Contents Fiction Lesson 1: Myths and Fables.... 5 The Two Weavers Ask and Answer Questions Characters and Character Traits.... 8 Common Core State Standards RL.3.1, RL.3.2, RL.3.3, RL.3.9, RL.3.10, RF.3.3.a, RF.3.4.c, L.3.4.a, L.3.4.b The Ant and the Grasshopper Sequence Characters Actions 16 So Say the Little Monkeys Determine Central Message Setting 22 Read on Your Own The Parrot King and the Fig Tree.... 28 Lesson 2: Short Stories.... 33 Danny, the New Boy Make Inferences Describe How Chapters Build.... 36 RL.3.5, RL.3.7, RL.3.9, RL.3.10, L.3.4.c, L.3.5.b Summer Danny Compare and Contrast Explain Illustrations.... 44 Read on Your Own Nina s Big Day.... 50 Lesson 3: Poetry.... 55 My Little Neighbor/Travel Visualize Structure, Rhyme, and Rhythm.... 58 The Fly/The Land of Counterpane Paraphrase Nonliteral Language.... 64 Read on Your Own The Moon.... 70 Lesson 4: Drama.... 75 A Career Day Lesson Make Predictions Parts of a Drama.... 78 How Honeybee Got Her Stinger Summarize Point of View.. 86 Read on Your Own The Unknown Singer.................. 94 RL.3.4, RL.3.5, RL.3.10, RF.3.4.c, L.3.4.a, L.3.5.a, L.3.5.c RL.3.5, RL.3.6, RL.3.10, RF.3.3.a, RF.3.4.c, L.3.4.a, L.3.4.b 2
Nonfiction Lesson 5: Literary Nonfiction: Biography.... 101 Thurgood Marshall: A Life for Equal Rights Main Idea and Key Details Point of View.... 104 Maya Lin: A Young Artist with Courage Ask and Answer Questions Nonliteral Language....112 Jacques Cousteau: Keeper of the Ocean Make Inferences Text Features....118 Common Core State Standards RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.5, RI.3.6, RI.3.10, RF.3.3.a, L.3.4.b, L.3.4.d, L.3.5.a, L.3.5.c Read on Your Own Cesar Chavez: A Man for the Workers 126 Lesson 6: Historical Nonfiction.... 131 The Rush for Gold Sequence of Events Use Information from Illustrations....134 Gold Rush Success Stories Compare and Contrast Text Features.... 140 Read on Your Own New Orleans: The City with a Long History.... 146 RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.7, RI.3.8, RI.3.9, RI.3.10, L.3.4.d Lesson 7: Scientific Nonfiction.... 151 Tarantulas: Giants of the Spider World Cause and Effect Diagrams and Photos.... 154 The Red Planet: Is There Life on Mars? Draw Conclusions Text Features.... 162 Read on Your Own The Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea.... 168 Lesson 8: Technical Texts.... 173 Protecting Our Food Supply Steps in a Procedure Charts..176 All about Volcanologists Skim and Scan for Details Text Features.... 184 Read on Your Own How the Mail Moves.... 190 Glossary.... 197 RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.7, RI.3.8, RI.3.10, RF.3.4.c, L.3.4.a RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.5, RI.3.7, RI.3.8, RI.3.10, L.3.4.c 3
Tools Graphic Organizers and Close Reading Worksheets Lesson 1: Myths and Fables The Two Weavers...203 The Ant and the Grasshopper...205 So Say the Little Monkeys...207 Lesson 2: Short Stories Danny, the New Boy...209 Summer Danny... 211 Lesson 3: Poetry My Little Neighbor/Travel...213 The Fly/The Land of Counterpane...215 Lesson 4: Drama A Career Day Lesson...217 How Honeybee Got Her Stinger...219 Lesson 5: Literary Nonfiction: Biography Thurgood Marshall: A Life for Equal Rights....221 Maya Lin: A Young Artist with Courage....223 Jacques Cousteau: Keeper of the Ocean....225 Lesson 6: Historical Nonfiction The Rush for Gold....227 Gold Rush Success Stories....229 Lesson 7: Scientific Nonfiction Tarantulas: Giants of the Spider World....231 The Red Planet: Is There Life on Mars?....233 Lesson 8: Technical Texts Protecting Our Food Supply....235 All about Volcanologists....237 4
Lesson 1 Myths and Fables A myth is a story that tells how something in nature came to be. Myths often contain characters whose behavior reflects the customs and beliefs of the culture from which they came. A fable is a story in which a character learns an important lesson about life. Fables often feature animal characters that behave like people. Both myths and fables usually teach a lesson about human behavior. How might a story explain how spiders came to be? Skills Focus The Two Weavers Ask and Answer Questions Characters and Character Traits The Ant and the Grasshopper Sequence Characters Actions So Say the Little Monkeys Determine Central Message Setting Myths and Fables 5
Practice the Skill First Read Ask and Answer Questions Asking and answering questions is a skill that readers use to understand a text. Thoughtful readers ask themselves questions before they read, during reading, and after reading. They use the information in the text to help answer the questions. When you use this skill, some questions you might ask are: Where does this story take place? Who is the main character? What problem does the main character face? Why did a character behave as he did? How does the lesson in the story relate to my own life? Questions like these will help you better understand and remember what you read. Try It Read this paragraph. Two wolves are best friends. A sneaky fox decides to test how strong their friendship really is. So, the fox walks down the street wearing a coat that is red on one side and blue on the other. One friend sees only the red side, and the other sees only the blue side. The wolves have a fight about what color the coat is. They vow never to speak to each other again. Discuss Why do the wolves vow never to speak to each other again? Underline the part of the story that tells you. What is the lesson of the story? As you read, record your answers about asking and answering questions on the Close Reading Worksheet on page 203. 6 Lesson 1 Myths and Fables
