340 ft. (age 10);
• Mt. Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak at 7,310 ft. (age 10)
• Mt. Elbrus, Europe's highest peak at 18,510 ft. (age 11) _______________________
• Mt. Aconcagua, South America's highest peak at 22,841 ft. (age 11)
• Mt. McKinley, North America's highest peak at 20,320 ft. (age 11) _______________________
• Carstensz Pyramid, Oceania's highest peak at 16,024 ft. (age 13)
• Mt. Everest, Asia's highest peak at 29,035 ft. (age 13) _______________________
Camp 4
Vocabulary
Read pages 67-92
Comprehension
Literary Device: Metaphors
Reading Strategy: Retelling
__________________________________
Definition
_____________________________ _____________________________
2 Synonyms
__________________________________
Definition
_____________________________ _____________________________
2 Synonyms
__________________________________
Definition
_____________________________ _____________________________
2 Synonyms
__________________________________
Definition
_____________________________ _____________________________
2 Synonyms
__________________________________
Definition
_____________________________ _____________________________
2 Synonyms
__________________________________
Definition
_____________________________ _____________________________
2 Synonyms
1. Why was George so upset, and what did he threaten to do? ________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Who is Captain Shek?______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. What is Peak Experience, and why did Josh start it? ______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Explain Base Camp using at least three descriptors. ______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. Why does Josh want Peak to be the youngest to summit Everest?___________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. What are the three reasons they have to keep the climb quiet?______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. What was the deal that Josh made with Holly Angelo?_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. What is “self-arrest”?_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. What is a puja ceremony? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. Why does Josh need to take people up to ABC now?_____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: What did Peak mean when he said, “I would have liked it better if he had come
to New York to save me because I was in trouble, not because he was in trouble.”? What
kind of dad is Josh? Does Josh love Peak?
Metaphors compare two unlike things without using like or as. They can give a stronger
image in a subtle, simple way. Read the following metaphor from page 22.
The metaphor in this example is underlined. Peak was comparing the water in a sink to the
trouble he was facing. The plug would stop his punishment. He felt he was facing less of a
punishment, but it wasn't definite, or watertight, at that point.
Analyze the following metaphors from the book. Tell what two things are being compared.
Then draw what you visualize. Finally, make an inference using the metaphor.
1. No one knew I was up on the wall. By morning (providing someone actually looked up
and saw me) I would be an icy gargoyle. (p. 4)
2. “Unbelievable!” She [Peak’s mom] let out a harsh laugh. “You’re circling the drain, Peak,
and you don’t even know it.” (p. 15)
3. She [Peak’s mom] was lean...muscles in her arms and legs like knotted ropes, and abs
like speed bumps. She was bulletproof. (p. 32-33)
The author is comparing I visualize This helps me understand
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
to _______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
4. As soon as she [Holly Angelo] saw Josh she wrapped her arms around him with a shriek
so loud...Josh wriggled out of her tentacles and held her at arm's length so she couldn't snag
him again. (p. 82)
The author is comparing I visualize This helps me understand
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
to _______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
5. Vincent told me good writers are lousy minglers. They are too busy eavesdropping, or as
he puts it: Gathering grist for their literary mills. (p. 86)
The author is comparing I visualize This helps me understand
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
to _______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
In the storyboard below, make a cartoon that retells six main events that occurred in this
section. Your cartoon should include a brief description of the scene, pictures, thought
bubbles, and speech bubbles.
Camp 5
Vocabulary
Read pages 93-125
Comprehension
Literary Device: Personification
Reading Strategy: Making Inferences
Create a sculpture for each vocabulary word. Then sketch your sculpture below.
cairn (p. 93): mound of stones built as a memorial claustrophobic (p. 100) afraid of small spaces
garish (p. 94): crudely or tastelessly colorful, showy, intrepid (p. 109) fearless
or elaborate, i.e., clothing or decorations
treacherous (p. 96): dangerous and not to be relied balaclava (p. 116): covering that covers the head,
upon neck, and most of the face
Cause Effect
Discussion: What does it mean when Peak says, “You can never tell who the mountain will
allow and who it will not.”? Which characters do you think will summit? Why?
Personification is when non-living things are given human characteristics to help the readers
visualize the scene and help understand the story better. You can remember it by thinking
personification is when something that is not a person is given characteristics of a person.
