Harcourt Storytown (2 nd Grade)

Story 1: Arthur’s Reading Race by Marc BrownSummary: Arthur doesn’t believe that his little sister can really read, so he challenges her to read ten words and offers a reward of ice cream if she does.Supplements: Reading with Your Fingers , Puppy Mudge Find a Friend (Rylant), Duck on a Bike (Shannon), Clown Fish (Lindeen)

Spelling:1. flag2. fin3. ran4. has5. fill6. sat7. list8. sit9. bag10. win11. picnic12. plastic13. rabbit14. fabric15. napkin

Robust Vocabulary:1. ignore – to refuse to pay attention to something2. dangerous – something is likely to cause harm or injury3. style –a certain way of doing something4. passion – to do something with energy and strong feelings5. challenge –to ask someone to be in a contest6. underestimate – to think that something will be easier than it really is7. proficient – when you are very good at doing something8. heed – to listen to a warning and use it help you do something

Words to Know:1. prove – to show that something is true

“Prove it,” said Arthur.2. sign – a public notice giving information

Arthur pointed to a sign.3. already – before now

“I already know how to read,” said D.W.4. eight – the whole number that comes after seven and before nine

“You only read eight words.”5. police – the people whose job is to keep order, make sure the law is obeyed, and stop any

crimes that are being committed.“And you better keep off the grass or the police will get you.”

Story 2: Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold LobelSummary: Best friends Frog and Toad each plan to surprise the other by sneaking over to the other’s house to rake leaves.Supplement: Life as a Frog (Victoria Parker)

Spelling:1. not2. best3. run4. job5. bed6. spot7. get8. mud9. ten10. duck11. helmet12. puppet13. rotten14. subject15. contest

Robust Vocabulary:1. edge – if you are at the edge of something, you are at the border, or side2. ventured – you went some place new3. described – you told about something4. hesitate – you pause, or wait, before doing something5. anonymous – you wouldn’t use your own name6. unselfish – you share with others7. satisfied – you feel happy with the way things are8. neighborly – you are friendly to people who live near you

Words to Know:1. covered – to put something over something else

These messy leaves have covered everything.2. everything – each and every thing

She swept the floor and dusted everything in the house.3. guess – to give an answer that may be right but that you cannot be sure of

He will never guess who raked his leaves.4. through – in one side and out the other

Toad ran through the high grass.5. woods – an area of thickly growing trees

Frog ran through the woods.

Story 3: Henry and Mudge: The First Book by Cynthia RylantSummary: Henry, an only child on a street with no other children, finds companionship with his extra large and lovable dog Mudge.Supplement: Dogs (Chute)

Spelling:1. same2. kite3. home4. plate5. ride6. rope7. race8. rule9. broke10. tune11. mistake12. bedtime13. homemade14. classmate15. notepad

Robust Vocabulary:1. blockades – if something prevents you from getting into a place2. soaked – when a cloth takes in water and becomes wet3. misplaced – when something is in the wrong place4. principles – the things you believe about what is right and what is wrong5. deny – when you don’t give someone something that they’ve asked for6. consider – when you think very carefully about an idea7. opinionated – when you have strong feelings about something8. bulk – when you talk about the size and weight of a large object

Words to Know:1. children – young boys or girls

Then they looked at their street with no children.2. different – not the same

“I want to live on a different street,” he told his parents.3. ears – the part of the body used for hearing

“And no pointed ears.”4. finally – last chance

He finally stopped growing.5. hundred – the whole number, written 100, that is equal to 10 x 10

He weighed one hundred eighty pounds.6. short – less than average length, height, distance, or time

“Not a short one,” he said.

Story 4: Dogs by Jennifer Blizin GillisSummary: Children will learn about caring for a dog as a pet.Supplement: Animals Have Special Jobs

Spelling:1. see2. please3. need4. deal5. sleep6. mean7. green8. clean9. keep10. eat11. teapot12. beehive13. seaweed14. peanut15. mealtime

Robust Vocabulary:1. disability – if something stops you from doing something that most people can do2. position – when you describe the way that a person or thing stands, sits, or lies down3. attached – you feel very close to a person or thing4. assistance – when you help someone or something5. depend – you need a person or thing6. responsibility – there is something you have to do or take care of7. frisky – very lively and playful8. affinity – you naturally like something

Words to Know:1. bicycle – a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by steering with handlebars and by

pedalingNow my puppy is a dog. It weighs as much as a bicycle.

2. exercise – physical activity that you do to keep fit and healthyPlaying is good exercise for dogs.

3. sometimes – now and then; at some times but not at othersSometimes my dog sleeps in my room.

4. special – different or unusualIt sleeps on a special dog bed.

5. sugar – a sweet substance that is used in foods and drinksIt weighed as much as a big bag or sugar.