Practice the Skill Second Read Characters and Character Traits Characters are the people, animals, or other creatures in a story. In most stories, there is a main character and several minor, or less important, characters. Character traits are the qualities that make up a character s personality. For example, a character can be good or evil, kind or selfish, funny or serious. All characters have a motivation, or a reason why they behave as they do. Understanding the traits, feelings, and motivations of a character can help you better understand a story s plot. For example, a character can be happy, sad, scared, or angry, and these feelings can affect his or her actions in the story. Try It Read this paragraph. The crow was thirsty, but all he could find was a jug half-filled with water. The jug had a narrow opening at the top. His beak could not reach the water. The clever crow felt discouraged, but he thought and thought. He picked up a few pebbles from the ground and dropped them into the jug. The water rose with each pebble, until it was high enough for the crow to reach. The crow was thirsty no more! Discuss What is the crow s motivation? Double underline the words in the text that tell you. How does the crow feel when he can t get to the water? Circle the words that tell you. What words would you use to describe the crow? As you read, complete the Character Traits Web on page 204. The Two Weavers 7
Purpose for Reading Read along with your teacher. Each time, read for a different purpose. First Read Second Read Third Read Focus on asking and answering questions about the story. Focus on the characters and their traits. Focus on evaluating the story critically. The Two Weavers a myth from ancient Greece Why is Arachne s talent so important for her family? Underline the parts of the story that tell you. How would you describe Arachne? Write your answer on the Character Traits Web. 1 2 3 In ancient Greece lived a young woman named Arachne (uh rak nee). Arachne lived in a small cottage with her parents. The family was poor and often had only bread for their supper. However, Arachne had a special gift. She could weave with amazing skill. Where she got this skill, no one knew. Her mother, a kind and gentle woman, had no such talent. But oh, how Arachne could weave! She began making tapestries to give to the family s friends and neighbors. News of her talent spread. Soon she was selling the glorious tapestries at the local market. Each piece of cloth was so beautiful that people came from far and wide to watch her skillful hands at work. As for Arachne s parents, they couldn t be more proud. And they no longer had to worry about putting food on the table. 8 Lesson 1 Myths and Fables
4 5 6 All would have been well, but Arachne s success caused her to be vain and boastful. She could speak of nothing but her success. She began to bore those around her. Her friends tried to warn her against her pride, but she seemed incapable of understanding. Pride goes before a fall, they said. Unfortunately, the proud girl never noticed, much less listened. She seemed to be under a spell of her own making. Arachne even boasted that she could weave better than Athena, who was the goddess of the arts and a mighty warrior. Athena was also the favorite daughter of Zeus, the king of the gods. It was said that Athena, a beautiful and intelligent goddess, could spin and weave enchanting pictures that showed the beauty and kindness of people around her. They caused women who had never taken up the shuttle and loom to try their hands. One day, Arachne became so bold that she said she wished she could challenge Athena to a contest. Arachne bragged that if a prize were given, she would surely win it. What new character traits do you learn that Arachne has? Write your answers on the Character Traits Web. Based on what you know about Athena, do you think Arachne s challenge is a good idea? Why or why not? The Myths Two and Weavers Fables 9
What does Athena decide to do first to try to stop Arachne s boasting? Underline the parts of the story that tell you. Why does Athena try to talk to Arachne first? 7 8 9 10 As Arachne s friends had warned, her bragging eventually became her downfall. For little did she know that Athena was listening to her from Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Athena decided to speak to Arachne and warn her against her boldness. If Arachne continued to boast and make challenges, then she, Athena, daughter of Zeus, would find a way to put an end to the girl s bragging. Soon after, Athena came to Earth in the form of an old, gray-haired woman. She knocked at the door of Arachne s cottage and was invited to enter. There she found Arachne, weaving and entertaining those who came to see her work. Once again, the talk turned to Arachne s belief that she could weave better than Athena. The old woman spoke kindly to Arachne. You should be more modest, my child, she said. Do not let the gods hear you speak this way. You must be careful what you wish for. 10 Lesson 1 Myths and Fables
