Genre CodesCode Genre
RF Realistic Fictiona made up story that could really happen in today’s world
HF Historical Fictiona made up story that could have happened in a real time and place in the past
TL Traditional Literatureshort, made up stories that could have been retold over and over for many years
B Biographya true story of a real person’s life, written by another person
AB Autobiographya true story of a real person’s life, written by that person
I Informationalgives facts about real people, places, things, or events
P Poetrya piece of writing in which words and their sounds are used to show images and express feelings and ideas
D Dramaa story that is meant to be performed for an audience
Per Persuasivea written argument that tries to convince the reader to think a certain way or take action
Genre Codes
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Code Genre
RF Realistic Fictiona made up story that could really happen in today’s world
HF Historical Fictiona made up story that could have happened in a real time and place in the past
TL Traditional Literatureshort, made up stories that could have been retold over and over for many years
B Biographya true story of a real person’s life, written by another person
AB Autobiographya true story of a real person’s life, written by that person
I Informationalgives facts about real people, places, things, or events
P Poetrya piece of writing in which words and their sounds are used to show images and express feelings and ideas
D Dramaa story that is meant to be performed for an audience
Per Persuasivea written argument that tries to convince the reader to think a certain way or take action
Making Good Book ChoicesEasy Just-Right Challenging
fun to read relaxing favorite picture
book effortless You can read
“Easy” books easily and understand them well.
Understand well and enjoy
read smoothly and only a few places where you need to slow down to figure out a word or think more about the meaning
these are the books that help you become a better reader each time you read
You should read “Just-Right” books most of the time.
difficult to read have trouble with
many of the words and don’t understand most of what you are reading
too difficult for you to enjoy right now
There are times when you would choose a challenging book, such as when you needed to find some facts on a particular topic, but most of the time, you would
Reading is Thinking
This book reminds me of… This part confuses me…
I predict…. The character reminds me…. I think that…..
How to Turn and Talk Effectively
1. Turn and face your partner or group.
2. One person talks at a time.
3. The listeners look at the speaker.
4. Members listen to understand what the speaker is saying.
5. Members should respond to the speaker’s thinking by…I agree! I also think…. What do you think this means?Hmmm…Maybe you’re right, but I was thinking….because….What do you mean? Can you tell me more about that?I’m wondering…What do you think?
Realistic Fiction- A made up story that could really happen in today’s world
Noticings
Author’s Purpose: to entertain
Characters: are like real people; readers learn about characters and their relationships through author’s descriptions. Pay attention to what characters think, say, and do
Setting: based on a real place
Plot: a series of events that occur as characters try to solve the problem/conflict and reach a resolution
Point of View: narrator or speaker of storyTheme: the story’s message to the reader, often determined through what characters in the story learn.
Book Examples
Realistic Fiction- A made up story that could really happen in today’s world
Noticings
Author’s Purpose: to entertain
Characters: are like real people; readers learn about characters and their relationships through author’s descriptions. Pay attention to what characters think, say, and do
Setting: based on a real place
Plot: a series of events that occur as characters try to solve the problem/conflict and reach a resolution
Point of View: narrator or speaker of storyTheme: the story’s message to the reader, often determined through what characters in the story learn.
Book Examples
Author’s Purpose: from How Tia Lola Came to Stay- to entertain the reader with a story about a boy who learned how to make others happy.
Characters: from How Tia Lola Came to Stay Miguel, the main characterTia Lola, Miguel’s auntJuanita, Miguel’s sisterMiguel’s Mother
Setting: from Me and Uncle Romie This story takes place in New York City at a train station, apartment, and on a train.
Plot: from How Tia Lola Came to StayProblem Miguel wasn’t sure how he felt about having his Tia Lola living with them.
Tia Lola was feeling bad and Miguel had a “Great Idea.”
Miguel created a surprise message in the snow to cheer up Tia Lola
Resolution: Tia Lola loved the surprise and became very happy.
Point of View: from Moon Runner The narrator is an outside person, not a character in the story
Theme: from How Tia Lola Came to Stay Miguel learned to put other people’s feelings above himself and making others happy leads to happiness within yourself.
Guidelines for Reading Workshop
1. You must always be reading a book or writing your thoughts about your reading.
2. You need to work silently to enable you and your peers to do your best thinking.
3. Use a soft voice when conferring with a teacher.
4. Select books you think you’ll enjoy and abandon books that aren’t working for you after you’ve given them a good chance.
