Vocabulary Quiz

Home , Before the Worst, Best Day Ever (mixtape), The Possum, Walking Back Home

Lesson 1 | Story

Morning

I chew my toast and stare out the window. I don’t feel quite awake yet.

“Don’t strew your toys on the floor,” I hear Mom say. “Yourcrew of superheroes is everywhere!” I’m pretty sure she’s talking to my little brother, Kai, not me. I do remember stepping over a few Spider-Man figurines on my way downstairs.

Mom comes into the kitchen.

“Did Dad brew coffee yet?” she wonders aloud. I shrug my shoulders and yawn so big, Mom says, “Shandi! Your jaw looks like it’s about to pop!” I shrug my shoulders again. The flaw in getting up early enough for someone else to make my toast is that there’s a lot going on in the kitchen. I sip my orange juice through my straw and wonder what I’ll do today. Mom and Dad will be off to work soon, and Kai has a playdate.

Kai comes stomping into the kitchen, then, ready for his oatmeal and milk. He makes an offensive sound right as he walks past me.

“Ew!” I scream. “Mom! Kai burped and blew it at me!”

I regret saying it as soon as it’s out of my mouth. Mom looks tired already, and she hasn’t even had breakfast yet.

“Kai, timeout,” she orders.

I mouth “I’m sorry” to Kai as he stomps away.

“Shandi,” Mom says in a softer voice. “Are you sure you’ll be all right today?”

“Yeah, Mom,” I promise. “I’ll probably just play with my new dollhouse.”

Mom smiles. “OK. You can call me anytime.” I smile back at her. Suddenly, I’m feeling a lot more awake.

My new dollhouse is everything I ever wanted. It’s as tall as I am and every room has colorful wallpaper and real wood floors. It’s going to be a fun, quiet day.

1. Chew A. To suck on something B. To use your teeth to eat food C. To blow something 2. Crew A. One person B. A job to do C. A group of people 3. Strew A. To scatter or spread something on the ground B. To smear something smooth all over something C. To light a candle 4. Few A. Very much B. Not many C. One thing 5. Brew A. To bake cookies B. To cook pasta C. To make coffee 6. Blew A. Past tense of ‘blow’ B. Past tense of ‘bend’ C. The color of a clear sky 7. Flaw A. Being perfect B. A sharp nail at the end of an animal’s toe C. A small problem 8. Jaw A. Where your eyebrows are B. The bone on which teeth grow C. The top of the head 9. Straw A. A glass from which you drink B. A flat dish where food is set C. A thin tube used for sucking up a drink 10. New A. Not old B. Old C. The end of something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Sheri B. Shandi C. Shelly 3. Where does this story take place? A. On the back porch B. In a bedroom C. In the kitchen 4. What is Shandi eating? A. Toast B. Cereal C. Oatmeal 5. What is Shandi’s little brother’s name? A. Kellen B. Kai C. Kole 6. What has he left out on the floor? A. Dominoes B. Superheroes C. A deck of playing cards 7. What does Shandi’s mom ask about her father? A. If he’s walked the dog B. If he’s left for work C. If he’s brewed the coffee 8. With whom will Shandi spend the day? A. Kai B. Herself C. Her parents 9. What is Shandi looking forward to doing? A. Playing with her new dollhouse B. Reading a new book series C. Sketching with her new charcoal pencils 10. What does Kai do that makes Shandi upset? A. Burps at her B. Pulls her hair C. Makes a face at her

Jewish Stew

Many families have certain recipes they eat on special occasions. For example, Christian families often make ham for Easter. Or perhaps your family has a certain meal they eat at Christmas. On Thanksgiving, many Americans eat a traditional meal of turkey, potatoes, and cranberries.

There are other food traditions in other faiths and areas of the world, too. For example, Jewish families have a special recipe called cholent that is eaten on the Shabbat —t he Jewish Sabbath. For Jews, the Sabbath is on Saturday. Cholent is a Jewish stew. Stew is different from soup because it needs to be chewed. Everything is delicious cooked in the liquid from all the ingredients. There are more than just a few different recipes for cholent all over the world, but some things are the same with all of them.

Since Jewish law doesn’t allow cooking on the Jewish Sabbath, cholent is prepared the night before. Jewish families use a special, heavy pot for their cholent. Families in different countries may use different spices, but the main ingredients are: meat, potatoes, beans, and barley. These ingredients are cooked on Friday before the sun sets. Then, the pot is placed in the oven where it continues cooking all night and the next day. It is cooked at a very low temperature so the liquid doesn’t spew out of the pot.

The cholent renews Jewish families for the week ahead. It is delicious, and it brings entire families together around the supper table. Crews of grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces gather for the meal. There are many different recipes for cholent. You may decide to ask your parents if you can find a recipe and make cholent together. You will all be inawe at how wonderful it tastes, and you will have fun cooking together, too.

[source: https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/cholent/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholent]

1. Stew A. A thin liquid you can drink B. A dish of meat and vegetables cooked together in liquid C. A whole cooked bird 2. Spew A. To stir something slowly B. To bake something at a low temperatures C. To flow out of something in a fast way 3. Chewed A. Past tense of ‘chew’ B. Past tense of ‘cheer’ C. Past tense of ‘chug’ 4. Renews A. When someone grows old B. Makes something fresh and strong again C. Makes a plan 5. Jewish A. One who follows the religion of Judaism B. One who follows the religion of Islam C. One who follows the religion of Christianity 6. Few A. Very much B. Not many C. One thing 7. Law A. An idea someone has B. Directions to get somewhere C. A rule made by the government or a religion 8. Awe A. A feeling of disappointment B. A strong feeling of wonder C. Wanting to dance 9. Nephews A. Sons of your brother or sister B. Daughters of your brother or sister C. Brothers of your mother or father 10. Crews A. Groups of people B. A single person C. A city

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. What is this story about? A. Jewish faith B. A Jewish drink C. A Jewish stew 3. What is the name of it? A. Shabbat B. Cholent C. Matzo 4. When is it made? A. On Shabbat B. On the day before Shabbat C. On the day after Shabbat 5. When is it eaten? A. On Shabbat B. On the day before Shabbat C. On the day after Shabbat 6. How many recipes are there for it? A. 1 B. 2 C. Many 7. Which is NOT one of the ingredients always found in it? A. Carrots B. Potatoes C. Meat 8. For how long does it cook? A. An hour B. Overnight C. One afternoon 9. What does the author suggest you might want to do? A. Read a book about Judaism B. Find a restaurant that serves cholent C. Find a recipe and make cholent with your family 10. How does it taste? A. Bitter B. Sweet C. Delicious

Charlie the Artist

Charlie pulled at the drawer. It was squeaky and difficult to open. The handle wobbled, and Charlie told himself to remind his dad it needed to be screwed in tighter. Finally, the drawer slid out with a loud “Screech!” It was Charlie’s favorite drawer: the junk drawer. It was the place where every odd and end came to be. Nubby pencils, heart shaped erasers, paperclips, and scraps of paper were strewed about the drawer. He saw a picture of his dog that he drew when he was 4. Charlie smiled. The drawing wasn’t good, but it wasn’t awful, either. Now, Charlie couldn’t even remember what he had opened the drawer to get! Instead, he had a new idea. He hadn’t drawn in ages, and now he wanted to.

Charlie scanned the drawer again and withdrew the sharpest pencil and the piece of paper with the fewest scribbles on it. Now, the question was, what to draw? Charlie walked through his house thoughtfully. He could draw Scruff, the dog, again. Or he could try Meow, the cat. “Nah,” Charlie thought to himself. He wanted something better. His eyes looked over the piano, the family portrait on the wall, and the fireplace. Then, they landed on the perfect thing. It was a strange statue his dad had bought at a pawn shop when Charlie was a baby. His mom still rolled her eyes when she looked at it. It was odd. An animal that was half lion and half eagle. The creature’s clawed feet always sent a chill down Charlie’s spine. But now, Charlie knew he had found the perfect inspiration for his drawing. He pulled a big book out of the shelf, sat himself down in front of the statue, and began to draw. Hours passed before he finished, but when he looked down at his drawing, Charlie felt proud.

1. Drawer A. A box that slides in and out of a desk or other piece of furniture B. A piece of furniture where you sit and work C. A piece of furniture on which you rest your legs 2. Screwed A. Attached with a nail B. Attached with glue C. Attached with a screw 3. Withdrew A. Gave something to someone B. Took something back C. Made a picture 4. Strewed A. Things spread or scattered about B. Things neatly stacked together C. Things stirred together 5. Awful A. Very good B. Very, very bad C. Delicious 6. Clawed A. To have claws B. To walk on feet C. To fly with wings 7. Drawn A. To have written a poem B. To have told a story C. To have made a picture 8. Drew A. Past tense of ‘draw’ B. Past tense of ‘write’ C. Past tense of ‘paint’ 9. Pawn A. To pay to get something B. To give something for money C. To go shopping 10. Fewest A. The most B. A small amount C. The least amount

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Charlie B. James C. Hattie 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a school B. At Charlie’s grandparents’ house C. At Charlie’s house 4. What is Charlie doing in the beginning of the story? A. Opening a drawer B. Cleaning his room C. Looking for a snack 5. What does Charlie find that makes him smile? A. An eraser shaped like a peanut B. His old drawing of his dog C. An old piece of candy still in its wrapper 6. What does Charlie remind himself to tell his dad about? A. The statue creeps him out B. He wants to take drawing lessons C. The drawer handle needs to be screwed in tighter 7. What does Charlie decide he wants to do? A. Draw B. Take his dog for a walk C. Play the piano 8. What does Charlie draw? A. The family portrait B. The strange statue his dad bought at a pawn shop C. The snow globe on their fireplace 9. What animal is the statue shaped like? A. Lion B. Eagle C. Both A and B 10. How does Charlie feel at the end of the story? A. Tired B. Embarrassed C. Proud

Hattie Loves Spring

My favorite season is spring. It’s when frozen things are thawing, growing things are hatching, and blooming things are blossoming for the first time all year. The grassylawn goes from brown and crusty to soft and green. It’s finally warm enough that we can draw colorful pictures with chalk all over the driveway. Everything seems fresh and alive after the long cold winter. Dad tells me that’s a skewed version of things, just as spring seems chilly and wet compared to the middle of July, but I still think I’m right.

Today, I’ve zipped up my favorite blue hooded sweatshirt, and slipped a notebook in my front pocket. I’m going on a spring walk, and I’m going to record every spring thing I find. Ising a happy song as I walk down the path to the pond. My older sister would say, “Stop, Hattie! It’s awkward to sing by yourself outside.” But I don’t think so. I notice a mother red-tailed hawk gliding into her nest and feeding her chicks some bugs. I write it down in my notebook. As I sit in the tall reeds near the pond, I hear a bluebird singing her favorite song. I write it down. I yank a stalk of thick grass out of the ground and notice how pale and white it is at the base, compared to the bright green point at the top. I write it down.

It’s awfully soothing to sit by a pond in spring. I close my eyes and feel the soft breeze play across my cheeks. In the winter, the same breeze would sting and bite at my skin. Now, it’s like the downy fuzz of a newborn chick. I guess you could say I have spring on my mind. And I don’t mind it one bit.

1. Lawn A. An area outside covered with grass B. A rocky area C. The area next to a lake 2. Skewed A. Correct B. Unkind C. Not true or right 3. Chalk A. A substance used for painting B. A soft, light colored rock made into sticks with which to write or draw C. A waxy material used for drawing, often by children 4. Hawk A. A raptor, or kind of bird that eats other animals for food B. A small blue bird with a bright song C. A duck with a green head 5. Awkward A. Strange and unusual B. Not graceful or confident C. Beautiful and elegant 6. Sing A. To make a song by blowing through your lips B. To make a song by humming with your lips closed C. To make a song with your voice 7. Spring A. The season between winter and summer B. The season between summer and winter C. The season between fall and winter 8. Awfully A. Not at all B. Very much so C. A little bit 9. Stalk A. A plant’s tall or thick stem B. The leaf of a plant C. The flower of a plant 10. Thawing A. To freeze solid B. To be liquid C. Stop being frozen

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jessie B. Maddie C. Hattie 3. Where does this story take place? A. Outside Hattie’s home B. In Hattie’s best friend’s house C. In the mountains 4. Which season is this story about? A. Summer B. Spring C. Fall 5. What color sweatshirt does Hattie wear? A. Gray B. Purple C. Blue 6. What does Hattie carry along with her? A. A notebook B. A sketchpad C. A camera 7. Which bird does Hattie see? A. A hawk B. A mallard duck C. A bluebird 8. Which bird does Hattie hear? A. A hawk B. A mallard duck C. A bluebird 9. What does Hattie pull out of the ground? A. A thick stalk of grass B. A carrot C. A violet 10. What color is it at the base? A. Bright green B. Pale, white C. Orange

A Snack for a Fawn

The pair of fawns walk awkwardly down the sidewalks in town. All along the street, people’s faces are pressed against windows to see the darling deer. Old Mr. Mitchem is eating an apple on his front porch hidden in the shadow of the awning. He hasn’t yet noticed the fawns, and the fawns are too confused by the hard cement beneath their hooves to pay him any notice. Mr. Mitchem yawns and takes a bite out of his apple. That’s when he notices the two deer. He squints to be sure he isn’t imagining the sight, and he laughs. The darker of the two fawns hears him, and gawks in his direction. Mr. Mitchem freezes in place, not wanting to startle the baby deer.

Then, to his surprise, the fawn takes a step in his direction. And then another. It isn’t long before the fawn walks right to Mr. Mitchem’s porch railing. Across the street, Mr. Mitchem’s neighbor, Mrs. Gruber, is wide eyed as she watches in surprise. The fawn stretches her neck over the railing, and snatches the apple right out of Mr. Mitchem’s hand before she springs away. The fawn’s brother follows behind her, and the people pressed against their windows are left staring after the pair. It takes a moment before it dawns on Mr. Mitchem that what just happened is rather extraordinary. When he does, he laughs and laughs from the very bottom of his lungs. Mrs. Gruber across the street comes out on her porch and laughs with him. Then the other neighbors do the same. The whole street is buzzing with talk about the fawns and the Mr. Mitchem’s apple.

It was a sight to see, and one the people of the neighborhood won’t forget anytime soon.

1. Yawns A. Opening your mouth wide while taking a breath, usually because you’re tired or bored B. Blowing as hard as you can, as if to put out a candle C. Screams loudly 2. Dawns A. Becomes confused B. Suddenly understands C. Doesn’t like what is happening 3. Fawns A. Young deer B. Female deer C. Male deer 4. Sidewalks A. Bushes planted in front of a house B. The material covering the roof of a house C. A path along the side of a street for people to walk on 5. Awkwardly A. In a lovely, graceful way B. In an ungraceful way C. In a fast way 6. Springs A. Bushes that grow along fences B. Ducks down out of the way C. Suddenly leaps forward 7. Awning A. A shade that sticks out over a window or doorway B. The steps found at the front of a house C. A walkway leading to a house 8. Gawks A. Tells someone something unkind B. Stares at someone in a rude way C. Ignores someone 9. Walks A. Moves as quickly as possible B. Moves in a smooth, graceful way with music C. Moves at a steady rate, not a run 10. Lungs A. The organ used for thinking B. The organs used for breathing C. The organ used for pumping blood

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. The fawn B. Mrs. Gruber C. Mr. Mitchem 3. Where does this story take place? A. On a neighborhood street B. In the forest C. Alongside a mountain stream 4. Which type of animal is in this story? A. Crows B. Fawns C. Bucks 5. Which type of animal is a fawn? A. A deer B. A fox C. A rabbit 6. What are the people in the neighborhood doing at the beginning of this story? A. Chasing the fawns through the street B. Calling each other to tell one another about the fawns C. Pressing their faces against their windows to see the fawns 7. Where are the fawns walking? A. Along the sidewalk B. Through their yards C. On a roof 8. What is Mr. Mitchem eating? A. A pear B. A sandwich C. An apple 9. What happens to Mr. Mitchem? A. He falls asleep and drops his apple B. One of the fawns walks up to him and snatches his apple away C. He gets upset at the fawns for eating from his garden, so he tosses the apple core toward them

10. What does Mr. Mitchem do at the end? A. Hollers at the fawns B. Laughs and laughs C. Calls Mrs. Gruber

Midnight

Fiona fawned over the kitten endlessly. She pet his black, silky fur until it shone like glitter. The kitten, whom Fiona called Midnight, had been all alone when Fiona first found him. She had been walking home from the drug store, and somehow heard his tiny meow even with the loud traffic zooming past her. Fiona looked all around to see if she could find the kitten’s mother or siblings, but there was no sign of them. He looked at Fiona with scared, lonely eyes. How could she leave him there all on his own? Midnight was barely bigger than Fiona’s hand when she scooped him up that first time. She knew that if her motherbalked at the kitten, she would have to find him another home, but she hoped she wouldn’t have to.

As it turned out, Fiona didn’t have to worry about her mom. Although her mother gawked at the kitten when Fiona first walked in with him, she quickly gathered soft blankets and some dinner scraps for him to eat. She promised to buy cat food in the morning. That first night, Fiona and her mom sang Midnight to sleep with smiles on their faces.

Fiona and her mom loved Midnight instantly. They laughed at his silliness as he stalked a dust bunny that disappeared as soon as he pounced on it. When Midnight sprang into the full bath Fiona had just drawn, Fiona and her mom laughed until they had tears in their eyes. His wet fur left Fiona’s towel soaked, but Fiona still laughed even as she wrung it out.

As Midnight slept curled in a ball on Fiona’s own pillow that night, something dawned on her. As much as Midnight had needed Fiona and her mom, Fiona felt sure they had needed him more.

1. Fawned A. Watched a deer B. Felt annoyed by someone C. Gave lots of special attention to someone or something 2. Stalked A. Ignored everything around you B. Followed an animal carefully while hunting C. Paid close attention to what someone was saying 3. Balked A. Suddenly refused something B. Yelled loudly C. Fed roosters 4. Silky A. Rough and bumpy B. Smooth, soft, and shiny C. Wet and sticky 5. Wrung A. Twisted and squeezed something to remove water from it B. A step on a ladder C. Danced 6. Lonely A. Being busy B. Feeling bored C. Sad from being apart from other people 7. Sprang A. Leapt forward suddenly B. Fell backward C. Sat down suddenly 8. Sang A. Past tense of ‘swing’ B. Past tense of ‘sing’ C. Past tense of ‘slide’ 9. Gawked A. Told a bad a joke B. Stared in a rude way C. Walked in a clumsy way 10. Dawned A. Tried to explain something B. Laughed about something C. Began to understand something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Midnight B. Mom C. Fiona 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Fiona’s place in the city B. At Fiona’s family’s cottage C. Aboard a bus 4. What is the problem in this story? A. A stray kitten wrecks things in Fiona’s house B. Fiona finds a kitten and doesn’t know if her mom will let her keep it C. Fiona’s mom is always tired from working so much 5. What is the kitten’s name? A. Clover B. Mittens C. Midnight 6. What color is he? A. White B. Black C. Calico 7. How does the mom first react to seeing the kitten? A. She stares, gawks B. She screams with surprise C. She tells Fiona he needs to go 8. What does the mom do next? A. Calls the animal shelter B. Finds blankets and food for the cat C. Hugs Fiona 9. What makes Fiona and her mom laugh? A. Watching Midnight stalk a dust bunny B. Seeing Midnight jump into a bathtub full of water C. Both A and B 10. What does Fiona realize at the end of the story? A. Someone probably misses Midnight B. Midnight doesn’t seem very happy with them C. Fiona and her mom needed Midnight even more than he needed them

Salmon Spawning

Trudy and Clement stood alongside the river watching the fish. Their Uncle Chris had told them about salmon spawning, but neither of the kids had seen it before. Now, they were both gawking at the sight. Trudy and Clement had stood in the shallows of a river before. They remembered how they had needed to cling to their parents’ hands because of how the current pushed at their legs. These fish were wiggling hard against the water, thenspringing up and splashing back into the river.

“It looks exhausting,” Clement said. Trudy nodded. Just this morning, Trudy was balking about doing dishes because “it was too much work.” After watching these fish, she felt embarrassed to have been so lazy.

The kids had lived in Washington their entire lives, yet had never seen fish spawning before. They were glad their Uncle Chris had wanted to attune them to the wonder. Now that they were here, they had no interest in walking back home. Usually, they only came to the river to skip rocks. Now, neither Trudy nor Clement dared throw a stone for fear of hitting a fish. Trudy felt hypnotized by the salmon. It was the same feeling she got when she watched a good movie. But as the sky began to soften in color, she and Clement knew it was time to go home. Maybe when the new day dawned, they could ask Uncle Chris to take them back again. They could pack a lunch and blankets. Maybe Uncle Chris would even bring his sketch pad and they could take turns drawing the fish.

These were all things Trudy and Clement talked about on their way home. They were milking this experience for everything they could so they would never forget it. Following the river back home, they knew they never would.

1. Spawning A. Animals meeting each other in the forest B. Fish laying eggs in water, usually swimming in a river C. Animals eating their prey 2. Cling A. To ignore someone B. To stand near someone C. To hold onto something tightly 3. Gawking A. Quietly speaking to someone B. Staring at someone or something C. Listening to someone who isn’t talking to you 4. Springing A. Moving or leaping forward suddenly B. Sitting down suddenly C. Lying down for rest 5. Balking A. Stealing from someone B. Making a loud sound C. Refusing to do what someone asks of you 6. Attune A. To make someone have a better understanding of something B. To find a radio station C. To hear yourself talk 7. Walking A. Moving as quickly as possible B. Moving at a steady pace, not as fast as running C. Moving in a swaying, gentle way 8. Stone A. A rock B. A flower C. Sand 9. Dawned A. When the sky became dark at night B. When the sky was bright at noon C. When the sky became light as the sun rose 10. Milking A. Not needing something B. Using something in a way that helps you C. Drinking milk

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story A. Trudy B. Clement C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. Along a river B. At a lake C. At the ocean 4. Which state do the children live in? A. Oregon B. Washington C. California 5. What is their uncle’s name? A. Justin B. Mike C. Chris 6. What are they watching? A. Frogs laying eggs B. Salmon spawning C. Deer eating leaves 7. What makes Trudy feel lazy? A. When she remembers that she complained about doing dishes B. When she feels tired on the walk home C. When she thinks about the hard work of swimming lessons 8. What do the children want to do the next morning? A. Make breakfast for their family B. Come back to the river with Uncle Chris C. Sleep as late as they can 9. What will they bring along next time? A. Snacks and blankets B. Sketch pad C. Both A and B 10. A. Get out of doing dishes that evening B. Remember the day so they’ll never forget C. Plan to surprise their uncle

Honeybees are Sweet

Honeybees are amazing. Without them, our world would be a lot different. You may be thinking, “Wait a minute. I don’t like bees—they sting!” But honeybees have some important jobs.

For starters, they make honey. Honey is sticky, sweet, and delicious, but did you know it is also good for you? Honey carries special bacteria that boosts immunity. That means our bodies can fight off germs better. Their other important job is pollinating. When the bees gather nectar from a plant, they also pick up pollen. Then, when they land on another plant, that pollen mixes with the new plant’s pollen to make flowers, produce fruit, and continue to grow.

Honeybees use differenttones of buzzing to mean different things. The buzzing sound comes from their wings vibrating—they can fly as fast as acyclone ! But when bees feel scared, their buzzing gets louder. Here’s another interesting fact about honeybees: unlike you and me, their bones are on the outside of their body. This is called an exoskeleton. You may not have noticed it, because it is covered with layers of wax.

There are no kings in a beehive. Instead, queens rule. The queen’s main job is to lay eggs—not make honey. So how is honey made? It’s an interesting process. When bees gather nectar from plants, they suck it up through their long tongues. They store the nectar in a second stomach. A bee brings the nectar back to its hive where it passes that nectar to another worker bee. These worker bees—called house bees—are like smaller clones of the bees that gather the nectar. The house bee chews the nectar for 30 minutes, then slings it into the honeycomb. There, it continues to dry out and becomes the honey we buy in the store.

Aren’t honeybees sweet?

[sources: https://articles.extension.org/pages/21754/anatomy-of-the-honey-bee; https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/animals/insects/honey-bees/; http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/raw-honey-contains-probiotic-boosts-immunity; https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/why-do-bees-buzz.html; https://www.perfectbee.com/learn-about-bees/the-life-of-bees/bees-make-honey; https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/honey-bee-queen.html ] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 8 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Sting A. To cause a quick, sharp pain with a stinger B. To kick someone C. To push something 2. Wings A. The part of the body used for walking B. The part of an animal or insect’s body used for flying C. The part of the body used for thinking 3. Tones A. The materials used to make something B. Words chosen for a story C. The sounds something makes 4. Cyclone A. A huge wave in the ocean B. A large, powerful storm that spins C. A heavy rain 5. Immunity A. The power to keep yourself from getting sick B. Medicine C. A sickness 6. Bones A. The skin on our bodies B. The muscles in our bodies C. The hard pieces that form a person or animal’s skeleton 7. Slings A. Throws something in a forceful way B. Attaches two things together C. Buys something 8. Brings A. Asks for a favor B. Comes with something to a place C. Takes something 9. Clones A. Two very different things B. Living things with the exact same genes as their parents C. Brothers or sisters 10. Kings A. Male rulers of countries or places B. Female rulers of countries or places C. Sons of rulers of a place

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. What is this story about? A. Bumble bees B. Serpents C. Honeybees 3. What do honeybees make? A. Milk B. Honey C. Jelly 4. Honey carries special bacteria that boosts: A. Pollen B. Fructose C. Immunity 5. Bees carry around ____ from plant to plant so they can flower and make fruit. A. Nectar B. Pollen C. Honey 6. A honeybee’s buzzing sound comes from its: A. Wings flapping so quickly B. Mouth humming C. Stinger stinging 7. A honeybee’s skeleton is ___ its body. A. Inside B. Outside C. Nowhere in 8. The ____ job is to lay eggs. A. House bee’s B. Worker bee’s C. Queen bee’s 9. Honey is made from: A. Nectar B. Pollen C. Queens 10. ____ bees chew nectar before putting it in honeycombs. A. Worker B. Queen C. House

The Fieldtrip

Tyrone clung to the rope strung between two trees. He couldn’t remember the last time he played in the woods. The class fieldtrip took them upstate to an old farm that had been turned into a giant playground for older kids. Tyrone was having a great time. So were his classmates. It was a lot more fun than playing alone.

“Over here!” his friend, Jordan, called. Jordan was running to the rope ladder obstacle. Tyrone swung down from the rope and brushed dirt from his knees. Nothing could keep him from joining his friend. He was in the zone—totally tuned in to Jordan, and totally tuned out to what was happening right next to him. When he’d jumped, Tyrone had bumped a beehive. Now, a trail of bees was following him. Jordan saw it from the rope ladder.

“Hey! Bees!” he yelled and pointed.

Tyrone looked, but it was too late. He had already been stung. “Ow! Ow!” he sobbed. He didn’t want to cry in front of his friends, but it hurt so much. Quickly, his teacher, Miss Ebanks, ran to him.

“He’s allergic to bees,” he heard Miss Ebanks say. She opened a case and pulled out something that Tyrone recognized. It was special medicine to stop him from getting a bad allergic reaction to the bee stings. The medicine couldn’t immunize Tyrone against stings, but it would keep him safe. She gave Tyrone the medicine.

Jordan ran to Tyrone. Tyrone could see his friend was scared.

“Hey man,” Tyrone said. “It’s all right. Haven’t you ever seen a guy cry before?” He chuckled. Tyrone let out a deep breath. “Dude, that really scared me! I’m glad you’re OK.”

Jordan sat with Tyrone for a long time until he felt better.

“Ready for that rope ladder, now?” Tyrone asked.

“You bet” Jordan smiled.

1. Clung A. Gripped tightly B. Came apart C. Went away 2. Alone A. Without anyone else B. With others C. To feel sad 3. Nothing A. All things B. One or two things C. Not anything 4. Tuned A. Disagreed with someone B. Agreed with or matched another, tuned in C. To move in another direction 5. Stung A. Past tense of ‘fly’ B. Past tense of ‘sting’ C. Past tense of ‘swing’ 6. Strung A. To feel happy B. Learned something C. Hung things 7. Sobbed A. Cried hard, loudly B. Was quietly sad C. Laughed 8. Swung A. Past tense of ‘sting’ B. Past tense of ‘swing’ C. Past tense of ‘swoop’ 9. Zone A. To daydream B. To really focus on something C. To fall asleep 10. Immunize A. To feel ill B. To give someone medicine to keep them from getting sick C. To see a doctor

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Miss Ebanks B. Jordan C. Tyrone 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a farm that’s been turned into a playground B. At school C. In gym class 4. What is Tyrone doing at the beginning of the story? A. Playing on a rope ladder B. Swinging on a rope strung between two trees C. Petting sheep 5. What does Jordan call Tyrone over to do? A. Play on a rope ladder B. Swing on a rope strung between two trees C. Pet sheep 6. What happens when Tyrone jumps down? A. He twists his ankle B. He runs into Miss Ebanks C. He bumps a beehive 7. What happens next? A. Tyrone gets stung B. Jordan gets stung C. Tyrone runs fast 8. Who helps Tyrone? A. Jordan B. Miss Ebanks C. He helps himself 9. What does Miss Ebanks do? A. Calls his parents B. Gives him special medicine so he won’t have a bad allergic reaction to the stings C. Wraps up the stings with a special ointment so they won’t hurt 10. What happens at the end of the story? A. Tyrone asks Jordan if he’s ready to do the rope ladder B. Jordan asks Tyrone if he wants to play catch C. The fieldtrip ends and the students get on the bus to go home

What is Immunization?

Have you ever gotten a shot at the doctor’s office? Maybe you got a flu shot last fall. Did your arm throb afterward? Or maybe your parents have told you about when they took you to get shots when you were just a baby. You may feel sad to think about that happening— after all, shots don’t feel good—but these shots are meant to protect you. These shots are immunizations.

What does immunization mean? It means to be given medicine that will keep you from getting sick. We don’t have immunizations for things like the common cold, or strep throat. But you can be immunized against diseases like polio, measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough.

Years ago, children and adults commonly caught these diseases. They became terribly sick from them, and some people even died. That’s why doctors and scientists worked hard to find vaccines to immunize people. They didn’t want anybody to suffer anymore. Theyhoped these diseases wouldn’t hurt people again.