“You can never tell who the mountain will allow and who it will not.” p. 113
“They had positioned the camera in front of the rotting slope, and I was up all night
listening to the slope belch boulders.” p. 114
Pretend you are Mount Everest. Imagine how you would feel being the tallest, most famous
mountain the world. Think about all of the people who climb you and how that makes you
feel. Are you angry that people climb all over you and stick sharp objects into you? Are you
sad that people disrespect you by polluting you? Do you feel powerful because you are the
tallest mountain in the world? Decide your tone, or attitude, about being Everest.
Metaphors
Compare two
unlike objects by
saying one thing
is the other
Imagery
Use the five
senses to
describe a scene
with great detail
Hyperbole
Make an
extreme
exaggeration
that cannot occur
________________________________________
by _____________________________________
I am Everest
I see_______________
I want____________________
I know___________________________
I am_____________________________________
I feel_________________________________________
I cry ______________________________________________
I wonder_________________________________________________
I am__________________________________________________________
I hear_____________________________________________________________
I wish__________________________________________________________________
I understand________________________________________________________________
When you make an inference, you take what you know from personal experience and
combine it with information from the text. Make inferences about the following situations from
the text.
Sun-jo was sitting outside waiting Why didn’t Zopa tell Peak the truth? How do you know?
for me, dressed in my former
clothes, including my so-called junk
boots.
“What’s with the clothes?”
“They didn’t fit you,” he answered.
“Zopa gave them to me.” (p. 107)
“They’re [yaks and porters] more Why did Zopa laugh? How do you know?
important to a climber getting to the
summit than the climber.”
I didn’t have enough breath for any
more, but I think I made my point
because Zopa laughed, long and
hard (which is hard to do at that
altitude.) p. 110
Jack and Will were patting Sun-jo How was Peak feeling? How do you know?
on the back, telling him what a
natural he was. I walked back to
our tent and finished packing. I
don’t think they realized I left.
(p.116)
Not “we”. I miss you. I want you How was Peak feeling about Rolf at How do you know?
home. With these two sentences this point?
he [Rolf] had done more for me
than Josh had ever done, or could
ever do.
Camp 6
Vocabulary
Read pages 127-150
Comprehension
Literary Device: Analogies, Similes, Metaphors
Reading Strategy: Clarifying Text
Write a conversation between two people who might use each vocabulary word. On the line,
write the names of the people. Be sure to show the meaning of the word in your
conversations. If you have time, add details like hair, ears, and eye color to your people.
pneumonia (p. 127) a lung infection that causes a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing
Hey, did you hear Joe has pneumonia? He was Yeah. I was sitting by him on the bus, and he said
coughing so much the other day. he felt really hot and couldn’t breathe very well.
.. ..
Fifth grader Samuel Fifth grader Alyssa
quarantined (p. 127): isolated from others to prevent a disease from spreading
.. ..
______________________________ ______________________________
.. ..
______________________________ ______________________________
Passport to Learn 2013 39
Peak by Roland Smith
.. ..
______________________________ ______________________________
.. ..
______________________________ ______________________________
.. ..
______________________________ ______________________________
Passport to Learn 2013 40
Peak by Roland Smith
An analogy compares something you are familiar with to help you understand a new concept.
They are different from similes and metaphors which try to compare unlike things in order to
paint a picture in the reader’s mind.
Compares two Used to In the United The author explaining that the
ideas that have explain a States, each state states each follow their own
something in concept is led by its own leadership like the individual
Analogy common and may governor, like each football teams follow their
use “like” football team in the own leaders, but both still are
NFL is led by its a part of a larger organization.
own coach.
Compares two Used to The United States The author is comparing the
completely make the is like a jigsaw United States to a jigsaw
different objects writing puzzle. puzzle. This helps you
Simile
using the words more vivid understand that it is made up
“like” or “as” of different pieces that work
together.
Compares two Used to The United States The author is saying the U.S.
completely unlike make the is a melting pot. is made up of people who
objects by saying writing came from many different
Metaphor
the one thing is more vivid countries. Their cultures melt
the other together to form the American
culture.
Peak uses a lot of analogies to help his reader understand his thoughts, feelings, and
experiences.
For example, on page 33 Peak says, “They were thirty feet up the wall, free climbing. For
rock rats like them, this was like strolling across a level parking lot. He is explaining how
easy it was for his parents to free climb a wall. He compares it walking upright in a parking lot.