Story 5: Neighborhood News (Readers’ Theater)Summary: A children’s news program reports on local events around the town.Supplement: Friendliness

Spelling:1. has2. win3. spot4. best5. mud6. same7. broke8. rule9. clean10. sleep

Robust Vocabulary:1. flutters – if something flies or moves in a light and quick way2. selected – if you have chosen a particular thing.3. announced – when someone gives new information to a group of people4. career – a job for which someone might get training or go to school5. penalty – when someone gets a punishment for doing something wrong6. location – a place7. excitable – if people or animals get worked up easily8. positive – when you are sure about something

Words to Know:1. already – before now

We’ve already gotten back more than a hundred books.2. eight – the whole number that comes after seven and before nine

We have eight minutes to finish!3. everything – each and every thing

We’re the news program that tells you everything you need to know about where you live4. finally – last chance

The day of the big soccer game is finally here.5. guess – to give an answer that may be right but that you cannot be sure of

There’s no need to guess what to wear.6. hundred – the whole number, written 100, that is equal to 10 x 10

We’ve already gotten back more than a hundred books.7. prove – to show that something is true

We want to prove that we’re the best.8. sometimes – now and then

Sometimes they kick the ball so hard that it sails all the way down the field!9. special – different or unusual

I’ll buy a special treat for you!10. through – in one side and out the other

It’s going to be sunny and warm through the weekend.

Story 6: Winners Never Quit! by Mia HammSummary: Young Mia Hamm loves to play soccer, but quits when she can’t make a goal. Her brothers and sisters help to teach her a valuable lesson about good sportsmanship.Supplement: Two Races (Kimmel), Duck on a Bike (Shannon), Treasure Map (Murphy), Cradles in the Trees (Brennan)

Spelling:1. pie2. high3. tie4. light5. lie6. night7. bright8. right9. might10. tight11. weeknight12. lightning13. sightsee14. nightstand15. sunlight

Robust Vocabulary:1. techniques – when you practice routines or methods to help you do something.2. specially – if something has been made just for you3. struggle – you try extra hard to do something4. traction – when you walk up a hill or across some ice, traction keeps you from sliding5. agile – you can move quickly and easily6. spectator – when you go to watch a game or show7. competitive – you try hard to win or to be the best8. worthwhile – you think something is important

Words to Know:1. brother – a boy or man who has the same parents as another person

“Too bad, Mia,” her brother Garrett said.2. caught – grabbed hold of something moving through the air

And Lovdy caught it.3. cheer – to shout encouragement or approval

Everybody on the team would cheer.4. learn – to gain knowledge or a skill

“If you can’t learn to lose, you can’t play.”5. lose – to be beaten or defeated in a game

She’d rather quit than lose.6. straight – not bent or not curved

She’d kick the ball straight into the net.

Story 7: Gus and Grandpa and the Two-Wheeled Bike by Claudia MillsSummary: Gus has trouble learning to ride a bike without training wheels until his Grandpa devises a plan to help him.Supplement: No Helmet? Pay Up!

Spelling:1. pay2. mail3. paint4. day5. rain6. stay7. sail8. way9. train10. tray11. mailbox12. highway13. daytime14. raindrop15. crayon

Robust Vocabulary:1. rickety – it is old and shaky2. rattling – it is making short knocking sounds3. prying – you are opening it with a crowbar or other tool4. impatiently – you are upset that you have to wait5. romp – you move around playfully6. defeated – if you feel like you have lost7. jubilant – when you feel joyful and happy8. master – you learn how to do it well

Words to Know:1. coming – moving toward a place

“How’s the bike riding coming along?” Grandpa asked.2. curve – to bend or turn gently and continuously

When Gus turned around a curve, his bike turned with him.3. idea – a thought, a plan, or an opinion

“I have an idea,” Grandpa said.4. knee – the joint between your upper and lower leg that you bend when you walk

He had a dinosaur bandage on the right knee.5. laughed – you made a sound to show that you think something is funny

Gus laughed.6. million – a very large number; a thousand thousands

Gus rode around the parking lot with Grandpa a million times.7. world – the earth

There was nothing in the world as wonderful as riding a bike without training wheels.