11 12 13 Laughing at the old woman, Arachne answered her as if she had been insulted. What nonsense! Who are you that you dare to speak to me in such a way? I hope that Athena hears me! She would know that she has a worthy rival! With that, Athena began a slow but steady transformation. The old woman grew younger and younger and soon stood before the group as the goddess Athena. Everyone was afraid everyone, of course, except Arachne. She glared at Athena and asked if she had come to accept the challenge. Athena weighed her choices. She decided to accept the challenge. Someone brought her a loom, and she sat down in front of it. The fingers on each weaver s hands started to dance. The group of strangers watched as the woven cloth began to take shape in front of their eyes. Does Athena s transformation have the effect on Arachne that she hoped? Underline the part of the story that tells you. How are Arachne and Athena feeling as the contest begins? Circle the words that describe each character. The Two Weavers 11
What lesson does this myth teach about human behavior? What kind of person is Athena? Circle the words that give you clues. Is Arachne s punishment fair? Why or why not? Use evidence from the story to support your response. 14 15 16 17 At last, the weavers stepped away from their looms. Arachne s work showed Athena weaving something that looked childish. Arachne s tapestry even showed a group of strangers the very ones in her room watching now laughing at Athena and her weaving. With tears in her eyes, for even a goddess can weep, Athena stepped away from her work. In it, she and Arachne are shown as friends, working on a tapestry together to create a wonderful piece of art. The people watching decided that Athena was the winner. Arachne s disbelief was so great that she tried to destroy Athena s work. However, the poor girl became tangled in the web of the threads. Fittingly, Athena turned Arachne into a spider, destined to spend her days weaving. So, if you ever come upon the web of a spider, it might be Arachne carrying out her punishment! Argue Since Arachne is such a good weaver, does she have a right to brag about it? Write an argument for your position on bragging. 12 Lesson 1 Myths and Fables
Vocabulary: Roots and Prefixes A root word is a word to which a prefix or a suffix can be added to make a new word. A prefix is a word part that is added at the beginning of a root word. Common prefixes are non-, dis-, and in-. They each mean not or opposite of. Adding a prefix to a root word changes its meaning. For example, the root word like means to prefer or be fond of. If you add the prefix dis-, you get the word dislike. If you dislike something, you do not like it. Try It Read the root word and discuss its meaning. Add the prefix and discuss the meaning of the new word. Root Word Prefix New Word Meaning fiction non- nonfiction not fiction obey dis- disobey does not obey direct in- indirect not direct Discuss Use each new word in a sentence. Find each word in The Two Weavers. Underline the root word and circle the prefix. Then use the word in a sentence. 1. incapable, p. 9 2. nonsense, p. 11 3. disbelief, p. 12 The Two Weavers 13
Practice the Skill First Read Sequence Sequence is the order of events in a story. The sequence of events includes what happens at the beginning of the story, in the middle, and at the end. If the events happened in a different order, the story would be different. Words such as first, next, then, after, last, and finally are clue words that will help you understand the sequence of events. Look for those words as you read. When you retell a story, be sure to tell what happened in the correct order. Try It Read these paragraphs and ask yourself what happens at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the story. Remember to look for clue words. One day, a mighty lion saw a mouse and wanted to eat him. The mouse said, Please don t eat me! Perhaps one day I can help you! The lion thought the idea was so funny that he let the mouse go. The next day, the lion got caught in a trap made of rope. Then he saw the mouse again. He called out to the mouse for help. The little mouse worked all day to chew away the rope and free the lion. After that, the lion and mouse became great friends. Discuss Underline the clue words that help you determine the order of events. Retell the story in the correct sequence. How would the story change if the events were switched around? As you read, complete the Plot Sequence Chart on page 205. 14 Lesson 1 Myths and Fables
Practice the Skill Second Read Characters Actions When you think about a character s actions, you think about how the character behaves. You use what you know about how people behave in different situations to understand why or how a character in a story acts the way he or she does. A character s actions affect the sequence of events in the story. For example, if a character is late to school, this may affect what happens at school. As you read, think about how a character s actions affect the events in the story. Try It Read these paragraphs from a well-known fable. One day a lazy shepherd boy shouted, Wolf! Wolf! A wolf is coming! But he had shouted these words many times before. The people in the village were tired of running to help the boy, only to find that he had played a joke on them once more. They just laughed and said, We will not be fooled again. And so they went on working. But this time, the boy had been telling the truth. When he came back to the village, he had no sheep. They had all been eaten by the hungry wolf. Discuss Discuss the boy s actions and the actions of the villagers. Circle the boy s actions. Put a box around the villagers actions. How do the boy s actions affect the events in the story? As you read, record your answers to questions about characters actions on the Close Reading Worksheet on page 206. The Ant and the Grasshopper 15