Another example is on page 43 he explains, “For a climber, saying that you are stopping by
Everest is like saying you're going to stop by and see God.” He is explaining how awesome
it is for a climber to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to summit the world’s tallest
mountain.
On page 82, he says, “Holly Angelo looked like a redheaded scarecrow dressed in pink goose
down.” He is comparing Holly to a scarecrow to help you visualize what she looked like, so
this is a simile.
Determine what type of figurative language is being used in each example. Explain how you
know.
1. “You know as well as I do that we don’t want to go to trial with this. It’s turned into a media
circus. A boy was killed two days ago. I’m sure you and Peak and his parents don’t that to
happen again.” (p. 21)
2. My dad canceled all his seminars, climbs, everything, staying right at her side through the
whole orthopedic jigsaw puzzle. It took nearly a year to put her back together. (p. 33-34)
3. He [Sun-jo] picked up various items like they were more valuable than gold, which they
were when they were the only thing keeping you from falling off a rock face or into a dark
bottomless crevasse. (p. 54)
4. Mysterious ways, as it turned out, because when we got back to the hotel, Zopa was
already waiting for us in the lobby...Now, you are probably wondering why I didn’t ask Zopa
myself. It's sort of like asking a magician to tell you how he does a trick. (p. 59)
5. Wiped out seven tents. Didn’t lose a soul, thank the Lord, but we had to double and triple
up in the remaining tents like sardines. (p. 100)
Determine what type of figurative language is being used in each example. Explain how you
know.
6. Without those herders, yaks, and porters we wouldn’t be here,” I said to JR. “Leaving them
out is like leaving Everest out of the film. They’re more important to a climber getting to the
summit than the climber.” (p. 110)
7. She was sitting slumped on a flat rock like a puppet with its strings cut, watching us
through dull, lifeless eyes. p.111
8. A good way to understand what the porters do for a living is to think of them like
Himalayan truckers. The only difference is that their trucks have legs instead of wheels and
are fueled by grass instead of diesel. (p. 146)
9. His [Gulu’s yak] hair was as dark as a moonless night, his back was as straight as a floor
timber and as broad as I am tall.” (p. 147)
10. After a while I felt a tugging on my right arm like a fish nibbling on bait. (p. 148)
Clarifying text is making the reading clearer to the reader. Using a graphic organizer is one
way to clarify what you are reading. Reread the following passage about Peak describing the
advice that Vincent gave him about writing from page 144.
When you do your research write down whatever interests you. Whatever stimulates
your imagination. Whatever seems important. A story is built like a stone wall. Not all
the stones will fit. Some will have to be discarded. Some broken and reshaped.
When you finish the wall it may not look exactly like the wall you envisioned, but it will
keep the livestock in, and the predators out.
How are building a wall and building a story the same? How are they different? Try to think
of at least five ideas for each part of the Venn diagram.
Both
Camp 7
Vocabulary
Read pages 151-172
Comprehension
Literary Device: Characterization
Reading Strategy: Making Connections Journal
Read the definition for each word. Then, use the word bank to find a synonym and antonym
for each word. Finally, draw a small picture to represent each word.
daunting intimidating
(p. 154)
supplemental additional
(p. 156)
crevasse valley
(p. 160)
surly unfriendly
(p. 165)
debilitated weaken
(p. 170)
1. What three pieces of information did Captain Shek want to know from Peak?___________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. What two things did Holly learn about herself?___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. How did Sun-jo get to the Intermediate Camp?___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Why did Josh say that climbers were on their own once they reached Camp Five?_______
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. Explain Col using at least three descriptors. ___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. In what order did the climbers reach the top of Col? _______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. What did Zopa say to Peak that reenergized him?________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. Why did Yogi and Yash go onto Camp Five without the rest of team C?________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. What decision did Holly make? _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. What did Captain Shek do when he stopped at ABC camp? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: Why did Holly change so much during her time on Mount Everest?
Peak
Josh
Zopa
Sun-jo
Holly
Captain
Shek
Read each of the following scenarios from this section. Then, write a detailed journal entry
answering all of the questions. Your goal is to fill all of the lines.