Story 8: The Great Ball Game: A Muskogee Story by Joseph BruchacSummary: In this pourquoi tale, the animals with wings and the animals with teeth argue over which group is better. They decide to settle their argument by playing a ball game.Supplement: The Bat (Douglas Florian)

Spelling:1. car2. art3. barn4. start5. farm6. card7. yarn8. part9. dark10. hard11. barnyard12. starlight13. carpet14. artist15. market

Robust Vocabulary:1. clutched – you held it tightly2. clambered – you climbed with both hands and feet3. clumsy – when you trip or fall, or when you can’t move easily4. ached – you felt sore or were in pain5. feud – you have a big argument6. superior – you are the best7. refuse – you don’t want something8. insult – you say something mean

Words to Know:1. accept – to agree with something

“The side that loses will have to accept the penalty given by the other side.”2. ago – before now, or in the past

Long ago, the Birds and Animals had a great argument.3. clear – easy to understand

Soon it became clear that the Birds had the advantage.4. fair – reasonable and just

“It would not be fair,” he said.5. half – one of two equal parts of something

“You Birds,” Bat said, “must leave this land for half of each year.”6. though – in spite of the fact that; however, nevertheless

Crane and Hawk, though, were even swifter.

Story 9: Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen CroninSummary: Farmer Brown’s cows learn to type and begin to leave notes for him.Supplement: Rock – a – Bye Cows (Sam Curtis)

Spelling:1. boat2. snow3. coat4. grow5. float6. own7. low8. load9. soak10. bowl11. yellow12. snowflake13. sailboat14. carload15. window

Robust Vocabulary:1. brisk – when you walk in a quick and lively way2. strutted – you walked like you were the most important person in the world3. gobbled – you quickly gulped your food4. paced – if someone walked back and forth in small area5. request – you ask for something6. negotiate – you talk, and offer to give up one thing for another in hopes of reaching an

agreement7. compromise – when each side in an argument gives up part of what it wants8. improve – when you make something better

Words to Know:1. believe – to feel sure that something is true

At first, he couldn’t believe his ears.2. brought – to take something or someone with you

Duck was a neutral party, so he brought the ultimatum to the cows.3. early – at or near the beginning

Duck knocked on the door early the next morning.4. enough – as much as is needed

It was bad enough the cows had found the old typewriter in the barn.5. impossible – something cannot be done or cannot be true

Cows that type? Impossible!6. quite – completely

The pond is quite boring.7. understand – to know what something means or how something is done

All the animals gathered around the barn to snoop, but none of them could understand Moo.

Story 10: A Trip to the Fire Station (Readers’ Theater)Summary: Children will learn how a fire station operates.Supplement: George and Martha Back in Town (James Marshall)

Spelling:1. tie2. light3. mail4. day5. barn6. dark7. hard8. snow9. soak10. own

Robust Vocabulary:1. minor – if something is not too important2. previous – if something happened before something else3. priorities – if some things are more important than any other things4. extinguish – when you completely put out something, like a fire5. hazard – something that could be dangerous6. efficient – if someone gets something done quickly, correctly, and without trouble7. instantly – if something takes almost no time to happen8. drench – when you completely soak something

Words to Know:1. ago – before now, or in the past

Long ago, firefighters didn’t have the safety gear we have today.2. caught – grabbed hold of something moving through the air

If we were caught in a smoky room, we would need them.3. clear – easy to understand

It’s clear that teaching people about fire safety is important.4. coming – moving toward a place

You may have seen fire trucks coming through your neighborhood.5. enough – as much as is needed

The force is hard enough to reach flames in high places.6. idea – a thought, a plan, or an opinion

The idea is that they help protect us from falling objects.7. learn – to gain knowledge or a skill

We learn about first aid when we go to firefighter school.8. lose – to be beaten or defeated in a game

We don’t have a minute to lose.9. though – in spite of the fact that; however, nevertheless

Not everyone knows why we wear them, though.10. understand – to know what something means or how something is done

Many of us would like to understand more about what firefighters do.

Story 11: Jamaica Louise James by Amy HestSummary: As a surprise for her grandmother’s birthday, Jamaica Louise James hangs her painted artwork in the drab subway station where her grandmother works.Supplement: A Lazy Thought (Merriam), Buster (Fleming), Ant Cities (Dorros)

Spelling:1. lunch2. shape3. wish4. chop5. show6. catch7. then8. each9. bath10. such11. shadow12. bathtub13. starfish14. matchbox15. sandwich

Robust Vocabulary:1. filthy – something is very dirty2. fellow – describes a person who has something in common with you3. executive – when someone is a boss in charge of a business4. beautifying – when you are making something nicer or more beautiful than it was5. renowned – you are famous for something6. kin – all of your family members and relatives7. original – it is the first of its kind8. adorn – you decorate something and make it beautiful

Words to Know:1. bought – you got something by paying money for it

They bought me a real paint set – with eight little tubes of color and two paint brushes.2. draw – to make a picture with a pencil or pen

Everything I see is something I want to draw.3. especially – more than usually; particularly

But I don’t like subway stations. Especially the one at 86th and Main.4. minute – a unit of time equal to 60 seconds

We can’t wait another minute!5. picture – an image of something, such as a painting, photograph, or drawing

I show them every picture every night.6. question – a sentence that asks something

Sometimes they ask a question like, Why does the man’s coat have triangle pockets?7. sure – having no doubt, certain; confident

Everyone sure is in love with my subway station!8. worry – to be anxious or uneasy about something

Paint sets cost a lot, I worry.