5. List the book information using your Record of Reading.
6. ALWAYS do your best work.Guidelines for Reading Workshop
1. You must always be reading a book or writing your thoughts about your reading.
2. You need to work silently to enable you and your peers to do your best thinking.
3. Use a soft voice when conferring with a teacher.
4. Select books you think you’ll enjoy and abandon books that aren’t working for you after you’ve given them a good chance.
5. List the book information using your Record of Reading.
6. ALWAYS do your best work.
Guidelines for Reading Workshop
1. You must always be reading a book or writing your thoughts about your reading.
2. You need to work silently to enable you and your peers to do your best thinking.
3. Use a soft voice when conferring with a teacher.
4. Select books you think you’ll enjoy and abandon books that aren’t working for you after you’ve given them a good chance.
Plot Line
Title:_________________________
Problem/Conflict
Resolution-Reasonable EndingRi
sing
Actio
n Falli
ng A
ction
Climax-Turning Point
Introduction to Characters and Setting: Problem/Conflict: Starts the Action; Problem the main character faces
Rising Action: Sequence of Events
Climax: Turning Point of the Story
Falling Action: Event(s) that Lead to Resolution
Resolution: Solves the character’s conflict; Reasonable Ending-the character is going to be okay; Not always happy ending
How Events Influence Future Events
Title:_________________________
Problem/Conflict
Resolution-Reasonable EndingRi
sing
Actio
n Falli
ng A
ction
Climax-Turning Point
Influencing Future Events = author’s create events in the plot that push the character forward to resolving the conflict
Some examples could be:
- conversation between characters- character actions
Ask yourself, “How does this event push the plot forward. What event does it cause to happen?”
Mom and Miguel had a conversation in the kitchen about Tia Lola.
Miguel had a “Great Idea” about how to make Tia Lola feel welcome which is the turning point, or climax of the story.
Summarizing Fiction
A summary is the retelling in your own words, or paraphrasing, of the most important parts.
The most important parts in fiction:Conflict Resolution
Most Important Event(s) that move the Character from the Conflict to the Resolution
Summary:
Bridging4.6A & 4.6/Fig. 19E
Why is it important to the story that _______________________________ ?(fill in the blank with the event that leads to the conflict in the plot or the event that leads to the resolution)
What effect does _________________have on the story?(fill in the blank with the event that leads to the conflict in the plot or the event that leads to the resolution)
The problem in the story is solved when-
________’s main conflict is resolved when-(fill in the blank with the main character)
What is paragraph __ mostly about-
What is the best summary of the story?
Inference = an idea that the author does not stateText Evidence Background
Knowledge(Schema)
Inference
+ =
+I know that when I moved to a new school, I just wanted to fit in and not stand out as different. Tia Lola is different.
=Miguel is embarrassed by Tia Lola and doesn’t want her there.
+ I know that when I create a surprise for someone it is because I care for them and I am
= Miguel is happy that Tia Lola has come to live with them.
Inference = an idea that the author does not stateText Evidence
Background Knowledge(Schema)
Inference
+ =
pg. 204-“Today we’re going to Harlem,” she said. It’s where Uncle Romie lived as a boy…We bought peaches at the market, then stopped to visit awhile. I watched some kids playing stickball. “Go on, get in that game, “Aunt Nanette said, g3ently pushing me over to join them…I felt like I was on top of the world.
+ =
+ = James has more in common with Uncle Romie than he originally thought. James admires Uncle Romie and his art.
Understanding Characters
Details such as what characters think, say, and do are clues that the reader can use to figure out the reason characters act the way they do.
Character: Mina from Moon Runner
Character’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference
Understanding Characters
Details such as what characters think, say, and do are clues that the reader can use to figure out the reason characters act the way they do.
Character: Mina from Moon Runner
Character’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference Mina is feeling nervous
about talking to Ruth about their friendship.
Mina is feeling nervous about racing Ruth.
Mina is feeling confident and secure.
Understanding Characters
Details such as what characters think, say, and do are clues that the reader can use to figure out the reason characters act the way they do.