But being immunized—or vaccinated—doesn’t just protect the person who got the shot. When many people are vaccinated, it protects the whole community around them. Since not everyone is able to get vaccinated, they rely on others around them to get immunized in order to be protected from disease.

Everyone knows that getting shots doesn’t feel good. Being poked with a needle feels like a bee stinging. But nurses do their best to give shots quickly and in zones of your body where it won’t hurt as badly. For example, you never get a shot in a bony area like your elbow or knee. Instead, nurses choose places with a lot of muscle—your upper arm or leg—where the needle won’t be noticed as much.

While getting immunized might not feel good at first, it can protect you from many harmful things.

[sources: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-diseases.html; https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/work/ protection/index.html] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 10 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Community A. A group of people who live in the same area B. A single person C. A couple of animals 2. Hoped A. Didn’t like something B. Wanted and thought something to happen or be true C. Knew something wouldn’t work 3. Against A. To want something to happen B. To agree C. In opposition (disagreement) to something 4. Bony A. No bones at all B. Full of bones C. A part of the body with a lot of muscle 5. Immunization A. To get very sick B. To give medicine to keep you from getting a disease C. To sneeze 6. Stinging A. Hurting by poking the skin with something sharp B. Shoving someone C. Teasing someone 7. Anybody A. Only one certain person B. No person C. Any person 8. Again A. To do only once B. Another time, one more time C. To do a thing exactly four times 9. Zones A. Areas B. People C. Animals 10. Throb A. To feel a quick, sharp pain B. To feel a pain that continues to start and stop hurting C. To have a pain that doesn’t change or go away

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. What is the topic of this story? What is it about A. Immunizations B. Getting sick C. Doctors 3. Immunization is to be given ____ to keep you from getting sick. A. Exercises B. Medicine C. Crystals 4. There is NOT an immunization for: A. Chickenpox B. Whooping cough C. Common cold 5. Why did scientists and doctors make vaccines? A. Because they were bored B. Because many people were becoming sick from certain diseases C. Because they liked giving shots 6. How are vaccines given to people? A. Through a pill B. Through a shot C. Through ear drops 7. When many people are vaccinated, it protects: A. Just those people B. Those people plus one more person C. The entire community around them 8. Getting a shot can feel like: A. Being stung by a bee B. Being bitten by a cat C. Being pushed 9. Nurses don’t want the shots to hurt, so they give them in these places on your body. A. Bony areas B. Areas with a lot of muscle C. Only on a toe 10. Immunizations can: A. Make you hungry B. Help you with math C. Protect you—and others—from many harmful illnesses

Asha and the Aloe Plant

Asha’s mother had just assigned new chores. Asha was now in charge of caring for the plants in their apartment. Dhruv would feed and walk Walter, their dog. Asha loved Walter, but she tried not to be jealous. She told herself this was an opportunity to learn about flowers.

While Dhruv walked Walter one day, Asha read about giving plants water and sunshine, which she already knew. But the book also said to prune plants. Asha had never thought about pruning before. After Asha gave water to each of the six plants in their apartment, she found the clippers and went about pruning. The tips of the aloe plant looked spikey and sharp, so started with those. She clipped and clipped. Then she noticed goo dripping from the clipped spike. Asha was intrigued. She collected a gob of it and went to her microscope. As she was examining the goo, Dhruv came home.

“Asha!” he yelled. “What did you do to the aloe plant?”

Asha looked up. “I pruned it.”

“Well, now it’s dripping aloe all over, and it looks like you gave it a bob. Mom’s not going to be happy,” Dhruv said.

Asha looked at the plant. He was right—how hadn’t she noticed it before? It looked ridiculous. “Oh, no,” Asha moped. How would she cope with her mother’s scolding? She hadn’t meant to wreck the plant. By the slope in her shoulders, Dhruv knew she felt awful. Now he felt badly for being hard on her.

“Aw, it’s not so bad,” Dhruv said before she began to sob. “I’ll help you clean up the mess, and the plant will grow back.” Then his eyes lit up and he smiled. “Maybe Mom will think a robber got in our house and did it.”

This made Asha laugh. She liked having Dhruv on her side.

1. Microscope A. A tool used to make very tiny things appear larger B. To look at something huge and make it seem smaller C. A scientist 2. Gob A. A large amount of water B. A lump of something C. Something sticky 3. Prune A. To water a plant B. To give sunshine to a plant C. To cut off part of a plant so it will grow better 4. Opportunity A. A dangerous idea B. A chance to do something C. A clever plan 5. Bob A. A chin-length haircut B. A hair stylist C. A type of scissors 6. Robber A. Someone who helps others B. Someone who steals C. Someone who makes up stories 7. Moped A. Acted grateful B. Acted excited C. Acted unhappy or upset 8. Slope A. A straight line B. A slant up or down C. A flat place 9. Cope A. To deal with a difficult thing B. To make a plan C. To think hard 10. Sob A. To cry softly and quietly B. To cry hard C. To laugh loudly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Dhruv B. Walter C. Asha 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a house B. In an apartment C. In an office 4. What job does the mother give to Asha? A. To care for their plants B. To walk the dog C. To feed the fish 5. What job does the mother give to Dhruv? A. To care for the plants B. To walk the dog C. To feed the fish 6. Who is Walter? A. The dog B. Asha’s older brother C. The name Asha gives to a plant 7. Who is Dhruv? A. The dog B. The name Asha gives to a plant C. Asha’s older brother 8. What does Asha do that was a mistake? A. Water the plants B. Walk the dog C. Clip, or prune, the aloe plant 9. What happens when she clips the spike? A. Aloe drips out of it B. The plan dies right away C. She gets poked in the finger 10. Who helps Asha feel better? A. Walter B. Dhruv C. Her mother

Night Class

Mr. Fitz taught science at Sunshine Academy. Most students liked his class just fine, but they got most excited for the space unit. That’s because Mr. Fritz chose one night for the students to come to his house and use his telescope to look at the night sky.

When it came time to sign up for Mr. Fritz’s night time space lesson, the class mobbed the signup sheet that hung in the lobby. Everyone, that is, except Leo. Leo slowly loped around, as if he didn’t care.

“Write neatly,” Mr. Fritz said. “If you write like slobs, I won’t know whom to expect.”

“Ooh, I hope there’ll be a spot for me,” a student at the back of the crowd said nervously.

“Don’t worry,” Mr. Fritz said with a smile. “There’s enough space for all of you.” Then he laughed. “Get it? ‘Space.’”

The kids laughed.

At last, the night came. Mr. Fritz welcomed the students and introduced them to his wife. Everyone was excited—even Leo. Mr. Fritz lead them to the backyard, where he had scoped out a good place to see the stars. He explained how the telescope worked, and showed how to turn a knob to make the stars clearer. Then he asked who wanted a turn. Everyone’s hands bobbed around in the air.

Mr. Fritz called on Leo. “This is really cool,” Leo said after a moment. “But, why is that star so big and blue?” Mr. Fritz looked through the telescope.

“You’ve found Neptune!” Mr. Fritz said. “Who else would like to see?” Hands shot up again. The students could have stayed all night. They ate fresh popcorn and drank cider. They discovered different stars, and even caught a few lightning bugs while waiting their turn. It was a science lesson they’d never forget.

1. Neptune A. A planet, eight planets from Earth B. A bright, burning ball of gas that Earth revolves around C. A white star you see at night 2. Lobby A. A tiny space at the back of a building B. A large area near the entrance in a school or other building C. A classroom 3. Knob A. A round switch or handle B. A long switch that sticks out from a wall C. A button you push 4. Mobbed A. Tripped and fell B. Walked clumsily C. A group of people crowded around something 5. Telescope A. A tool used to poke through walls B. A tool you can look through to see things that are very far away C. A tool used for attaching things with nails 6. Slobs A. People who are lazy or messy B. People who are tidy C. People who are polite 7. Loped A. Ran quickly B. Sat down C. Moved in a relaxed way 8. Hope A. To want something to be true B. To not like something C. To be sad 9. Scoped A. Dug something out B. Looked at something to get information C. Piled something high 10. Bobbed A. Moved from side to side B. Moved up and down again and again C. Went away

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mr. Fritz B. Leo C. Lucy 3. Where does Mr. Fritz teach? A. Sunnyside Elementary B. Sunnydale School C. Sunshine Academy 4. What does Mr. Fritz teach? A. Science B. Math C. English 5. What unit do the students most look forward to? A. Biology B. Plants and Animals C. Space 6. Where does Mr. Fritz take his students? A. To his house B. To the science museum C. To the highest place in the city 7. Which student doesn’t seem very excited at first? A. Lucy B. Leo C. Freddy 8. What tool does Mr. Fritz have that he lets his students use? A. A microscope B. A telescope C. Binoculars 9. Which planet do the kids see? A. Uranus B. Mars C. Neptune 10. What color is it? A. Red B. White C. Blue

Cowboy Camp

Brad lived in the city, but dreamed of having horses and cattle. When he got the opportunity to attend Cowboy Camp, Brad couldn’t wait.

“Sun’s up!” came the wakeup call on the first morning of Cowboy Camp. “Stoprobbing daylight, cowboys. Let’s go!”

Brad happily leapt out of bed. A few of the other campers were moping around like they didn’t care if they’d get to rope cattle or ride horses today. Brad stepped outside and breathed in deeply. He smiled at the communion he felt with the ranch.

Then, the camp director pointed out a few cattle bobbing away in the open field. Brad watched as two cowboys roped the cattle and brought them back in the gate. He couldn’t believe it. He knew roping cattle was difficult, and these guys made it look easy.

Afterward, one of the cowboys came loping over to Brad and tipped his hat at him. “Morning,” is all the man said.

“Wow, mister, that was really something!” Brad said.

“Well thank you kindly,” the man said with a smile. “Want to learn?”

“I’ve been hoping to!” Brad said.

The cowboy said to call him Speedy. Then he pulled a haybale onto the ground and set a bucket on top of that. “That’s supposed to be the steer’s head,” Speedy chuckled.

Brad was already groping at the rope, but Speedy showed him the right way to hold it. Brad practiced swinging the rope in circles above his head. He tried tossing the rope at the bucket on the hay. Instead, he ended up lobbing it right at Speedy.

“Sorry, mister,” Brad apologized. But Speedy only laughed.

“Reminds me of my first time trying to rope a bucket,” he said. Brad smiled. Cowboy Camp was going to be even better than he had hoped.

1. Communion A. Believing in something B. Being a hard worker C. A close relationship with something or someone 2. Loping A. Moving in a relaxed way, with big steps B. Being clumsy C. Being hopeful 3. Roping A. Tying knot in a rope B. Throwing a circle of rope around something C. Stealing 4. Robbing A. Stealing B. Putting rope around something C. Telling lies 5. Opportunity A. A plan B. A dream C. A chance 6. Moping A. Behaving in a crazy way B. Behaving in an unhappy way C. Behaving in a sweet way 7. Bobbing A. Moving up and down again and again B. Swaying from side to side C. Moving backward 8. Hoping A. Thinking something won’t happen B. Making a decision C. Wanting something to happen 9. Groping A. To hold onto something so it doesn’t fall B. Touching something in an awkward way C. Helping someone 10. Lobbing A. Throwing something in a high, curved way B. Throwing something fast and straight C. Rolling something on the ground

1. Which type of story is this A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Rico B. Speedy C. Brad 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Cowboy Camp on a ranch B. At Brad’s house in the city C. In a dream 4. What is something Brad is NOT looking forward to doing at camp? A. Riding horses B. Eating hot dogs C. Roping cattle 5. How does Brad wake on the first morning? A. To a rooster crowing B. To horses walking through the cabin C. To a man shouting, “Stop robbing daylight!” 6. What does Brad watch on the first morning? A. A horse giving birth B. Cowboys roping some cattle that got loose C. A farrier putting shoes on the horses 7. What’s the name of the cowboy Brad meets? A. Fasty B. Speedy C. Silly 8. What does the cowboy offer to teach Brad? A. How to ride a galloping horse B. How to saddle a horse C. How to rope cattle 9. What does Speedy use as the fake steer’s head? A. A salt block B. A bucket C. An old saddle 10. How does Brad feel at the end of the story? A. Excited for his week at Cowboy Camp B. Nervous about messing up the first time he tries roping C. Angry at himself for not roping correctly

Snowflake’s Adventure

Jackie loosened the slack on the rope attached to the bucket. She was lowering the bucket so Snowflake, her white cat, could get in. Then, she would pull the bucket back up to her bedroom window. Mom and Dad didn’t allow animals inside the house, so she had to be sneaky. Jackie had put some of Snowflake’s food in the bucket for asnack . She also rolled up a sack to make the bucket cozier. It was nicer than the empty shack Snowflake usually called home, Jackie thought.

Jackie called to Snowflake from her window. Snowflake paced back and forth in front of the bucket. When she smelled the food, she crawled in the bucket. Jackie started pulling up the bucket. But before she pulled her even five inches off the ground, there was a loud “Smack!” The knot Jackie tied had come loose. The bucket crashed to the ground and Snowflake shook herself off. She wandered away, clearly confused.

“Oh, man!” Jackie said. She pulled up the rope and walked outside to fetch the bucket. There wasn’t a crack in the bucket, so she tied the rope around the handle again. As she worked, she watched Snowflake try toattack a grasshopper in the tall grass beyond the yard. She laughed when Snowflake tried so hard towhack the grasshopper that she lost her balance and toppled over. Snowflake stayed on her back, rubbing against the ground to scratch an itch. Jackie heard a duck quack in the distance. So did Snowflake. Snowflake got to her feet, tilted her ears forward, and began to track the sound toward the pond in their woods.

Jackie sighed. It was clear that Snowflake loved her home. And her home was outside. Jackie would just have to wait until she was a grownup and could get an indoor pet herself.

1. Slack A. Loose B. Tight C. Rough 2. Whack A. To throw B. To hit C. To catch 3. Shack A. A small house or building that isn’t built well B. A large mansion C. A tall apartment building 4. Crack A. When something breaks into many pieces B. A soft wind C. A thin line on something that is broken, but not in pieces 5. Attack A. To help someone B. To ask a favor C. To try to hurt something 6. Quack A. The sound a dog makes B. The sound a duck makes C. The sound a pigeon makes 7. Smack A. The sound made when something falls into water B. A loud noise when something hits something else hard C. The sound made by blowing air through your lips 8. Sack A. A bag B. A box C. A bowl 9. Track A. To hear an animal B. To follow and find an animal C. To notice an animal 10. Snack A. A small amount of food eaten between meals B. The first meal of the day C. The last meal of the day

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jason B. Jake C. Jackie 3. What is Jackie’s cat’s name? A. Rascal B. Snowflake C. Snowy 4. What is Jackie trying to do at the beginning of the story? A. Bring her cat inside B. Take her cat on a walk C. Teach her cat how to sit 5. Why does Jackie have to be sneaky? A. Her parents don’t allow animals in the house B. She doesn’t want to wake her brother C. She isn’t supposed to take the screen out of the window 6. What does Snowflake do when she sees the bucket? A. She refuses to get inside B. She bats at it with her paw C. She crawls in because there’s food inside 7. What happens when Jackie starts pulling the bucket up to her room? A. The knot in the rope comes loose and the bucket falls B. The bucket tips and Snowflake falls out C. Snowflake jumps out 8. When Jackie goes outside, what does she see Snowflake doing? A. Chasing her tail B. Attacking a grasshopper C. Running after a fox 9. What does Jackie hear? A. Snowflake meowing B. A dog barking C. A duck quacking 10. What does Jackie decide at the end of the story? A. Snowflake is happiest in her home outside B. Snowflake should live inside forever C. She should get a dog, instead

Snow Day

Josh peered out the window.

“Still snowing?” his sister Nikki asked.

“Yep, still snowing,” he answered

The living room floor was littered withstacks of red and black checkers. Nikki and Josh had spent most of the morning seeing who could make the tallest tower.

“What should we do now?” Nikki asked. The schools were closed because of the snow, and even though their father was home, he had work to do. “Mind yourselves, and keep busy,” he had told them before doing his job of protecting websites from hackers.

Josh shrugged at Nikki. It had been his idea to stack the checkers. Nikki looked around and opened a drawer.

“We have so many playing cards,” she said. “Want to play Go Fish?”

“Nah,” Josh said.

“Hmm,” Nikki thought out loud. “Oh, I know!” She carried all the packs of cards, shoving some in the pockets in her slacks. Then she showed Josh how to use the cards to build a house. The first one she built was around a stack of checkers.

“Hey!” Josh pointed. “The house has a smokestack!” Nikki giggled. She unpacked another deck of cards and handed them to Josh.

It took great concentration to make a card house. Luckily, the living room had thick carpet on the floor. If they slid the edge of the card into the carpet, it stayed in place nicely, even if the cracks between the cards got a bit wide and some lacked roofs.

After every deck of playing cards was made into little shacks, Nikki and Josh rolled from their bellies to their backs.

“Phew!” said Nikki. “That was a lot of work.”

Josh nodded. It was almost lunch time. He didn’t know what they would do this afternoon, but as long as he was with his sister, they would have fun.

1. Backs A. The parts of things that are opposite the fronts B. The front parts of a things C. The legs of things 2. Lacked A. Didn’t have something B. Had all the things C. Was loose 3. Slacks A. Shirts B. Pants C. Jackets 4. Stacks A. Big, messy piles B. Interesting patterns C. Neat piles of things set one on top of another 5. Shacks A. Small houses or buildings that aren’t made very well B. Large, neat buildings C. Tall towers 6. Packs A. Tall piles of things B. Small packages holding things C. Large amounts of things 7. Smokestack A. A firepit built outside for campfires B. The line of smoke that rises from a fire C. A tall chimney 8. Cracks A. When something breaks into many pieces B. Fixes things C. Very small spaces between two things 9. Unpacked A. Put things into a box B. Took something out of a box C. Listed what needs to be packed 10. Hackers A. People who secretly access computer programs, even though they shouldn’t B. People who make websites C. People who don’t have jobs

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Nikki B. Josh C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Nikki and Josh’s house B. At school C. Outside 4. Why are the kids home? A. Because it’s a weekend B. Because school is closed since it is snowing so much C. Because they are sick 5. What is the first thing the kids do in this story? A. Build card houses B. Build stacks with checkers C. Play Go Fish 6. What is the next thing they do? A. Build card houses B. Build stacks with checkers C. Play Go Fish 7. Who is home with the kids? A. Their mother B. Their nanny C. Their father 8. What is their dad busy doing? A. Shoveling the snow B. Working C. Making lunch 9. Whose idea is it to build card houses? A. Nikki’s B. Josh’s C. Their dad’s 10. How does Josh feel at the end of the story? A. Hopeful that the rest of the day spent with his sister will be fun B. Eager to go play in the snow C. Angry that their dad has to work

Omar’s Snack

Omar backed slowly into his room. He balanced a pile of crackers almost as high as his head. He had hijacked them from the cupboard without anyone noticing. He would have to be careful not to make too many crumbs, though. This is why he was walking backward: to make sure he wasn’t leaving behind any tracks. A trail of cracker dust would blow his cover. Even in the blackest night, cracker crumbs seem to glow in the dark. Why was that? And why hadn’t he thought to grab a plate, too? Omar shook his head at himself.

Omar let out a breath when he finally closed his door behind him. He grabbed a notebook and set the crackers on it as if it were a plate. He snacked happily as he read through the latest comic section in the newspaper. He was in no rush, now that he was safely inside his room. One particular comic really made him laugh. He found his scissors in his desk drawer, and cut the comic out of the newspaper. His parents wouldn’t mind, and he was pretty sure his sisters had already finished reading this section of the newspaper. Omar dug out a couple of pushpins and carefully tacked the comic up on his wall. Omar took a step back to see it better. He folded his arms across his body as he read it again and chuckled.

Then Omar sat back down to finish reading andattacked the last few crackers. He smacked his lips when they were gone. He was so thirsty. Next time, he’d remind himself to grab a plate and a glass of water. He shook his head at himself, again. Sometimes his thinking was really lacking. Oh well, he thought to himself. At least he got some peace and quiet today.

1. Backed A. Moved forward B. Moved backward C. Moved to the side 2. Hijacked A. Stole something, usually from a vehicle B. Gave a gift to someone C. Told a lie 3. Blackest A. The least black B. A little black C. The most black 4. Snacked A. Ate a large meal B. Ate a snack C. Prepared food for a meal 5. Tacked A. Tore something in half B. Too something off a wall C. Attached something with a tack 6. Tracks A. Marks left on the ground from a moving animal or person or vehicle B. An animal’s paws C. The sounds animals make 7. Cracker A. A dry, thin food, often eaten as a snack B. A juicy blue fruit C. A crunchy red vegetable 8. Smacked A. Whispered quietly B. Hit something against something else so it made a loud sound C. Fell down 9. Lacking A. Having more than you need B. Having just the right amount C. Not having enough 10. Attacked A. Tried to hurt or destroy something B. Tried to help someone C. Gave someone a message

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Omar B. Ari C. Rory 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the kitchen B. In a park C. In Omar’s room 4. What is Omar carrying at the beginning of the story? A. A stack of crackers B. His dog C. His books for homework 5. How is Omar walking? A. Quickly B. Like he’s dancing C. Backward 6. What is Omar doing while he’s eating crackers? A. His homework B. Reading the comics from the newspaper C. Listening to music 7. What does he use his scissors for? A. To cut out a comic he likes B. To cut off some thread from his jeans C. To cut out the chewed gum that fell on his carpet 8. What does Omar do with the comic? A. Pastes it into his school notebook B. Puts it in an envelope to mail to his cousin C. Tacks it onto his wall 9. What does Omar wish he had brought into his room? A. A plate B. Something to drink C. Both A and B 10. How does Omar seem to feel at the end of the story? A. Content and happy B. Very angry at himself C. Lonely

Flickers

Flickers are beautiful, large birds in the woodpecker family. They are much larger than birds we usually see in our trees. Flickers are around one foot tall! Flickers live all over the U.S., so you might have seen or heard one before. The flicker has flecks of black on its cream colored chest and neck. This pattern looks a bit like a checker board.

Flickers live in holes in trees, but unlike other woodpeckers, flickers don’tpeck at trees to find food. Instead, they use their curved beak to dig out bugs from the ground, or will perch on a stick to eat berries from a tree. You can check for flickers on the ground while you walk through the woods. You may scare them off the ground just by walking. They’requick , though, so watch carefully if you don’t want to miss them.

You’ll know you’ve seen a flicker if you see a bright flash of color under the wings. The color you see on the flicker depends on where you live. If you’re in the East, you’ll see yellow. But if you’re in the West, you’ll notice a flash of red. In fact, this is where flickers get their name from. That bright splash of color we see when flickers fly reminds us of flickering flames. But all flickers have bright white rumps—no matter where you live. A flickerchick —or baby—doesn’t yet have the colorful patch that its parents have. Chicks are mostly brown and gray.

So, the next time you want to see a wonderful bird, don’t just sit on your deck with a pair of binoculars. Instead, get out into nature and walk carefully. You might just trick a flicker into flying right before your eyes.

[sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/overview; https://www.audubon.org/field- guide/bird/northern-flicker; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_flicker]

1. Check A. To look at something carefully B. To do something fast C. To feel confused 2. Flicker A. A type of chicken B. A bird in the woodpecker family C. A bird in the crow family 3. Flecks A. Large blobs of black B. Stripes of color C. Small spots or marks 4. Peck A. To softly touch something B. To hit at something with a beak C. To grab with claws 5. Trick A. To fool someone B. To be honest C. To tell a joke 6. Stick A. The wide trunk of a tree B. The leaves on a tree C. A piece of branch or tree 7. Quick A. Slow B. Fast C. Lazy 8. Chick A. A baby bird B. A baby cow C. A baby cat 9. Neck A. The part of the body between your hand and shoulders B. The part of the body between the head and shoulders C. The part of the body between your leg and feet 10. Deck A. A house B. A play fort C. A flat wooden structure with only a floor, connected to a house

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. What is this story about? A. Flickers B. Hens C. Hiking 3. What family do flickers belong to? A. Woodpeckers B. Finches C. Ducks 4. Where do flickers live? A. In nests made of twigs B. In holes in the ground C. In holes in trees 5. What do flickers eat? A. Bugs B. Other birds C. Leaves 6. How large are flickers? A. About 1 inch tall B. About 1 foot tall C. About 1 yard tall 7. What is found under a flicker’s wing? A. Spiky feathers B. A pocket C. A bright color 8. Which is NOT one of the colors found under a flicker’s wing? A. Red B. Orange C. Yellow 9. What pattern is found on a flicker? A. Cream with black flecks B. Red with black stripes C. Blue with yellow spots 10. How can you find a flicker? A. By looking up at the tops of trees B. By walking through the woods and scaring them up from the ground C. By calling their name

Ice Skating

“Careful out there, the ice is slick,” Mom calls.

Benji and Grace laugh. “Don’t worry, Mom,” Grace says as she and Benji wrap scarves around their necks and sling their ice skates over their shoulders.

They are giddy with excitement as they walk to the pond. Benji checks the ice carefully, just as Dad taught him. He and Grace know better than to be reckless. But it’s been freezing for months, and the ice doesn’t make a sound when he stomps the edge. Then he picks up a huge rock and tosses it onto the ice. When it lands, it scuttles forward. No cracks.

Benji gives Grace a thumbs up. She squeals. They sit on a log and lace up their skates. While Grace finishes tying, Benjikicks off on his skates. He glides smoothly. It isn’t long before Grace is close behind him. She turns backward and zooms by, laughing as she waves to him. Grace has always been quicker on ice.

“Show off!” Benji yells with a smile. She responds by turning around and kicking one leg out behind her, with her arms outstretched. “Show off times two!” Benji hollers again. He knows how much Grace enjoys doing tricks on the ice. He isn’t jealous, though. His skills just happen to involve hockey sticks and pucks. He wishes he had brought his stick along tonight. An hour passes before Benji and Grace are finally tired. They meet back at the log, breathing heavily.

“Whew!” Grace says. “That felt great.” She’s smiling.

“Here,” Benji says, holding out a mitten full of fresh, white snow.

“Thanks,” she says. She licks the cool treat. When it’s gone, Grace looks at Benji with a twinkle in her eye. “Last one up is a rotten egg!” And she flies onto the ice again.

1. Checks A. Is careless B. Looks at something carefully C. Forgets things 2. Reckless A. Making dangerous decisions, not being careful B. Acts carefully C. Asks many questions 3. Necks A. The parts of your body between your hips and knees B. The parts of the body between your fingers and wrist C. The parts of the body between the head and shoulders 4. Slick A. Bumpy and rough B. Smooth and slippery C. Sticky and wet 5. Kicks A. Punches with hands B. Waves arms around C. Moves legs forcefully 6. Picks A. Chooses something from a group B. Ignores everything C. Is mean 7. Tricks A. Drinks something quickly B. Clever and skillful things done to surprise and delight people C. Chooses something 8. Quicker A. More fast B. The fastest C. Slow 9. Sticks A. Round items that bounce B. Long, thin pieces of wood that are used for a certain thing C. Short squares you stack 10. Licks A. Eats something with the tongue B. Chews food with teeth C. Swallows a drink

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Grace B. Benji C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. Outside on a frozen pond B. Inside their house C. At an apartment 4. What activity are they doing? A. Playing hockey B. Going sledding C. Ice skating 5. Who is older? A. Benji B. Grace C. The author doesn’t tell us 6. Who is better at tricks on the ice? A. Benji B. Grace C. Their mom 7. Who is better at ice hockey? A. Benji B. Grace C. Their mom 8. Where do they sit to put on their skates? A. On the ice B. On chairs C. On a log 9. What do they eat or drink at the end of the story? A. Hot cocoa B. Fresh snow C. Ice cream 10. Who says “Last one up is a rotten egg”? A. Grace B. Benji C. Nobody does

A Good Day for Football

It was a perfect fall day. The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. The trees showed their new colors. Even the oak’s green leaves were flecked with brown. Levi and Trey sat on the front step of their apartment building. Levi was holding a football. “Man, I don’t want to be stuck inside. Let’s play some football,” he said.

Trey nodded. “I could coax my little brother into playing,” he offered.

“OK, who else can we get?” Levi asked.

“We need a kicker…have you checked if Mattie is around?” Trey suggested. “Might as well knock on Davis’s door, too.”

Levi was nodding. “Let’s meet back here in five minutes. Grab anyone you can find.”

In those five short minutes, Trey and Levi found enough players for two teams of five. They were at the park in no time. They tried to make the teams even—splitting up the quickest runners and best throwers. Everyone wanted a good game, so no one needed to be tricked. The game began. “Hut two three!” Trey yelled. He flicked the ball to Mattie, who punted it down the field. The boys played for hours. When the street lampsflickered on, Levi called out, “All right, guys. Let’s head home.”

Everyone grouped together, except Trey. He stood at the edge of the field looking down at the football in his hand. Levi jogged over to him. “What’s up, man? Time to go.”

Trey held up the football. It was almost flat. “It’swrecked !” Trey said. He looked like he might cry. Even though it was Levi’s football, Trey felt awful. Levi took the ball and checked it.

“No worries. I have a patch and pump at home. It’ll be good for our next game.”

Trey was so relieved. He put his arm around Levi’s shoulder and they walked home together.

1. Checked A. Looked at something carefully B. Wasn’t very careful to notice something C. Asked to talk to someone 2. Flicked A. Kicked something hard and far B. Moved or threw something with a short, quick movement C. Made an unsteady light 3. Wrecked A. Ruined B. Made whole again, fixed C. An accident 4. Flickered A. Turned off the light B. Shone with a bright light C. Made an unsteady light 5. Stuck A. Unable to move B. Wobbling around C. Moving gracefully 6. Kicker A. A person who catches something B. A person who kicks something C. A person who throws something 7. Coax A. To walk a dog B. To talk someone into doing something C. Took out the trash 8. Tricked A. Told a story B. Told the truth C. Tried to make someone believe something that isn’t true 9. Quickest A. Fast B. More fast C. The most fast 10. Flecked A. Had small spots or marks B. Had stripes C. Had zigzags

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. Which of these is NOT one of the main characters in the story? A. Trey B. Levi C. Cash 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the city B. In a small town C. In the country 4. What do the boys want to do? A. Stay inside and play video games B. Stay outside and play football C. Find something to eat 5. What’s the first thing they need to do? A. Find players for the game B. Find a football C. Get a ride to the park 6. How many players do they have on each team? A. 3 B. 9 C. 5 7. Where do they play? A. Behind the apartment B. In a park C. In an empty parking lot 8. When do they stop playing? A. When the streetlights come on B. When they hear Mattie’s mom calling for him C. When an officer tells them it’s time to go 9. Why is Trey upset at the end of the story? A. Because he doesn’t want to stop playing B. Because he lost the game C. Because the football is flat 10. What does Levi do to fix it? A. Puts his arm around Trey’s shoulders B. Tells Trey he can patch it and pump it up before their next game C. Uses his allowance to buy a new football

Chuck and Iris

Every Tuesday, Chuck and Iris met for breakfast and a game of checkers. They were 80 years old. They still kept track of wins and losses, so they both knew Iris had won five more games than Chuck. Today, Chuck planned to outfox Iris.