Story 12: At Play: Long Ago and Today by Lynnette R. Brent Summary: This nonfiction selection compares how children and families in America enjoyed their leisure time long ago and today. (Sports, parks, games, reading, vacations, carnivals)Supplement: A History of Games and Toys in the United States

Spelling:1. very2. messy3. lady4. happy5. key6. baby7. money8. funny9. candy10. sunny11. chimney12. nobody13. breezy14. twenty15. keyhole

Robust Vocabulary:1. recently – if something happened not long ago2. housed – if something is placed or lives somewhere3. official – if someone holds a position of authority in an organization4. nominate – when you suggest that someone should get an office, job, or honor5. recreation – when you do something fun and relaxing6. leisurely – you are not in a hurry7. ramble – you wander around8. archaic – something is old and not used anymore

Words to Know:1. board – a flat piece of wood or a stiff card

Board games, like checkers, were a popular family activity.2. cook – to prepare and heat food for a meal

Sometimes, they have a barbeque and cook food on a grill.3. enjoy – to get pleasure from doing something

Today, families still enjoy spending time together at the park.4. expensive – costing a lot of money

Most families owned just a few books because books were very expensive.5. favorite – the person or thing you like best

You have just finished listening to your favorite radio show.6. imagine – to picture something in your mind

Imagine that it is long ago.7. popular – liked or enjoyed by many people

That meant that many popular toys weren’t very expensive.8. year – a period of 365 days beginning January 1 and ending December 31

They did not have special times of the year for each sport.

Story 13: Big Bushy Mustache by Gary Soto Summary: In order to look more like his father, Ricky borrows a mustache from a school costume to wear home. (Cinco de Mayo)Supplement: Changing (Hoberman)

Spelling:1. slice2. dodge3. city4. huge5. nice6. space7. gem8. price9. cage10. fudge11. central12. fireplace13. gentle14. gymnast15. celebrate

Robust Vocabulary:1. wilting – when a plant doesn’t get enough water, and its leaves start to droop2. flitted – if something moved quickly from place to place without stopping for long3. swirling – something is moving round and round quickly4. trance – someone seems to be asleep, but his or her eyes are open5. route – you are going the same way to school or to the store every time6. semblance – when you make a drawing that looks a lot like someone7. distraught – the person is very, very unhappy8. improvise – you make something up as you sing a song or tell a story

Words to Know:1. above – higher up than, or over

He looked in the mirror and smeared a line above his lip.2. shoes – and outer covering for the foot

“Will you help me tie my shoes?”3. tough – strong and difficult to damage

It made him feel tough.4. wash – to clean with water or soap and water

“Mi’jo, wash your hands and help me with the apples,” she said.5. wear – to be dressed in something, or to carry or have something on your body

“Do you want to wear this white shirt?” she asked.6. woman – an adult female human being

Ricky passed a woman carrying groceries.7. young – someone who has lived for a short time

She said, “What a handsome young man.”

Story 14: Rain Forest Babies by Kathy Darling Summary: Facts and photos combine to give descriptions of some of the interesting animal babies found in rain forests around the world. (Elephant, Tiger, Macaw, Frog, Kangaroo, Sugar Glider)Supplement: Tapir (Houston Zoo Website)

Spelling:1. fur2. shirt3. burn4. stir5. bird6. turn7. herd8. third9. learn10. search11. perfect12. birthday13. purple14. circus15. surprise

Robust Vocabulary:1. dappled – something has spots, streaks, or patches of different colors or shades2. entranced – something has delighted or amazed you3. trooped – you moved along with a group of people4. circling – something is moving around you5. adorable – something is very cute6. assortment – a variety or mixture of things7. habitat – if a plant or animal lives in a particular place in nature8. immense – if something is really big or huge

Words to Know:1. care – you look after someone with concern or attention

The golden froglets are small, but they are able to take care of themselves.2. father – a male parent

Mother and father macaw have the most beautiful feathers in the forest.3. interesting – you want to know more about something

The rain forests are home to some of the most interesting babies you will ever meet.4. sweat – a salty liquid comes out through the pores in your skin because you are hot or

nervousA poison oozes out of their skin. This “sweat” is very deadly.

5. thumb – the short, thick finger that you have on each handThe elephant baby sucks on its trunk just as a human baby sucks on its thumb.

6. touch – to make contact with your hand or another area of your bodyLook, but don’t touch!

Story 15: A Birthday Mystery (Readers’ Theater)Summary: A boy tries to guess what gift he will receive for his birthday by asking his siblings to give him clues.