Character: James from Me and Uncle Romie
Character’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
pg. 203-204-“Your uncle’s working very hard, so we won’t see much of him for a while…Today we’re going to Harlem,” she said. It’s where Uncle Romie lived as a boy…We bought peaches at the market, then stopped to visit awhile. I watched some kids playing stickball. “Go on, get in that game, “Aunt Nanette said, g3ently pushing me over to join them…I felt like I was on top of the world.
pg. 206-My uncle Romie stayed hidden away in his studio. But I wasn’t worried anymore. Aunt Nanette would make my birthday special…then Aunt Nanette got a phone call. “An old aunt has died, James. I have to go away for her funeral. But don’t you worry. Uncle Romie will spend your birthday with you. It’ll be just fine….I knew it would not be fine at all. Uncle Romie didn’t know about cakes or baseball games or anything except his dumb old paintings. My birthday was ruined.
pgs. 207-208-We laughed together, then walked to the kitchen for a breakfast feast-eggs, bacon, grits, and biscuits. “James, you’ve got me remembering the pepper jelly lady. People used to line up down the block to buy her preserves.” Could you put someone like that in one of your paintings?” I asked. “I guess I could.” Uncle Romie nodded. “Yes, that’s a memory just right for sharing. What a good idea, James.
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference
Understanding How the Characters Change Throughout the Story
Readers notice how characters in a story change and why.
Character: Mina
Event Beginning (Conflict) Middle End (Resolution)
Character’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference Mina is feeling nervous
about talking to Ruth about their friendship.
Mina is feeling nervous about racing Ruth.
Mina is feeling confident and secure.
How did Mina change throughout this story?
What caused her to change?
Understanding How the Characters Change Throughout the Story
Readers notice how characters in a story change and why.
Character: James
Event Beginning (Conflict) Middle End (Resolution)
Character’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
pg. 203-204-“Your uncle’s working very hard, so we won’t see much of him for a while…Today we’re going to Harlem,” she said. It’s where Uncle Romie lived as a boy…We bought peaches at the market, then stopped to visit awhile. I watched some kids playing stickball. “Go on, get in that game, “Aunt Nanette said, g3ently pushing me over to join them…I felt like I was on top of the world.
pg. 206-My uncle Romie stayed hidden away in his studio. But I wasn’t worried anymore. Aunt Nanette would make my birthday special…then Aunt Nanette got a phone call. “An old aunt has died, James. I have to go away for her funeral. But don’t you worry. Uncle Romie will spend your birthday with you. It’ll be just fine….I knew it would not be fine at all. Uncle Romie didn’t know about cakes or baseball games or anything except his dumb old paintings. My birthday was ruined.
pgs. 207-208-We laughed together, then walked to the kitchen for a breakfast feast-eggs, bacon, grits, and biscuits. “James, you’ve got me remembering the pepper jelly lady. People used to line up down the block to buy her preserves.” Could you put someone like that in one of your paintings?” I asked. “I guess I could.” Uncle Romie nodded. “Yes, that’s a memory just right for sharing. What a good idea, James.
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference
How did James change throughout this story?
What caused him to change?
Character Relationships-how characters influence one another based on what they do and how they feel
Who are the main characters?
Describe their relationship. (What is their relationship like?)
Use the text to show how you know.
Bridging4.6B & 4.6/Fig. 19E
Read this sentence from the text.
What is ________ most likely thinking at this point in the story?(fill in the blank with the character)
Why does ____________?(fill in the blank with a character and an action)
Which sentence from the story shows that_____ is/wants _______?(fill in the blank with a character and a feeling or desire)
The ______________ shows that _________ is-(fill in the blank with the an event and a character)
___________’s actions suggest that he/she-
The reason ______________ is most likely because he/she ?(fill in the blank with the a character and an event)
The reader can infer from these sentences that _________-(fill in the blank with a character)
Which sentence shows how ________ feels when ____________?(fill in the blank with the an event and a character)
Sentence from the text showing a character’s thoughts or words
Write this sample response in your Teacher’s Reading Notebook.September 22, 2014
The first thing I thought about when I read The Keeping Quilt is what it was like for immigrants who come to the U.S. for the first time. Patricia Polacco’s great-grandparents came from Russia. They faced many changes. There were other people from different countries and a new language. I think about how we are all here now but that we or our ancestors came as immigrants from other countries. We are different in a lot of ways but also have things in common, like our classroom community of learners.
Another thing I noticed as I read was how the author creates pictures in the readers’ minds. I like how she uses details to make scenes clear for the readers. For example, Polacco writes about cut out animals and flowers from the scraps of clothing while the quilt was being made.
I enjoyed this book because I really like books about families!