Journal 1: Peak and Holly talk about feeling alone. Peak thinks, “Being in a camp with over
three hundred people is not exactly being alone. But I knew what she meant. You don't have
to be alone to feel alone.” What does Peak mean by that? Can you make any connections
with what he is saying? Have you ever felt alone even in a room full of people? Explain.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Journal 2: Zopa compliments Peak at the end of a climb and Peak says it was “a whole tank
of O's flowing into my bloodstream.” How do compliments make you feel? Why are they so
important? From whom do you most like to receive compliments? Why? How has a
compliment changed the way you did something?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Camp 8
Vocabulary
Read pages 173-196
Comprehension
Literary Device: Conflict
Reading Strategy: Analyze Text
Read the definition of each word. Then, create an acrostic poem for that word. You do not
need to rhyme, but you can try if you would like.
Porter: one who carries others’ belongings disciplined (p. 185): trained by instruction
or exercise
Pack a heavy load, pack
D__________________________________
On my tough Nepalese back
I__________________________________
Reassure the nervous stranger
S__________________________________
Try to avoid avalanche danger
C__________________________________
Everest is my daily highway
I__________________________________
Return to repeat this every day
P__________________________________
L__________________________________
torrents (p. 173): a stream of water flowing
with great rapidity and violence I__________________________________
N__________________________________
T_________________________________
E__________________________________
O_________________________________
D__________________________________
R_________________________________
R_________________________________
hone (p. 189): to improve or perfect a skill
E_________________________________
or talent
N_________________________________
H__________________________________
T_________________________________
O__________________________________
S_________________________________
N__________________________________
E__________________________________
haggard (p. 174): having a gaunt, wasted,
or exhausted appearance
ruse (p. 190): an action intended to
H__________________________________
mislead, deceive, or trick
A__________________________________
R__________________________________
G__________________________________
U__________________________________
G__________________________________
S__________________________________
A__________________________________
E__________________________________
R__________________________________
D__________________________________
1. Silent vigil________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Peak’s letter to his mom_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. “People die up there, Peak. You might die up there.”______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Rattlesnake______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. “Live to climb another day.”__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. Sun-jo’s father____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. Mess tent________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. Ice wall__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9. “If he goes we leave. That’s the deal.”__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10. Josh’s note______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: Do the climbers have a right to forbid Peak from climbing with them? Why or
why not?
There are five types of conflict in literature: Human vs. Self, Human vs. Human, Human vs.
Society, Human vs. Nature, and Human vs. Fate. The main plot of a story is driven by one of
the five types of conflict. However, more conflict may appear in subplots.
Think of examples for each type of conflict in Peak. Once you are done, use a highlighter to
select what you think the main conflict of the story is.
Conflict Examples
Human vs. Self ___________________________________________________
A character has a struggle ___________________________________________________
within one’s own mind or
heart. Some examples ___________________________________________________
include anger, insecurity, ___________________________________________________
fear, self-identity, worry,
and sadness. ___________________________________________________
In most literature, you will find a protagonist, the main character whose actions and goals are
driving the story, and an antagonist, the character or force who opposes the main character
in some way. In more complex stories, the author will also include foil and obstacle
characters.
A foil character shares some qualities with a main character, usually the protagonist, such as
age, gender, or social status, but has several character traits that are completely opposite that
character.
Determine which characters are the protagonist, antagonist, foil, and obstacle character in
Peak. Explain your choices with support from the text.
Protagonist:__________________________ Antagonist:___________________________
Explanation: _________________________ Explanation: _________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Foil:________________________________ Obstacle:____________________________
Explanation: _________________________ Explanation: _________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Camp 9
Vocabulary
Read pages 197-221
Comprehension
Literary Device: Foreshadowing
Reading Strategy: Visualize through Drama
Each of the following sentences contains a vocabulary word. However, the sentences are
very weak. Fix the sentence so someone reading it could use context clues to figure out the
word’s meaning. Add details and strong word choice.
Foreshadowing is a word, sentence, or paragraph that hints at what is coming next in the
novel. Throughout the novel, the author peppered the text with clues about the events that
would happen. Reread the following events from the story. Tell what the event
foreshadowed.
Peak and his climbing team faced some difficult situations in this section. Act out the
scenarios given to you and your group.