Spelling:1. wish2. catch3. bath4. very5. money6. huge7. price8. stir9. turn10. learn

Robust Vocabulary:1. bewildered – you are confused and unable to understand something2. evasive – when someone tries to avoid answering a question3. mull – when you think through possible solutions to a problem, or the answer to a question4. startle – if someone comes up quietly behind you and surprises you5. distrust – when someone is not honest with you6. witness – if someone sees an event and can tell about it7. lock – a group of hairs that hang together8. beneath – if you stand under a tree

Words to Know:1. especially – more than usually; particularly

This year I’m especially excited.2. interesting – you want to know more about something

Please, just give me one little hint to make it interesting.3. question – a sentence that asks something

Let me ask you one question.4. imagine – to picture something in your mind

I can’t imagine what it could be if you have to wash it.5. minute – a unit of time equal to 60 seconds

I don’t want to wait another minute.6. year – a period of 365 days beginning January 1 and ending December 31

My birthday is one of my favorite days of the year to celebrate.7. enjoy – to get pleasure from doing something

I enjoy guessing games.8. wear – to be dressed in something, or to carry or have something on your body

Maybe it’s something that I can wear.9. wash – to clean with water or soap and water

You sometimes have to wash it.10. father – a male parent

Alex’s mother and father walk in with the present.

Story 16: Mr. Putter & Tabby Write the Book by Cynthia Rylant Summary: Mr. Putter decides to write a great mystery novel, but runs into several distractionsSupplement: Interview with Author Loreen Leedy, The Dot (Reynolds), Billy’s Bucket (Gray), Mae Jemison (Streissguth)

Spelling:1. knot2. wrong3. know4. wreck5. graph6. wrap7. knife8. tough9. phone10. laugh11. elephant12. photograph13. handwriting14. knuckle15. enough

Robust Vocabulary:1. disturb – you make a noise that bothers someone2. underneath – something is below you3. procrastinate – you delay or avoid doing something you need to do4. diversion – something that takes you away from what you are doing or thinking about

Words to Know:1. cozy – a place that makes you feel warm, happy, and comfortable

Mr. Putter’s house was so cozy.2. enchanting –a person or thing is likeable and enjoyable

When he finished, Mrs. Teaberry said it was “enchanting.”3. instead – you do one thing in place of a second thing

“I wanted to write The Mystery of Lighthouse Cove, but I wrote Good Things instead.”4. thrilled – something made you feel excited and happy

He did not feel sad at all. In fact, he was thrilled.5. review – when you say or write what you think about a play, a book, or a movie

Every writer loves a good review.6. celebrate – if you are happy about something, this is what you do

To celebrate good reviews and good neighbors, Mr. Putter took Mrs. Teaberry and Tabby and Zeke out for vanilla malts.

Story 17: Annie’s Gifts by Angela Shelf Medearis Summary: Annie struggles to find her own unique and special gift in a family of talented musicians.Supplement: Sarah Enters a Painting (Susan Katz)

Spelling:1. heavy2. steady3. bread4. sweat5. head6. thread7. breath8. ready9. meant10. health11. meadow12. instead13. breakfast14. treasure15. feather

Robust Vocabulary:1. journeyed – you have traveled on a long trip2. frail – you feel very weak3. horrendous – something you see or hear that is horrible or frightening4. melodious – musical sounds that are pleasant to listen to

Words to Know:1. stomped – you used your feet to make heavy, pounding steps

The floor trembled as they stomped their feet to the loud bass beat.2. sipped – you took a very small drink of something

Momma swayed with the sweet rhythm as she sipped her coffee.3. entertain – you do something, such as acting or singing, that you think people will enjoy

When company came, she would entertain the guests.4. except – you talk about all but one

Everyone played their part perfectly, everyone except Annie.5. carefree – a person who does not worry about problems

When Mrs. Mason played the cello, it sounded warm and carefree, like carousel music.6. screeching – a loud, high sound that can hurt your ears

When Annie played the cello, it always sounded like a chorus of screeching alley cats.

Story 18: Ah, Music! by Aliki Summary: Children will discover a broad overview of music from basic definitions to composing and performing.Supplement: Come, My Little Children, Here Are Songs for You (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Spelling:1. join2. boil3. joy4. soil5. noise6. boy7. voice8. point9. toy10. coin11. destroy12. avoid13. annoy14. loyal15. enjoy

Robust Vocabulary:1. attract – you make a person want to come to you2. territory – an area of land that an animal sees as its home3. universal – something everyone in the world knows or experiences4. audible – something you can hear

Words to Know:1. volume – how loud or soft a sound is

Music is volume.2. expression – using your voice, your face, or your body to add meaning to what you say

It speaks with expression.3. creative – using new or different ideas to make or do something

Music is a creative art.4. performance – when you sing, dance, or act in front of an audience

The performance is when it is your turn to play.5. concentrate – putting all of your attention on one thing

You concentrate. You do the best you can.6. relieved – feeling happy because some kind of worry is gone

When you finish, everyone claps. You feel relieved and very proud.