Different Ways to Respond What the book is about How the book reminds you of another book How the book makes you feel How the author describes things Whether you like the book or not and why Why you think the author wrote the book Why you chose the book How you feel about the author’s writing Whether or not you would recommend the book to another
reader Why you abandoned a book What you predict will happen What you would change about the book Examples of stereotype or bias What you found interesting What you are wondering about Whether the book is easy, just right, or challenging and how
you can tell About the genre What you think is the author’s message What books you look forward to reading What you don’t understand or questions you have How you feel about a character What you notice about the author’s style/language Something about the author and what it has to do with the
story What was funny to you What you like/dislike about the setting How the setting affects the characters About good word choice/special language What you think about the author’s lead How the author captured your interest
Different Ways to Respond
What the book is about How the book reminds you of
another book How the book makes you feel How the author describes things Whether you like the book or not
and why Why you think the author wrote
the book Why you chose the book How you feel about the author’s
writing Whether or not you would
recommend the book to another reader
Why you abandoned a book What you predict will happen What you would change about the
book Examples of stereotype or bias What you found interesting What you are wondering about Whether the book is easy, just
right, or challenging and how you can tell
About the genre What you think is the author’s
message What books you look forward to
reading What you don’t understand or
questions you have How you feel about a character What you notice about the
author’s style/language Something about the author and
what it has to do with the story What was funny to you What you like/dislike about the
setting How the setting affects the
characters About good word choice/special
language What you think about the author’s
lead
How the author captured your interest
Different Ways to Respond
What the book is about How the book reminds you of
another book How the book makes you feel How the author describes things Whether you like the book or not
and why Why you think the author wrote
the book Why you chose the book How you feel about the author’s
writing Whether or not you would
recommend the book to another reader
Why you abandoned a book What you predict will happen What you would change about the
book Examples of stereotype or bias What you found interesting What you are wondering about Whether the book is easy, just
right, or challenging and how you can tell
About the genre What you think is the author’s
message What books you look forward to
reading What you don’t understand or
questions you have How you feel about a character What you notice about the
author’s style/language Something about the author and
what it has to do with the story What was funny to you
What you like/dislike about the setting
How the setting affects the characters
About good word choice/special language
What you think about the author’s lead
How the author captured your interest
How to Be Sure You Understand What You
ReadReaders notice when something doesn’t make sense. They have
different ways to solve the problem.
Readers stop and think about what they know.
Readers go back and reread the sentence or the paragraph to clarify the author’s meaning.
Readers continue reading and look for more information.
Readers ask for help with understanding.
Historical Fiction- A made up story that could have happened in a real time and place in the past
Noticings
Author’s Purpose: to entertain the reader with a story set in the past
Characters: are realistic or real people from the past that the author uses to tell the story
Setting: is IMPORTANT to the story and shows something about a period or place in history
Plot: could contain an author’s imagined details about real events
Point of View: narrator or speaker of storyTheme: the author’s message to the reader, may center around an important issue during the time in which the story takes place
Book Example
Solving Unknown Words
Readers look at the letters and letter clusters and think about their sounds.
Readers look at the parts of words.
Readers use what they know about other words to figure out new words.
Readers think about what would make sense and then check with the letters.
Plot Line
Title:_________________________
Problem/Conflict
Resolution-Reasonable EndingRi
sing
Actio
n Falli
ng A
ction
Climax-Turning Point
Introduction to Characters and Setting: Problem/Conflict: Starts the Action; Problem the main character faces
Rising Action: Sequence of Events
Climax: Turning Point of the Story
Falling Action: Event(s) that Lead to Resolution
Resolution: Solves the character’s conflict; Reasonable Ending-the character is going to be okay; Not always happy ending
Summarizing Fiction
A summary is the retelling in your own words, or paraphrasing, of the most important parts.
The most important parts in fiction:
In Historical Fiction, the setting is an important part of the story because it is a real time and place in the past and should be mentioned in the summary.
Conflict Resolution
Most Important Event(s) that move the Character from the Conflict to the Resolution
Summary:
Point of View Ask yourself:
Who is telling the story (narrator)? Is the narrator…
a character in the story? OR an outside observer?1 st Person Point of
View-the narrator will use key words such as I. me, we, and usLike in the stories:
3 rd Person Point of View- the narrator will refer to characters in the story by their names….key words he, she, and theyLike in the stories:
Understanding ThemeTheme =the implied message, moral, or lesson in the storyThe author uses the character’s lesson to teach us something about life
Text Lesson Learned Personal Connection
ThemeMe and Uncle Romie
James learned that it takes time to get to know someone, and you should not judge someone until you get to know them.