Scenario 1
Sun-jo and Peak had to walk across an ice field using walking poles. Zopa stayed about 100
yards in front of them, looking back once in a while to check on them. Yogi and Yash moved
quickly ahead to set up camp. (p. 198)
Scenario 2
Yogi and Yash threw ice axes at the wall for fun. The next day, they woke up early to put ice
screws into the ice wall. Sun-jo slipped while climbing the first ice wall. Zopa was too far
away to help. Peak used the rope to get to him. (p. 199-200)
Scenario 3
Yogi, Sun-jo, and Peak hooked onto fixed ropes as they traveled to Camp Five. They saw
corpses along the way. They reached a steeper part with a lot of wind. They had to bend
over as they climbed. (p. 216-217)
Scenario 4
Yogi, Sun-jo, and Peak had to climb a steep snowfield using a four-point method with ice axes
and crampons. They were using oxygen masks. Sun-jo and Peak could hardly breathe.
They reached the camp, rested, tried to eat and drink, and then left at 1:35 a.m. for the
summit. (p. 219-221)
Focus on the task Consistently stays focused Focuses on the task and Focuses on the task and Rarely focuses on the task
on the task and what needs what needs to be done most what needs to be done and what needs to be done.
to be done. Very self- of the time. Other group some of the time. Group Let’s others do the work.
directed. members can count on this members must sometimes
person. nag, prod, and remind to
keep this person on-task.
Acting Stayed in character the Stayed in character for most Stayed in character some of Did not stay in character at
entire time of the time the time all
Accuracy Scene clearly depicts the Scene shows most of the Scene shows some of the Scene is missing major parts
events in the story and helps events from the story and is events from the story and is of the events and is very
the audience to understand somewhat confusing to the confusing to the audience confusing to the audience
what took place audience
To review all of the words you have learned in this book, we will now play Summit (BINGO).
Select 25 words and write one per line on each mountain. Your teacher will read synonyms,
antonyms, definitions, and examples of the words. If you have the word, highlight it. Highlight
all five words on a mountain in order to “summit” it and win!
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________ _________________
_________________
_________________ _________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
“Denouement” Summary
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
New chapter title:___________________________________________
Explanation: ________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: Why did Peak change his mind at the summit of Everest? Why didn’t Peak tell
Josh what really happened? Why did Rolf give Peak a doubtful look on page 244?
Select one of the themes given below and circle it. Then, use at least three specific examples
from the story to support your thinking. Write your explanation in complete sentences.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
1 _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2 _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3 _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Imagine you are Peak, and you are going to write a letter to another character in the story
telling what lesson you have learned about human nature, in other words, what you think the
theme of the story is. Use the brainstorming theme sheet you completed to write a letter to
the character that would fit the theme you selected. Your letter should have at least three
body paragraphs, one for each event. Remember to use Peak’s voice when you write. Either
handwrite your story below or type it.
Dear ______________________________,
_____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,
Peak Marcello
Name ______________________________________
CATEGORY 10 9 8 7
Information clearly Information clearly Information clearly Information has little
relates to the relates to the relates to the or nothing to do with
example. It includes example. It provides example. It includes 1 the main topic. No
Theme 4-5 supporting details. 2-3 supporting details. supporting detail. supporting details are
Example 1 given.
Writer makes no Writer makes 1-2 Writer makes 3-4 Writer makes more
errors in grammar or errors in grammar or errors in grammar or than 4 errors in
spelling. spelling. spelling. grammar or spelling.
Grammar and
Spelling
Writer makes no Writer makes 1-2 Writer makes 3-4 Writer makes more
errors in capitalization errors in capitalization errors in capitalization than 4 errors in
or punctuation. or punctuation. or punctuation. capitalization or
Capitalization and punctuation.
Punctuation
________/70=________%
1. Mountain Research
Research the top five tallest mountains in the world. Find out how to someone would train to
climb these mountains. Use the attached sheet to help you collect information. Share what
you have learned in any form that you choose. Some ideas are a PowerPoint, an essay, a
diorama, or a poster. Be creative!
4. Make a Documentary
JR and his film crew were creating a documentary about Peak’s attempt to summit Mount
Everest. A documentary is a factual movie that is created to inform the audience about a new
concept. What are you curious to explore? Film and edit a factual movie about something
that interests you.
5. Connect
Email Jordan Romero, the youngest person to summit Mount Everest, with questions you
have about his climb. Email Roland Smith, the author of Peak, with questions you have about
his writing. Share your responses with the class.
Jordan Romero: http://www.jordanromero.com/contact/
Roland Smith: http://www.rolandsmith.com/email.php
Mountain Research
Name and describe the six most important pieces of equipment needed for climbing.
1. ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Find a picture of each of the pieces of equipment and incorporate them into your project.