Story 19: The Life of George Washington Carver by Joli K. Stevens Summary: This biography follows the life and accomplishments of George Washington Carver.Supplement: Nutty Facts About Peanuts (Gail Hennessey)

Spelling:1. gear2. deer3. fear4. year5. cheer6. near7. hear8. clear9. steer10. rear11. appear12. pioneer13. volunteer14. earrings15. nearby

Robust Vocabulary:1. brew – you make a drink yourself2. snug – clothing that fits close to you3. innovation – a new idea or product that solves a problem4. edible – something you can eat

Words to Know:1. supplies –the materials and equipment needed to do a job

He had to pay for his books and school supplies himself.2. crop – a large planting of one kind of plant

Planting the same crop every year made the soil poor.3. provide – you give something to someone

George Washington Carver studied other crops to see what would grow well and provide food.

4. earn – you get money or some other kind of reward for doing somethingHe moved from place to place to earn money for school by doing odd jobs.

5. committee – a group of people on a project or for a special reasonHe was even asked to speak to a committee of the United States Congress about peanuts.

6. experiment – a test to try out an idea or find out if something is trueGeorge Washington Carver helped make the world a better place through his experiments and teaching.

Story 20: What’s My Job? (Readers’ Theater) Summary: Game show contestants must ask questions to guess the job of the mystery guest.

Spelling:1. know2. wrong3. tough4. phone5. breath6. health7. soil8. joy9. deer10. rear

Robust Vocabulary:1. encountered – you met someone you didn’t expect to see2. originated – the time when something started or began3. opponent – a person you play against to win a game or contest4. impulsive – someone who does things without thinking

Words to Know:1. sleuths – people who try to solve crimes or mysteries

Welcome to “What’s My Job?” – the game show in which super sleuths use their super detective skills.

2. host – a person who introduces guests on a program and talks with themHere’s the host of our show, Sandy Beach, to entertain us.

3. statue – a work of art, often showing a person, that can be seen from all sides. It may be made of wood, stone, bronze, or some other hard material.A sculptor uses a hammer to make a statue out of stone, and statues are art!

4. risk – you take a chance of harm or a bad resultAre you ready to risk a second one?

5. responds – someone gives an answer to a questionAfter our guest responds, the players can try to guess the job of our Mystery Guest.

6. accurately – doing something without making any mistakesWhoever guesses accurately wins a special prize!

Story 21: A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams Summary: After a fire destroys their home, a girl’s family saves coins in a jar to buy a big, comfortable chair for them all to enjoy.Supplement: Saving Money (Mary Firestone), Treasure Map (Murphy), Ant Cities (Dorros), A Log’s Life (Pfeffer)

Spelling:1. out2. town3. count4. crowd5. ground6. now7. found8. crown9. sound10. down11. surround12. without13. cowboy14. powerful15. cloudless

Robust Vocabulary:1. allowance – money you get for doing chores or helping at home2. rosy – something looks pink3. thrifty – careful about spending money4. industrious – hard-working

Words to Know:1. bargain – you didn’t have to pay much to buy something good

Whenever she gets a good bargain on tomatoes or bananas, she puts by the savings.2. spoiled – something that is damaged or ruined

But everything else in our whole house was spoiled.3. comfortable – you feel good just as you are

She has to get as comfortable as she can on a hard kitchen chair. 4. boost – you lift someone up to reach something

He had to boost me up so I could put it in.5. exchanged – you gave something to someone and you got something else in return

The bank exchanged them for ten-dollar bills.6. delivered – take something from one place and bring it to another

They know we couldn’t wait for it to be delivered.

Story 22: Serious Farm by Tim Egan Summary: Farmer Fred takes his work on the farm very seriously. The animals decide to try to make the farm more fun and set out to find ways to make Farmer Fred laugh.Supplement: Beyond Old MacDonald (Charley Hoce)

Spelling:1. store2. fork3. pour4. score5. your 6. chore7. short8. more9. four10. sore11. ignore12. important13. factory14. explore15. fourteen

Robust Vocabulary:1. acquired – you own or buy something2. assumed – you believed something without thinking about it3. absurd – something is crazy or silly4. attempt – you try to do something

Words to Know:1. serious – something is important and not at all funny

He wasn’t a sad fellow, just very serious.2. extremely – very much a certain way

The pigs, the cows, the horses, the chickens, the rabbit, the sheep. All extremely serious.3. admit – you agree that something is true even though you might not want to

“Must admit,” said Bernie, the goat, “I wouldn’t mind smilin’ again.”4. barely – you almost can’t do something

She was barely able to keep her balance.5. hilarious – something is very, very funny

Everyone thought it was hilarious but Farmer Fred.6. witty – you say things in a clever and funny way

“Well,” said Edna, “in that case, you’re witty enough for us, Farmer Fred.”