He got to the café first, and sat at their favorite spot—a small, round table at the front window. The view was nice when the other player was the opposite of fast making their move. Watching out the window gave them a chance to relax before their next turn.

Chuck heard a bell jingle and looked up to see Iris walking through the door.

“Here already?” Iris asked Chuck.

“I’m already having my second cup of coffee,” he told her. “And look! I got my lucky coffee cup. The one with a nick on it.” He had a big smile on his face.

Iris clicked her tongue, pretending to be unhappy.

“I’ll get the checkers,” she said. She walked to the back of the café to fetch the box. When she returned, Chuck had a cup of coffee waiting for her. “Did youmix in the cream?” she asked him.

“Not yet. I know you like to do that,” he answered. She thanked him, and they set up the board together.

“Loser goes first,” Iris said to Chuck with a wink.

“Gladly!” he said as he moved his first checker. Then he said, “Oops!” and moved it back so he could move something else, instead.

“Chuck! You know you can’t do that,” Iris scolded him

“Of course I can! I just did!” he joked back.

“Oh, you!” Iris said, pretending to be mad. “You’re always too lax with the rules.”

Two hours later, their game was finally finished. And this time, Chuck won.

1. Relax A. To stop feeling nervous or worried B. To feel nervous C. To feel excited 2. Checkers A. A game that’s played by two players with 16 pieces each, including a queen and king B. A game played on a checkered board with 24 round pieces, called checkers C. A game played by one person with a deck of cards 3. Outfox A. To be less clever than someone else B. To act like a fox C. To win by being smarter or more clever 4. Fast A. Moving quickly B. Moving slowly C. Moving backward 5. Breakfast A. The first meal of the day B. The meal in the middle of the day C. The last meal of the day 6. Clicked A. Made a sound by blowing air through your lips B. Sang a song C. Made a short, sharp sound 7. Nick A. A large crack in something B. A small broken area, a chip C. An accident 8. Box A. A hard container with four sides B. A paper envelope for mailing letters C. A soft container made of fabric or plastic 9. Lax A. Very strict B. Worried C. Not careful or strict enough 10. Mix A. To keep things separate from each other B. To put or stir two or more things together C. To pour a drink into a glass

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Chuck B. Iris C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Iris’s house B. In Chuck’s kitchen C. At a café 4. Which game do Chuck and Iris play? A. Checkers B. Chess C. Cribbage 5. How old are Iris and Chuck? A. 8 years old B. 80 years old C. 18 years old 6. How does Chuck know he got his lucky cup? A. Because it is red B. Because it has a nick on it C. Because it says his name on it 7. What do they drink? A. Coffee B. Hot tea C. Iced tea 8. Who has won more games? A. Chuck B. Iris C. It is a tie 9. Who gets to go first this time? A. Chuck B. Iris C. We don’t know 10. Who wins the game in this story? A. Chuck B. Iris C. It is a tie

The Great Hoax

“Is it time yet, Mama?” Trina asks.

“Yes, girls. Hurry to the radio.”

Trina and Marcy squeal with delight and scamper to the radio. Trina coaxes their cat, Posy, to come cuddle with them. It’s time for one of their favorite weekly broadcasts, called “Great Hoaxes.” The radio show is all about stories of giants and other creatures that probably aren’t real. The girls had tuned in each week for the past month. The last time, they left off right at the climax of the story. Tonight, they would find out if Willard meets the abominable snowman or not!

The radio announcer begins. “We last left off when Willard was walking on a moonlit night and saw something huge out of the corner of his eye. Was it the abominable snowman? Let’s find out.”

The story continued: “Willard goes back into his cabin and waxes his skis. He pets his dog goodbye, and leaves. Willard feels nervous. The night is quiet and still. He follows the twists and turns until he gets to a hill. He coasts down. There’s the shadow again. It’s huge! Willard skis closer and claps his hands. The shadow’s head turns. Willard is confused. If it was the snow monster, surely it would have attacked. Willard inches closer. That’s when he sees three tiny creatures sitting around a tiny fire. Now, he sees the shadow doesn’t belong to a huge monster, but instead to these tiny…‘Pixies?’ he says aloud. One of the pixies takes some dust from her pocket and throws it on the fire. In an instant, the fire is out and the pixies are gone.

Now, Willard insists this story is true. But do you think so? Join us again next week!”

The girls nodded off, and all night, they dreamed ofpixies in the snow.

1. Climax A. The most boring part of a story B. The most exciting part of a story C. The beginning of a story 2. Coaxes A. Gets someone to do something B. Tells someone not to do something C. Tricks someone 3. Hoaxes A. Plays music for people B. Guides people on adventures C. Things meant to trick people 4. Waxes A. Burns a candle B. Puts a thin layer of wax on something C. Gets smaller 5. Asks A. To say a question B. To tell someone to do something C. Is unkind 6. Broadcasts A. Books B. Radio or TV programs C. Coloring pages 7. Twists A. Straight lines B. To tie a knot C. Curves in a road or trail 8. Coasts A. Works hard to get up a hill B. Moves downhill without using any power C. Moves on flat ground 9. Pixies A. Imaginary, magical creatures that look like small people B. Huge, imaginary creatures C. Imaginary fish that live in the sea 10. Insists A. Asks too many questions B. Behaves in a silly way C. Demands that something happen

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. Which of these is NOT one of the girls in the story? A. Trixie B. Trina C. Marcy 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a tent B. In Trina and Marcy’s den C. On a mountain 4. What is the main story about? A. A man who thinks he has seen the abominable snowman B. A mother making a dress C. Sisters listening to a radio program 5. What is the story inside the main story about? A. A man who thinks he has seen the abominable snowman B. A mother making a dress C. Sisters listening to a radio program 6. What is the man’s name? A. William B. Willard C. Willie 7. How does the man travel? A. On foot B. On snowshoes C. On skis 8. What does the man actually see? A. Bigfoot B. Pixies C. The abominable snowman 9. What happens to the girls at the end of the story? A. They are so scared, they cry B. They fall asleep C. They get upset with the ending 10. What do they dream about? A. Pixies in the snow B. Eating ice cream C. Playing with fairies

Mr. Cox’s Garden

Mr. Cox loved working in his garden more than anything. It made him relaxed, and kept him busy on days he missed his grandchildren, who lived so far away. Mr. Cox had many beautiful flowers in his garden. His roses were a fixture there. He kept them tall and healthy. He planted marigolds around the edge of his garden to keep rodents away. “Outfoxing rabbits has never been so pretty,” he said. But his favorite had always been the phlox. The little star- shaped flowers. Themixture of bright colors. The way the bees loved them, too. Whenever Mr. Cox saw a bee, he’d say, “There’s my favorite assistant!” He loved how the bees helped his flowers grow.

One day, Mr. Cox set his radio at his window and pointed it at the garden. He turned it to his favorite jazz station, and went outside to garden and enjoy the sound of the saxophone. He was so pleased with himself that he couldn’t keep from smiling. Unfortunately, the joy lasted no more than 10 minutes before the music ended.

“What in the world? I thought I fixed that radio.” he mumbled aloud. He walked toward the house. As he neared the door, it swung open. He nearly fell down when his grandson, Kyle, and granddaughter, Chelsea, smiled at him and said, “Hi, Grandpa!”

“My goodness!” Mr. Cox exclaimed. Kyle and Chelsea ran to him and hugged him tightly.

“Dad thought we should surprise you,” Chelsea said. Just then, Mr. Cox’s son, Matthew, came out the door.

“We missed you,” Matthew said, smiling. “The plane landed just 20 minutes ago. We got here as fast as we could.”

By now, Mr. Cox had a mist of tears in his eyes. He couldn’t have been happier if his roses got up and danced a jig.

1. Phlox A. A tall, thorny bush B. A plant with groups of pink, purple, or white flowers C. Large white flowers with yellow centers 2. Lasted A. Continued in time B. The ending C. To begin something 3. Saxophone A. A string instrument played with a bow B. A large instrument with 88 white and black keys C. A curved, brass musical instrument 4. Relaxed A. Feeling nervous B. Feeling calm C. Feeling energetic 5. Assistant A. Someone who helps someone else B. A boss C. A lazy worker 6. Outfoxed A. Put a fox outdoors B. Behaved like a fox C. Won, or tricked someone by being more clever 7. Fixture A. To repair something B. A person or thing that has been part of something for a long time C. Dishes found in a kitchen 8. Mixture A. A combination of different things B. One ingredient C. Statues used as decoration 9. Mist A. A river of water B. A pool of water C. Very small drops of water 10. Fixed A. Repaired, made something work again B. A person or thing that has been part of something or for a long time C. Broke something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Larry B. Mr. Cox C. Kyle 3. Where does this story take place? A. In Mr. Cox’s kitchen B. In Mr. Cox’s attic C. In Mr. Cox’s garden 4. What does Mr. Cox like to do? A. Work in his garden B. Eat foods from his garden C. Go on trips to visit his grandchildren 5. Whom does Mr. Cox miss? A. His grandchildren B. His neighbor C. His dog 6. What is Mr. Cox’s favorite flower in his garden? A. Roses B. Violets C. Phlox 7. What does Mr. Cox call the bees? A. Angry pests B. His assistants C. Stinging birds 8. Why is Mr. Cox puzzled? A. His radio suddenly stops playing music B. All of his flowers look sick C. The rabbits have eaten his plants 9. Who surprises Mr. Cox? A. His son and grandchildren B. A new puppy C. His best friend, Earl 10. How does Mr. Cox feel at the end of the story? A. Confused and upset B. Surprised and happy C. Angry

A Fish Tale

Joey stood at the front of the boat, casting his line far and deep into the lake. His grandpa was chuckling while fixing the tangled hooks of a fishing lure. “Boy, I’m sorry to tell you so, but that beast only exists in your mind,” he told Joey. Joey had just described the fish he hoped to catch: 10 feet long, with a mixture of rainbow colored scales, a golden tail and silver fins. His grandpa shook his head. Joey was 8 years old, but he still had a wonderful imagination. Even if most of his ideas did still consist of imaginary creatures.

“What did you use for bait?” his grandpa asked.

“An earthworm,” Joey said. “And a leech.”

“Eh, mixing the bait again,” his grandpa said.

“Yep,” Joey replied. “I think that’s what the giant rainbow fish likes to eat.”

His grandpa nodded and dipped his own line in the water. He couldn’t resist asking, “Who do you think will get the first bite? Should we put some money on it?”

Joey checked his pockets. “I have a nickel and two quarters,” he said.

“Let’s bet a nickel.”

Joey agreed. “I think I’ll get the first bite,” he said. “I have more bait, and it’s been in the water longer.”

“Sure,” his grandpa replied. “But I think I’ll get the first one, because my bait is fresher.” Joey smiled and shrugged.

Suddenly, he felt a jolt at his line. “Hey, I got one!” he yelled. “It’s huge!”

His grandpa shushed him. “Don’t go broadcasting the hot spot in the lake! Keep it down!” he said.

The line was so heavy that reeling it in lasted forever. Finally, the line splashed out of the water. The huge fish…was just a pile of weeds.

“Shucks!” his grandpa said as he tucked his nickel away. “Better luck next cast, Joey.”

1. Mixing A. Pouring something into a dish B. Being confused C. Combining two or more things 2. Fixing A. Breaking something B. Repairing something, making it work again C. Using directions 3. Lasting A. Going on for a long time B. Ending at once C. Beginning 4. Beast A. A human B. A story C. An animal 5. Resist A. To go along with a plan B. To fight against something, or stay strong against it C. To make a decision 6. Consist A. To be made up of certain things B. To fight against something C. To stir things together 7. Exists A. To not be real B. To be real C. To no longer be alive 8. Casting A. Dropping something on accident B. Setting something down carefully C. Throwing in a forceful way 9. Mixture A. Something made of two or more ingredients B. A plan C. Being confused 10. Broadcasting A. Staying quiet B. Telling a secret to many people C. Watching TV

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Joey B. Grandpa C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. On a fishing boat B. In a cabin C. At a campground 4. Which creature does Joey imagine? A. A giant rainbow fish B. A huge snapping turtle with a gold shell C. Rainbow colored seaweed 5. What does Joey use for bait? A. An earthworm B. A leech C. Both A and B 6. What does Grandpa want to bet on? A. Who will catch the biggest fish B. Who will catch the first fish C. Who will catch a fish 7. How much money do they bet? A. $1 B. A nickel C. Two quarters 8. Who feels a tug on their line? A. Joey B. Grandpa C. They both do at the same time 9. What does Joey catch? A. A giant rainbow fish B. A nice northern pike C. A pile of weeds 10. What does his grandpa say? A. “See? I told you so.” B. “Better luck next cast.” C. “I’m going to win after all!”

Garden Party

Eloise adored garden parties. Her neighbor, Miss Sandi, liked to join her, as long as she wasn’t busy. Miss Sandi was quite consistent, though. As long as Eloise planned her garden parties for Monday afternoons, Miss Sandi could attend.

Miss Sandi taught Eloise the most delightful things. For example, if you put lemon peel in a drink, you called it a “twist.” They often had “water with a twist” at their garden parties. Miss Sandi taught Eloise the difference between a macaroon and a macaron. And she taught Eloise how to play the card game, whist.

There was an old table in Eloise’s garden. Her doll’s blanket made a perfect tablecloth. This kept the cards from falling through the table. This was vastly better than the first time they played and half the cards fell through and blew away.

For her next garden party, Eloise wanted something special. She made a list of items she wished to buy. She wrote: umbrella toothpicks, kiwi, strawberries, and lemons. Then, she crossed of “kiwi” and added “macarons” instead. She added the word “pink” in front of “macarons.” She smiled.

Eloise ran to find her mother.

“What a feast!” her mother said of the list. “But I’m afraid we can’t get all this. Macarons are quite expensive.”

Eloise’s heart sunk. But she decided to persist. “Could we make our own macarons?” Her mother looked thoughtful. “Yes, I suppose we could enlist our oven to help. Let’s find a recipe.” She pulled out a cookbook. Eloise turned the pages. She skipped the roast section, and went right to desserts. Her mother ran her finger under each ingredient on the macaron recipe. “This recipe consists of things we have!” she said.

Eloise smiled. She couldn’t wait to share her homemade macarons with Miss Sandi, and her mother, too.

1. Consistent A. To do things differently every time B. To not know what’s going on C. Always behaving the same way, or doing the same thing 2. Persist A. To continue to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult B. To not try very hard C. To easily change your mind 3. List A. A group of sentences put together B. A bunch of words or things, each one written on its own line C. A group of words put together to tell a story 4. Twist A. To make something straight and flat B. To pick a lemon C. To bend or turn something in order to change its shape 5. Vastly A. Very much B. Not at all C. A normal amount 6. Whist A. A board game B. A card game C. A computer game 7. Roast A. A type of bread B. A sweet dessert C. A piece of meat that is roasted in the oven 8. Feast A. A small snack B. A special meal with large amounts of food C. Regular food that is often eaten 9. Enlist A. To get the help of someone or something B. To offer to help C. To decide you don’t want help 10. Consists A. Is empty B. Does the same thing again and again C. Made up of certain things

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Miss Sandi B. Mother C. Eloise 3. What does Eloise love? A. Having garden parties B. Playing at the park C. Picking flowers 4. With whom does Eloise have garden parties? A. Her neighbor, Miss Sandi B. Her best friend, Sarah C. Her mother 5. What is NOT something Miss Sandi taught Eloise? A. The difference between macaroons and macarons B. How to bake a cake C. What lemon peel in a drink is called 6. Which game did Miss Sandi teach Eloise? A. Chess B. Cribbage C. Whist 7. What do they use for a table cloth? A. Large hosta plant leaves B. Eloise’s doll’s blanket C. A piece of lace 8. What does Eloise want to serve at her next garden party? A. Pink macarons B. Popsicles C. Ice cream cake 9. Why does her mom say no? A. They are too expensive B. She doesn’t know where to buy them C. She doesn’t like macarons 10. What do they decide to do instead? A. Make chocolate chip cookies B. Make their own macarons C. Make brownies

Joe Joins the Army

When my big brother, Joe, enlisted in the Army, I felt both proud and sad. I was proud of Joe for choosing to protect our country. But I was sad that he’d be gone for a long time. I didn’t even realize he’d have to leave until I boasted to my bus seat mate, Meg, about him.

“Oh yeah?” she said with an attitude. “Well you aren’t going to get to see him very much anymore, then.”

Was it true? I wondered. Maybe I didn’t really know what being in the Army consisted of. I decided I needed to find out. That day, in the library, I asked Mrs. Hanson to help me find some books about the Army. When she asked why I was interested, I resisted telling her. I didn’t want any more snobby answers. She assisted me in finding the books, and I dove right in. I read about how soldiers started with something called basic training. It sounded tough. It’s not like soldiers feasted on home cooking. They ate stuff called “Meals Ready to Eat,” or MREs. They didn’t sound very good.

When I went home that day, I listed everything I’d learned to Joe. He didn’t seem surprised. He already knew all about basic training. He insisted he would only be gone for 10 weeks and then he’d come home for a while again. But 10 weeks seemed like a long time, if you asked me. Plus, he would be in a different state. It sounded like he’d be pretty busy after that, too. My eyes misted over. Joe pulled me into a huge bearhug.

“Hey, Clancy,” he told me. “I’m going to miss my persistent little sister, too, you know. I’ll write you every day, OK?”

I smiled. I was still proud of Joe. He’s my big brother, after all.

1. Resisted A. Fought against something, tried to stop it from happening B. Showed too much pride C. Made a list of something 2. Persistent A. Acts bossy B. Being a know-it-all C. Continuing to do something even though it is difficult or people told you to stop 3. Boasted A. Demanded that something happened or someone do something B. Showed too much pride C. Ate large amounts of food 4. Listed A. Become covered in small drops of water B. Threw something away C. Made a list of something 5. Assisted A. Helped B. Was not helpful C. Ignored someone 6. Consisted A. Ate large amounts of food B. Made a list of something C. Made up of certain things 7. Enlisted A. Fought against something, tried to stop it from happening B. Signed up to be in the Army or other military group C. Showed too much pride 8. Feasted A. Ate large amounts of food B. Was hungry C. Got lost 9. Insisted A. Fought against something, tried to stop it from happening B. Showed too much pride C. Demanded that something happened or someone do something 10. Misted A. Splashed in water puddles B. Became covered in small drops of water C. Felt happy

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. Who is telling the story A. Clancy B. Joe C. The Army 3. What is this story about? A. A bully on the bus B. Doing research at the library C. Clancy’s big brother joining the Army 4. How does Clancy feel about Joe joining the Army? A. Proud B. Sad C. Both A and B 5. Why is she proud? A. Because Joe is going to protect America B. Because Joe is going to be gone a long time C. Because Joe is so strong 6. Why is she sad? A. Because Joe is going to protect America B. Because Joe is going to be gone a long time C. Because Joe is so strong 7. Who is rude to her about it? A. Mrs. Hanson B. Meg, on the bus C. Joe 8. Where does she learn more about the Army? A. The library B. A TV show C. Mrs. Hanson 9. How long will Joe be gone at basic training? A. 10 days B. 10 weeks C. 10 months 10. How does Clancy feel at the end of the story? A. Upset that Joe didn’t tell her everything B. Confused about what she read C. Proud of her big brother

Toast Ahoy

The easterly wind blew in a light, misting rain. Cade was roasting bread inside the small oven, since they had no toaster aboard the ship. It might be what he missed most about being on land—besides trees. He did miss trees. The oven was as hot as Cade could make it. It was blasting heat into the whole cabin of the ship. Cade liked his toast nearly black.

“You’re the only man in existence who doesn’t know how to make toast,” his best friend on the ship, Jackson, teased him.

“Well, thank you for your thoughts, Jackson, but I can make toast without your assistance,” Cade teased back.

Jackson was always insisting toast should be light, creamy brown. It was a friendly argument the men had on most days. Cade showed he took no offense when he placed two pieces of lightly toasted bread on a plate for Jackson. This rainy morning would be awful without friendship and light hearts. They needed to make the most of it.

Just then, a strong gust of wind rocked the ship. A piece of toast slid from the plate onto the floor. Jackson picked up the toast and carefully inspected it. Then he blew on it and took a bite. Cade laughed. Jackson was the most persistently hungry person he knew.

Today, the work crew had little to do. The ship was clean and because of the storm, they would mostly stay below deck. Besides assisting the cook with peeling potatoes for supper, Cade and Jackson had nothing to do.

“How about a game of cribbage?” Jackson asked with his mouth full.

“That’s a good plan,” Cade answered. He held the bread above the flame again. “I’ll be ready to play just as soon as my toast turns black.”

1. Blasting A. A soft feeling B. A lot of air, heat, water, or something else moving very quickly and forcefully C. Being nice 2. Existence A. Being alive B. Being a man C. Being a woman 3. Persistently A. Being lazy and not working B. Feeling worried about how you are doing something C. Continuing to do something 4. Assisting A. Being rude B. Giving support or help C. Not helping 5. Assistance A. Ignoring someone B. Not being helpful C. The act of helping someone 6. Toaster A. A kitchen tool used for toasting bread B. A kitchen tool used for blending food into liquid C. A kitchen tool used for making coffee 7. Roasting A. Using a microwave B. Cooking something in an oven C. Chopping food with a knife 8. Easterly A. A wind blowing from the east B. A wind blowing from the west C. A wind blowing from the north 9. Insisting A. Politely asking for a favor B. Offering to help C. Demanding something 10. Gust A. A sudden strong wind B. A light breeze C. A lot of rain

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Cade B. Jackson C. The captain 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the mountains B. On a trolley C. On a ship 4. What is Cade making? A. Bread B. Toast C. Jam 5. How does Jackson like his toast? A. Black, nearly burned B. Light brown C. Almost white 6. How does Cade like his toast? A. Black, nearly burned B. Light brown C. Almost white 7. What is the weather like in this story? A. Sunny and calm B. Cold and snowy C. Rainy and windy 8. What job will the men have to do at supper time? A. Wash dishes B. Peel potatoes C. Call the men to eat 9. What does Jackson suggest they do? A. Play cribbage B. Tell stories C. Take a nap 10. When will Cade be ready? A. After he takes a nap B. Once the stars come out C. When his toast turns black

Read the Dictionary for Fun

The price of something is its cost. When a car gets old it gets rust. If you know not where you are, then you’re lost. The edge of the bread is its crust. If the icy snow If you break something or tear it, leaves a print aglow there’s another word for it: that is what they call frost. The word I’m thinking of is “bust”.

Words are all so much fun. Words are all so much fun. They have their own meaning, each one. They have their own meaning, each one. If you’re confused, rejoice! If you’re confused, rejoice! There’s always a choice There’s always a choice to read the dictionary for fun. to read the dictionary for fun.

Specks of dirt are called dust. Now, I know you might not dream If something’s not working, then adjust. of learning words just for a scream, Are you getting the drift? but the more words you know These words are a trip! the more places you’ll go Just learning them won’t cause disgust. and your parents’ faces will beam.

1. Lost A. To know where you are B. To follow instructions C. Not knowing where you are 2. Cost A. To pay someone for doing a job B. The price of something C. To ask for money 3. Frost A. A thin layer of ice that forms when it gets cold B. Water so hot it bubbles C. What you use to build a snowman 4. Dust A. Big pieces of dirt B. Fine powder that collects when something hasn’t been cleaned C. Muddy smears left on the floor 5. Adjust A. To change something a little bit so that it works better B. To make something new C. To turn around 6. Disgust A. A strong feeling of like B. Not caring very much C. A strong feeling of dislike 7. Rust A. The color green B. A reddish-brown color that forms on metal C. Anything old 8. Crust A. The soft, inside part of bread B. What bread turns into when it’s toasted C. The hard, outer part of bread 9. Bust A. To break B. To fix C. To try 10. Scream A. To whisper something quietly B. To suddenly cry out in a loud, high voice C. To speak in a normal voice

1. Which type of story is this? A. Poetry B. Nonfiction C. Science fiction 2. What does the story suggest you read? A. The Bible B. The dictionary C. The encyclopedia 3. What is the story about? A. Learning words and what they mean B. Learning to spell C. Learning to do math 4. If you don’t know where you are, you are: A. Found B. Lost C. Crossed 5. Icy prints are called: A. Snow B. Flakes C. Frost 6. Specks of dirt are called A. Rust B. Dust C. Crust 7. If something isn’t working, you should: A. Turn back B. Adjust C. Must 8. What’s another word for “break” or “tear”? A. Rust B. Crust C. Bust 9. In this story, they use the phrase: “learn words just for a scream.” What does that mean? A. You’ll scream when you learn a word B. It’s another way of saying “just for fun” C. You’ll make people scream because you know so much 10. Whose faces will beam? A. Yours B. Your teacher’s C. Your parents’

The Kite

Beams of light streamed through the attic window. Silas looked around. It was filthy up here. It probably hadn’t been dusted in 30 years. Maybe even longer. He squinted in the sunlight and looked at the dirty floor. He wasn’t sure hetrusted the old floorboards. Would heburst through to the living room below if he walked on them? There was only one way to find out.

Silas had always dreamed of exploring his grandparents’ attic. But until today, there had been an old lock with a rusted key hole keeping him from doing so. He wondered who had taken it off. And why? He walked carefully, taking small, light steps. There were piles of trunks, stacks of papers, even old clothes hanging from ropes strung between the walls. He touched a white dress that hung there. The dress was so old, it felt stiff andcrusty . Silas shuddered. What else was up here?

Maps and old photos hung on the wall. But there was something else that caught Silas’s eye. It was blue and green, with a long strip of yellow hanging from it. It was the most colorful thing he’d seen in the attic. At first he couldn’t tell what it was, but when he took it from the wall, he saw it was a kite. His eyes lit up as he rushed to the door as carefully as he could. His grandparents were still at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper when he accosted them.

“Look!” he shouted. “Look what I found! Can we fly it today?” His grandpaadjusted his glasses and squinted at the kite. When he saw what it was, his face broke into a giant smile. Silas smiled back. He knew it was going to be a day he’d never forget.

1. Accosted A. Went up to someone and spoke to them in a loud, unwelcome way B. Asked politely C. Found the price on something 2. Dusted A. Cleaned by sweeping B. Cleaned by wiping away dust C. Cleaned by washing windows 3. Crusty A. Feeling soft B. Feeling squishy C. Having a hard layer 4. Trusted A. Believed something to be good and safe B. Not believing someone C. Felt unsafe 5. Burst A. Slowly left a room or place B. Suddenly broke open C. Stirred something 6. Beams A. A bright light B. Two lines C. Lines of light coming from the sun 7. Streamed A. Moved in a steady flow B. Stopped moving C. Broke in pieces 8. Dreamed A. Didn’t think about B. Started doing something C. Thought about something you wished would happen 9. Rusted A. Something shiny and new B. Formed rust on something C. Fell apart 10. Adjusted A. Changed something so it worked better B. Kept everything the same C. Didn’t try at something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Skylar B. Steph C. Silas 3. Where does this story take place? A. In an attic B. In a restaurant C. In a park 4. How many times has Silas been in the attic before? A. So many times, he can’t even count B. One other time C. This is the first time 5. Why hadn’t he been there before? A. There had been a lock on the door B. He didn’t know about it C. He wasn’t interested in it 6. Whose attic is it? A. Silas’s parents’ B. Silas’s grandparents’ C. Silas’s neighbor’s 7. What is something he sees in the attic? A. Piles of trunks B. A globe C. A top hat 8. What is something else he sees in the attic? A. A toy that looks like a dog B. A white dress C. An old teddy bear 9. What does he bring downstairs to show his grandparents? A. A map B. A stack of letters C. A kite 10. Who seems excited about what he found? A. His grandpa B. His grandma C. His mom

Sunday Custard

Our family always has custard in our freezer. My mama loves custard more than anything (well, except for us, I suppose). She takes it out on Sunday nights and let it sit on the counter for a while. “It’s defrosting,” she’ll say with a smile. Then, when it has a nice frosty top, she digs her trusty ice cream scoop into the custard and fills our bowls with the sweet treat. Sometimes she adds a dusting of colorful candy sprinkle. Her face is beaming when she carries the bowls to the table.

“Here you go, Remy,” she whispers when she sets a bowl in in front of me. When my friends come to visit, they think they must be dreaming. No one fills bowls as full as my mama does. One time, one of my mama’s fancy friends, Miss Denine, was visiting on a Sunday. When Mama came out with bowls full of custard, Miss Denine made a nasty face.

“This is disgusting. Do you always give your children sweets at bedtime?”

But Mama didn’t care what Miss Denine thought. She just finished setting the bowls in front of me and my sister, Imani, and offered one to Miss Denine.

“Oh, Denine,” she said with a laugh. “Custard is soul food. Besides, it’s not like I’m feeding them frosting. Here, try some.” Then she set the bowl in front of her friend. Miss Denine looked like she didn’t know if she should be trusting Mama, but she picked up her spoon and took the smallest bite of custard I have ever seen. Imani and I giggled. The scowl on her face disappeared. She looked surprised. Like she really didn’t know how good custard was. She blinked, and smiled shyly at Mama, then dug in for a bigger bite.

