Monday, April 23, 2018

Lesson 21: Sequence of Events with the Historical Fiction piece "Tucket's Travels"

The Target Skill in this lesson is Sequence of Events

Concept Question: What marks the beginning and end of an event?

From Journeys:
Sequence of Events  As you read “Tucket’s Travels,” look for words and phrases that help you determine the sequence of events.  For example, words such as first, last, until, before, and after can signal the order in which events happened. Use a graphic organizer like this one to record events from the selection and to analyze how the scenes fit together to provide the overall structure.


Writers of historical fiction often structure their plots as a sequence of events. They present the events in chronological order, or time order. This structure helps clarify the relationships between events. One event leads to another, and excitement builds until the story reaches its conclusion.

To indicate the sequence of events, authors may use signal words and phrases such as last night, then, now, and later. Look back at page 644. In the sentence “They reached the trees just as the edge of the clouds caught up with them,” the phrase just as tells you that the two events happened at the same time.

As you track the sequence of events, keep in mind that this story contains a flashback. Which part of the text interrupts the story’s main action to describe events that happened at an earlier time? How does this scene affect the story’s structure?

Genre:
Historical fiction is a story set in the past. It contains characters, places, and events that actually existed or happened, or that could have existed or happened. 
As you read, look for:
     - a setting that was a real time and place in the past
      -details that show the story took place in the past

Context: The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail was a 3,490km long wagon route that began in Independence, Missouri and ended in the Oregon Territory which was part of the newly bought Louisiana Purchase (1803). The Trail was traveled by Americans seeking a new life in the west between 1811 and 1840.  The Oregon Trail, in the early 1800s, was a very dangerous and difficult journey and many people died along the way.

American children who went to elementary school in the 1990s have a special memory playing the Oregon Trail computer game, a game that was found on many school computers.

The Original Oregon Trail game was an MS-DOS (the Microsoft OS that came before Windows) game.  Click the link below to play that version.

But the version most American kids remember and love is the Macintosh Plus version, since most schools had Macintosh Plus computers.



Spelling List 18 – Unit 5 Lesson 21
Word
Verb
Root
Part of Speech
Definition
instinctively

adv.
Do automatically without needing to think about it; do by instinct
undoubtedly

adv.
Certainly; for sure; without any doubt
cholera

n.
A disease that causes serious diarrhea, dehydration, and death if not treated
bargain

n./v.
n. A deal or agreement; something bought for a cheap, discounted price   v. To negotiate and agree upon a price
mirage

n.
An illusion caused by heat that creates the appearance of water in the distance
bareheaded

adj./adv.
Having one’s head uncovered; without covering one’s head
factor

n.
A fact or influence that helps to cause a result or outcome
vain

adj.
Producing no results; useless; pointless
salvation

n.
Something that saves someone from death or a terrible situation
pace

n.
Speed of walking, running, or moving


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Lesson 20: Story Structure with the Adventure piece "The Black Stallion"

The Target Skill in this lesson is Story Structure

Concept Question: What are all of the important events that help make this story exciting?

From Journeys:
Story Structure  As you read “The Black Stallion,” identify the setting and the main character. Then look for the conflict (the central problem faced by the main character), important plot events, and the resolution of the conflict. Use a graphic organizer like the one shown below to help

you chart the overall structure of the story.


The term story structure refers to the important parts of a story. These parts include the setting, characters, conflict, events, and resolution. The conflict, or problem, is usually introduced near 
the beginning of the story. The setting may play a major part in causing this conflict. The characters’ efforts to resolve the conflict may lead to further challenges. The story becomes more and more exciting, until finally the conflict is resolved. 

The setting, main character, and conflict of “The Black Stallion” are introduced in the note on page 600. The events that follow, woven into story scenes, fit together to provide the overall structure of the text.

Genre:
Adventure stories include exciting action that takes place in unusual settings. As you read, 
look for:
     -a mood of excitement or suspense
     -an ongoing conflict or multiple conflicts
     -characters who show strong personal qualities

Spelling List 17 – Unit 4 Lesson 20
Word
Verb
Root
Part of Speech
Definition
diminishing
diminish
v.
to make or become less
eerie

adj.
both strange and scary
stallion

n.
Specific: an adult purebred male horse that is able to reproduce 
General: an adult male horse
soothing

adj.
having a gentle, calming effect; able to reduce pain or discomfort
obtain

v.
to get something
aching

adj.
having pain in one’s body
quivered
quiver
v.
tremble or shake quickly
marveling
marvel
v.
being filled with wonder and astonishment
mane

n.
A growth of long hair on the neck of an animal such as a horse or a lion.
yard

n.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet or 0.9144 meters.


Lesson 25: Main Ideas and Details with the Narrative Nonfiction piece "Lewis and Clark"

The Target Skill in this lesson is  Main Ideas and Details Concept Question:  Does the piece make sense without this idea?  If not, it may ...