Story 23: The Bee by Sabrina Crewe Summary: Children will learn about the life cycle of a bee.Supplement: Bee Business (Dimarie Santiago)

Spelling:1. true2. grew3. suit4. smooth5. clue6. soup7. stew8. food9. group10. fruit11. nephew12. classroom13. cartoon14. juicy15. newspaper

Robust Vocabulary:1. thickens – something becomes more gooey2. plentiful – there is a lot of something3. role – there are certain things you have to do4. diligent – you keep working until you’re done

Words to Know:1. pattern – a design in something

If the flowers are far away, it slowly makes a pattern like an 8.2. carefully – you pay close attention to what you are doing so that you don’t make a mistake

It climbs into the cells and cleans them carefully.3. crowd – when people or animals gather in large numbers

They crowd around the queen bee when she lays her eggs.4. sealed – you closed something tightly

The cells are sealed with wax by worker bees.5. attack – you use great force to try to cause harm to something

The bees will sting any enemies who attack the hive.6. disappear – you can’t see something anymore

When winter comes, the bees disappear.

Story 24: Watching in the Wild by Charnan Simon Summary: Children will learn about Jane Goodall and her research of chimpanzees in their native habitat.Supplement: Chimp Computer Whiz (Ask Magazine Article)

Spelling:1. hair2. glare3. fair4. scare5. pair6. care7. share8. chair9. rare10. stair11. airplane12. repair13. downstairs14. haircut15. careful

Robust Vocabulary:1. extinct – there are no more of a certain kind of animal alive2. pledge – you promise to do something3. patience – you can wait for someone or something without complaining or getting restless4. tedious – something is boring and takes a long time to do

Words to Know:1. blended – things are mixed together so you can’t tell there are separate parts

She put on clothes that blended in with the jungle.2. cradled – you held something closely as if you were taking care of it

She smiled at the baby chimps who perched on their mothers’ backs or sat cradled in their laps.

3. raggedy – something looks rough and torn at the edges, like a ragOld Flo was ugly, with a big nose and raggedy ears – but she was a wonderful mother.

4. distance – how far away something isShe would watch them from a distance.

5. personalities – the ways people act, think, and feel that make them specialShe saw that the chimpanzees had real personalities.

6. crumpled – you gently crush something or bunch it upMany times, chimps used crumpled leaves as sponges to soak up water to drink from hollow logs.

Story 25: Town Hall (Readers’ Theater) Summary: Students interview town leaders about a new park being built in the community.Supplement: A Time for Patience (Tom Lynch)

Spelling:1. found2. down3. store4. four5. smooth6. grew7. true8. fruit9. care10. pair

Robust Vocabulary:1. race – what someone runs in who wants to be the president or a mayor2. juggling – you are working on many projects at the same time3. preference – when you like one thing better than another4. alternatives – if you have several choices

Words to Know:1. accomplish – you completed something with good results

Coming up with a good plan for the park was very difficult to accomplish.2. feasible – something can be done

No, that wouldn’t be feasible.3. attend – you go to an event

We will have music shows and play that people of all ages will want to attend.4. report – you tell what you have learned or found out

Then we’ll report back to our classmates.5. area – an open space or a part of a place

We’re making a big picnic area for families who come to the park on weekends.6. serve – you bring people food and drinks

By listening to everyone, we were better able to serve the community.

Story 26: Where on Earth Is My Bagel? by Frances Park and Ginger Park Summary: A young Korean boy decides that he wants a New York bagel. With the help of his friends, he is able to fulfill his wish.Supplement: South Korea (Susan E. Haberle), Buster (Fleming), Mae Jemison (Streissguth), The Quetzal’s Journey (Ada & Campoy)

Spelling:1. book2. should3. took4. stood5. crook6. would7. look8. could9. good10. shook11. cookout12. understand13. bookstore14. cookies15. couldn’t

Robust Vocabulary:1. belongings – the things you own2. fleeing – you are running away from something3. crave – you want something very much4. correspond – you write a letter or an e-mail to a person

Words to Know:1. gently – you do something in a way that is careful and kind

There were lilacs gently blossoming on every hillside.2. replied – you answered someone’s question

“Yes,” Baker Oh replied.3. fragrant – something has a pleasing, sweet smell

Yum Yung kneaded the fragrant dough and formed it into a ring shape.4. smothered – you cover something completely so that it has no air

Perhaps it came to him in a dream, smothered with cream cheese.5. pleaded – you begged someone for something

“Baker Oh,” Yum Yung pleaded, “please tell me you have my missing bagel!”6. grunted – you made a small, deep sound in your throat

They all grunted as they set the bagel down under a persimmon tree on the quiet hillside.