1. Defrosting A. Adding a sweet layer to cake B. Becoming so cold it freezes C. Warming something frozen until it’s no longer frozen 2. Custard A. A sweet food made with eggs and milk B. A jiggly, fruity dessert C. A chocolate flavored cookie 3. Frosty A. Anything made of snow B. So cold, there’s a thin layer of ice, or frost C. Bundled up to go outside when it’s cold 4. Dusting A. A small amount of something that falls over something else B. A lot of something poured all over a surface C. Something goopy and sticky 5. Dreaming A. Sleeping very hard B. Not liking something C. Having visions and thoughts in your sleep 6. Trusty A. Something that breaks easily B. Able to be depended on C. To believe someone 7. Beaming A. Frowning B. Scowling C. Smiling happily 8. Frosting A. A sweet creamy food that covers cakes; icing B. A sweet treat you bake C. The batter of cookies before they’re baked in the oven 9. Trusting A. Not believing others B. Believing that other people are good and honest C. Knowing something won’t work 10. Disgusting A. Very wonderful B. Something delicious C. So bad and gross that you feel slightly sick

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Denine B. Imani C. Remy 3. Where does this story take place? A. In Remy’s house B. At a café C. In an ice cream parlor 4. What type of food is in this story? A. Ice cream B. Custard C. Chocolate syrup 5. Who loves custard the most? A. Mama B. Remy C. Imani 6. When do they eat the treat? A. On Friday afternoons B. On Monday nights C. On Sunday nights 7. What is different about how Mama serves the treat? A. She fills the bowls very full B. She only serves one small scoop to each person C. She sings a song while she scoops 8. Who is visiting? A. Miss Janine B. Miss Denine C. Miss Ivy 9. What does she think about the treat at first? A. That it’s a wonderful tradition B. That she can’t wait to eat her favorite food C. That it’s disgusting to serve goodies so close to bedtime 10. What does she think after she tries it? A. She must like it, because she takes a bigger bite B. She thinks it is far too sweet C. She doesn’t like how cold it is

Steam Trains

Trains are exciting, wonderful vehicles. Long ago, colorful, gleaming trains steamed up and down tracks across America. Now, steam trains have been replaced by cars, airplanes, and even different types of trains. Diesel trains and electric trains are more common these days. Still, when you close your eyes and imagine a train, you probably picture an old steam train. The ringing bells, screaming brakes, and the lullaby of “chugga chugga” probably play in your mind.

Some steam trains have achieved great fame. Maybe you’ve heard of the Flying Scotsman, or the Orient Express. And, of course, many children know of Thomas the Train. He’s a steam train, too! But have you ever wondered how steam trains work? Let’s find out.

Steam trains are powered by coal and water. But how? Steam trains have a firebox where a huge fire burns. It was someone’s job to shovel coal into the firebox to keep theflame going. That hot fire heats up water in the boiler. When the water boils, it makes steam. The steam then pushes the pistons, which are connected to rods on the train’s wheels, causing the wheels to turn. The train goes bursting down the track, with its steam flowing behind it like a streamer at a birthday party. If the fire goes out, or the train runs out of water, it will stop. Steam trains needed to make many stops on their journeys to fill their tanks with water.

While it is a shame we no longer see steam trains running across America, they can still be found in museums. And some steam trains are kept from rusting by running short tourist trips.

Whether steam trains go by an official name, like the Palace Express, or nicknamea , like the Iron Horse, they hold a special place in our hearts.

[sources: https://www.explainthatstuff.com/steamengines.html; https://www.midcontinent.org/kids-page/ what-makes-a-steam-locomotive-work/] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 30 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Steam A. The hot gas that’s made from boiling water B. The flame from a fire C. The gas we put into cars 2. Gleaming A. Dirty B. Funny C. Shining brightly 3. Flame A. The hot gas that’s made from boiling water B. The hot, glowing gas from a fire C. The wood in a fire 4. Fame A. Being recognized and known by many people B. Not being known by others C. Not feeling well 5. Shame A. A feeling of pride B. A feeling of frustration C. A feeling of sadness or regret 6. Bursting A. Moving slowly B. Coming or going very quickly C. Falling apart a little bit 7. Streamer A. A party balloon B. A banner that says, “Happy Birthday” C. A long, thin piece of fabric or paper used as a decoration 8. Screaming A. Crying out in a loud, high voice B. Whispering quietly C. Talking normally 9. Rusting A. Getting cleaner B. Getting dirtier C. Forming rust on metal 10. Nickname A. Your full name given at birth B. A name your family calls you that is different from your real name C. The last part of your name

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. What is this story about? A. Diesel trains B. Amtrak trains C. Steam trains 3. Which train is NOT common these days? A. Diesel train B. Steam train C. Electric train 4. What has replaced steam trains? A. Cars B. Airplanes C. Both A and B 5. Which two things power steam trains? A. Coal and water B. Matches and wood C. Gasoline and sand 6. The ____ is where a fire burns in a steam train. A. Firebox B. Boiler C. Pistons 7. The _____ is where water gets hot. A. Firebox B. Boiler C. Pistons 8. The steam pushes the _____. A. Firebox B. Boiler C. Pistons 9. Pistons are connected to the ____. A. Rods on the train’s wheels B. Firebox C. Boiler 10. True or false: Steam trains no longer exist anywhere. A. True B. False C. We don’t know

The Rose

Jedidiah, whose surname is Nelson, used to be the laughing stock of Bloomfield’s Garden Club. Some gardeners turned up their noses at Jedidiah Nelson, saying the only thing he could grow was grass. But Jedidiah loved gardening. He pretended not to hear these rude people. He made good friends with Wallace and Ruby, instead. They encouraged him until he overcame his worries.

“Max should be ashamed of himself for making you feel badly,” Rose said kindly.

“Juanita always blames other people for her problems. She condemns everyone,” Wallace added. “Don’t pay attention to her.”

So Jedidiah kept working hard in his garden. His goal was to win the spring contest where they selected flowers to be used for the high school’sprom .

Thanks to Wallace and Ruby’s kindness, and Jedidiah’s determination, his hard work paid off. When he brought six stems of his finest roses to the contest, Juanita’s cheeks turned red with envy. “The roses are so rich and colorful, they look like gems,” she whispered to Ruby. Ruby just smiled.

“I’ve never seen roses so orange,” Max added. “They look just like flames.” His eyes were huge. His own roses never grew so large or bright.

Jedidiah proudly placed his roses in front of the judges. Then he sipped tea and ate butter cookies with Ruby and Wallace. Finally, it was time for the judges to announce the winner. One of the judges took the microphone and began to speak.

“Today, we are awarding the gardener who seems to have teamed with Mother Nature, herself! This person’s roses are bright, colorful, and beautiful. We would like to congratulate our winner…Jedidiah Nelson!”

The other gardeners clapped and whistled. Jedidiah beamed. He couldn’t have been more proud than if he had created the roses, himself.

1. Blames A. Tells a story with a lesson in it B. To say something is someone’s fault C. Tells a lie 2. Overcame A. Beat something, successfully dealt with it B. Walked over something C. Travelled a long distance 3. Flames A. The glowing wood in a fire B. A match C. The hot, glowing gas from a burning fire 4. Ashamed A. Feeling proud B. Feeling shame or guilt C. Feeling clever 5. Stems A. The colorful part at the top of a flower B. The green shoots along the side of a flower C. The long, thin part of a plant that connects to the leaves and flowers 6. Gems A. Valuable stones that are cut to shine and can be colorful B. Brown rocks C. White sand 7. Condemns A. Gives someone praise for a job well done B. Helps someone C. Says in a definite way that someone is wrong 8. Surname A. The name shared by your family, usually the last name B. A person’s first name C. A person’s middle name 9. Prom A. A sport played at school B. A fancy, formal dance for high school students C. A book you find in the library 10. Teamed A. Cheered for a team B. Started a team C. Brought two or more things or people together

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Science fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jedidiah B. Wallace C. Ruby 3. What is Jedidiah’s surname? A. Wallace B. Waters C. Nelson 4. What does Jedidiah enjoy? A. Gardening B. Going to parties C. Baking cakes 5. What do Max and Juanita think about Jedidiah? A. That he isn’t a good gardener B. That he is a kind man C. That he works hard 6. What do Ruby and Wallace do for Jedidiah? A. Plant a garden for him B. Encourage him to keep trying C. Make him dinner 7. Which type of flower does Jedidiah enter into the contest? A. Daisies B. Violets C. Roses 8. What do Max and Juanita think about his flowers? A. They look unhealthy B. They are boring C. They are beautiful, and they are a little jealous 9. What does Jedidiah drink while he’s at the contest? A. Coffee B. Tea C. Juice 10. Who wins the contest? A. Jedidiah B. Ruby C. Juanita

Mick’s Ice Cream

The creamery was called Malachi’s Ice Cream Shoppe, but it was nicknamed “Mick’s” because it was easier to say. Mick’s wasn’t just a regular creamery, though. Sure, Mick’s sold ice cream, but what it was really famous for was being strange and exciting. This wasn’t a tame ice cream shop. For example, one summer, Mick’s served flaming vanilla ice cream. A vanilla ice cream cone with flames coming out of it! There was even aframed sign inside the shop that read, “Warning! Our ice cream is hot!” Of course, they had to stop serving it after a little boy burned his eyebrows on it. Luckily, the boy wasn’t hurt. He just looked kind of silly until his eyebrows grew back. The sign still hangs there, though.

One summer, Buck and his best friend, Donnie, decided they’d try everything on Mick’s menu, themselves.

“What’s your endgame?” Buck’s dad asked them one day. “Are you trying to gain 20 pounds? Or get a cavity?”

“Nah, Mr. Fox,” Donnie replied. “We just don’t want to miss anything Mick’s has.”

Buck and Donnie went to Mick’s every week. They started at the top of the menu and worked their way down. They ate bomb pops, dipped ice cream, shakes, and sundaes. One day, Buck ordered the mint chip ice cream with hot sauce.

“Are you sure?” asked Mick. “That one’s a screamer. That is, it’s really hot.”

Buck nodded. Donnie ordered the chocolate shake with wasabi peas mixed in to it. The boys sat down and took a bite. At first, Buck was fine. But then, his tongue began to burn. His eyes watered. He pounded the table. He drank water to cool his throat. Mick chuckled. “That’s what I mean—a screamer,” he said.

Finally, Buck’s mouth cooled off.

“OK, Mick,” he said, his eyes still watering. “Next time, I’ll take your advice.”

1. Famous A. Not well known B. Mysterious C. Known by many people 2. Tame A. Extremely strange B. Not wild C. Loud and fast 3. Creamery A. A place where dairy foods are made B. A place where baked goods are made C. A place where meat is sold 4. Flaming A. Done in an angry way B. Interesting and strange C. Burning with bright flames 5. Framed A. Put something in a frame B. Took a photograph C. Printed out a picture 6. Nicknamed A. Called someone by their real name B. Gave someone or something a name that isn’t their real name C. Had a last name 7. Themselves A. Referring to different people B. Referring to one person C. Referring to those same people that have already been mentioned 8. Endgame A. The very first part of something B. The very last part of something C. The middle part of something 9. Screamer A. Something that moves slowly B. Something that is kind and sweet C. Something that moves or works very quickly 10. Bomb A. Something that explodes B. The sound made by fireworks C. The light from a match

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Fiction C. Poetry 2. Who is NOT one of the young boys in this story? A. Mick B. Buck C. Donnie 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a creamery B. In Donnie’s den C. At Mick’s house 4. What is Mick’s full name? A. Mickey B. Michael C. Malachi 5. What does Mick’s serve? A. Soda B. Ice cream C. Cookies 6. What is unusual about Mick’s? A. They serve strange types of ice cream, like flaming vanilla cones B. They are only open in the middle of the night C. They only allow kids to eat there 7. What does Buck order? A. A vanilla smoothie B. Mint chip ice cream with hot sauce C. A chocolate shake with wasabi peas mixed in to it 8. What does Donnie order? A. A vanilla smoothie B. Mint chip ice cream with hot sauce C. A chocolate shake with wasabi peas mixed in to it 9. What does Mick tell Buck about his order? A. That it’s a screamer—really hot B. That it’s the most popular item on the menu C. That he won’t like it and should order something else 10. What does Buck decide at the end of the story? A. He’ll take Mick’s advice the next time B. He won’t listen to Mick C. He really likes hot foods

Makai’s Surprise

“Darling, you just need to have faith,” Mother said to Makai. Makai was 4 years old, but worried every time he needed to bathe. He was certain he would go down the drain with the water.

Makai pushed his face into his mother’s arms. “All you need to do is breathe,” she said gently. “Now, take a deep breath for Mother. You’ll feel better.”

Makai’s head of curly black hair went up and down in his mother’s arms. “Good!” she praised him. “Now, step into the bath. The water is warm. Your rubber ducky is waiting for you, too.”

Makai stood up straight. He loved his rubber ducky. It might be the only part about baths that didn’t bother him. He dipped one foot into the water, and then the other.

“Mama, please don’t let the water out until I’m out of the tub,” he said.

“Of course not, dear,” his mother promised.

Makai’s mother washed his face, hair, and body. She began to hum a song. Makai smiled in spite of his worry.

“Makai,” his mother said. “I have a surprise for you. Do you want to hear the surprise?”

Makai’s face lit up. “Yes! Yes, I do!” he said.

“Good!” his mother smiled. “Makai, you are going to be a big brother this winter. We’re going to have a baby!”

It took Makai a moment to understand. He didn’t say anything. But slowly, his mouth turned up in a smile, and he looked at the plug keeping the water in the tub. He pulled it out with his own hands. His mother was very surprised. The gurgling rush of water always scared him.

“Then I’m going to be brave, so my baby can be brave, too,” he said.

His mother was so proud.

1. Faith A. A belief in something B. A book about God C. A place people go to worship God 2. Bathe A. To move air in and out of your lungs B. A place where you clean yourself C. To take a bath 3. Breathe A. To make a loud sound B. To move air in and out of your lungs C. To take a bath 4. Bath A. To cause to feel worried B. To move air in and out of your lungs C. The act of washing the body, usually sitting in a tub of water 5. Breath A. The air you take into your lungs and push back out B. To cause to feel worried C. To take a bath 6. Hum A. To sing a song loudly B. To whistle a song through your lips C. To sing a song with your lips closed 7. Brother A. A boy with the same parents as someone B. A girl with the same parents as someone C. A male parent 8. Mother A. A male parent B. A female parent C. A girl with the same parents as someone 9. Bother A. A boy with the same parents as someone B. To make someone happy C. To cause to feel worried or upset 10. Mouth A. The part of the face through which you see B. The part of the face through which you eat and speak C. The part of the face through which you smell

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is the boy’s name in this story? A. Mitchel B. Mickey C. Makai 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the kitchen B. In the bathroom C. In the bedroom 4. How old is the boy? A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 5. What makes the boy feel worried? A. Taking a bath B. Singing in front of others C. Being a big brother 6. In what way does his mother speak to him? A. Loudly, she is frustrated and tired B. Rudely, she is not kind C. Gently, she is kind and loving 7. Which part of taking a bath does NOT bother Makai? A. His rubber ducky B. The bubbles in the water C. The sound of the water gurgling through the drain 8. What surprise does his mother share with him? A. He is going to be a big brother in the winter B. His father is coming home early from work C. They are moving to a new house 9. What does Makai do when he hears this? A. He leaps up and claps, he is so excited B. He bravely takes the plug out of the tub drain C. He cries because he does not want a baby 10. How does his mother feel at the end of this story? A. Confused B. Frustrated C. Proud

Apple Cider

Playing in crisp leaves, visiting a pumpkin patch, and following a path through the woods on an autumn day feels so good. What could be better than a cup of warm apple cider after being outside all day? Apple cider is a delicious—and healthy—fall treat. You might think apple cider and apple juice are the same thing, but they aren’t.

Apple cider is different from apple juice. Sure, they’re both made from apples, but cider is freshly pressed apples, so there is pulp—or small pieces of apples—that you can see in the cider. There are often spices in cider, too. Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered so there are no apple pieces, and no spices are added.

The method for making apple cider is to use an apple press. First, you put whole apples into the drum—or big container—of an apple crusher. Strong metal teeth inside the drum crush the apples into smaller pieces. These pieces are called the pulp. The pulp is caught by a piece of mesh cloth. This is a piece of cloth with many tiny holes in it.

Then, you use a press. A press does just what it sounds like: it presses down on the apple pulp. The juice that comes out through the mesh cloth is caught in a pitcher. That fresh juice is called cider. Often, delicious spices are added to this cider. Cinnamon and cloves are the most common spices used.

It takes many apples to make just one gallon of apple cider. But it’s fun work. Families can turn it into a game. You can take turns turning the apple press, and guess how many apples it will take to fill a pitcher with cider. Everyone wins when you can drink the fresh cider you made together.

1. Path A. A map that shows you the way B. To not know where you are C. A track made by people or animals walking over the ground 2. Method A. A way of doing something B. The only way to do something C. The wrong way to do something 3. Drum A. A small sack for carrying things B. A way of walking C. A large container for liquids 4. Autumn A. Another word for spring B. Another word for fall C. Another word for winter 5. Common A. Unusual, not many people do it B. Usual, done by many people C. A bad way of doing things 6. Gallon A. A unit of measurement to see how tall something is B. A unit of measurement for how much something weighs C. A unit of measurement for liquids 7. Fun A. Something enjoyable B. Something not enjoyable C. Something unusual 8. Cloth A. A hard material that can break in pieces B. A soft material made by weaving threads together C. A metal material 9. Healthy A. Not good for your health B. Food that tastes bad C. Good for your health 10. Aren’t A. Contraction of: are not B. Contraction of: is not C. Contraction of: do not

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Apple cider B. Apple pie C. Fall 3. How are apple juice and apple cider alike? A. They both include pulp B. They both include spices C. They are both made from apples 4. How are apple juice and apple cider different? A. Only apple cider includes pulp B. Apple juice doesn’t have any spices C. Both A and B 5. What season does this story mention? A. Summer B. Autumn C. Winter 6. What tool is used for making apple cider? A. An apple press B. An apple corer C. An apple peeler 7. What crushes the apples into small pieces, or pulp? A. An apple crusher B. An apple press C. An apple juicer 8. What type of material catches the apple pieces? A. A metal drum B. Mesh cloth C. A pitcher 9. Which is NOT a common spice used in apple cider? A. Cinnamon B. Cloves C. Oregano 10. It takes ____ apples to make a gallon of cider. A. 2 B. Many C. 89

The Oreo Crumb

I’ve never seen wrath like Jenny’s when a crumb from my brother, Allen’s, Oreo landed on her white dress. I mean, she really went on a warpath. She shot up from her chair and started yelling about how Allen wasn’t wealthier than her so he couldn’t afford to buy her a new dress, and that he wasn’t even good at laundry, either. Then she stormed off to her room and slammed her door. In summary, she lost her cool.

I mean, I guess I would be bummed out too if my new clothes got ruined. It’d be enough to make anyone glum. But as far as I could tell, the crumb fell right off the dress. I’m starting to think it was something else that bothered her.

Last week, Jenny stopped eating sweets because she got braces on her teeth. Maybe she was jealous that Allen and I could still eat Oreos. I told Allen what I was thinking. He started feeling badly, too. We decided to do something to cheer up Jenny.

We spoke at the same time. Allen suggested making a list of reasons we like Jenny, and I suggested we could make a list of yummy foods Jenny could still eat—even with braces. We laughed that we both thought of making lists. Then we decided we would each make a column.

We worked hard on the lists. We really wanted Jenny to feel better. When finished, we slid the paper under her door. First, we heard her grumble. Then we heard her sniff. Then we heard her giggle. Soon, she opened the door and hugged us both.

“Allen, I’m sorry,” she said. “I really do love you both a ton. Thanks for the note. I feel a lot better now.” And the funny thing was, Allen and I did, too.

1. Wrath A. Feeling upset B. Extreme anger C. Feeling happy 2. Warpath A. The road to get to a war B. Angry and ready to fight C. A path found in the forest 3. Bothered A. Made someone annoyed or worried B. Made someone tired C. Made someone clever 4. Wealthier A. Has less money than others B. Has the same amount of money as others C. Has more money than others 5. Summary A. A long story B. A short way of sharing the most important information C. A long list of items 6. Glum A. Happy, pleased B. Excited C. Sad, depressed 7. Bummed A. To cause someone to feel sad or disappointed B. To cause someone to feel confused C. To cause someone to feel eager 8. Column A. A group of words mixed together B. A group of items listed on one line after another on a page C. A page full of words 9. Crumb A. A large piece of food B. Something liquid that spills C. A very small piece of food 10. Ton A. None of something B. A large amount C. A tiny amount

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is angry in this story? A. Allen B. The person telling the story C. Jenny 3. What makes the person upset? A. Allen spills juice on her dress B. Allen drops a crumb on her dress C. Jenny snags her dress and tears it 4. What is the crumb from? A. A piece of cake B. An Oreo cookie C. Cereal 5. What color is her dress? A. White B. Red C. Silver 6. Why does the person telling the story think Jenny is really upset? A. Because her dress will never be clean B. Because she doesn’t like her brother C. Because she stopped eating sweets when she got braces 7. What do Allen and the person telling the story decide to do? A. Write a list of nice things about Jenny B. Write a list of good things Jenny can still eat C. Both A and B 8. How do they get the list to Jenny? A. They knock on her door B. They slide it under her door C. They fly it as a paper airplane through her window 9. What does Jenny do after she reads it? A. She apologizes and hugs them B. She cries because she’s so happy C. She rolls her eyes rudely 10. How does everyone feel at the end of the story? A. Much better B. Angry at each other C. Hungry

No Screen Time

The scum on top of the pond told them the water was murky. Alec and his good chum, Jake, were wasting away another summer day. Their parents had told them no screen time this week, so they were doing their best to get outside. So far, it was fun.

They had spent one afternoon at Mr. Taylor’s, who was like a grandfather to them. He taught them how to shoot a BB gun at an empty can. They wore safety glasses and followed Mr. Taylor’s instructions to stay safe.

The next day, they had a contest to see who could run the farthest. Alec finally got too tired for another step after 42 minutes. Jake was a good sport about winning, though. He didn’t brag.

Today, they were going to try fishing. And this time, they packed snacks. Alec had a granola bar, but Jake’s mom insisted on smearing plum jelly on a bun for her son. He had complained at first, but it fit in his pocket. That was the nice thing about baggyclothing . Plenty of room for snacks!

“Do you think there are any fish in there?” Alec asked Jake. Jake licked some jelly off histhumb . It was only 10:30 in the morning, but he was already hungry. He shrugged, then said, “Might as well toss the line in. Why not?”

Alec cast the line. Nothing happened for a while. Then he felt a jerk on the line. “I don’t want to stun you,” he said to Jake, “but I think I have a bite!”

Alec reeled and reeled. At last, the line came out of the water, along with a plump catfish. “All right!” Jake yelled. They didn’t have a bucket, so they ran home as fast as they could to show their parents.

1. Chum A. An enemy B. A close friend C. Someone you don’t know 2. Plum A. A crunchy, red fruit B. An orange, juicy fruit C. A round, sweet, juicy fruit with dark skin and yellow flesh 3. Scum A. A layer of gross stuff that forms on top of a liquid B. A thick soup C. Bread that’s soaked in milk 4. Bun A. A round, red fruit B. A small, round bread C. A green vegetable 5. Run A. To move slowly with your feet B. To move on your hands and knees C. To move quickly with your legs 6. Clothing A. What you wear on your feet B. The things you wear on your body C. What you wear on your head 7. Gun A. A weapon that shoots bullets B. A Y-shaped stick with a rubber band used for shooting stones C. A curved stick with a string attached, used to shoot arrows 8. Thumb A. The tall finger in the middle of the hand B. The short finger on the side of the hand C. The hand 9. Son A. Any child B. A female child C. A male child 10. Stun A. To surprise someone very much B. To ignore someone C. To yell at someone

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jake B. Alec C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. In different places outside B. In Jake’s house C. At Alec’s grandparents’ house 4. What did the boys do at Mr. Taylors? A. Build a birdhouse B. Learn how to shoot a BB gun C. Weed his garden 5. What did the boys do the second day? A. See who could run the farthest B. See who could run the fastest C. See who could jump the farthest 6. Who won? A. Jake B. Alec C. They tied 7. What are they doing on this day? A. Riding their bikes on wooded trails B. Going for a hike C. Going fishing 8. What do they notice about the pond? A. The water has dried up B. It has scum on it C. It isn’t very deep 9. Who casts the line into the water? A. Alec B. Jake C. Neither, they decide there probably aren’t any fish there 10. What do they catch? A. Nothing B. A frog C. A catfish

Afternoons with Mrs. Beasley

“I just love mums,” said Mrs. Beasley as she watered the flowers in her apartment window box. Suzanne sat in the kitchen, where she was eating a fat slice of white bread with raspberry jam. “My thumbs aren’t the greenest, but even I can keep mums happy,” Mrs. Beasley chuckled.

Suzanne loved her afternoons at Mrs. Beasley’s. She always learned something new. From the first time they met, Mrs. Beasley told Suzanne that sheshuns the idea of talking to children as if they aren’t intelligent. That made Suzanne smile.

“Now, Suzanne, here’s a lesson,” Mrs. Beasley began. “The word ‘mum’ is actually short for a much longer word: chrysanthemum! But I suppose ‘chrysanthemum’ is too hard to say, so they’re more commonly called mums.” Suzanne nodded to show she understood. Her mouth was still full. Mrs. Beasley kept on talking. “People think leaves are the best part of fall, but I think autumn’s mums are even better. It’s nice to have a splash of color on the ground—or outside my window!” She chuckled again and slid the window shut.

“What would you like to do next, Suzanne? Play checkers, or sort buttons?”

Suzanne was finally done with her bread. “Buttons!” she said. She knew Mrs. Beasley would have unique buttons, and Suzanne had lost at checkers the last few times they played.

“I was hoping you’d say that!” said Mrs. Beasley. “No one ever offers to help with such silly things. My sons certainly never did when they were boys.”

Mrs. Beasley dumped a carton full of buttons onto the table and told Suzanne they should start by sorting by color. Suzanne carefully stacked columns of yellow, blue, green, and black buttons. She smiled as she worked, and Mrs. Beasley turned on the radio to a jazz station. Suzanne just loved afternoons with Mrs. Beasley.

1. Commonly A. Usual, done by many people B. Helpful C. Something rare 2. Mums A. Plants with huge, yellow flowers and brown centers filled with seeds B. Plants with small, brightly colored flowers C. Plants with that grow cotton 3. Autumn A. Another word for ‘fall’ B. Another word for ‘chilly’ C. Another word for ‘leaves’ 4. Columns A. Something round B. Something short and wide C. Something tall and thin 5. Shuns A. Helps B. Avoids C. Welcomes 6. Thumbs A. Short fingers on the sides of hands B. The body parts attached to arms C. The tallest fingers on a hand 7. Offers A. Saying you won’t do something B. Saying you are willing to do something C. Not helping 8. Sons A. Any children B. Female children C. Male children 9. Carton A. A mug made of clay B. A box made of cardboard or plastic C. A glass bowl 10. Lesson A. An activity you do to learn something B. Telling someone what to do C. Reading a story

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mrs. Beasley B. Miss Beetle C. Suzanne 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a cottage B. In Mrs. Beasley’s apartment C. At school 4. What does Mrs. Beasley say she loves? A. Roses B. Autumn C. Mums 5. What is Suzanne eating? A. Bread with raspberry jam B. Chocolate chip cookies C. Pancakes with maple syrup 6. Where are the flowers? A. On Mrs. Beasley’s kitchen table B. In the window box outside Mrs. Beasley’s window C. In Mrs. Beasley’s garden 7. Mrs. Beasley asks Suzanne if she’d like to ____ or ____. A. Make bread, play checkers B. Sort photographs, sort buttons C. Play checkers, sort buttons 8. What does Suzanne choose to do? A. Play checkers B. Sort buttons C. Look at old photographs 9. How do they sort them? A. By shape B. By size C. By color 10. What does Suzanne love? A. Afternoons with Mrs. Beasley B. Sorting buttons C. Eating bread

The Drummer Next Door

Alexa was stunned when she first heard her neighbor, Stu, play the drums. Hedrummed like crazy! The whir of his drumsticks on the snare drum, the clang of the cymbal, and the beat of the bass hypnotized her. Alexa had known Stu for her whole life, but she hadn’t known Stu played the drums until yesterday, when he had seen her thumbing through a book about percussion instruments. Stu knew it was uncommon to play drums, so he invited her to come and see him play. Alexa wasn’t sure if he was just being funny, but she knew and liked Stu, so she agreed to come. Now, she saw he hadn’t been teasing. While Stu was in the middle of a terrific beat, sheran out the door to find her brothers. They were going to love this.

Her brothers, Cooper and Landon, gunned it when Alexa told them what was happening. Stu was still playing the same piece when they got there. His arms were a blur, they were moving so fast. Cooper started clapping along to the beat, and Landon picked up a triangle to play, too. Alexa grinned. She grabbed a magazine and rolled it up and pretended it was a microphone. She surprised all of them when she started rapping to the music! She rhymed and riffed about the alphabet, numbers, and colors. Anything to keep the words coming. Finally, Stu ended the song with a final bang on the cymbal and they all burst out laughing.

“That was awesome,” Stu said to everyone. “But Alexa, I think you won for being the most creative. I’m so glad you guys came over to see me play. You’re welcome back here any time.” Alexa, Cooper, and Landon thanked Stu and gave him high-fives. They knew they’d be back soon.

1. Whir A. Turning in circles B. The sound made by something spinning very fast C. To whistle through your lips 2. Uncommon A. Normal B. Gross C. Unusual 3. Drummed A. Played drums B. Hit someone C. Played an instrument 4. Hadn’t A. Contraction of: will not B. Contraction of: had not C. Contraction of: have not 5. Stunned A. Bored B. Tired C. Surprised 6. Ran A. Past tense of ‘run’ B. Past tense of ‘walk’ C. Past tense of ‘can’ 7. Funny A. Causing pain B. Causing laughter C. Causing confusion 8. Thumbing A. Gardening B. Telling someone “Good job” C. Turning the pages of a book 9. Won A. Past tense of ‘lose’ B. Past tense of ‘win’ C. Past tense of ‘come’ 10. Gunned A. Went very fast B. Went slowly C. Shot a bullet

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Cooper B. Stu C. Alexa 3. How do Alexa and Stu know each other? A. They are siblings B. They are neighbors C. They are cousins 4. How do Alexa, Cooper, and Landon know each other? A. They are siblings B. They are neighbors C. They are cousins 5. What does Stu play? A. Chess B. Drums C. Trumpet 6. What does Stu see Alexa reading? A. A book about percussion B. A book about writing songs C. A book about reading music 7. Whom does Alexa tell about Stu? A. Her parents B. Her friends C. Her brothers 8. What does Alexa use as a microphone? A. An actual microphone B. A rolled up magazine C. A hairbrush 9. What does Alexa do with the “microphone”? A. Rap B. Sing C. Talk 10. What does Stu invite the kids to do? A. Play the drums B. Come to watch him play C. Sing for him

The Dragon who Ate Flowers

Drago the dragon laid on the moss, sunning himself. His scales shone brightly in the sun. With his large body and noble face, Drago looked quite stunning. He was what one might refer to as handsome. It was spring, which was Drago’s very favorite season. He disliked snow in his claws, and summer was so hot it made his scales itch. But in spring, the moss grew spongey, the days grew longer, and the flowers grew more delicious. What’s that? You did not know that dragons ate flowers? Well, suppose I tell you a secret. Drago does. He does not like hunting animals, for he hates to see fear in their eyes.