I remember when we had a new neighbor. He was older, and I was afraid of him. After I got to know him, I realized he was not scary and could tell really interesting stories.
Friendship, Acceptance, and FamilyTaking the time to get to know someone can lead to lifelong friendships.
Moon Runner Mina learned to always do her best and a true friend is your friend no matter what .
When I was in junior high, I was in a golf tournament with my best friend. We went into the last day of the tournament tied. I was a little nervous to beat her, but I played my best and won the tournament. We were still friends.
Friendship and Never Give UpTrue friends want you to do your best and never give up.
How Tia Lola Came to Stay
Miguel learns to accept Tia Lola for who she is and help her feel welcome.
I remember when a new girl moved into town when I was in elementary school. I did not like her at first, but my mom kept encouraging me to get to know her. Eventually, we became friends.
Family, Kindness, and AcceptanceShowing kindness to others helps them feel accepted.
Understanding ThemeTheme =the implied message, moral, or lesson in the storyThe author uses the character’s lesson to teach us something about life
Text Lesson Learned Personal Connection
ThemeMe and Uncle Romie
Moon Runner
How Tia Lola Came to Stay
Theme in Historical FictionTheme =the implied message, moral, or lesson in the story The theme may center around an important issue
during the time in which the story takes place. The author uses the character’s lesson and/ or the
historical event to teach us something about lifeText Lesson
LearnedSetting or Historical Event
Theme
Cheyenne Again Young Bull learned how to have the courage to stay and hold on to his memories.
Set in a time when Native American children were forced to attend schools away from their families.
CourageIt takes courage to make the best out of a bad situation.
The Earth Dragon Awakes
Riding Freedom
Theme in Historical FictionTheme =the implied message, moral, or lesson in the story The theme may center around an important issue
during the time in which the story takes place. The author uses the character’s lesson and/ or the
historical event to teach us something about lifeText Lesson
LearnedSetting or Historical Event
Theme
Cheyenne Again
The Earth Dragon Awakes
Riding Freedom
Bridging4.6C, 4.3A, & 4.3/Fig. 19D
The reader can tell that this story is written in ___ person point of view because-(fill in the blank with either 1st or 3rd)
What is the message of this story?
The lesson does _______ learn from _________?(fill in each blank with a character)
What lesson does ________ learn in the story?(fill in the blank with a character)
Character RolesAuthors create characters with
specific roles in the plot, such as mother, father, friend, enemy,
partner, brother, sister, etc. The character’s role plays an important part in one of the main parts of the plot: conflict, climax, or resolution.
Character Role Explain their Role in the Plot
How would the plot change if the kind teacher were not in the story?
Character RolesAuthors create characters with
specific roles in the plot, such as mother, father, friend, enemy,
partner, brother, sister, etc. The character’s role plays an important part in one of the main parts of the plot: conflict, climax, or resolution.
Character Role Explain their Role in the Plot
How would the plot change if Ruth were not in the story?
Sensory Language- language the author uses to create images by appealing to the reader’s senses
Imagery-one type of sensory language the author uses to create a visual or mental picture.
Text Sensory Language
(example from the text)
Illustration(what you
visualize based on the author’s
words)
The author uses the
description of ______ to
show-The Earth Dragon Awakes
pg. 306- Beneath them, unseen timbers crack like sticks.
I can see the wood used to build the apartment breaking easily. (you can draw this or describe it with your own words)
The author uses the description of the timbers cracking like sticks to show how easily the earthquake is destroying the building.
The Earth Dragon Awakes
pg. 307- Broken glass sprays like little daggers.
I can see small, sharp pieces of glass flying through the air. (you can draw this or describe it with your own words)
The author uses the description of the glass flying through the air to show how dangerous the destruction of the earthquake was.
The Earth Dragon Awakes
pg. 307- He sees cracks. They spread like a crazy spider web around all the walls. The walls crumble like paper.
Sensory Language- language the author uses to create images by appealing to the reader’s senses
Imagery-one type of sensory language the author uses to create a visual or mental picture.
Text Sensory Language
(example from the text)
Illustration(what you visualize
based on the author’s words)
The author uses the description of ______ to
show-
The Earth Dragon Awakes
pg. 306- Beneath them, unseen timbers crack like sticks.
The Earth Dragon Awakes
pg. 307- Broken glass sprays like little daggers.
