3 rd Grade Name: Unit 2 Character, Setting and Plot Pre-Post Assessment Directions: Read the story and answer the questions. The Three Little Pigs: THE REAL STORY Have you ever stopped to think about the three little pigs? For one thing, the first two pigs weren t exactly as dumb as rocks. Think about it. Who did all the work? The first little pig built a straw hut. Straw is light as a feather. With a little mud here and a little mud there, he was done. He hardly broke a sweat. The second little pig built his house with twigs. He just wove a pile of twigs together. Then he plunked a roof on top. He had his feet up and was sipping lemonade in no time. The third little pig built his house out of bricks. Bricks are heavy and take a long time to stack. He spent days building a house that was as sturdy as a fort. What happened next? The wolf came and blew down the straw hut and twig house. The little pigs ran to their brother s brick house and were saved. Not a bad ending for two lazy pigs! * I can distinguish the literal meaning from the non-literal meaning of a word or phrase. 1 2 The phrase dumb as rocks means had pointy heads not smart couldn t hammer a nail were very quiet In the story, what does the phrase He hardly broke a sweat mean? He didn t work very hard. He didn t need a shower. He didn t break any pieces off. He worked very hard. 3 Which phrase can BEST replace light as a feather without changing the meaning of the sentence? 4 Which phrase helps you understand the meaning of sturdy as a fort? very strong very heavy not very heavy not very strong about to fall down extremely ugly strong and well built very large 1
Directions: Read the story and answer the questions. The Ferris Wheel After school Mike stood in the long line with his friends, Tim and Shane. Tim ate his cotton candy while they waited. Shane had some french fries with a tasty dipping sauce. Mike could not think about eating anything. This would be the second ride they rode. The first was the bumper cars Mike loved the bumper cars. He wanted to ride them again. But his friends wanted to ride the ferris wheel. They were laughing and pointing up at the huge turning wheel. Mike s tummy felt a little sick. He looked up at how high the ferris wheel went. He did not like heights. But he didn t want his friends to know. They would think he was a chicken. So, he waited in line and tried to think about something else. He was glad the line was long. * I can describe characters in a story and explain how the characters actions affect the order of events. *I can find words that accurately show time and place (setting). *I can answer questions about a text by looking back in the text to find my answers. 5 Where are Mike and his friends? a school the bus stop fair or carnival Mike s house 6 What word would you use to describe Mike s character that kept him standing in line? brave caring happy afraid 7 What does Mike think his friends will do if he doesn t ride the ferris wheel? He thinks they will make fun of him. He thinks they will feel sorry for him. He thinks they will tell his mother. He thinks they will run away from him. 8 What words from the story help you understand the setting (time and place)? 2
Directions: Read the story and answer the questions. Andy s cousin, Travis, found a wallet. Travis laughed and said that if the owner was careless, why shouldn t he lose his money? Andy told Travis he should return it to the owner, but Travis refused. Andy walked away, but he thought about how his Grandmother had always told them that honesty is the best policy. He knew Grandmother would want to talk with Travis about what he had done. * I can describe characters. 9. What do you think Andy will do? He will not tell anyone that Travis is keeping the money. He will tell Travis that he wants half the money from the wallet. He will tell Grandmother so she can talk with Travis. He will tell his teacher. 10. What word best describes Andy? lazy honest rude funny Directions: Read Penny Gets Lost and Surprise! and complete the short answer question. Penny Gets Lost By Carlos Dale Penny the dog was on a day trip to the beach when she got lost. Penny had been walking with the family s young daughter, Betty, when something unbelievable happened. Betty dropped the leash! Penny was so excited to be free that she ran off to explore the beach. She dug her feet into the sand and kicked it up behind her. She ran to the ocean and smelled the salty air. She could run for miles along the beach! Penny heard Betty s worried cry behind her, but she kept running. Before she knew it, she could not hear or find Betty. Penny barked and barked, but Betty was nowhere to be seen. Soon it got dark outside, and Penny became fearful. She was also hungry. It was then that she saw a man. She barked and barked so the man could hear her. The man came over and was very friendly. He petted her and said Hi. He then read her tag and saw that her name was Penny. He also read a phone number on the collar. He called the number and said he had found Penny. She knew the man had acted with kindness. Soon Penny was with her owners again. She was very happy to see them and jumped into the minivan for the long ride home. Betty hugged her and gave her a treat. Now Penny was happier than ever. 3
Surprise! By Carlos Dale We re Lost! cried Sandy. Sandy and her older sister Anna had been hiking with their dog Riley since after lunch. It was now early evening, and the sun was setting quickly. Anna looked around. Don t panic. We can retrace our steps, she said, walking in the direction they had just come. Sandy and Riley followed. After some time, they arrived at a clearing. I don t remember seeing this, said Anna. We ll never get out of here! Sandy said. You re a worrier! laughed Anna, pulling out a map. Sandy waited nervously as Anna calmly reviewed the map. Okay. I ve got it now! said Anna. She folded the map and returned it to her backpack. Let s go! Though she felt unsure, Sandy walked alongside her much braver sister. They continued to walk, when suddenly a little cottage seemed to appear out of nowhere. Let s see if anyone s home, suggested Anna. Maybe they could help us. What if they re not nice? Sandy said. Don t be foolish! Besides we have Riley with us, said Anna. She followed the footpath to the darkened cottage. Feeling suddenly brave, Sandy decided to take the lead with Riley. She knocked lightly, then harder. No one answered. Using all of her courage, she slowly turned the doorknob. The door creaked open. Surprise! Happy Birthday! shouted Sandy s friends and family. *I can use context clues to determine the meaning of a word or phrase in sentences. 11. 12 In the following sentences, what does the word retrace mean? Don t panic. We can retrace our steps, she said, walking in the direction they had just come. run go back go forward draw 12. In the following sentences, what does the word clearing mean? After some time, they arrived at a clearing. I don t remember seeing this, said Anna. wooded area dirt pile open space neighborhood 4
*I can compare the setting and plot of two stories. 13. 12 Explain how the setting or plot in the stories Penny Gets Lost and Surprise! are alike. Focus on either the setting or plot. 5
3 rd Grade Name: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Unit 2 Character, Setting, and Plot Pre-Post Assessment 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 6