Drago took a long nap on this spring day. When he was done resting, he stood and shook himself off. Even his wings quivered. One wing quivered so very much, it knocked a bluebird’s nest right out of a tree branch.

“Oh dear, do pardon me,” Drago said to the mother bluebird. Drago made sure the eggs were safe in the nest, and then placed the nest back on the branch. The mother bluebird wanted to scold Drago, but she had seen him chumming around with some less friendly dragons. Drago waved goodbye and went on walking through the forest, munching on violets here, and tasting daisies there. Brother squirrel sat on an old wagon and watched. Then he called to Drago, “Say, what does a flower taste like?”

Drago had never been asked this question before. Indeed, he had never thought much about it. So he closed his eyes and chewed the petals very carefully. “Hmm. They taste of running water, sunshine, and…” Drago stopped and chuckled. “Yes indeed, they taste of melon.” Drago took another bite, then stomped through the forest, in search of his next snack.

1. Wagon A. A large vehicle with a loud engine B. A four wheeled toy you stand on and push with your foot C. A vehicle with four wheels that is pulled 2. Chumming A. Spending time with a friend B. Speaking rudely to someone C. Chewing gum too much 3. Dragon A. An imagery creature that looks like a horse and has a horn on its head B. An imaginary animal that can breathe fire and looks like a giant lizard C. An imaginary creature that has the body of a horse and the head of a man 4. Stunning A. Not nice looking B. Difficult to hear or understand C. Very beautiful 5. Sunning A. Staying out of the sun B. Sitting in the sun to make your skin darker C. Putting on lotion to protect you from the sun’s rays 6. Done A. Something has ended, finished B. To begin something C. To be in the middle of doing something 7. Refer A. To speak to someone B. To call someone by a certain name or word C. To ask a question 8. Pardon A. To not excuse yourself after doing something rude B. To help yourself to something even if it hasn’t been given to you C. A word said to be polite when asking questions or saying something 9. Season A. One of the four periods of the year B. Feeling cold C. Feeling hot 10. Melon A. Crunchy vegetable leaves B. A large, round fruit with juicy, sweet flesh C. Meat from a deer

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mother bluebird B. Brother squirrel C. Drago 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a swamp B. In a forest C. In the mountains 4. Where is Drago resting? A. On a large, flat stone B. On spongey moss C. In a field of flowers 5. What does Drago like to eat? A. Any animal he sees B. Nuts and berries C. Flowers 6. What is Drago’s favorite season? A. Spring B. Summer C. Winter 7. What does Drago accidentally knock out of a tree? A. A large branch B. A bluebird’s nest C. An owl that is sleeping 8. Who watches Drago eating? A. Mother bluebird B. Smithers the Dragon C. Brother squirrel 9. What is NOT one of the words Drago uses to describe the taste of flowers? A. Running water B. Boiled leaves C. Melon 10. What kind of manners does Drago have? A. Very poor manners, he is quite rude B. Lovely manners, he is kind and helpful C. We aren’t able to tell from this story

A Fight in the Lunchroom

When Brady pushed Billy into Mable, Mable spun around backward right into the shelf holding all the milk. Now, there were tons of milk cartons all over the floor. Mable rubbed her elbows. She looked dazed, like she wasn’t sure what just happened. But Brady and Billy didn’t even offer to help. Instead, they kept on fighting. Luckily, Mable’s best friend, Shanna, came running from her spot at the lunch table and pulled Mable to her feet.

“Are you OK?” Shanna asked.

“Gosh, I guess so. My elbow is just a little banged up, is all.”

Shanna led Mable to the stool next to hers. “Here, sit down. I’ll go get your lunch for you,” she said. Mable smiled. She was glad to have such a good friend. A whistle blew.

“What is the reason for this mess? How many times must I ask why you stir up trouble?” Miss Cramer asked the boys.

“Billy said the story I wrote for class is more boring than being in prison!” Brady yelled. “Brady said my breath is poison!” Billy said at the same time.

Miss Cramer sighed. “I think you two could be friends if you just tried a little kindness. I could send you to the principal’s office, but instead, preferI to do something else. For the rest of the week, I want the two of you to play together at recess.” The boys groaned loudly. “I’m not finished. Also, the two of you will be at your own lunch table all week. I expect by Friday, you’ll have found at least one reason to like one another.”

Mable and Shanna watched and listened. “Gosh,” Mable said. “I wish you and I could have that punishment.” Shanna laughed and agreed.

The punishment worked. Brady and Billy never fought again.

1. Poison A. Something healthy for you B. A bad idea C. If swallowed, it can kill or make animals or humans very sick 2. Prison A. A place where you go to borrow books B. A place where people are kept as punishment C. A place where you go to learn about nature 3. Reason A. Why you do something B. Deciding not to do something C. To ask a question 4. Cartons A. Bowls made of glass B. Cups made of plastic C. Boxes or containers made of plastic or cardboard 5. Spun A. Turned in circles B. Walked a straight line C. Went backward 6. Stir A. To pour something into a bowl B. To mix up something by moving it around C. To eat with a spoon 7. Offer A. To take help B. To ask for help C. To give someone help 8. Prefer A. To like something better than something else B. To dislike something C. To not care about what is happening 9. Tons A. A little bit of something B. A large amount of something C. Exactly 1,000 pounds 10. Many A. A small number of things B. The exact right amount of things C. A large number of things

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is fighting? A. Mable and Shanna B. Billy and Brady C. Brady and Mable 3. Who gets hurt? A. Brady B. Billy C. Mable 4. Who helps the person who gets hurt? A. Shanna B. Mable C. Miss Cramer 5. What is all over the floor? A. Milk cartons B. Carrot sticks C. Lunch trays 6. Where does this story take place? A. In the classroom B. On the playground C. In the lunchroom 7. What is the teacher’s name? A. Mr. Kramer B. Miss Cramer C. Mrs. Gobey 8. What is the boys’ punishment? A. To go to the principal’s office B. To miss recess for one week C. To play together and eat lunch together 9. What is Mable’s reaction to this punishment? A. She is surprised by it B. She wishes she and Shanna could have their punishment, instead C. She thinks it’s a bad idea 10. What do we find out at the end of the story? A. Billy and Brady need to be sent to separate schools because they never stop fighting B. Billy and Brady never follow the instructions for their punishment C. The punishment works! Billy and Brady stop fighting

Alcatraz Island

Some lessons are learned the hard way. From 1934 through 1963, some of the most dangerous and seasoned prisoners and felons—or criminals—learned those lessons on Alcatraz Island.

Often referred to as The Rock, Alcatraz Island is a prison built on an island in the San Francisco Bay, in California. It is 1.25 miles from the shore. The ocean there is choppy and cold. It was named Alcatraz by the Spanish man, Juan Manuel Diaz, who discovered the island. Alcatraz is Spanish for “gannets,” which are birds that look like pelicans. There were many pelicans and other birds on the island when he first discovered it.

The Rock wasn’t for just any criminal. The worst of the worst were sent here to serve their punishment. Sometimes, if a prisoner learned better behavior, they would be transferred to a different prison in America. Likewise, if a prisoner in a regular prison couldn’t bereasoned with, they were transferred to The Rock to learn how to behave.

Alcatraz Island kept prisoners until 1963. This is when Americans decided it was too expensive to continue shipping food and other items to the island. The prisoners who were still imprisoned on Alcatraz were not pardoned for their crimes, though. They were just moved to different prisons. Ten years later, in 1973, Alcatraz Island opened again. But this time, it wasn’t as a prison. It was a place for tourists to visit and learn more about the prison. Even today, there are tour boats that take people to The Rock. You can walk around the drab, old prison and imagine what it would be like to be a prisoner there, with no escape. It is a chilling—but interesting—adventure.

Besides having a famous prison, Alcatraz Island is also home to the first lighthouse built on America’s West Coast.

[sources: https://css.history.com/topics/alcatraz; https://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm; https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Alcatraz_Island] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 41 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Felons A. A type of bird with a large beak B. The claws on a raptor C. Criminals, people who commit serious crimes 2. Seasoned A. Made very colorful B. Being new to somewhere C. Having a lot of experience doing something 3. Prisoner A. A person who is kept in prison B. A person who keep prisons safe and secure C. A person who works in a jail 4. Island A. A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides B. An area of land surrounded by water on all sides C. A piece of land with no water surrounding it 5. Referred A. Walked backward B. Forgot an answer C. Called something by a certain name 6. Pardoned A. Let someone go free and not be punished B. Sent someone to prison C. Asked to help someone 7. Lessons A. A place where you learn B. Activities you do to learn something C. Pencils used for school work 8. Transferred A. Stayed in one place B. Made a phone call C. Moved from one place to another 9. Reasoned A. Figured something out by using good sense B. Made a wild guess C. Decided not to do anything 10. Drab A. Uses many colors B. Not bright or colorful, plain looking C. Bright and filled with light

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Famous criminals B. Alcatraz Island C. A movie 3. What is Alcatraz Island also called? A. The Rock B. The Prison C. The Lock 4. Why was it named Alcatraz? A. Because that’s the type of rock from which the island is formed B. Alcatraz is Spanish for a bird that looks like a pelican, and there were many pelicans on the island when it was discovered C. Because that is the last name of the explorer who discovered it

5. Where is Alcatraz Island located? A. Near Seattle, Washington B. On an island next to the Statue of Liberty C. In the San Francisco Bay, off the coast of California 6. Who went to Alcatraz Island? A. Terrible criminals B. People who wanted a relaxing vacation C. Fishermen 7. What type of building is on Alcatraz Island? A. A school B. A prison C. A court 8. Which other thing can you find on Alcatraz Island? A. Mountains B. A zoo for large birds C. The first lighthouse built on the West Coast 9. Why did the prison close? A. There were no more criminals B. It was too expensive to continue shipping items there C. All the criminals escaped 10. Who can see the prison now? A. Tourists can see and explore there B. Prison guards C. New criminals

Friends at Work

Julia and Tomas had worked for the Dillard family for more than two years. In that time, they became good friends. Tomas reasoned it was because they had no one else to talk to, but Julia only laughed. She knew he was joking. They both enjoyed each other’s company. The Dillards were a fine family in London, and Julia and Tomas were happy to work for them. They were treated well and payed fairly. Plus, it didn’t feel like work when they were having a nice time.

“Are you ready to confer today?” Julia called to Tomas. This was their code for chatting while tending to the Dillards’ laundry. Tomas was soon at the door.

“Ready!” he announced.

He stirred the clothes in the kettle of hot water while Julia ironed the clothing that had already dried. “Don’t forget to stir in a bit of fir oil. You know how Mr. Dillard likes to smell like the pine forests,” Julia reminded Tomas.

“Yes, but doesn’t it seem so silly to you?” he asked as he grabbed the tiny bottle and added a droplet of the oil to the kettle.

“Oh, certainly,” Julia said. “I’ve always preferred smelling like roses, myself.” This made Tomas laugh.

“Tell me again about the games you played in the moor when you were a child,” Thomas said to Julia. Julia smiled, and began. She got lost in her story, and then she and Tomas gabbed endlessly.

By the time they finished their day’s work, the sun had gone down and the street lamps had been lit. As always, Tomas offered to walk Julia home. And, as always, Julia insisted she enjoyed walking home alone. They smiled goodbye, and each went on their way. They would see each other again in the morning.

1. Clothes A. What you wear on your body B. What you wear on your head C. What you wear on your feet 2. Ironed A. Washed clothes with water and soap B. Used a heated tool to make wrinkled fabric smooth C. Dried clothes by hanging them up on a line of rope 3. Reasoned A. Made a wild guess B. Added spices to food C. Thought in a way that made sense 4. Stirred A. Added spices to food B. Mixed something by making a circular movement C. Shook something up and down 5. FIr A. A tall pine tree B. A large oak tree C. A small flowering tree 6. Preferred A. Liked one thing more than another B. Disliked a thing C. Had an idea 7. Offered A. Took something away B. Did not like someone’s idea C. Said you were willing to do something 8. Grabbed A. Talked a lot, in a friendly way B. Took away without asking if you could C. Took hold of with your hand 9. Gabbed A. Took away without asking if you could B. Talked a lot, in a friendly way C. Disliked a thing 10. Confer A. To talk about something important in order to make a decision B. A type of tree that stays green all year long C. To hear someone talking

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Julia B. Tomas C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a house in London, England B. Somewhere in Egypt C. In an apartment in Boston, Massachusetts 4. What is the name of the family who lives in the house? A. The Swanson family B. The Dillard family C. The Dayton family 5. How do Julia and Tomas know each other? A. They are siblings B. They work together C. Julia works for Tomas’s family 6. What job do they do together? A. Tend to the garden B. Prepare meals C. Laundry 7. What does Julia say Mr. Dillard likes to smell like? A. A pine forest B. A cookie shop C. A fresh shave 8. What does Tomas ask Julia to tell him about? A. Working for the family before he was hired B. Playing in the moor as a child C. Meeting a famous actor 9. When do you think this story takes place? A. Quite a long time ago B. In the present time C. Sometime in the future 10. Does Tomas walk Julia home? A. No, he never offers B. No, but he offers to each night C. Yes, Julia likes the company

The Project

The spool of red thread dropped to the floor and rolled beneath the desk.

“Blast!” Meredith muttered. “Where did that fool thing go?” She crouched on the floor, peering under the desk. “Got you!” she said as she grabbed the spool.

Meredith threaded her sewing machine. “Why did I have to blab about having a sewing machine? Why did I say I could sew all these costumes? Now I’ll have to suffer through all this work. Serves me right.” Meredith wasn’t really a crab. She was just worried about all the work ahead of her. That’s when Meredith’s friend, Liam, knocked on her door.

“Can I come in?” he called. “It’s cold out here.”

Meredith wasn’t expecting anyone, but she hurried to open the door.

“How did you get here?” she asked. Liam lived three and a half miles away.

“I took a cab,” he said with a smile.

Meredith was still confused. “Did we have plans?” she asked.

“Nah,” said Liam. “I was just bored and thought you could use a hand on all those costumes. It’s going to be a lot of work, you know.”

“Tell me about it!” Meredith said. She was so relieved to have Liam’s help, that she hugged him.

Liam laughed. Then he picked up one of the costumes she had made. “Hey, you’re doing great work. These are really neat,” he said. He flipped the tab sewn along the edge. It read: Good luck! “Wow. That’s a cool detail. People are going to love these.”

Meredith relaxed, and smiled for the first time all day. “You really think so?”

“Absolutely,” Liam answered. “Now, where do you keep the fabric? I don’t know how to run a sewing machine, but I can use a different tool, called a scissors!’

They laughed, and got to work.

1. Grabbed A. Quickly took hold of something with your hand B. Let go of something C. Let something fall 2. Cab A. A truck B. A taxi C. A sports car 3. Blab A. To whisper quietly B. To keep a secret C. To say something that was supposed to be kept a secret 4. Fool A. A clever person B. A stupid or silly person C. An old person 5. Different A. Not the same B. The same as everything else C. Happy 6. Suffer A. To feel well B. To be angry C. To experience pain of some sort 7. Crab A. A funny person who laughs a lot B. An unhappy person who complains a lot C. A happy person with a good attitude 8. Spool A. A round object with something, like thread, wrapped around it B. A machine that stitches fabric together C. Long lengths of thread or rope 9. Coo, A. Very strange B. Very fashionable, something people will like C. Very new 10. Tool A. A place where you build things B. A round chair with no back rest C. Something you hold in your hand and use for a certain job or task

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mary B. Meredith C. Liam 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Liam’s house B. At Meredith’s house C. At the school theater 4. Why is Meredith upset at the beginning of the story? A. Her sewing machine quit working B. She has lost the red thread C. She doesn’t know how to sew 5. What is Meredith making? A. Hats B. Sashes C. Costumes 6. Who surprises her with a visit? A. Her friend, Liam B. Her brother, Mark C. Her friend, Anastasia 7. Why does he go to Meredith’s? A. To help her make the costumes B. To keep her company C. To ask if she needs anything from the store 8. How does he get there? A. He rode his bike B. He took a cab C. He walked 9. How does he offer to help? A. By threading her machine the next time B. By handing her pins C. By cutting out the fabric pieces 10. How does Meredith feel at the end of the story? A. Relieved to have help B. Nervous that Liam will mess up C. Angry at the theater teacher

Baby Talk

Gio’s little sister, Vienna, was just six months old. Not even a year, yet. Gio, who was 7, felt like a giant next to her. He loved his little sister, and Gio could tell that Vienna loved him, too, by the way she got grabby with him. Always tugging at his clothes and anything else she could hold onto.

But he was sometimes confused by her, too. His mother said things would be easier for him once Vienna started to talk. Gio wondered when that would be. So far, Vienna just blabbed a lot, and blew spit bubbles.

One day, Gio was laying on his stomach on the floor with Vienna. She was smiling and making gurgling noises. He was making funny faces and sounds and fooled her into laughing. But when she laughed, so much drool came out of her mouth, it made a pool in front of her.

“Oh, ew!” Gio cried. “Mom! Vienna’s mouth leaked all over again!” Then to himself, he added, “Gross. We should take this to the lab. It’s like a science project.”

Vienna just giggled her sweet baby giggles at her big brother. She grabbed the tabs on the blanket she was laying on and stuffed them in her mouth.

Their mom came into the room to see what the fuss was about. She saw the puddle of drool and looked at her daughter chomping on the blanket tabs. “Aha!” she said. “I’m well-schooled in baby drool, you see, so I’ve inferred that Vienna is teething.” She took a seat on the slab of floor next to Gio. “Let’s take a look, shall we?” She scooped Vienna into her lap and made silly sounds until Vienna screeched in laughter. When she opened her mouth, Gio and Mom saw a tiny white tooth poking out from her bottom gum. It was her very first tooth.

1. Inferred A. Took a wild guess B. Studied very hard C. Formed an opinion based on facts 2. Fooled A. Told the truth B. Tricked someone C. Wrote a song 3. Pool A. A small amount of liquid on a surface B. To dive into water C. The place where you bathe to get clean 4. Drool A. A place to swim B. Saliva, or spit, that comes from the mouth C. To spit out on purpose 5. La A. A room filled with books B. A room for doing art projects C. Short for ‘laboratory’; a room for studying science 6. Slab A. A thick, flat piece of hard material B. A soft, grassy area C. Another word for ‘phone’ 7. Blabbed A. Listened B. Talked C. Laughed 8. Grabby A. Cruel, mean B. Talks a lot C. Taking things in a quick way 9. Tabs A. Small, flat pieces along the edge of something B. Writing C. Another word for ‘cups’ 10. Schooled A. Built a school building B. Drove to a school C. Taught to do something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is the big brother? A. Vienna B. Mom C. Gio 3. Who is the little sister? A. Vienna B. Mom C. Gio 4. How old is Gio? A. 5 B. 7 C. 9 5. What are Gio and Vienna doing? A. Playing at the park B. Playing on the floor C. Reading in the rocking chair 6. What grosses out Gio? A. Vienna dirties her diaper B. Vienna sneezes in his face C. Vienna drools on the floor 7. What does Gio joke they should do with the drool? A. Take it to a lab B. Keep it C. Make Vienna clean it 8. Who comes to see what the fuss is about? A. Dad B. Mom C. Grandma 9. What does Mom think is the reason Vienna drooled? A. She thinks she’s teething B. She thinks she ate too much C. She thinks she had too much milk 10. What do Mom and Gio see? A. Vienna’s tongue B. A sore spot on Vienna’s mouth C. Vienna’s first tooth

Square Dabbing

“The differences between dabbing and square dancing are many,” Miss Bessa looked tired. The second grade dance class was full of energy, but wasn’t listening to their substitute teacher. Today, working felt like suffering to Miss Bessa. Treyton became quiet and looked at Miss Bessa like he was ready to pay attention. But then he dabbed again. The kids around him roared with laughter. Dallas elbowed Treyton playfully in the ribs. Miss Bessa felt so frustrated. Subbing for gym class was supposed to be fun, but this was getting out of hand. How did it turn into such a flub?

Suddenly, Miss Bessa got an idea. She clapped her hands and had the students sit in a circle around her.

“One of the cool things about square dancing is the moves can change, did you know that? The caller can call out any move, and the dancers have to listen! Why don’t we see what fun we can have if we mix the standard square dancing moves with some modern dances, OK?” Miss Bessa smiled. She was pleased with her plan.

Grabbing Treyton and Mindi as her examples, Miss Bessa began pairing up the students. She made sure no one felt snubbed. Two by two, the class stood in their positions. They were still giggling. Miss Bessa started the music and began calling out moves to the students.

“Circle left!” she called. Then, “Do-si-do!” The kids were spooling around the gym floor. Miss Bessa would have to change it up soon, or she knew the kids would think she had been fooling them. She smiled, “Now, dab to your left!” The kids all dabbed. “And dab to your right!” Everyone was laughing. Everyone was listening! Miss Bessa was so glad she had thought to mix things up.

1. Differences A. Things that are the same B. Things that are wrong C. The things that make one thing different from another 2. Suffering A. Feeling of joy B. Feeling of pain C. Feeling of goodness 3. Fooling A. Joking, tricking B. Being truthful C. Playing for fun 4. Dabbing A. A dance where you twirl in circles B. A modern dance move where a person bends their head and puts their arms up C. A dance where you skip and jump 5. Grabbing A. Dropping something to the floor B. Ignoring someone C. Taking hold of something with your hand 6. Snubbed A. Ignored someone in a rude, unfriendly way B. Took hold of something with your hand C. Helped someone 7. Subbing A. Being the star of the show B. Being a student C. Taking the place of someone else, being a substitute 8. Spooling A. Winding or wrapping something, as if on a spool B. Walking a straight line C. Dancing 9. Flub A. To do something the right way B. To fail to do something correctly C. To be careful 10. Ribs A. The curved bones in the chest B. The long bone in the top part of the leg C. The bones beneath your teeth

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Treyton B. Eloise C. Miss Bessa 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a park B. In P.E. class C. In art class 4. What is Miss Bessa teaching? A. Basketball B. Jump roping C. Square dancing 5. How does Treyton misbehave at the beginning of the story? A. He does the dab B. He burps C. He runs out of the class 6. How does Miss Bessa feel at the beginning of the story? A. Excited B. Frustrated and tired C. Pleased with her student 7. What does Miss Bessa explain to the students? A. That they have been very naughty and she won’t sub for them again B. That she is going to give them 10 minutes to start behaving or she’ll call the principal. C. That square dance moves can change, they can call out anything they want 8. How does Miss Bessa change the square dancing calls? A. She calls for them to dab B. She calls for them to flip C. She calls for them to scream 9. How do the kids behave when Miss Bessa tells them to do that? A. They all stop because they think they heard her wrong B. They laugh and have a great time C. They are confused 10. How does Miss Bessa feel at the end of the story? A. Glad she thought to mix things up B. Tired and ready to be done with her job C. Frustrated with the students

Little Moody Trudy

“Moody Trudy” is what they dubbed the little girl. She had a head of red curls that bounced when she walked. But it was silly to call her that, because she only had one mood: happy. She was 5 years old and had been delightful ever since the time she slept in a crib and used a bib. She didn’t brood or get upset when things didn’t go her way. She was different from other 5-year-olds in this way. So her funny nickname was not meant as a snub.

Everyone loved little Moody Trudy. She had a squeaky little voice, but used words like a grownup might. She’d say things like, “Time to eat some grub!” and “Actually, I can keep a secret, but I’ll literally never tell a fib.” Adults loved this kind of stuff. They laughed and patted her curly hair on top of her head. Moody Trudy didn’t understand why people laughed when she spoke, though. She felt she had important things to say. She wanted to be taken seriously, just like other people. After all, she was a person, too!

One day, Moody Trudy had had enough. She went to her front yard and flipped a plastictub upside down. She stood on top of it, like a stool. When a few people gathered around, she began.

“Dear people,” she said. “I am Trudy Mae Johnson. I am not ‘Moody Trudy’ anymore. I have things to say! And you might like hearing them, too, if you’d just stop laughing so much!” She put her hands on her hips and huffed, as if to say, “So there!”

Her neighbors looked at her with confusion. Then they began to clap. Finally, one man, Mr. Nettershime, walked to Trudy and shook her hand. Trudy smiled, and was never laughed at again—unless she tried to be funny.

1. Mood A. The way someone feels B. The way someone looks C. The way someone sounds 2. Brood A. To sing a lot B. To eat a lot C. To think a lot in an unhappy way 3. Grub A. Drink B. Food C. Sunshine 4. Crib A. A small bed with high sides, used for a baby B. A large bed used by adults C. A place for taking naps 5. Bib A. A shirt worn by babies B. A piece of cloth worn around a baby’s neck when they eat C. Socks worn by babies 6. Moody A. Often happy B. Often tired C. Often unhappy 7. Snub A. To ignore someone in a rude way B. To help someone C. To talk to someone 8. Tub A. A paper envelope B. To move something back and forth C. A wide container used to hold something 9. Fib A. To tell the truth B. To lie, say something untrue C. To ask a question 10. Dubbed A. Gave someone a name B. Gave someone food C. Told a story about someone

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mr. Nettershime B. Trudy C. Mae 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a neighborhood B. In a very busy city C. In the countryside 4. How old is Trudy? A. 3 B. 5 C. 7 5. What color is her hair? A. Yellow B. Brown C. Red 6. What do grownups like about Trudy? A. The way she talks like an adult B. The way she runs instead of walking C. Her sweet smile 7. What do people call Trudy? A. Miss Johnson B. Moody Trudy C. Trudy the True 8. How does Trudy let everyone know she wants to be taken seriously? A. She stands in her front yard and makes an announcement B. She sends out fliers C. She stops talking to adults 9. What do the people do after her announcement? A. Shout “Hooray!” B. Line up to shake her hand C. Clap 10. Who shakes her hand? A. Mr. Nettershime B. Mrs. Johnson C. Miss Mae

Mama Cat and her Kittens

Mama Cat hid her brood of kittens in the shrubs outside of Mr. Dorsey’s back porch. She was so proud of her six little kittens. She gave them lots of love rubs with her cheeks, and scrubbed them clean with her rough tongue. Mr. Dorsey wanted to take good care of Mama Cat and her kittens, so he set out tubs of differentfoods for them. The kittens only needed milk, but Mama Cat was glad to have good things to eat. She enjoyed the leftover pot roast, and chewed a chicken bone down to a nub.

After the six little kittens were old enough, Mama Cat took them on walks.

“Come, my little cubs,” she said to her kittens, “I’ll show you Mr. Dorsey’s yard. Here is the garden, and here is the softest grass” she told them. The kittens meowed in understanding.

Then, Mama Cat nodded toward the dog house. “This is where Shep lives. My plea is that you stay far away from him. He is the moodiest dog there could be. He wouldn’t be kind to kittens.” The kittens meowed again.

But that night, the little orange kitten snuck out. He went back to Shep’s house and heard him snoring. He pawed the dog on the nose, but Shep continued to sleep. Soon, the orange kitten was very sleepy, and his home seemed very far away. The orange kitten rolled up against Shep and fell fast asleep.

In the morning, Mama Cat was scared when she awoke and couldn’t find her kitten. She ran around looking for him. Soon, she was in front of Shep’s house. To her amazement, Shep and her kitten were playing together! “Well,” thought Mama Cat. “I guess I was wrong about Shep.” And from then on, Shep and the cats were good friends.

1. Brood A. The young in a family—animals or children B. The oldest in a family C. The pets in a family 2. Foods A. The things we drink B. The things we see C. The things we eat 3. Tubs A. Containers that hold things B. Large sheets of paper C. Straight pieces of wood 4. Cubs A. Young insects B. Young animals that eat meat C. Baby fish 5. Nub A. A small piece or end B. A huge chunk of something C. Almost all of something 6. Rubs A. Jumps quickly B. Moves back and forth along a surface C. Goes from one place to the next in a lazy way 7. Scrubbed A. Poured water on something B. Added soap to clean something C. Rubbed something hard to clean it 8. Shrubs A. Plants that are taller than trees B. Plants that are smaller than trees C. Plants with bright flowers and thorny stems 9. Plea A. To use good manners B. A green, round vegetable C. A serious request for something, asking for something 10. Moodiest A. The most moody B. The least moody C. Not at all moody

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mama Cat B. Shep C. The orange kitten 3. What is the name of the man in this story? A. Mr. Dorsey B. Mr. Flannery C. Mr. Connor 4. Where does this story take place? A. In a garage B. On a farm C. In a yard 5. How many kittens does Mama Cat have? A. 3 B. 6 C. 7 6. What does she call her kittens? A. ‘Cubs’ B. ‘Pups’ C. ‘Meows’ 7. Where does Mama Cat keep her kittens? A. Under a tomato plant B. In the shrubs outside the back porch C. Beneath the porch 8. Who is Shep? A. Mr. Dorsey’s son B. The dog C. A goat 9. What does the orange kitten do? A. Eats Mama Cat’s food and get a belly ache B. Tries to scare Shep C. Sneaks out at night and sleeps snuggled up next to Shep 10. What happens to the orange kitten? A. He makes friends with Shep and they play together B. He gets attacked by Shep C. He gets lost on his way back home

Along the Sea

The sea brooded after the storm. In the scrub that grew along the shore, a sea turtle, snake, and crocodile crept around.

The sea turtle said to the crocodile, “Why do you always smile?”

The crocodile replied, “I suppose because I can always find something to eat. I don’t go hungry.”

