My reading

pack
 Ghost Squad
Main Activities

CHAPTER I CHAPTER II
Read Read
1 Chapter 1 1 Chapter 2
Make a spooky Write about what you
2 bookmark 2 think will happen next

Do the Dominican
3 firefly maze 3 Folklore

CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV

Read Read
1 Chapter 3 1 Chapter 4
Phantom Hunters Create a graphic
2 - Short Story 2 novel page
Create an Do Chunk's
3 acrostic poem 3 Word Search

CHAPTER V
Time for a
1 listening activity!
2 Read chapter 5
Book Cover and
3Chapters' Review
Ghost Squad
- Chapter 1
Bookmarks
 Firefly Day

Firefly Maze
Help Lucely & Syd find the fireflies!

www. claribelortega.com #GhostSquadBook

 ghost squad
what happens
next?
After reading chapter 2, write a short paragraph predicting
what happens next.
 DOMINICAN FOLKLORE
FIREFLIES OR COCUYOS

The Firefly Folkore that Inspired Ghost Squad

Nimitas, or Fireflies, are a very common sight in the country around
the open fields in the Dominican Republic. The males have a bright tail
light that flashes hoping to get a return flash saying that the female is
interested in getting to know him.Las Nimitas, Luciérnagas and Bichos
de Luz are known as Fireflies or Lightning Bugs. Dominican
superstition says that the Nimitas are the souls of the dead who are
watching out for their loved ones still living. They shine their light
reminding all who see that they are there always
there….watching.Fireflies are also called Cocuyo which is a Taino
Indian word.

Facts about Dominican Republic

Located in the Caribbean on the Island of Hispañola.

Approximately 10.5 million people live in DR.
The colony of Santo Domingo became the site of the first permanent
European settlement in the Americas, the oldest continuously
inhabited city, and the first seat of the Spanish colonial rule in the
New World.
Music and sport are of great importance in the Dominican culture,
with Merengue and Bachata as the national dance and music, and
baseball as the most popular sport.
The population of the Dominican Republic is mostly Spanish-speaking
Dominican cuisine is predominantly Spanish, Taíno, and African.
Mangú (mashed, boiled plantain), deep-fried meat (Dominican salami,
typically) and fried cheese are popular dishes.
Author Claribel A. Ortega is Dominican-American.

sources: https://www.colonialzone-dr.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic

 ghost squad
short story
Imagine you're a member of the reality show Phantom
Hunters. You went to a library during the night and saw a
ghost. What happens next?
Write a short story with 60 - 90 words.
 ghost squad
Acrostic
Write an acrostic poem.

g
H
o
s
t
s
q
u
a
d
 Graphic Novel
Create a graphic novel panel about the
characters you have met so far!
 Chunk Day

Chunk's Word Search

www. claribelortega.com #GhostSquadBook

 listening
activity
Listen to the excerpt carefully and choose the right option!

1.What had Lucely eaten at the

beginning?

a. Oreos and pickles

b. Oreos and new candy
c. Old candy and carrots
d. Crackers and chocolate cookies

2. What is the key to grilled cheese?

a. To put a sticker of cheese

b. To add pickles
c. To not use butter
d. To use as much butter as possible

3
3. How old was Manny before the accident?

a. 14
b. 17
c. 15
d. 13
 ghost squad
Book cover
Create your own book cover.
 ghost squad
Chapter review
Genre: _______________ Time Period: _______________

Settings: _________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Main Characthers: __________________________________

_________________________________________________

Favorite Character: ________________________________

Age: _______________

Close Relationships: ________________________________

_________________________________________________

Why is this your favorite character?

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Chapters Summary:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
 ghost squad
Chapter review
What was your favourite part and why?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

What would you change and why?

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Based on the chapters you've read, rate your reading

experience from 1 - 10:
_____

Would you read the entire book? Why?

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
 G L O S S A R Y
Duérmase mi niña
Duérmase mi amor
Duérmase pedazo
De me corazon - A Spanish language lullaby.
translation:
Sleep my little girl
Sleep my love
Sleep piece Of
my heart
Colcha - blanket or quilt
Chancla - slipper
‘Cion - abbreviation of “bendicion” which is a sign of respect to elders and translates
directly to "blessing. Saying "cion" equates to asking for a blessing.
Mamá - a common term for grandmother.
Niña: little girl
Qué te pasa mi niña? - What’s wrong, my little girl?
Abuela: grandmother
Mirabal sisters: The Mirabal sisters were four Dominican sisters known commonly as
Patria, Minerva, María Teresa, and Dedé, who opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo
(El Jefe) and were involved in clandestine activities against his regime.
Merengue: Merengue is a type of music and dance originating in the Dominican
Republic, which has become a very popular genre throughout Latin America, and also in
several major cities in the United States which have Hispanic communities.

www.claribelortega.com
 G L O S S A R Y
Tía - Aunt
Tío - Uncle
Qué linda: How pretty/cute. Can be used as a sarcastic comment (which is how Tia
Milagros uses it)
Ta muy grande, Lucely!: You’re getting big, Lucely!
Sinverguenza/sinvergüenza: shameless
Prima - cousin
Con permiso: Excuse me
No ve!: See? Or I told you so.
Chula: Pretty or lovely. A term of endearment.
Taíno: The Taíno were an indigenous people of the Caribbean.
Las Brujas moradas: The Purple witches
Luna: Moon
Cucuyo: Firefly
Suerte y fuerza: Luck & strength (or good luck and strength)

w w w . c l a r i b e l o r t e g a . c om
 Extra
content
 Extra
content
 Certificate of
Ghost Squad Membership
This is to certify that

Is an official member of the Ghost Squad awarded on

Awarded by
CHUNK
CHUNK THE CAT

Paratus. Patere mortuis. Semper felem habeo.