Story 27: My Name is Gabriela by Monica Brown Summary: Children will learn about the life of the Nobel Prize winning poet, Gabriela Mistral.Supplement: Gabriela Mistral (Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy)

Spelling:1. claw2. fault3. draw4. haul5. crawl6. lawn7. sauce8. paw9. caught10. saw11. daughter12. naughty13. seesaw14. author15. because

Robust Vocabulary:1. accent – people can tell where you are from by the way you speak2. native – the certain place where you were born3. aspire – you try very hard to do something4. accolade – a special award or praise for something

Words to Know:1. beyond – something that is farther away from something else

When I couldn’t sleep, I would look up at the mountains and wonder what could be beyond them.

2. noticed – you observed something carefullyI noticed the way the words fluttering butterfly sounded together – like a poem.

3. award – something you receive when you do something others think is very goodOne story won an important award.

4. create – you use your imagination to make something newHow else would he create words and tell his stories without it?

5. literature – stories and poemsI was given a very special prize – the Nobel Prize for Literature.

6. grand – something is important and wonderfulWhen I accepted the grand award, I thought of the beautiful mountains outside of my window in Chile.

Story 28: Let’s Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans Summary: Children will be introduced to basic concepts about the formation, types, and uses of rocks.Supplement: Pebbles (Valerie Worth)

Spelling:1. ball2. talk3. fought4. hall5. bought6. all7. chalk8. small9. thought10. fall11. football12. hallway13. sidewalk14. thoughtful15. always

Robust Vocabulary:1. absolutely – you definitely have to do something2. halfheartedly – you do something without much interest3. identify – you figure out what something is4. durable – something lasts a long time

Words to Know:1. rare –something that is not found or seen very often

But some, like diamonds and emeralds, are rare.2. last – something that will be able to be used for a long time

Things made with rocks last and last.3. common – there is a lot of something or it happens often

It is the most common of all igneous rocks.4. settled – something moved slowly until it came to a rest

Layer after layer settled on the bottoms of the lakes and seas.5. separated – you sorted things into groups

Now it is darker gray, and its crystals have separated into layers.6. collection – a group of things that are kept together

One way to start a collection is to look for rocks of different colors.

Story 29: The Lizard and the Sun by Alma Flor Ada Summary: A lizard helps to search for the sun, which has disappeared from the sky.Supplement: Be Sun Safe (Magazine Article)

Spelling:1. break2. sleigh3. they4. steak5. eight6. obey7. great8. neighbor9. prey10. weigh11. disobey12. weightless13. eighteenth14. they’ve15. neighborhood

Robust Vocabulary:1. squatted – you crouched or sat on the ground2. chilly – something feels cool or cold3. bizarre – something is very strange4. extravaganza – amazing entertainment

Words to Know:1. peered –look closely at something

She climbed rocks, scurried up tree trunks, and peered under leaves, searching, always searching.

2. discovery – you learn something or find something for the first timeSo with great excitement, the lizard ran off to the city to share her discovery.

3. budge – you move something just a littleBut the rock would not budge.

4. scampering – running in a playful wayShe was scampering over some rocks when she saw that one of them was shining as though it had light inside.

5. majestic – something important and grand as a king or queenAnd the majestic eagle flew over the mountaintops and the cones of the volcanoes.

6. entire – all of something“Get up, Sun,” said the emperor. “The entire city needs you.”

Story 30: Cross-Country Vacation (Readers’ Theater) Summary: A family makes a trip from Ohio to California, stopping at many sights along the way. (Lincoln Museum, Lake of the Ozarks State Park, ruins of a pueblo, San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Beach)Supplement: Summer Safety

Spelling:1. took2. should3. draw4. caught5. fought6. all7. chalk8. steak9. neighbor10. great

Robust Vocabulary:5. acquired – you own or buy something6. assumed – you believed something without thinking about it7. absurd – something is crazy or silly8. attempt – you try to do something

Words to Know:1. delay – to keep something from happening as soon as it should

We’re off without further delay.2. fantastic – something is wonderful

We’ll be driving to some fantastic palces!3. spare – to have extra of something that you do not need

Shut the doors. We have no time to spare.4. historical – something that is a part of history

Our first stop is an important historical site.5. impressive – something that is very, very good

We finally stopped when the sun started to set behind these majestic mountains. It was impressive.

6. upbeat – cheerful We’re all feeling upbeat.