This made the sea turtle nervous, and he tucked himself into his rubbery shell. The snake then came slithering by. “What’s all this hubbub? Where’s Turtle?” he asked.

“He’s just brooding,” said the crocodile. “I think he fears I’ll eat him. But I was just ribbing him, of course.”

The sea turtle popped his head out of his shell. “What a cruel thing to do! Your teeth gleam even in the darkness.”

The crocodile laughed. “I was just blabbing. I knew you had a full belly, yourself. After all, I could see you grubbing for squid when you dove into the sea.”

The sea turtle looked surprised. “You can see beneath the surface?”

“No,” the crocodile shook his head. “I was swimming around for a bite to eat, myself. You must not have noticed me.”

The snake had never left land. How he longed to feel the ocean. Hearing his glib friends speak of the sea made him feel snubbed.

“What is it, snake?” the sea turtle asked. The snake looked at the sea.

“I think I’ll go for a swim,” he said. He slithered away before his friends could stop him. When he slid into the sea, though, he knew he had made a mistake. Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted. He was on top of the crocodile’s back. When they returned to shore, the snake slithered back to the ground.

“I’m sorry, I feel so ashamed. You saved my life,” he said to the crocodile.

“What you did was dangerous,” said the crocodile. “Please, never go swimming again.” The snake agreed to stay on land.

1. Rubbery A. To make squeaky sounds B. Like rubber in how something feels C. Doesn’t bend easily 2. Snubbed A. Paid attention to B. Invited someone along with you C. Ignored in a cruel way 3. Grubbing A. Another word for food B. Digging in the ground for something that’s hard to find C. Eating quickly 4. Ribbing A. Making jokes in a friendly way B. The bones in the chest C. Telling a lie 5. Sea A. A lake B. A stream C. The ocean 6. Scrub A. Small bushes and trees B. Sand on a beach C. Animals that live in trees 7. Brooding A. Feeling grateful and happy B. Thinking a lot about something in an unhappy way C. Being very clever 8. Glib A. Said or did something too carelessly and easily; took little thought to do B. Turned around in the air C. Told a lie 9. Blabbing A. Covering your ears B. Listening carefully C. Talking too much 10. Hubbub A. The place where trains stay when they aren’t running B. A confusing mix of loud sounds and motion C. A metal cap that covers the center part of a wheel

1. Which type of story is this? A. Poetry B. Fiction C. Nonfiction 2. Which of these is NOT a character in this story? A. Snake B. Alligator C. Crocodile 3. Who else is in this story? A. Sea turtle B. Clown fish C. Crab 4. Where does this story take place? A. Along the seashore B. Deep inside the ocean C. Near a lake at the bottom of a mountain 5. What does the sea turtle ask the crocodile? A. Why he eats so much B. Why he is smiling C. Why he teases him 6. What answer does the crocodile give? A. Because he likes thinking of clever jokes to share B. Because it scares away creatures he doesn’t know C. Because he can always find something to eat; he never goes hungry 7. About what does the snake feel jealous? A. That his friends can swim in the ocean B. That his friends always have enough food to eat C. That his friends have legs and arms 8. What does snake decide to do? A. Set a trap B. Go swimming C. Not be friends with them anymore 9. Who saves the snake? A. The sea turtle B. The crocodile C. The whale 10. What does the snake promise at the end of the story? A. To remain friends forever B. To take a ride on the sea turtle’s back C. To stay safely on land

Sewing Machines

You probably haven’t given a lot of thought to sewing machines before. They aren’t in every house, and kids don’t often have to use them. But sewing machines are actually an important machine, and they haven’t been around for all that long.

Before there were sewing machines, people stitched fabric together using a needle and thread. And before there was needle and thread, early people used porcupine quills and sinew—or tissue—from animals to join leather. They pushed the needle down through the material, and then pulled it back up.

Hundreds of years ago, in the 1800’s, people knew it would be helpful to have a machine that could sew. It would be faster and hopefully easier than having people sew clothes and other things by hand. But many people were filled withdread . They worried a sewing machine would lead to fewer jobs, so they wanted to avoid the invention. They weren’t given that choice, though, because inventors continued finding new ways to sew.

Most of the first sewing machines didn’t work well. Some didn’t even work at all. But finally, in in the 1850’s, a man named Isaac Singer invented a different sewing machine. His first machine looked similar to sewing machines today. And, it worked! It steadily pulled fabric through the machine, stitching the pieces together. His machine used needles and thread, and was powered by a foot pedal called a treadle. Oil could be used to keep the pieces of the machine running smoothly.

People could rejoice that their clothes could be made faster and more easily. They could also be sold at a lesser cost. The sewing machine changed America and the world.

[sources: https://www.contrado.co.uk/blog/history-of-the-sewing-machine/; https://www.biography.com/people/isaac-singer-9485021; ] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 49 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Treadle A. A small bar you press with your foot to work a machine B. A sweet treat C. A needle in a machine 2. Steadily A. In a way that is very bumpy and shaky B. In a firm, not shaky way C. Boring 3. Thread A. A machine that sews things B. A needle used for sewing C. A long, thin piece of string used for sewing 4. Lead A. To follow to a place B. To guide to a place C. To not pay attention 5. Join A. To bring two more or two pieces together B. To pull things apart C. To help someone 6. Oil A. A dirt that can be used to form and make things B. A solid, yellow material made from milk C. A liquid that makes different parts in a machine run smoothly 7. Avoid A. To welcome B. To stay away from something C. To be afraid 8. Rejoice A. To feel or show that you’re very happy about something B. To feel or show fear C. To feel or show boredom 9. Choice A. The most of something B. Having the power to decide between two or more things C. One idea 10. Dread A. To feel happily excited B. To think about something C. To fear something will happen

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is the topic of this story? A. Sewing machines B. Inventors C. Clothes 3. When were sewing machines first invented? A. In the 1000’s B. In the 1800’s C. In the 2000’s 4. Why did some people NOT want it to be invented? A. They thought there would be fewer jobs B. They thought they were too noisy C. They thought they were too big 5. What did early people use to sew? A. Yarn and sticks B. Animal teeth and leather C. Quills and sinew 6. Who invented the first working sewing machine? A. Alexander Graham Bell B. Isaac Singer C. Christopher Columbus 7. What is used to make sewing machines run smoothly? A. Gasoline B. Oil C. Rubber 8. How was the first working sewing machine powered? A. With a foot pedal called a treadle B. With electricity C. With steam 9. Singer’s first sewing machine looked like: A. Train engines B. Sewing machines today C. Metal stoves 10. What did the sewing machine change? A. America B. The world C. Both A and B

Shanice and Oliver

Shanice took the piece of bread in her hand and spread butter across it. She was careful not to leave any voids. She knew if she did, her little brother would notice and pitch a fit. She would much rather have a peaceful morning, so she worked carefully.

On the mornings their mother was home, she would broil the buttered bread in the oven. She’d slip the bread in, close the oven door, and they’d all count to 25 together. It was always perfectly golden brown. But the broiler was too hot and dangerous to be used without an adult, so Shanice promised Oliver that plain bread with butter was just as good. Even though she knew it wasn’t quite true.

After Oliver finished his buttered bread, and Shanice had her breakfast of oatmeal with bananas sliced on top, Oliver asked her to feel his forehead.

“In case I have a temperature and can’t go to school,” he said a little too hopefully. He didn’t dread school, but he would rather stay home. Shanice pressed her hand across his forehead. “Cool as a cucumber,” she told him. “Now go get dressed.”

Shanice cleared the dishes and made the kitchen tidy. She could hear Oliver in his room. After she got herself ready for the day, she finally went in to check on him.

“He should have been done by now,” she thought to herself.

She opened the door quietly and peeked in. Silly Oliver. There he was, standing at the bedstead, half dressed. His shirt was pulled over his head, resting on his shoulders. He was wildly moving his bare arms and hands in front of his lamp. The shadows danced on the wall. Shanice covered her mouth so he wouldn’t hear her giggle. Mornings with Oliver did not disappoint.

1. Peaceful A. Loud and rowdy B. Quiet and calm C. Confusing 2. Piece A. The whole of something B. The center of something C. A single part of a larger thing 3. Spread A. To place over a large area B. To cut into pieces C. To stack in a pile 4. Bread A. A sweet baked treat made with a lot of sugar B. A baked food made from flour and water C. Fresh fruit 5. Broil A. To cook with water in a pan B. To eat things cold C. To cook food under very hot heat 6. Forehead A. The part of the face above the eyes B. The part of the face below the mouth C. The part of the face to side of the eyes 7. Void A. Full B. Complete C. Empty, not having anything 8. Bedstead A. The frame, or outer part, of a bed B. A table next to a bed C. A small bed for children 9. Dread A. To look forward to something happening B. To fear that something will happen C. To feel hopeful 10. Disappoint A. To make someone happy B. To make someone angry C. To make someone unhappy by not being as good as expected

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Shanice B. Walter C. Oliver 3. What is the brother’s name? A. Walter B. Henry C. Oliver 4. Where does this story take place? A. At Shanice and Oliver’s school B. At Shanice and Oliver’s home C. At Shanice’s mom’s work 5. What time of day is it in this story? A. Morning B. Afternoon C. Evening 6. How can you tell? A. They are eating breakfast B. They are eating lunch C. They are getting ready for bed 7. What is Oliver eating? A. Toast B. Oatmeal C. Bread with butter 8. What does Oliver ask Shanice to do? A. Toast his bread B. Check if he has a fever C. Help him get dressed 9. What does Shanice eat? A. Oatmeal with bananas sliced on it B. Cold cereal C. A peanut butter sandwich 10. What does Shanice think about mornings with Oliver? A. They are unusual B. They do not disappoint C. They are a lot of work

Henry’s Chores

Henry looked downtrodden as he headed outside. He had hoped to play video games today, but his parents said not until he completed the chores on his list. Henry had almost voiced his opinion, but zipped his lips, instead. He knew if he whined, he’d get even less time to play what he wanted.

First on his chore list was to help in the gardens. The rows of vegetables needing weeding. The flowers along the south side of the house needed to be deadheaded. Weeding was pretty dreadful. It hadn’t rained in a while, so the soil was hard and the weeds broke off in an unsatisfying way.

Henry shook off his bad attitude when the sun shined down on him. He arms glowed in the sun, and he felt the hair on his head grow warm. The sky was blue, dotted with small, fluffy white clouds. It looked like a field ofcloud sheep. Down the street, he heard kids’ voices. The bouncing of a basketball echoed. A small child squealed on a swing set. Henry smiled to himself. He moved onto the flower garden where he scared a mole out of hiding. Ittrod awkwardly down the row of flowers until it disappeared into its tunnel. Henry reminded himself to tell his dad. A mole could destroy the garden.

With a steady hand, Henry clipped off dead flowers. He made his way down the row until at last he reached the end. He stood for a moment, admiring the garden. It looked refreshed. He felt proud of the work he had done.

By now, even more neighbor kids were outside. Henry walked toward the house, ready to start his video game, but he stopped. “Nah,” he said out loud. And he took off running down the street to join in the game of basketball.

1. Headed A. Went in a certain direction B. Got lost C. Made a plan 2. Downtrodden A. Walked on top of plants B. Fell down C. Feeling without hope 3. Dreadful A. No longer alive B. Very bad, unpleasant C. Full of hope 4. Deadheaded A. Removed dead flowers from a plant B. Looked dead C. Removed weeds 5. Steady A. Firm, not shaking or moving B. Moving in one direction C. Following a person 6. Instead A. To take directions B. When one thing is chosen and not another C. To move firmly 7. Voiced A. Heard a voice B. Made sounds C. Said with words 8. Soil A. The bottom layer of earth, made mostly or rocks B. The top layer of earth, dirt where plants grow C. Plants that grow 9. Trod A. Ran B. Danced C. Walked 10. Cloud A. A white or gray thing in the sky that is filled with drops of water B. Water that falls from the sky C. A rainstorm

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Erich B. Tyler C. Henry 3. Where does this story take place? A. In Henry’s yard B. In a parking lot C. In a tree fort 4. What does Henry want to do at the beginning of the story? A. Play basketball B. Play video games C. Text with friends 5. What do his parents want him to do, first? A. Clean his room B. Work in the gardens C. Rake the yard 6. What season is it? A. Spring B. Fall C. Summer 7. What does Henry see in the sky? A. Robins B. Fluffy white clouds C. A rainstorm coming 8. What creature does Henry see? A. A mole B. A pocket gopher C. A shrew 9. How does Henry feel after he finishes his work in the garden? A. Like he needs a shower B. Proud of his hard work C. Bored 10. What does Henry decide to do at the end of the story? A. Go inside and play video games B. Play basketball with his friends C. Read a comic book in the hammock

The Snake

I tried not to recoil when Sam held the yellow ball python toward me. The snake was wrapped in a tight coil. His tongue flicked out toward me. Sam said that’s so he could smell me. That didn’t make much sense to me, but I didn’t care to point it out when the creature was so close to me already. Carefully, I touched the snake’s head. It was cool, not slimy like I thought it would be.

“Want to watch him slither?” Sam asked excitedly. How could I say no?

“Uh, sure. I guess…” I said.

He set the snake on the floor and he squirmed immediately.

“Doesn’t he have any bones?” I wondered aloud.

“Actually, he does!” Sam responded. “Guess how many.”

I had no idea how many bones a snake had. It didn’t seem to me that he had any at all. I took a wild guess. “Three?” I said as a question.

Sam laughed. “Try 300!”

“Wow! Really?” I couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, that’s why he can move like that. He has more than 300 vertebrae. If he had just one joint, he’d stay straight as a stick.” That made sense. I just had never thought about. “I know snakes aren’t your favorite animal, Cate, but this guy doesn’t disappoint.”

“You’ve got that right,” I said. “He’s really cool. His body kind of looks like a cloudy sky. If clouds were yellow, I mean,” I said.

Sam laughed. “He’ll shed this shroud of skin soon, and then his colors will be brighter again.”

“Really? That’s cool. I’m glad you told me,” I said. Then I added, “Someone should appoint you the Snake Fact Master.” We laughed together. But it was true. Sam’s research had paid off. I was learning from him all the time.

1. Recoil A. To wrap something around again B. To quickly move away from something C. To stack things on top of each other 2. Aren’t A. Contraction of: are not B. Contraction of: is not C. Contraction of: are you 3. Joint A. Where two muscles come together B. To do something alone C. A point in the body where two bones meet, where you bend 4. Shroud A. To feel doubt B. A cloth that covers something C. To hide behind something 5. Point A. To feel badly B. To give a certain job or title to someone C. To direct someone’s attention to something 6. Aloud A. Spoken in a way that can be heard, out loud B. Thought in your mind C. Spoke too loudly 7. Coil A. A type of money made from metal B. Something long that is wound into a circle C. To ruin something 8. Appoint A. To give a certain job or title to someone B. To direct someone’s attention to something C. To make someone happy 9. Disappoint A. To make someone happy B. To make someone worried C. To make someone unhappy 10. Cloudy A. Covered with rain B. Not clear, covered with clouds C. Very clear, easy to see

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. The snake B. Sam C. Cate 3. What kind of pet is in this story? A. A monkey B. A snake C. A rat 4. Which type is it? A. Garter snake B. Ball point python C. Boa constrictor 5. What color is it? A. Yellow B. Green C. Brown 6. How many bones are in it? A. 3 B. 300 C. 3,000 7. What does it do with its tongue? A. Tastes things B. Looks for things C. Smells things 8. How does it feel? A. Cool B. Slimy C. Sticky 9. What title does Cate think Sam should be given? A. Official Snake Guy B. Snake Fact Master C. Snake Man 10. Cate was ____ Sam all the time. A. Learning from B. Amused by C. Annoyed with

The Coins

Benji was 2 years old when his grandparents came back from Italy. He squealed with delight when they visited their apartment. Benji and his parents hugged his Nonna and Nonno. They had missed each other very much.

“Come, bambino,” his Nonna said to Benji. “Let us show you what we brought for you.” His Nonna gave him a package and helped him open it. Inside were wooden toys made in Italy, an Italian baby book, and some Italian sweets.

“How she spoils him,” his mother whispered with a smile to his father.

Little Benji was too little to know how far the goodies had traveled to get to him, but he was happy to have the people he loved around him. Then, his Nonno dug in his trousers pocket and placed a handful of coins in Benji’s palm.

Benji ran off to play while the adults exchanged gifts and talked of the travels to Italy.

Before long, little Benji came back to the adults.

“What is it he points to?” his Nonno asked.

“He must need to use the bathroom,” his father said.

His mother walked with Benji to the bathroom where she loudly said, “Oh dear!”

“What? What?” everyone asked as they crowded into the bathroom. They peered into the toilet, where the water was cloudier than it should have been.

Little Benji smiled. He was as proud as could be. There, at the bottom of the toilet, lay the coins his Nonno had just given to him. Then, before anyone could stop him, Benji pushed the lever on the toilet and flushed them all away.

The grownups’ mouths dropped open. His father looked quite grave, indeed.

Finally, his mother spoke. “Dear?” she said to his father. “I think you should make an appointment with the plumber.”

“Si!” his Nonna said, and they all laughed.

1. Spoils A. Guides a child B. Tells a child how to behave C. Gives a child everything they want 2. Toilet A. A large basin in which you can clean yourself with soap and water B. A large bowl connected to pipes in a bathroom to flush away waste C. A mirror in a bathroom 3. Coins A. Flat, paper pieces of money B. Plastic cards that hold money C. Round pieces of money made from metal 4. Points A. Shows someone where to look by moving your finger in that direction B. Ignores someone C. Starts a fire 5. Appointment A. To make a phone call B. An agreement to meet with someone at a certain time C. To surprise someone by visiting them 6. Loudly A. In a soft, quiet way B. To be excited C. In a way that is easy to hear, not quiet 7. Proud A. Very happy and pleased because of something you have done B. Disappointed with what you did C. Excited about something you are going to do 8. Cloudier A. More cloudy B. The most cloudy C. Not very cloudy at all 9. Crowded A. Left a busy place B. Ate too much C. Filled a space so there was no more room 10. Grave A. Very tired B. Very serious C. Very silly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Nonna B. Benji C. Nonno 3. Where does this story take place? A. In Benji’s family’s apartment B. In a large house C. In Italy 4. Where did the grandparents recently visit? A. Mexico B. Ireland C. Italy 5. Who is Nonna? A. Benji’s uncle B. Benji’s grandma C. Benji’s mom 6. Who is Nonno? A. Benji’s grandpa B. Benji’s dad C. Benji’s aunt 7. Who gives Benji a package with gifts? A. Nonno B. Nonna C. Nonni 8. What does Nonno give Benji? A. Chocolate B. New shoes C. Italian coins 9. What does Benji do with that gift? A. He throws it in the trash B. He puts it in the toilet C. He gives it back 10. What does his mother ask his father to do? A. Take Benji to the bathroom B. Call the plumber C. Take her to Italy

A Solar Disappointment

Jackie and Robby’s plan was foiled when the sky clouded over. They had toiled all morning, setting up all of their solar powered toys. They’d shrouded them with a huge picnic blanket to keep the sun from powering them while they set up. It was just plain bad luck that a storm rolled in at the exact moment they took the blanket down.

“Aww,” Jackie whined. “Now our fun is spoiled! We have to get these put away before the rain comes. Come on, Robby.”

Robby groaned, too. He rolled up the blanket before it sailed away on the wind. Then he joined Jackie in gathering all the toys. Together, they put them on the floor in the garage. Then, they stomped back inside Robby’s house.

“What’s going on?” his mom asked. “You look too sad for a couple of kids having a play date.”

It was true. Their disappointment was written all over their faces. They told Robby’s mom about their plan and how it was ruined. She looked at them thoughtfully.

“Hmm,” she said. “You left them in the garage?”

Robby and Jackie nodded.

“Did you remember to turn off the lights when you were done?” she asked.

Sheepishly, Robby and Jackie shook their heads. Jackie thought she saw Robby’s mom smile. “Well, first thing’s first. You two better turn off those lights.”

Jackie followed Robby. “What’s that noise?” she asked as they came to the garage door. Robby shrugged. But the sound got louder. When they opened the door, their mouths fell open. The bright lights in the garage had powered all of the solar toys. Every one of them was going crazy! A T-rex ran into a robot, and a car zoomed into an alligator. It was chaos, and it was hilarious. Now Jackie knew why Robby’s mom had smiled. She knew it all along.

1. Foiled A. Put away leftover food B. Made a plan C. Stopped something from happening 2. Spoiled A. Ruined something B. Made something perfect C. Ran away 3. Toiled A. Wrecked something B. Worked very hard and for a long time C. Dug a hole 4. Disappointment A. Making someone angry B. The feeling of being disappointed C. Looking forward to something 5. Clouded A. Began to rain B. Made things clear C. Became covered with clouds 6. Shrouded A. Covered or hid B. Build a wall C. Buried something in sand 7. House A. A building where people go to work B. A building in which a family lives C. A building where people go to pray 8. Sailed A. Moved in a bumpy, rough way B. Covered up C. Moved as if on water, in a quick and smooth way 9. Joined A. Went a different way B. Put two or more things together C. Pulled two things apart 10. Louder A. More loud B. The most loud C. Not loud at all

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jackie B. Robby C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Jackie’s house B. At Robby’s house C. At school 4. How do Jackie and Robby know each other? A. They are brother and sister B. They are friends C. They are aunt and nephew 5. What are they doing at the beginning of the story? A. Setting up solar powered toys outside B. Making a fort out of sheets C. Putting snacks in a bag 6. What ruins their plans? A. Jackie’s mom comes to pick her up B. The sky clouds over and a storm blows in C. A dog runs through the toys, breaking them 7. How do they feel? A. Strange B. Silly C. Disappointed 8. What important question does Robby’s mom ask them? A. Where their smiles are B. Whether they left the lights on in the garage C. If they ate lunch yet 9. What do Robby and Jackie discover? A. The lights burned out in the garage B. Robby’s dad is home early C. The toys are all working 10. Why do the toys suddenly work? A. The garage lights were powerful enough to power the toys B. The storm blew over and the sun came back out C. They forgot that the toys are also battery powered

The Surfer

The brave surfer stood in the ocean cave, watching the waves. Finally, he walked into the water holding his board. He laid across it and paddled into the ocean. For a while, he sat on top of his board with one leg on either side of it. He counted the seconds between the waves. He imagined the water crashing down over him. He was already planning to return to this spot tomorrow. That’s when he knew he had become a slave to surfing. He smiled at the thought. “Youth have found worse ways to spend time,” he thought aloud.

Finally, it was time. He paddled farther out in the ocean, and as a wave rolled beneath him, he jumped to his feet on the board. He stretched his arms out like an eagle. And he flew. He flew with the wave for 23 seconds until it crashed over him. He held his breath as he plunged under the water, and then bobbed to the surface again. He knew if his mom had seen that, she would have said, “That was a close shave.” But he was safe and having the time of his life. The salty splashes prickled his skin. He had a huge smile on his face. He wanted to save this memory. He would rave about it later on.

The surfer rode a few more waves, but none for as long as that one. When the sun began to set, he paddled back to the shore.

He bent down in the sand. Using his index finger, he scratched a message onto the beach: Crave the Wave. Then he slung his board against his side, and found the sandy path that would lead him back to his car. He wondered if they’d ever pave this path. He shrugged. It didn’t matter. He’d be back again tomorrow.

1. Crave A. A hole in the side of a cliff B. To yell loudly C. To really, really want something 2. Wave A. A shallow area of water B. Water that moves above the main surface of an ocean or lake C. A deep place in a lake 3. Slave A. A person who has many nice things B. A person who treats their workers well C. A person who is controlled or owned by someone or something 4. Save A. To keep safe B. To throw away C. To not be careful 5. Brave A. Unafraid B. Very scared C. Unsure about things 6. Cave A. To really want something B. A large hole in the side of a cliff or hill C. To make a hard surface for walking or driving 7. Rave A. To not really care about something B. To look at things very carefully C. To talk about something in an excited way 8. Shave A. To cut something—like hair—very close to the skin B. To keep something safe C. To grow long hair 9. Pave A. To really annoy someone B. To talk about something in an excited way C. To cover with a hard material to make a level surface for walking or driving 10. Youth A. Old people B. Young people C. Babies

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. The mom B. The surfer C. Landon 3. Where does this story take place? A. On a river B. At the ocean C. In a boat 4. What does the person say he’s “a slave to”? A. Fishing B. Running C. Surfing 5. Where is he standing at the beginning of the story? A. On the beach B. In a cave C. On a pier 6. For how long does he surf one wave? A. 10 minutes B. 5 seconds C. 23 seconds 7. How does he think his mom would react? A. He thinks she would say it was a close shave B. He thinks she would clap and cheer him on C. He thinks she would be too scared to watch 8. What prickles his skin? A. Water bugs B. The salt water C. The ocean breeze 9. What does he write or draw in the sand? A. A sun and surfboard B. “See you later” C. “Crave the Wave” 10. When will he try surfing again? A. Later that night B. The next day C. Never

Betsy’s Gloves

Betsy seemed worried about soiling her gloves. She wasn’t even touching the snow.

“Doesn’t she know snow is just frozen water?” Bella whispered to Hattie. She didn’t understand why their friend was so worried about getting snow on her gloves. But they’d seen Betsy behave this way all week.

“She raves about those gloves every day,” Hattie whispered back. “They must be really special.”

Bella set her mouth in a firm line. She went right up to Betsy.

“Haven’t you played in snow before? The worst thing that happens is you douse your gloves with frozen water.”

“Oh, it isn’t that,” Betsy said. “It’s just…my father bought me these gloves, but…” “What is it?” Bella asked.

“My hands freeze if I so much as make a snowball.”

“Can’t your father just get you a new pair?” Bella asked.

“This was the best he could afford. I don’t want to embarrass him,” Betsy looked at her feet. Bella and Hattie felt awful. Suddenly, Hattie’s eyes lit up.

“I’ll be right back,” she said.

Hattie ran three houses down and went inside. A moment later, Betsy and Bella saw her wave from her window. Soon, she ran back to them. She looked youthful and cheery. She gave Betsy a small package that looked like it had been wrapped in a hurry.

“Open it!” Hattie exclaimed.

Betsy tore it open. Inside, was a pair of purple mittens with a cute little mouse stitched onto them. They looked familiar. “I wore them last year,” Hattie said. “But I grew too fast, and now they don’t fit, but I felt I had tosave them because they’re still like new.” She suddenly felt shy. “You could just leave them at school…”

Betsy smiled and hugged Hattie. “Thank you.”

Bella giggled and joined the hug. Suddenly, they all felt very warm on this cold day.

1. Douse A. To fall in a hole B. To cover with a liquid, like water C. To hide 2. Youthful A. Having energy of someone who is young B. To seem very old C. Tired 3. Raves A. Whispers about something secretly B. Talks about something in an annoyed way C. Talks about something in an excited way 4. Mouse A. An animal with a hard back and curly tail B. A tiny animal with a pointed nose and long, thin tail C. A bird with red feathers 5. Haven’t A. Contraction of: have not B. Contraction of: are not C. Contraction of: is not 6. Soiling A. Making something clean B. Making something dry C. Making something dirty 7. Behave A. The words you say B. The way you act C. The things you hear 8. Wave A. To move your hand in a greeting B. To walk quickly C. To dance gracefully 9. Houses A. Buildings where you buy clothes B. Buildings where you buy food to eat C. Buildings where families live 10. Save A. To really want something B. To keep something safe C. To forget about something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Which character is very careful with her gloves? A. Bella B. Betsy C. Hattie 3. Which character wonders why she is so careful? A. Bella B. Betsy C. Hattie 4. What are the girls doing? A. Playing games at Hattie’s house B. Dressing up their dolls C. Playing outside in the snow 5. Where does this story take place? A. In an apartment building B. In a neighborhood C. In the country 6. What is the problem in this story? A. Betsy doesn’t like her new gloves B. Bella teases Hattie about her small mittens C. Betsy’s father gives her gloves that are not warm enough 7. Why doesn’t Betsy ask for new gloves? A. She likes how these look and knows they don’t come in the next size B. She knows these were the best her father could afford; she doesn’t want to embarrass him C. She thinks these gloves are perfect for her 8. What does Hattie do? A. Hug her friend to make her feel better B. Giggles because she doesn’t know what to do C. Runs home to get a pair of mittens that no longer fit her 9. What is on the mittens? A. A mouse B. A cat C. A bird 10. How does Betsy act toward Hattie at the end? A. Grateful B. Embarrassed C. Goofy

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is an exciting activity. It is such an adventure to breathe under water and see what’s hiding in the ocean. But scuba diving isn’t only about braving the sea; there is a lot to learn before exploring under water. You need to learn how to use the special equipment so you can breathe under water. You also need to learn some hand signals so you can communicate under water.

The first step to scuba diving is taking actually taking a class. Todive safely, you need an instructor to teach you all you need to know. While you might be able to learn basketball or soccer from reading about it, reading isn’t enough for learning scuba diving. At a scuba diving class, divers learn about the equipment: masks, fins, and regulators. Masks are made of special glass, and are a diver’s window to the water world. Fins let divers swim more easily. And, finally, regulators carry air and let divers breathe far beneath the surface of the water.

Divers must also learn the right way of behaving when on a dive. Knowing how to communicate when on a dive is a lifesaver. Divers learn different hand signals to use when they’re under water. An “OK” sign means you are doing well. Waving your hand at a boater signals you need help. There are also signals for “look,” “time to go up,” and more. When you give the sign for “time to go up,” the other diver should also do the sign to show they understand.

But before divers travel to the ocean and arrive for their first dive, they practice with an instructor. Then, once they are prepared, they get to enjoy exploring the beautiful life found under water. It’s no wonder many people live to dive, craving their next adventure as soon as one ends.

