Plz help plz zoom in to get a clear view of the story! :D 1. Examine the title of the story and reread the first paragraph. What symbol do you predict will be central to the theme?

2. Read the yellow highlighted details, in which Connie shares her thoughts about her grandmother. Based on these details, how would you describe Connie? Explain.

3. What generational conflicts might arise for Connie during her grandmother’s visit? Explain.

4. How would you describe Connie’s attitude toward and treatment of her grandmother? Explain and support your answer. Think of some negative words that would describe how Connie felt when she was asked to take her grandmother to church, and then words to describe Connie’s behavior in church when she ignored her grandmother.

5. Look at the pink highlighted section. Why do you think the author chose a church as the setting for this scene? How might she want you to react to Connie’s behavior there? Explain and support your ideas. Any house of worship has the rule of treating others the way you would want to be treated.

6. Summarize what Connie has learned from the conflict with her grandmother. Where in the blue highlighted section do you see this lesson directly stated as a theme? Explain and support your ideas. You cannot treat people as if they are nothing. Why?

7. What new understanding of the word zero does Connie now have? What understanding do you have of the story’s title? (HINT: How does the story’s title/theme apply to your life?) Explain and support your ideas. The new understanding needs to focus on the idea that ZERO is not just a number, it is a feeling.