Welcome to Chapter 17: “How the Balloon Was Launched!” This post in our Wonderful Wizard of Oz book study features teaching materials that explore theme, symbolism, and emotional turning points.
If you’re just joining us, be sure to start with the Introduction to the Book Study for pacing tips and setup ideas.
Tips on pacing, setup, and how to use the materials across grade levels.
Includes word lists, bookmarks, word wall cards, and more – great for planning ahead.
Get vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, and organizers for this chapter.
🎈 Summary
Chapter 17: “How the Balloon Is Launched”
After three days of waiting, Oz calls Dorothy to him. He explains that he is building a balloon to sail over the desert. Once across, they will search for Kansas. Oz cuts the silk while Dorothy stitches the pieces together.
Then, they construct a basket to carry them.
When the balloon is complete, the Tin Woodman builds a fire and fills the balloon with hot air. Oz climbs inside and waits for Dorothy. He addresses the people of the Emerald City, saying he is leaving to visit a brother wizard in the clouds. He appoints the Scarecrow to rule in his absence.
Just as Dorothy prepares to board, Toto chases a kitten. Dorothy runs after him; she can’t leave without her dog. As she races back, the ropes snap, and the balloon rises into the sky without her.
Chapter 17: “How the Balloon Is Launched” Projects
Mentor Sentences
One way to turn classic literature into a powerful teaching tool is to pull mentor sentences straight from the text. Instead of random worksheets, students get to see grammar, punctuation, and style in action—inside a story they’re already reading.
1. “A balloon,” said Oz, “is made of silk, which is coated with glue to keep the gas in it.
📌 Focus: Quotation with Comma Placement
- Breaks the sentence before/after dialogue tag.
- Practice: Students punctuate sentences correctly: “A ___,” said ___.
2. Then Oz got into the basket and said to all the people in a loud voice:
“I am now going away to make a visit. While I am gone the Scarecrow will rule over you. I command you to obey him as you would me.”
📌 Focus: Collective Nouns (all the people)
- One phrase refers to many individuals.
- Practice: Students brainstorm other collective nouns (team, class, family).
3. The balloon was by this time tugging hard at the rope that held it to the ground, for the air within it was hot, and this made it so much lighter in weight than the air without that it pulled hard to rise into the sky.
📌 Focus: Coordinating Conjunction for*
- “for” explains the reason.
- Practice: Students write: “I ___, for ___.”
Hot Air Balloon Adventure
Reimagine the Wizard’s escape in the chapter “How the Balloon was Launched” with a simple 3D craft. Provide paper lanterns or balloons as the base for hot-air balloons. Students decorate them with paint or markers, then attach small “baskets” made from paper cups or cardstock boxes. Characters can be drawn and placed inside the baskets for a whimsical touch.
This can double as a creative writing prompt: “If you could take a hot-air balloon anywhere, where would you go?”
Focus Skills
Constructed Response Skill – Balloon Acrostic
Students write an acrostic using the word Balloon. Each line or paragraph begins with one letter from the word and describes an event related to the balloon.
Standards: RL.5.1, RL.6.1, RL.7.1
Language Arts Skill – Using Commas, Dashes, and Parentheses
Students analyze sentence structure and practice punctuation that adds, emphasizes, or de-emphasizes comments:
- Commas: Add clarifying detail
- Example: Dorothy, who stitched the balloon herself, waits eagerly to leave.
- Parentheses: Add side comments or afterthoughts
- Example: Oz (who secretly fears being discovered) plans his escape.
- Dashes: Add emphasis or contrast
- Example: The balloon—meant to carry Dorothy home—rises without her.
Students revise sample sentences, identify punctuation roles, and create their own examples using characters and events from the chapter.
Standards: L.6.4.b, L.7.1.a
This Wizard of Oz Punctuation Task Card Set helps students practice using commas, dashes, and parentheses through sentences pulled directly from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The cards are perfect for activities like Scoot, learning centers, morning work, or early finisher tasks.
Click here to download the FREE Chapter 17 resource.
Previous: 
Get Four Free Novel Studies!