[sources: https://www.scubadiving.com/training/basic-skills/dive-better-dive-safer-101-tips-thatll-make-you-pro; https://www.thoughtco.com/common-hand-signals-for-scuba-diving-2963222 ] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 57 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Arrive A. To get to a place after traveling there B. To leave a place C. To get lost 2. Dive A. To come out of the water B. To jump in and swim under water C. To walk in water 3. Give A. To take something away B. To ask for something C. To provide someone with something 4. Live A. To move around B. To be alive C. To visit a place 5. Waving A. Moving your hand to greet someone B. Jumping up and down C. Walking backward 6. Behavinng A. Pretending to do something B. Leaning down at the waist C. Acting in the right way 7. Lifesaver A. A boat that lifeguards ride in B. Something that saves a person’s life C. A mint you eat 8. Braving A. Dealing with something unpleasant B. Feeling afraid C. Being good at something 9. Craving A. Not liking something B. Enjoying doing something C. Really wanting something 10. Travel A. To come home B. To go on a trip C. To nap

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Scuba diving B. Snorkeling C. Boating 3. What is the first step in scuba diving? A. Jumping in the water B. Taking a class C. Learning how to hold your breath 4. How do divers talk under water? A. With their air tanks B. With special pen and paper C. By using hand signals 5. Which of these is NOT equipment worn when diving? A. Masks B. Hair net C. Fins 6. What does a regulator carry? A. Food B. Air C. Water 7. What signal tells a boater that you need help? A. The OK sign B. A thumbs down C. Waving 8. What should the other diver do when one diver signals they have to go up? A. Do the same sign B. Sign OK C. Sign thumbs up 9. What are masks made of? A. Glass B. Plastic C. Rubber 10. Who do divers practice with? A. Any friend B. An instructor C. Another student

Uncle Eddy’s Art Room

Most homes are divided into rooms such as: kitchen, living room, bedroom. Here at Uncle Eddy’s, the many rooms were named such things as: sitting room, parlor, art room. His housing was peculiar, but interesting.

Uncle Eddy had no children of his own, but as long as we weren’t misbehaving, he enjoyed having “youths” around, as he called us. He forgave us our loud voices and footsteps. I suppose he enjoyed our interest. There was a huge painting of a fine lady riding a horse. And there was an engraving that could fit in the palm of the hand. A large, glass cabinethoused other curious things. Ancient clay pots, a wooden man dancing on a tropical isle, and sparkling crystal elephants all lived in there.

One day, while exploring the art room, my cousin Neal called to me.

I joined him at the table. Beneath the safety of a glass box were dozens of eggs. Each painted with a scene. There were ladies picking flowers on one; boys fishing on a creek on another.

“Can you imagine slaving away on these paintings? It must have taken ages!” I said in wonder.

“It did,” said a bellowing voice. Uncle Eddy had come in the room. “Clara, do you notice anything familiar about this one?” I leaned for a closer look. There was a girl with brown curls, just like mine. She held a book in one hand, and in the other, held a kitten—just like mine.

I looked up in surprise. “Why, Uncle Eddy, it’s me!”

He laughed. “And if your cousins look closer they will find themselves, too.” Everyone gathered around the case and we pointed and shouted as we found each other. It was a day we never forgot. It was the day we found out our uncle was an artist.

1. Many A. One or two things B. A few things C. A large number of things 2. Isle A. Island B. Land C. A narrow walkway 3. Housing A. To build a place to live B. The places people live C. To go inside 4. Engraving A. A painted picture B. Art built from clay C. The art of cutting a picture into the surface of something 5. Misbehaved A. Acted very polite B. Acted poorly, naughty C. Asked a question 6. Slaving A. Working very hard B. Being rude C. Being lazy 7. Youths A. Young people B. Old people C. Helpers 8. Forgave A. Felt badly for something you did B. Stopped feeling anger toward someone C. Asked someone to stop doing something 9. House A. Provided shelter for something to protect it B. Didn’t keep things safe C. Turned someone away 10. Safety A. Was in danger B. Worried too much C. Freedom from harm or danger

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. Uncle Eddy B. Neal C. Clara 3. Where does this story take place? A. Clara’s house B. Uncle Eddy’s house C. Neal’s house 4. In which room does it take place? A. The kitchen B. The parlor C. The art room 5. Who is Uncle Eddy’s child? A. Clara B. Neal C. Uncle Eddy doesn’t have any children 6. What is pictured in the huge painting? A. A London street B. A fine woman riding a horse C. A baby in her mother’s arms 7. What is NOT something kept inside the glass case? A. A monkey carved from ivory B. Ancient clay pots C. A wooden man dancing on an isle 8. What does Neal discover? A. Crystal kittens B. Painted eggs C. Colorful woven cloths 9. What is the girl painted on one egg holding? A. A puppy B. A goose C. A kitten 10. What do the children discover that day? A. Their uncle is an artist B. They are truly famous C. Uncle Eddy is a millionaire

Puppet Show

Aniya was standing in the kitchen sipping her coffee when she smiled thoughtfully.

“I’m going to revive my childhood passion,” she said.

“And what was that?” Clinton asked.

“Puppets!” she exclaimed.

Clinton was confused. “What about them?”

“I loved putting on puppet shows when I was a kid. I’m going to do it again!”

Clinton raised his eyebrows. This was something he didn’t know about his wife. He knew it would drive her crazy if she didn’t get started right away. So he chuckled and said, “Go on, then. Don’t let me keep you from it.”

Aniya spent most of the day rummaging through their attic. She hadn’t been up there in years. It was rife with cobwebs and memories. She found her favorite puppet, a lifelike girl whom she’d named Harriet. She found her least favorite puppet, too. It was a strange, dog-looking creature she’d called Mopsy.

She sighed as she tried to unravel his tangled strings. “All right, Mopsy. I suppose I’ll give you another chance to play, too.” Aniya shook her head at the puppet. He looked like he’d lived a life full of strife. She decided Mopsy shouldn’t relive the stories she used to make up for him. Instead, Aniya decided, she would make wonderful new stories and see if this puppet could seem happy.

Aniya spent a week re-learning how to work the puppets. She wrote some new stories to act out, too. Finally, she gathered friends and neighbors in her living room, where she’d set up her puppet stage. She presented her new show, “Harriet and Mopsy Go to the Fair.” The puppets seemed to come alive on stage. At the end of the show, everyone stood and clapped for Aniya. Her smile beamed. Her puppets would not live in the attic ever again.

1. Unravel A. To tie in a knot B. To cause the separate strings of something to come apart C. To confuse 2. Wife A. A man married to someone B. To get married C. A woman married to someone 3. Strife A. A fight, struggle B. A happy time C. To fix something 4. Rife A. When a fruit or vegetable is ready to eat B. Full or having a lot of something C. A fight 5. Give A. To take something from someone B. To be thankful C. To let someone have something 6. Drive A. To move people from one place to the next B. To fly upward C. To crouch down 7. Revive A. To remember something B. To make someone or something active again C. To experience again in your imagination 8. Relive A. To experience again in your imagination B. To be glad about something C. To not feel worried anymore 9. Lifelike A. Looking like a real person or thing B. To enjoy someone C. To enjoy life 10. Alive A. To be similar to someone or something B. To be awake C. Having life, not dead

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Aniya B. Alexa C. Andrea 3. About how old is the main character? A. She is a young child B. She is a teenager C. She is an adult 4. Who is Clinton? A. The neighbor kid B. Aniya’s husband C. Aniya’s dog 5. What does Aniya decide she wants to do? A. Draw with chalk B. Put on a puppet show C. Have a lemonade stand 6. Where does she find her things? A. In the attic B. In the basement C. In a thrift store 7. Who is Harriet? A. Aniya’s best friend B. Aniya’s girl puppet C. A neighbor kid 8. Who is Mopsy? A. Clinton’s dog B. Aniya’s mom C. Aniya’s dog puppet 9. What is title of the puppet show? A. Harriet and Mopsy Go to the Farm B. Adventures with Harriet and Mopsy C. Harriet and Mopsy Go to the Fair 10. How do you think Aniya feels at the end of the story? A. Disappointed B. Very happy C. Embarrassed

The Forgotten Playhouse

The old playhouse was nearly caved in from all those years of being forgotten. But when Bruce and Kate arrived at its doorway, the playhouse seemed to sigh with relief. It sensed a new life was coming. It would be much easier to survive another winter if it was treated with care once more.

Bruce and Kate were both thinking the same thing. They looked at each other and smiled. “Let’s get to work,” they said together. They couldn’t wait to make this little forgotten playhouse their own.

Moss and lichen covered the windows and the roof sagged. Kate and Bruce peered inside. Sunlight streamed in through the open door.

“It isn’t safe with the roof like that,” Bruce said. So he and Kate gathered long, sturdy sticks. Bruce used his knife to cut pieces of twine and tie the sticks together. Then, they stood the bundled sticks in the middle of the playhouse, pushing the ceiling back where it belonged. “Did Mom pack us any snacks?” Bruce asked.

Kate shook her head. “No, but I did!” she giggled and pulled out a can of black olives from the small backpack she carried.

“How are we supposed to open it?” Bruce chafed.

Kate dug in her bag again and grinned as she pulled out the tool they needed. She cranked the can open and they dug in. Their fingers weredoused in olive juice. It was a strange snack, but one they both enjoyed. Feeling revived after eating every last olive in the can, they looked around the little house. The windows needed washing, the floor needed sweeping, the curtains needed a good shake. Now that the roof was supported again, the little house should stand a good long while. This little forgotten playhouse was about to live again.

1. Olives A. Long, yellow fruit B. Round, red fruit C. Small black or green fruit that grow on olive trees 2. Knife A. A rounded tool used for eating B. A sharp blade used for cutting C. A tool used for digging 3. Safe A. Not in danger B. To be kept inside C. To be soft to the touch 4. Arrived A. Left a place B. Got to the place to which you were going C. Got directions to a place 5. Survive A. To be in danger B. A difficult thing C. To continue to live 6. Chafed A. Irritated or annoyed B. Ignored C. Pleased 7. Playhouse A. A house built in a tree B. A small house for children to play in C. A room inside a house where children play 8. Caved A. Fell down or inward B. Went on a search for a cave C. Grew upward 9. Doused A. Splashed by a small amount of water B. Opened a container C. Covered with a liquid 10. Revived A. Fell asleep B. Made something strong, active or healthy again C. Grew bored

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Bruce B. Kate C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a city pool B. In a forgotten playhouse C. At a camp 4. What needs to be fixed right away? A. The door B. The windows C. The roof 5. What do they eat for a snack? A. Crackers B. Green olives C. Black olives 6. How do they get the snack? A. Kate packed it B. Their mom sent it C. They found it in the playhouse 7. How do they open it? A. With Bruce’s knife B. With the can opener Kate packed C. With a sharp rock 8. Something in this story almost seems alive. What is it? A. The playhouse B. The woods C. The can of olives 9. What are Kate and Bruce going to do about the playhouse? A. Tell their parents so they can see if it’s safe to play in B. Tell all their friends C. Clean it up and get it ready for play again 10. Whose playhouse did it used to be? A. Their mom’s B. They don’t know C. Their neighbor’s

The Fife Player

Jerry Fry spent his whole life traveling around the world playing his fife. He made music like no other person could. He could even play two fifes at a time. By the time he was a very old man, he was still lively and spry. He always said it was his listeners’ happiness that made him thrive.

One day, Jerry was explaining this to a little girl named Jessie who asked how old he was. “I’ve played fife for so long, I’ve lost track of how old I am!” he said with a laugh.

“But how? How could you forget your birthday?” she asked with a disapproving voice.

“Oh, it’s not that I’ve forgotten my birthday. It’s that I forget which number comes next. And besides that, when I play music, I seem to go backward in age. Maybe I’m 70 when I start a song, but I’ll be just 19 years old when it ends.” The little girl looked terribly confused. Jerry Fry chuckled. He wasn’t sure how to make her understanding improve. “I’m sure it must sound strange, but that’s simply the way it is for me.”

Jessie tugged at the strings on her dress that were raveling. She clearly thought Jerry Fry was scamming her. “Well, never mind, then,” she said. “I still like your music, though. I hope you keep playing for a very long time. We already have all of your songs, but I’d like even more if you make any.”

Jerry’s eyes twinkled. “For a sweet girl like you, I’d make a thousand new songs,” he said with a merry wink.

What Jessie didn’t know is that as soon as Jerry Fry finished chatting, he would bedriving into the city to record his newest song. It didn’t have a title yet, but now Jerry knew what to call it: “Jessie’s Song.”

1. Raveling A. Tying threads together B. Threads becoming separated C. Connecting two or more pieces 2. Fifes A. An instrument much like a trumpet B. Musical instruments similar to flutes C. A type of drum 3. Lively A. With a great deal of energy B. To be living C. Helpful 4. Thrive A. Not doing or feeling well B. To get better at something C. To grow well, succeed 5. I’ve A. Contraction of: I will B. Contraction of: I have C. Contraction of: I have not 6. Traveling A. Planning to leave a place B. Using a car C. Going to a place 7. Improve A. To make better B. To get worse at something C. To forget how to do a thing 8. Scamming A. Hoping for the best B. Tricking someone C. Sneezing many times 9. Disapproving A. Believing someone is right B. Forgetting something C. Believing someone is wrong 10. Driving A. Going someone in a plane B. Going somewhere in a car C. Staying in one place

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Anna B. Jerry Fry C. Allie Caze 3. Which instrument is this story about? A. Flute B. Fife C. Kazoo 4. How old is Jerry? A. He’s a young child B. He’s a teenager C. He’s an old man 5. What is the name of the girl in this story? A. Anna B. Jessie C. Jayme 6. What can’t the girl believe? A. That Jerry doesn’t know how old he is B. That Jerry doesn’t know how to read music C. That Jerry doesn’t own a TV 7. Where does Jerry play his music? A. In New York B. In Los Angeles C. All over the world 8. How many fifes can he play at once? A. 1 B. 2 C. 5 9. What does Jessie want Jerry to do? A. Make more songs B. Play a concert for her family C. Find out how old he is 10. What does Jerry plan to call his newest song? A. “Jessie’s Song” B. “For You” C. “A Thousand Notes”

About Dams

Have you ever seen a beaver dam? Have you ever seen the Hoover Dam? There are different types of dams, but they all do the same thing: stop the flow of water from a river. Humans and beavers build dams for different reasons. Beavers build them to create ponds where they will be safe from predators and can easily find food. Engineers build dams for a number of other reasons. One of those reasons is that building a dam creates a lake on one side of the dam. That lake can be used for boating and other fun activities. The water in that lake can also be stored in a reservoir—or container—to use later for watering crops and drinking. Dams can also help cities avoid floods. Large dams can even create power, called hydroelectric power.

Different dams are also built of different materials. Beaverscram sticks, logs, and mud together to jam up a river. Engineers build them out of concrete and steel. In fact, the Hoover Dam in Nevada, is made up of enough concrete to make a highway all the way from New York to California! That’s a lot of concrete.

There are also some bad side effects of dams. Stopping water from a riverdeprives the area downstream of the things that are usually found in the dirt that rivers move downstream. To remove this dirt changes the things that have been living and thriving in those areas. This is one reason not everyone approves of using dams.

We are learning more all the time about how one thing can change many things. Dams prove a great example of this. This is why researchers and engineers are working hard to improve dams. They want to find ways to use dams for good, while not creating problems or changing the environment downstream.

[sources: https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_dams_lesson01; http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/dams.html] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 62 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Cram A. To totally fill something B. For something to be loose and able to move around C. To get lost 2. Deprive A. To give too much B. To be wild C. To take something away from someone 3. Jam A. A creamy spread made from milk B. To fill something so full, nothing can move C. To not fill all the way 4. Dam A. A river B. The food a beaver eats C. A structure built across a river to stop the water from moving 5. Move A. To go from one place to another B. To stay perfectly still C. To wonder 6. Removes A. Adds something B. Takes something away C. Puts something back where it once was 7. Approve A. To not be okay with something B. To ask many questions C. To be okay with something; to believe something is good and right 8. Thriving A. Growing well, succeeding B. Not doing well C. Not understanding something 9. Prove A. To answer correctly B. To show something is true C. To wonder if something is true 10. Improve A. To make something worse B. To keep things the same C. To make something better

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Dams B. Beavers C. Engineers 3. Which type of animal builds dams? A. Tigers B. Squirrels C. Beavers 4. What materials does the animal use? A. Grass and flowers B. Sticks and mud C. Rocks and seaweed 5. Where is the Hoover Dam? A. South Dakota B. New York C. Nevada 6. What is NOT one of the reasons for building a dam? A. Keeping people safe from sharks B. Drinking water C. Creating a lake for play 7. What material do engineers use for building dams? A. Asphalt B. Concrete C. Rubber 8. Why are dams not always good? A. The areas downstream don’t get everything they’re used to getting from the river B. Farmers can use the water for their crops C. They aren’t beautiful 9. Who is working to improve dams? A. Engineers B. Researchers C. Both A and B 10. What type of power can dams create? A. Hydroelectric power B. Firepower C. Solar power

Mr. Connelly

Mr. Connelly was known as the disapproving neighbor all the kids feared. But Eleanora wasn’t quite sure why. It wasn’t as if he yelled “Scram!” when they played near his yard. He never slammed the door when a baseball went over his fence. In fact, the worst thing Eleanora could remember is Mr. Connelly never coming to the block party. Her family would be moving two towns away at the end of winter, so she set out to get to know Mr. Connelly.

Eleanora didn’t bother getting her friends’ approval for this task. She knew how they felt about Mr. Connelly. Eleanora took a hot cup of hot chocolate, and marched to Mr. Connelly’s door. She knocked five times. He opened the door and asked, “Yes?”

Suddenly, Eleanora didn’t know what to say. She always clammed up at the worst time! She stood silently with the hot chocolate in her hand. Mr. Connelly didn’t know what to do, so he started to close the door. Eleanora snapped out of it. She rammed her hand against the closing door, and said, “Please wait.”

Mr. Connelly pulled it open again.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I made myself some hot chocolate. I thought you might want some, too,” she said.

Mr. Connelly looked confused, but welcomed her in. They sat together at the small table by his front window. The first thing Eleanora noticed was the lively music playing throughout the house. A silent movie played on the TV.

“What is this?” she asked.

“Jazz,” he exclaimed. “And what’s this?” he asked.

“Oh! It’s white hot chocolate!” Eleanora smiled.

Mr. Connelly grunted. “I guess I’ve been deprived of white hot chocolate all my life, and I never even knew.” Then he winked.

They grinned at each other. This was proving to be a great idea. Eleanora couldn’t wait to tell her friends.

1. Scram A. To leave quickly B. To move gracefully C. To fall down 2. Moving A. Staying in one place B. To leave C. Going from one place to another 3. Disapproving A. Believing something is good or right B. Believing someone or something is bad or wrong C. Showing that something is right 4. Rammed A. Gently closed something B. Touched softly C. Forcefully hit something 5. Slammed A. Closed something with a loud noise B. Opened something quickly C. Helped someone 6. Clamming A. Talking a lot B. To stop talking C. Helping 7. Approval A. The belief that something is not good B. To wonder if something is good C. The belief that something is good 8. Movie A. A recording of moving pictures that tell a story B. Sounds that make up a song C. A picture to hang on the wall 9. Proving A. Explaining an idea B. Showing that something is right C. Asking questions 10. Deprived A. Was given many things B. Went shopping C. Wasn’t allowed to have or keep something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Eleanora B. Mr. Connelly C. Dad 3. Where does this story take place? A. In Eleanora’s house B. In Mr. Connelly’s house C. At a block party 4. What do people think about Mr. Connelly? A. That he is kind and friendly B. That he is rude and mean C. That he is disapproving and unfriendly 5. Why does Eleanora set out to get to know him? A. She will be moving soon, so this is her last chance B. She lost a kite in his backyard C. She is curious about him 6. What does Eleanora bring to him? A. A piece of birthday cake B. White hot chocolate C. A cup of coffee 7. How does Mr. Connelly feel when he sees Eleanora? A. Delighted to have company B. Angry that he’s being interrupted C. Confused about why she would be there 8. What type of music is he listening to? A. Rock and roll B. Jazz C. Classical 9. Where do they sit? A. In his kitchen B. At the table in his front room C. On the couch 10. At the end of the story, what does Eleanora think about getting to know Mr. Connelly? A. That it wasn’t such a good idea B. That her friends will be mad C. That it was a great idea

Cheese Car

“Well, there’s always room for improvement, Quinn,” Dad said. He was holding the car I had carved. “But it’s really quite good!” He smiled at me, then asked, “What is it?”

“Well, at first I was going to make it look like atram , but I changed my mind. It’s a wedge of cheese!” We laughed together.

Since I strived for perfection, I took the car outside and used sandpaper to remove every rough spot. I weighed the car. The numbers flashed at me: 101grams . It needed to be heavier. I grabbed the drill from Dad’s workshop. He had taught me how to use it last summer. Then I jammed the car in a vice grip so it wouldn’t move while I worked on it. I drilled a hole in the back of the car to fill with weights. But what could I use that would be both heavy and small? Pebbles weren’t the right shape. Marbles didn’t weigh enough. That’s when Dad came out to check on me. I told him what I was doing. He held his chin in his hand thoughtfully, then said, “I have just the thing!” But instead of going to his tool chest, he opened his fishing tackle box. He handed me a container of lead weights.

“Perfect!” I yelled as I crammed them inside the car. Dad was already back inside. I found the yellow paint and painted my car to look like cheese. I added the wheels and I weighed it again. It was perfect. Our driveway had a little bit of a slant, so I set the car at the top and gave it a small push. It sped away. I laughed. I had proved it wasn’t a sham: cheese had speed. I knew the judges would approve.

1. Approve A. To believe something is good or right B. To make something better C. To show something is right 2. Strive A. To reach far B. To run fast C. To try very hard to do something 3. Remove A. To add something B. To take something away C. To step backward 4. Improvement A. Making something better B. Showing something is right C. Believing something is good 5. Grams A. The same as 12 inches B. A unit of measurement for weight C. Another word for ‘centimeters’ 6. Tram A. A fast car B. A truck that can carry a heavy load C. A vehicle much like a train that runs on tracks and goes a short distance 7. Jammed A. Pressed or pushed into a tight space B. Made something loose C. Added fruit to a piece of bread 8. Sham A. A blanket B. Something meant to trick people, not honest or good C. The truth 9. Crammed A. Emptied a space B. Let something happen C. Filled so there was no room for anything else 10. Proved A. Showed something was true B. Explained an idea C. Studied at school

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Caleb B. Quinn C. Bennet 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Cub Scouts B. At camp C. At Quinn’s house 4. What is being built? A. A rocket B. A wooden car C. A soap box 5. Who is doing the work? A. Quinn’s dad B. Quinn C. Quinn’s den leader 6. What does the car look like? A. A wedge of cheese B. A block of gold C. A speeding bullet 7. What do they use for weights? A. The buy weights at a store B. Pebbles and rocks C. Lead weights for fishing 8. What color is the car? A. Black B. Red C. Yellow 9. How does Quinn test it? A. He pushes it on a piece of wood B. He sets it on the slanted driveway C. He rolls it across the kitchen floor 10. What does he think the judges will think about his car? A. They’ll approve B. They’ll disapprove C. They’ll be confused

Camping is the Best

I switched on the lamp inside our tent. The morning light was dim enough to need the lamp, but still bright enough that no one would oversleep. We’d set up our camp last night and had just enough time for a quick campfire and dinner. Today, Joshua and I wanted to explore.

“Ready, Becket?” he asked as he unzipped the tent. Mom and Dad were still in their sleeping bags, but said it was okay for us to explore.

“Yep, just want to grab my hatchet,” I said.

“Why?” he laughed. “We aren’t going to be cutting down any trees are we?”

I shook my head. “Dude, hatchets aren’t even for cutting down trees,” I sighed.

We started to tramp down the path we had made the night before. The weather report had seemed grim, but I saw no clouds near the rising sun. Rain didn’t seem likely. It made me so glad, I whistled a happy tune.

Then Joshua asked, “Do you hear a creek?” We both stopped to listen.

I sure did. The creek called to us, so we followed its babbling on a whim. The creek must have been really loud, because we walked a long time before we reached it. By then, the sun was higher in the sky and it was getting warm.

“I wish we had our trunks so we could go for a swim,” I said.

“There’s a slim chance they’re in this bag…” Joshua started. But then he shook his head and zipped up the bag again. “We’ll have to go back to camp for them.”

“Too bad,” I said. “But at least we can bring some snacks back with us, too.”

We high fived, then walked as quickly as we could so we could enjoy our swim. Camping is the best.

1. Camp A. To sleep in a hotel B. A place far from cities that has tents C. A place in the city 2. Dim A. Not bright B. Very bright C. To see 3. Grim A. Pleasant to think about B. Funny to think about C. Unpleasant to think about 4. Lamp A. To turn off a light B. A light C. A switch that turns lights off and on 5. Swim A. To move through water B. To run on the ground C. To climb in trees 6. Oversleep A. To wake up early B. To wake up right on time C. To keep sleeping past the time you are supposed to wake up 7. Tramp A. To explore B. To walk for a long time C. To stumble 8. Slim A. A small amount or size B. Just enough of something C. A large amount 9. Whim A. Knowing you should not do something B. A sudden wish to do something C. A set of instructions 10. Creek A. A huge body of water B. A small body of water with land on all sides around it C. A small stream of water

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Liam B. Joshua C. Becket 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a camp B. In the city C. On a train 4. How long have they been camping when the story starts? A. One night B. One week C. Three days 5. Who goes exploring? A. The entire family B. Just the brothers C. Only Becket 6. What does Becket bring along? A. Snacks B. Sunscreen C. His hatchet 7. What do they hear? A. Crows cawing B. A creek babbling C. Kids playing 8. What do they walk to find? A. The creek B. The beach C. The mountain 9. What do they wish they had packed in their bag? A. A game to play B. Their cameras C. Swim trunks 10. What other thing are they going to bring back with them at the end of the story? A. Snacks B. Their parents C. A map

Old Lady Nell

Old Lady Nell is not prim. Though she collects stamps and lamps on a whim. And many visitors say when they visit on Sundays, she’s always humming a hymn.

Sure, Old Lady Nell is quite trim, though she fills her tea to thebrim . I’ve even heard whispers she rims her tea cups with sugar! But surely that is no sin.

Yet, Old Lady Nell is no victim. She’s a whiz in the kitchen and then some. She’s a clever dear lady with biscuits and gravy, but she’d honestly rather eat dim sum.

Old Lady Nell hits the gym to improve her vigor and vim. Though she’s tiny in size she has fire in her eyes So you better avoid all her limbs.

As a lady, Nell is sure swell. She even wrote poems for a spell! So of this much I’m sure: there’s no one who’s more interesting than Old Lady Nell.

1. Prim A. Very proper; fancy B. Plain and boring C. Very poor 2. Stamps A. The paper in which you send mail B. The paper on which you write letters C. Small pieces of paper you pay for and stick to an envelope to mail it 3. Lamps A. The fabric that lies on the floor B. Tools or decorations to make light C. The tops of rooms 4. Hymn A. A song that praises God B. Sounds made with drums C. A song about fighting 5. Victim A. A person who does kind things B. A person who’s been treated wrongly by someone C. A person who is treated well 6. Brim A. The bottom part of a cup B. The inside of a bowl C. The top edge of a glass or other container 7. Trim A. Too large B. Not healthy C. In good shape or condition 8. Limbs A. Legs and arms B. Toes and fingers C. Eyes and ears 9. Gym A. A building filled with books to borrow B. A large room to exercise or play sports C. A place kids go to learn 10. Rims A. The outer edge of something round B. The bottoms of dishes C. The handles of silverware

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Old Lady Nell B. Silly Sally C. Heroic Henry 3. What is something she does NOT collect? A. Lamps B. Stamps C. Clamps 4. What does she drink? A. Tea B. Coffee C. Hot chocolate 5. What does she put on the rim? A. Toffee B. Chocolate syrup C. Sugar 6. What would she most like to eat? A. French toast B. Dim sum C. Noodles 7. Why does she go to the gym? A. To get big muscles B. To meet friends C. To improve her vigor and vim 8. How big is she? A. Tiny B. Large C. Enormous 9. What did she used to write? A. Songs B. Poems C. Books 10. What does the author think about her? A. She’s very interesting B. She’s very sad C. She’s very confusing

The Witch’s Brew Contest

Minnie and Myrtle were twin witches. They lived in a camper, deep in the woods. Their witch friends all asked why they didn’t build a cottage, but Minnie and Myrtle liked their camper just fine. The door made a delightful “squeak” each time it was opened. It pleased them very much.

One day, their mail possum delivered a flyer. “What’s it say?” asked Myrtle, whose eyesight wasn’t as keen as Minnie’s.

“There’s going to be a contest for best witch’s brew!”

Oh, goodie!” squealed Myrtle. “What’s the prize for the champion?”

“It says here the prize is a pet of your choice from Witchy Wares. Their owls all look so splendid,” Minnie said dreamily.

“I’ve always wished for a sleek black cat,” Myrtle said. “I think I’ll try to win.”

Minnie was glad for her sister. She would be happy to help her win. There was a week until the contest, but Myrtle started her brew right away. Soon, the brew brimmed over the top. So when Myrtle looked away, Minnie let some leak out. When Myrtle put in too much bat oil, Minnie sneakily skimmed some off the top. And when Myrtletamped the root powder just a bit too hard, Minnie scooped it back out without being seen. Finally, when Myrtle left to find some dogwood branch bark to add, Minnie took a taste.

“Hmm,” she smacked her lips. “it’s a bit weak.” She poured in some vinegar and stepped away from the pot just in time for Myrtle to come back inside with the branches.

“They’re too damp,” Myrtle sighed. Minnie said some witchy words under her breath. “Wait a minute, I guess they’re just fine after all. Silly me,” Myrtle added.

Minnie smiled secretly. She knew her sister would win. And after all, she wanted a black cat, too.

1. Brimmed A. Completely filled with something B. Was empty C. Fell to the ground 2. Camper A. A room made of cloth B. A vehicle where people can live C. A large house built of brick 3. Champion A. The loser of something B. Someone who plays a sport C. The winner of something 4. Leak A. To keep everything inside B. To go out through a hole in something C. To pour things out 5. Skimmed A. Stirred things together B. Poured something C. Took off a layer of something from the top 6. Tamped A. Tipped something over B. Pressed something down by hitting it lightly C. Looked at something that you shouldn’t have 7. Squeak A. A short, high-pitched noise B. A low, rumbling sound C. The sound a lion might make 8. Weak A. Strong B. The worst C. Not strong 9. Week A. 12 months B. 30 days C. 7 days 10. Damp A. Very wet B. A little bit wet C. Dry

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Myrtle B. Minnie C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a kingdom B. At the sisters’ home C. At the bottom of a volcano 4. What is unusual about the sisters? A. They are witches B. They are babies C. They are very old 5. What do they live in? A. A candy cottage B. A seaside house C. A camper 6. What is the contest about? A. Witch’s brew B. The best new spell C. Broom races 7. Who decides to enter the contest? A. Myrtle B. Minnie C. They both want to 8. Who is going to help? A. Myrtle B. Minnie C. The possum 9. What does the sister hope to win? A. A black cat B. A kind owl C. A sleek bat 10. What does Minnie know at the end of the story? A. Myrtle will lose B. She doesn’t want a cat C. Her sister will win

Bivouac: A Strange Word for a Fun Adventure

When we think of camping, we often think of sleeping in a tent in a forest. But there are other places to camp, too. Some people sleep on an ocean beach. Others at a mountain’s peak. Imagine how it must feel to wake up and see the sun rising. It must feel like you’re on top of the world!