The Earth Dragon Awakes
pg. 307- He sees cracks. They spread like a crazy spider web around all the walls. The walls crumble like paper.
What would change for the reader if the author did not use sensory language?
Sensory Language- language the author uses to create images by appealing to the reader’s senses
Imagery-one type of sensory language the author uses to create a visual or mental picture.
Text Sensory Language
(example from the text)
Illustration(what you
visualize based on the author’s
words)
The author uses the
description of ______ to
show-Moon Runner
Moon Runner
Moon Runner
Inference = an idea that the author does not state
Text Evidence + Background Knowledge(Schema)
= Inference
pg. 409-Chalotte drove back and forth over her route and memorized every rock and tree. She set a goal for herself. If she made ten clean round-trip runs, she’d know she was as good as the next driver.
+ =
pg. 410-Now, Charley, we’ve been over all that. Me and Frank think…What will the passengers say about your eye patch?
+ =
+ = Charlotte is courageous.
Bridging4.6B, 4.8A, & 4.8/Fig. 19D
How does ________ contribute to the plot?(fill in the blank with a character)
Read this sentence from the story.__________________________________The imagery in these lines appeal most to the reader’s sense of-(fill in the blank with a sentence from the text)
Traditional Literature- is short, made-up stories that have been retold over and over for many years
Noticings
Author’s Purpose: to entertain; to teach a lesson
Characters: could be like real people or have exaggerated traits or amazing abilities; talking animals and objects are common in traditional tales; characters are usually good or evil
Setting: usually set long ago in a specific place; usually where the story originated
Plot: what happens in the story could have magical elements or events that are unrealistic; includes a problem characters face, a series of events as they try to solve the problem, and a resolution
Subgenres: fable, folktale, fairytale, tall tale, trickster tale, myth, each having their own unique features
Theme: the lesson that the author wants to teach readers; often tells the beliefs of a group of people; may explain how something came to be
Book Examples
Plot Line
Title:_________________________
Problem/Conflict
Resolution-Reasonable EndingRi
sing
Actio
n Falli
ng A
ction
Climax-Turning Point
Introduction to Characters and Setting: Problem/Conflict: Starts the Action; Problem the main character faces
Rising Action: Sequence of Events
Climax: Turning Point of the Story
Falling Action: Event(s) that Lead to Resolution
Resolution: Solves the character’s conflict; Reasonable Ending-the character is going to be okay; Not always happy ending
Understanding Characters
Details such as what characters think, say, and do are clues that the reader can use to figure out the reason characters act the way they do.
Text: The Dove and the Ant
Character the Dove the AntCharacter’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
“Help!” cried the Ant. Hearing the Ant’s cry, the Dove grabbed a twig in his beak and dropped it into the water. “Climb on and save yourself!” the Dove called. Clinging to the twig, the Ant was soon washed to shore. “How can I ever thank you?” the Ant asked the Dove.
Ant was working to transport food for storage. The Dove watched her reinforce the anthill and clear the central chamber. He saw her moving obstacles from the tunnels.
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference
The Ant and the GrasshopperIllustrated by Scott Roberto
In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.
"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"
"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."
"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.
When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.
Then the Grasshopper knew...
It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
Understanding Characters
Details such as what characters think, say, and do are clues that the reader can use to figure out the reason characters act the way they do.
Text: The Ant and the Grasshopper
Character the Ant the GrasshopperCharacter’s Thoughts, Actions, or Words
An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.
"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"
"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."
In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content.
"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"
"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present."
Based on the Characters Thoughts, Actions, or Words what can you infer…Inference
Comparing and Contrasting CharactersWhen comparing and contrasting characters, think about their
adventures they undergo as well as their character traits.
DoveCharacter
AntCharacter
Comparing and Contrasting CharactersWhen comparing and contrasting characters, think about their
adventures they undergo as well as their character traits.
AntCharacter
GrasshopperCharacter
Understanding ThemeTheme =the implied message, moral, or lesson in the storyThe author uses the character’s lesson to teach us something about life
Text Lesson Learned Personal Connection
ThemeThe Dove and the Ant The Ant and the
Dove helped each other when they were each in danger.
Friendship & KindnessThe best way to make friends is by exchanges of kind deeds.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
The Grasshopper didn’t take the Ant’s advice to lay up food for winter, so in the winter he was dying of hunger while the ants had plenty of food.
Be ResponsibleIt is best to prepare for the days of necessity.
The Frog and the Milk pail