One thing mountain campers know is that they need to keep their packs small and light. Tramping up a mountain is a lot of work. Carrying a heavy pack and tent isn’t wise. Mountain campers want the smallest bag they can have. One way to do this is by not bringing a tent at all. There’s a special name for this type of camping: bivouac. (Say it like: BIV-uh-whack.) People who bivouac sleep in the open in a special bag to keep warm and dry. Leaving your tent at home is a great start to trimming the size of your pack.

Bivouacking makes sense for other camping adventures, too. If you are hiking through a place cramped with trees, it may be hard to find enough open space to pitch a tent. But if you bivouac, all you need is enough space to lie down. Some people bivouac because it makes sense—like not having enough room to pitch a tent. Others bivouac because they seek adventure. Sleeping in nature means being covered by a blanket of stars. It means feeling the breeze on your cheek. And it means hearing the shriek of an eagle instead of tones on a phone.

Maybe camping on the top of a mountain isn’t possible, but one day, you can try sleeping beneath the stars in a campground or even your own backyard. Maybe you’ll even want to teach your friends about the strange word “bivouac,” too.

[sources: https://thenextchallenge.org/how-to-bivouac/; https://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/newbie-questions-for-camping-on-top-of-mountains-t73819.html] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 68 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Sleep A. To have your eyes open B. To rest your mind and body by closing your eyes and no longer being awake C. To think 2. Cramped A. Crowded B. An open space C. To feel happy 3. Keep A. To move things around B. To forget where you put something C. To cause to stay in a place 4. Peak A. The bottom area of a mountain B. The pointed top of a mountain C. The middle part of a mountain 5. Seek A. To find something B. To hear something C. To search for something 6. Camping A. Sleeping in a bedroom B. Sleeping outside for fun C. Walking through forests 7. Trimming A. Making the size of something smaller B. Making the size of something larger C. Using glue to attach things 8. Tramping A. Going for a short walk B. Moving lightly and easily C. Walking for a long time 9. Cheek A. The part of the face above the eyes B. The part of the face to the side of the mouth C. The part of the face below the lips 10. Shriek A. A loud, high cry B. A low rumbling sound C. A soft song-like sound

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Pine trees B. Bivouacking C. Spelunking 3. What does ‘bivouac’ mean? A. To sleep outdoors in the open B. To sleep in a tent C. To sleep in a building 4. What is one reason to bivouac? A. If you are lazy B. If you feel hungry all the sudden C. In case you will be camping in a place without enough space to pitch a tent 5. What is another reason to bivouac? A. So you will stay dry B. So that you won’t be carrying such a heavy pack C. So you can sleep in in the morning 6. Where is one place you can bivouac? A. On a beach B. In your room C. In the kitchen 7. Where is another place you can bivouac? A. In the bathroom B. In the attic C. In a forest with many trees 8. What size bag do mountain campers want to have? A. Large and heavy B. Trim and light C. No bag at all 9. Do you need a tent to bivouac? A. Yes B. No C. We don’t find out that information 10. What might you hear if you bivouac? A. Your phone B. The radio C. An eagle

Homing Pigeons

When keeping pets, we usually think of cats and dogs in our home. Even parakeets and parrots can live inside in cages. But have you ever thought of having an outside pet bird? One that flies away, but always comes back home? That’s exactly what homing pigeons do. Homing pigeons are medium size birds that are usually mostly gray. They have different patterns on their wings—either bars or checks. Their beaks have a fleshy part at the top where their nostrils are. Instead of saying “cheep” or “peep,” pigeons make a beautiful “coo- roo” sound. Most amazingly, though, these pets can fly around and will always come back home.

If you are able to have homing pigeons, you need to know how to care for them. Pigeons need a place to live, called a loft. It should be raised off the ground, and have plenty of space for air to move around. The roof should have no leaks. The inside of the loft should have boxes on the wall so each pigeon has a place for sleeping. You should heap the floor of the loft with hay, and keep it fresh. If you notice a reeking stench in the loft, it is time to sweep out the old hay and replace it. Pigeons also need boards outside the doors where they can land. Homing pigeons need fresh water to drink, and grains and seeds to eat. They also need something called grit, which is crushed oyster shells. Grit gives pigeons minerals and helps them digest their food.

Once your pigeons have been in their loft for four weeks, you can open the doors and let them fly. They will circle the loft and come back often. Soon, they will fly farther away, but still come back. Homing pigeons are amazing pets.

[sources: http://www.livingthecountrylife.com/animals/chickens-poultry/how-raise-homing-pigeons/;]

1. Beaks A. The wings on a bird B. The hard, pointed part covering a bird’s mouth C. The tail on a bird 2. Cheep A. A sound a bird makes; a short, high noise B. A sound a horse makes C. A sound a goat makes 3. Keeping A. Letting go B. Making stay C. Leaving a place 4. Leaks A. To pour water into a glass B. Listens carefully C. Holes that let something get in, like water through a roof 5. Reeks A. Smells very bad B. Smells good C. Looks pretty 6. Sleeping A. Feeling wide awake B. Running quickly C. Resting your eyes and mind 7. Heap A. To flatten something out B. Put in a large pile C. To offer to help 8. Peep A. A sound a bird makes; a short, high noise B. A sound a pigeon makes C. A sound a chipmunk makes 9. Sweep A. Remove a mess with a broom or brush B. To wipe dust off with a cloth C. To scrub a stain with soap 10. Able A. Will do B. Can do C. Cannot do

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Keeping homing pigeons as pets B. How homing pigeons know to fly home C. How to race homing pigeons 3. What is the name of the place where homing pigeons live and sleep? A. A nest B. A loft C. A den 4. What color are homing pigeons? A. They tend to be mostly gray B. They are bright blue C. They are white with gold flecks 5. What do homing pigeons eat? A. Insects and worms B. Berries and leaves C. Grains and seeds 6. What do homing pigeons drink? A. Milk B. Juice C. Water 7. What is grit made of? A. Oyster shells B. Shrimp tails C. Fish scales 8. What should be on the floor of the loft? A. Boxes for nesting B. Fresh hay C. Grass clippings 9. What should be outside the doors of the loft? A. Boards for the pigeons to land on B. A welcome sign C. Food and water 10. How long should pigeons be in the loft before being released to fly? A. 1 week B. 4 weeks C. 3 months

Max and the Lab

The science lab was Max’s favorite room in the school. Professor Hadley always lined up beakers filled with different colored liquids on the window ledge. When Maxpeeked his head through the door today, he saw the beakers held the colors of a rainbow. He just had to know what was in the beakers. He looked behind him. No one seemed to notice him. He sneaked in without being spotted. He knew the door creaked loudly when it closed, so he left it open just a little.

He crept over to the beakers. Suddenly, someone spoke,

“Can I help you?”

It startled Max so badly that he bumped the beaker of blue liquid, and some leaked over the top.

“Professor Hadley!” Max shrieked. His knees weakened. His cheeks and ears were red. “Gosh, you really freaked me out! Sorry I spilled.” Max grabbed a paper towel and wiped up the spill.

Professor Hadley took a step closer. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but you should probably explain yourself. Don’t you think so, young man?”

“Um,” Max started. “Well, I don’t have science class until later today, and I was just really curious about this. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come in.”

“Ah! Curious! That’s the magic word,” Professor Hadley smiled.

Max gulped. “Uh…you mean because curiosity killed the cat?” He was feeling like he was about to be in big, big trouble. But Professor Hadley laughed loudly.

“Not at all!” he said. “All I ever want is for my students to be curious. Come. I don’t think your teacher will mind if you’re a few minutes late. Let’s study these liquids together.”

Max raised his eyebrows. Then he smiled widely. This was more than he could have asked for. What a great start to the day.

1. Beakers A. Metal tools used to pick up small items B. Large glasses used for measuring and holding liquids, especially for science C. Glass tubes used for sucking up small amounts of liquid 2. Creaked A. Screamed loudly B. Broke in two C. Made a long, high sound 3. Leaked A. Let something in or out through a hole in something B. Fell over C. Made someone angry 4. Peeked A. Secretly listened B. Secretly took a look C. Secretly touched something 5. Shrieked A. Made a low groaning sound B. Was scared C. Screamed, made a loud, high cry 6. Sneaked A. Screamed loudly B. Moved quietly and secretly C. Made a long, high sound 7. Spoke A. Past tense of ‘speak’ B. Past tense of ‘say’ C. Past tense of ‘tell’ 8. Freaked A. Was happy B. Was surprised C. Was made very upset 9. Step A. To walk on your hands B. Moving by lifting your foot from one place and putting it down somewhere else C. To move in a circle 10. Weakened A. Became weak, not strong B. Saturday and Sunday C. Got stronger

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mitch B. Mike C. Max 3. Where does this story take place? A. Lunch room in school B. Science room in school C. Playground 4. What is the science teacher’s name? A. Mr. Henderson B. Professor Hadley C. Mrs. Hyppe 5. What is Max’s favorite school subject? A. Math B. Grammar C. Science 6. What is in the beakers? A. Different colored liquids B. Different stones and rocks C. Smokey air 7. Which color does Max spill? A. Red B. Blue C. Yellow 8. What is the ‘magic word’? A. Sorry B. Please C. Curious 9. Who or what startles Max? A. His best friend B. Professor Hadley C. The school bell 10. What does Max get to do at the end of the story? A. Study the liquids with the teacher B. Skip the first part of school C. Go on a special fieldtrip

Chocolate for Breakfast

Her apron was streaked with flour. Herclothes reeked of burned cake. The smell had begun to seep through the house and up the stairs to where the children slept. Lucia threw her head back and slumped into a chair. She had only wanted to surprise everyone with cake for breakfast. Now it was ruined.

“What’s going on, Luce?” Maverick asked sleepily as he rubbed his eyes. His big sister wasn’t usually up so early, especially on the weekend.

“Hey, Squeaks,” Lucia said, using the nickname she’d given Maverick when he was just a baby and made such cute, squeaky noises. “I thought I’d make a cake this morning.”

Maverick’s eyes opened wide. “Cake? For breakfast? This is the best day ever!” Maverick said, suddenly very awake.

“Don’t get too excited, buddy,” Lucia said weakly. “I already burned it to a crisp.”

“Oh.” Maverick’s shoulders slumped just as Lucia’s had earlier.

The cake was sitting on top of the oven. It was black as night, and when Maverick poked it with a fork, it made a tinny sound. He was pretty sure cake shouldn’t make any sound at all.

“I think I have an idea,” he suddenly said. He raked the cake with the fork, tearing it to crumbs. Then he poured a large spoonful into a bowl and dampened the crumbs with a splash of milk. He stirred it up and took a big bite. “Delicious!” he said with his mouth full.

Lucia laughed loudly. Soon, their other siblings came into the kitchen, too. Maverick showed them how to make their own bowls of chocolate, and they all dug in.

Lucia watched her siblings and smiled, shaking her head. This isn’t at all what she had planned for breakfast, but she was sure she’d never forget it.

1. Clothes A. What people wear on their feet B. What people wear on their heads C. The things people wear 2. Slept A. Past tense of: sleep B. Past tense of: snooze C. Past tense of: slur 3. Reeked A. Smelled terrible B. Smelled wonderful C. Didn’t smell at all 4. Streaked A. Had circles all over B. Had long, thin marks C. Had square marks 5. Seep A. To suddenly pour out of an opening with great force B. To soak with water C. To flow slowly through openings 6. Weekend A. Saturday and Sunday B. Monday through Friday C. To become weak 7. Squeaky A. Making low, rumbling sounds B. Making sharp, high-pitched sounds C. Making sweet, whistling sounds 8. Weakly A. With much energy B. Done every seven days C. With little power or energy 9. Baby A. A school aged child B. A very young child C. A grown person 10. Dampened A. Made something slightly wet B. Soaked something entirely with water C. Made something dry

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Lucia B. Maverick C. Squeaks 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a bakery B. In a shopping center C. In a home 4. What is Lucia trying to do? A. Clean the house B. Bake a cake C. Decorate the house 5. What time of day is it? A. Dinnertime B. Lunch time C. Early morning 6. What is Lucia’s nickname for Maverick? A. Squeaks B. Bubba C. Pal 7. What happens when Maverick pokes the cake? A. It makes a tinny sound B. The fork bends C. The cake falls apart 8. What does Maverick do with the cake? A. Throws it in the trash B. Crumbles it into a bowl C. Puts it outside for the squirrels 9. What does he pour on top? A. Syrup B. Jam C. Milk 10. How does Lucia feel by the end of the story? A. Happy B. Embarrassed C. Angry

Marquis the Magnificent

Marquis the Magnificent was the most exciting act at the circus. The tickets weren’tcheap , but he was worth it. Marquis had a tightrope walking act. But he made it even more exciting. While he crossed the rope high above the people in the crowd, he curled and lifted heavy weights.

Laticia and Lamar couldn’t wait to see Marquis today. Their parents surprised them with tickets just this morning. There were so many people waiting to get in the show, Laticia was reminded of sheep being herded. She felt like a sheep.

Now, they were all seated in a row. Laticia and Lamar ate popcorn while they waited. Then, the lights dimmed and Marquis the Magnificent entered. He bowed, then flexed his muscles and kissed his bicep. Everyone laughed. He flexed his muscles a few more times topep up the crowd. Then, he began to climb the steep ladder.

There was a spotlight on Marquis. Everyone watched nervously as he held the heavy dumbbells and balanced on the rope. They knew one misstep is all it would take for Marquis the Magnificent to fall. At last, Marquis began to walk across the rope. With each step, he paused and curled the weights above his head. When he got to the center of the rope, he held the weights at his side, then did a perfect ballet leap. Lamar was sure he saw a bead of sweat on Marquis the Magnificent’s head. Lamar got so nervous, he wasunable to watch. But before he knew it, the crowd was whistling and cheering and clapping wildly. Marquis had made it safely to the other side. Lamar saw a woman behind him weep with relief.

One thing was sure: Marquis the Magnificent was the most exciting act at the circus.

1. Bicep A. A large muscle on the upper part of the arm B. A muscle on the top part of the leg C. The muscles over the stomach 2. Misstep A. To go in the right direction B. An action that is a mistake C. To do things correctly 3. Pep A. A stomach ache B. To feel bummed C. To get people to act more lively 4. Leap A. To walk B. To jump C. To run 5. Steep A. A flat surface B. At a little bit of a slant C. Almost straight up and down; not flat 6. Cheap A. Not costing much money B. Costing a lot of money C. Well done 7. People A. Plural of: person B. Past tense of: person C. Plural of: adult 8. Sheep A. An animal that barks B. An animal with four legs and a thick wooly coat C. An animal with four legs and black and white spots 9. Unable A. Will do B. Can do C. Not able to do something 10. Weep A. To laugh B. To cry C. To shout

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who are the siblings in this story? A. Lisa and Lenny B. Laticia and Lamar C. Lolli and Egor 3. Where does this story take place? A. A carnival B. The state fair C. The circus 4. What is the name of the circus act? A. Harold the Heroic B. Mikey the Tightrope Walker C. Marquis the Magnificent 5. What made the act unusual? A. He lifts weights while walking the tightrope B. He whistles while walking the tightrope C. He walks the tightrope on his hands 6. What does he do that makes the crowd laugh? A. Blows them kisses B. Kisses his bicep C. Tells jokes 7. Who has to cover their eyes? A. Laticia B. Lamar C. The parents 8. What does Lamar see a woman doing? A. Laughing B. Screaming C. Weeping 9. What animal is Laticia reminded of? A. Sheep B. Horses C. Cats 10. This act is the most ___ act at the circus. A. Wonderful B. Exciting C. Strange

A Scare

I never had the ability to sneak up on people. I’ve crept up behind my sister. I’ve leaped out from behind a door at my mom. I’ve peeped through the keyhole to my brother’s room until he was about to fall asleep and swept in to surprise him. But they were never scared.

One time, my sister said, “Zayne, just give up. Maybe you’ll really scare one of us someday. And then you’ll feel bad.”

And she was right.

One cold day in January, when I knew my mom would be returning from town, I waited in the garage. There was a shaded corner full of Dad’s rakes and other tools. I stood there and made myself as flat as I could. When Mom drove in, she didn’t see me. When she opened the trunk and filled her arms with grocery bags, she didn’t see me. When she hummed a song and started walking toward the door to the house, she didn’t see me.

That was my moment. I jumped out at her with my arms up and yelled “BOO!”

Mom freaked out. The grocery bags went flying. She screamed, and then—to my surprise— she actually wept. I didn’t know whether to feel awful, or proud. The garage floor was peppered with food from the bags, and my mom stood there with her face in her hands. Tears seeped through her fingers.

Okay, now I felt awful.

“Aw, mom,” I said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you that badly.” I gave her a little hug and started putting the groceries back in the bags.

Mom just looked at me. “Yes, you did,” she said. Then she got a crazy little smile. “Don’t worry, Zayne. One day, I’ll get you back.”

And she did. But that’s another story.

1. Ability A. Unable to do a thing B. Being bad or unskilled at doing something C. The power and skill to do something 2. Crept A. Moved slowly, not to be noticed B. Moved quickly C. Moved gracefully 3. Leaped A. Sunk down B. Jumped C. Sat 4. Peeped A. Looked long and hard at something B. Looked quickly at someone or something C. Stared at someone for a long time 5. Peppered A. Spread something thin B. Added butter to a dish C. Put something in many places, scattered 6. Swept A. Moved quickly through a space B. Moved clumsily C. Stood still 7. Wept A. Laughed B. Cried C. Slept 8. Seeped A. Poured out all at once B. Tipped over a full container C. Flowed slowly through small openings 9. Shaded A. An area blocked from light B. A bright area of light C. Held close to 10. Were A. Contraction of: we are B. Past tense of: was C. Past tense of: to be

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Oliver B. Beau C. Zayne 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a grocery store B. At a house C. Outside 4. What does Zayne tell us at the beginning of the story? A. He’s really good at sneaking up on and scaring people B. He loves getting scared C. He’s never been good at sneaking up on people 5. Whom has he tried to scare? A. His sister and brother B. His mom C. Both A and B 6. In which month does this story take place? A. January B. February C. December 7. Where does he hide? A. On the other side of the front door B. In a shaded corner in the garage C. Crouched below the kitchen counter 8. What is his mom carrying? A. Bags of groceries B. Her purse C. The mail 9. What does Zayne shout? A. Gotcha! B. Boo! C. Argh! 10. What does his mom do? A. Laugh B. Cry C. Shout

Hank the Goldfinch

Hank the goldfinch wascheeping in his nest.

“I’ll be right there,” called his mother, lovingly.

“Susan, don’t you think you’re babying him? Isn’t it time Hank left the nest?” Susan’s friend, Liza asked.

“Oh, a little extra time in the nest isn’t disabling him, Liza,” Susan smiled softly. She tugged out a plump worm and flew away. Liza thought Hank shouldn’t still be reaping the benefits of having such a kind mother. He was already so large. But Susan loved each of her little chicks deeply and Liza knew she wouldn’t make Hank leave.

Liza flitted off and found her pal, Petri. “Doesn’t it bother you that Hank still lives in Susan’s nest?” Liza asked Petri.

Petri shrugged. “Nah.”

Just then, there was a great rustle and Susan flew down in a rush.

“Help! Hank heard you talking and tried to fly. He’s gone!” Susan cried.

“Where did the poor fellow go?” Petri asked.

Susan was weeping with worry. “He was eating a worm, and the next thing I knew he was leaping out of the nest. I thought I heard footsteps, too”

Petri and Susan flew off to search. Liza felt awful. It was all her fault. She thought she heard a voice nearby, though. She followed the sound and found a boy stepping carefully, talking to something in his hands. A golden feather poked out between his fingers. Before she knew what she was doing, Liza flew directly at the boy.

“Hank! I’m coming!” she called.

She fluttered her wings madly around the boy’s face. The boy covered his eyes and dropped Hank. “Come on! You can do it! Fly!” Liza yelled. Hank beat his wings. He lifted into the air. “You’ve got it, Hank!” Liza lead Hank to his nest. Susan and Petri were soon there, having heard the crusade.

Liza never teased Hank or Susan again.

1. Babying A. Having a baby B. Being a baby C. Treating someone in a very kind, careful way, like a baby 2. Cheeping A. Making quick, high sounds, like a bird B. Making a low howl C. Whistling a song 3. Deeply A. Not caring very much B. In a way that is complete, strongly felt C. Not really feeling something 4. Disabling A. Helping someone to do something B. Causing someone to not work in the normal way C. Making fun of someone 5. Doesn’t A. Contraction of: does not B. Contraction of: do not C. Contraction of: will not 6. Footsteps A. To run B. Seeing the place where you just walked C. The sound of feet walking 7. Reaping A. Losing something B. Getting a reward for the work you’ve done C. Saving money to buy something 8. Stepping A. Walking B. Dancing C. Moving backward 9. Weeping A. Talking B. Crying C. Laughing 10. Crusade A. Something that wasn’t hard to do B. Planning a battle C. A big effort to change something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Which of these is NOT a character in this story? A. Liza B. Betty C. Hank 3. Who is the mother bird? A. Liza B. Patti C. Susan 4. Who is the baby bird? A. Hank B. Petri C. Francis 5. Which bird speaks unkindly? A. Petri B. Susan C. Liza 6. What type of birds are these? A. Crows B. Goldfinches C. Robins 7. What is Liza so worried about? A. That Hank is still living in the nest and being cared for by his mother B. That she won’t have enough to eat this winter C. That Petri will no longer be her friend 8. Why does Hank try to leave the nest? A. He is feeling strong B. He hears Liza talking and feels embarrassed C. He accidentally tumbles out 9. What happens to Hank? A. A boy finds him and carries him away B. He falls and breaks his wing C. He flies far away and gets lost 10. Who saves Hank? A. Petri B. Liza C. Susan

What Were the Crusades?

Almost a thousand years ago, in the year 1095, a series of wars began. These wars were called the Crusades. “Crusades” means a Christian holy war. The Crusades were wars fought between Christians and Muslims. Both Christians and Muslims wanted control over the Holy Land. (The Holy Land is now called Israel.) Christians also thought they should persuade Muslims to follow the Bible and become Christian like them.

During the Crusades, Christians and Muslims invaded each other’s cities. They fought for control of Israel. The Crusades went on for a long time, and are still studied today. You might see paintings and other art pieces about the Crusades. There is artwork in museums showing soldiers on their horses, holding their swords and blades high above their heads in battle.

Even though both Christians and Muslims thought they were fighting for anoble cause—their religion—the Crusades were terribly violent. Many people died. Because the Crusades went on for so long, many stories have been told about the Crusades. Some may seem more like a fable than a history lesson. Not even children could evade fighting in them. Both Christians and Muslims were so sure of their beliefs, it made it hard for them to understand one another. The Crusades lasted for nearly two hundred years.

It’s been hundreds of years since the Crusaders finished their fight. Still, the Holy Land remains very important to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, too. The Crusades prove only that fighting and violence are not a good way to change people’s minds.

[sources: https://kids.kiddle.co/Crusades; https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/crusades] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 75 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Crusades A. The people who fought a war B. A series of wars fought between Christians and Muslims C. A church 2. Bible A. The Christian book of sacred writings B. A place of worship C. A story that Jesus wrote 3. Persuade A. To trick someone B. To teach someone C. To get someone to do something by giving reasons to 4. Evade A. To get too close to something B. To stay away from someone or something C. To ask too many questions 5. Fable A. A short story, usually with animals, that teaches a lesson B. A nonfiction story C. A song sung to babies to get them to sleep 6. Invaded A. Stayed away from someone or something B. Went into a place in order to take control of it C. Asked many questions 7. Noble A. Disappointing B. Not good enough C. Having qualities that people admire, like honesty and courage 8. Blades A. The handles of a tool or weapon B. Rounded, soft items C. The flat, sharp parts of a tool or weapon 9. Made A. Past tense of make B. Future tense of make C. Plural of make 10. Crusaders A. The wars fought between Christians and Muslims B. People who fought in the Crusades C. Books about holy wars

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is the topic of this story? What is it about? A. Robinson Crusoe B. The Crusades C. Taking care of animals 3. Where does this story take place? A. The Holy Land B. Russia C. Europe 4. What is the Holy Land called now? A. Israel B. Tibet C. India 5. Which two religions were involved with the wars? A. Christians and Jews B. Jews and Muslims C. Christians and Muslims 6. How long did they last? A. Thousands of years B. Hundreds of years C. Five years 7. Both sides thought they were fighting for a ___ cause. A. Noble B. Evil C. Interesting 8. When did the wars begin? A. In the year 261 B. In the year 1095 C. In the year 1990 9. Where could you go to see artwork about the Crusades? A. Church B. The airport C. Museums 10. Fighting and violence are ____ to change people’s minds. A. The right way B. Not a good way C. A helpful way

Backyard Treasure

Norah and Finn took turns digging with the spade they found in their dad’s gardening supplies. They were hunting for treasure.

“It’s sure hot out here,” Norah said.

“Just be glad we’re in the shade,” Finn said. “It could be worse.”

Norah agreed. Late last night from their bunk beds, Norah had invented a story about fabled treasure being buried there. She and Finn persuaded themselves it was true.

“Maybe we’re in the wrong spot,” Finn finally said. He stood and looked around the yard. “Let’s check under the lilacs, instead.”

“Good idea,” Norah enabled him. They filled in the hole and started on a new one. Ashadow from a crow passed over them. “That’s a lucky sign,” Finn promised. Norah wasn’t so sure, but she nodded anyway. “Want me to dig a while?” she asked.

“Nah, I’ve got it for now,” Finn answered. Then he smiled. “Besides, you’re too feeble.” Norah really rolled her eyes at her teasing brother, now. She was as strong as him, and they both knew it. Suddenly, there was a loud CLUNK.

“What was that?” Finn felt around with his hand. With Norah’s help, they pulled up a large, flat stone.

“Let’s wash it off,” Norah offered.

She sprayed away the mud. The stone was smooth, not abrasive. It was a beautiful green. “Gosh, this could really be something!” Finn said excitedly. “It looks like jade,” came another voice.

“Dad!” Norah and Finn said together.

“I came out to see what you kids were doing with my gardening tools,” he said. “Looks like you found a treasure. You could trade that in for a lot of money, I bet.”

Norah and Finn beamed at each other. Their treasure hunt had really paid off—just as they had known it would.

1. Abrasive A. A rough texture, like sandpaper B. A smooth texture C. A soft texture 2. Persuaded A. Forced someone to do something they didn’t want to do B. Caused someone to do something by giving reasons to C. Rubbed something smooth 3. Enabled A. Talked someone into doing something B. Made someone not be able to do something C. Made someone able to do something 4. Feeble A. Strong B. Very weak C. Healthy 5. Shadow A. A dark shape made when something comes between light and a surface B. The light from the sun C. Cool weather 6. Shade A. Warm weather B. The dark area from the sun being blocked C. The light from the sun 7. Spade A. To plant seeds B. To rake grass C. A tool used for digging 8. Jade A. A valuable white gem B. A green stone, often used for jewelry C. A pink rock 9. Fabled A. Told about in old stories B. A lie C. Facts that are proven to be true 10. Trade A. Buy with money B. To exchange one thing for another C. To let someone borrow a thing

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Norah B. Finn C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a city park B. In their backyard C. On an apartment balcony 4. What are they doing? A. Planting a tree B. Digging for treasure C. Building a fort 5. Whose idea was it? A. Kellen’s B. Finn’s C. Norah’s 6. What does Finn say is good luck? A. The shadow from a crow B. Lilac flowers C. Their dad’s tools 7. Who is strongest? A. Finn B. Norah C. They are equally strong 8. Who pulls the stone out of the ground? A. Finn B. Norah C. Their dad 9. Who washes away the dirt? A. Finn B. Norah C. Their dad 10. What does their dad tell them they found? A. A diamond B. Jade C. Emerald

Time for a Change

Willow the bullfrog lived in the grassy glades of the forest. One morning as she finished her song, she noticed the color of things were fading. That’s then Chester the beaver swam by. “Good morning, Willow!” he waved.

“Chester, oh Chester,” Willow called to him. “Where have all the colors gone? Why is the world turning dull?”

Chester stopped swimming and sat up. “Whatever are you talking about?” he asked in confusion.

“Oh don’t you see? The golden petals of the black-eyed Susan are curling up and fading away. The grass is going dry, and even the wild rose has turned from red to pink. Why?”

Chester was wading into the shallow water at the edge of the lake. “My dear friend, don’t you know it is fall? And that fall comes every year? And that every year the colors fade and go away and are covered with an invasion of snow until it warms again in spring and the colors can return?” Chester’s many abilities didn’t always include being patient.

Willow blinked her big, bullfrog eyes at Chester.

“Dear me!” Chester said loudly. “Go on and exhale. You can’t hold your breath all day.”

Willow let out a long breath. The gale of wind ruffled Chester’s fur. He drew back further from her and dunked himself under the water.

“Oh, please, excuse me, I didn’t mean to blow you away,” Willow said shyly.

“Never mind that,” Chester said. “I’ll be on my way before I set sail. Good day.”

Willow was rather embarrassed about the whole thing. Of course fall was here. The nights had been trading warmth for chill, and the days were shorter than ever. Willow hopped out of the lake and into the dry, crunchy blades of grass. It was time to prepare for fall.

1. Abilities A. The things you’re able to do B. Not knowing what to do C. Offering help 2. Fading A. Becoming more bright in color B. Getting louder C. To become less bright, lose color 3. Glades A. Tops of mountains B. Grassy, open spaces in a forest C. A low valley where rain water collects 4. Invasion A. Becoming lost B. Trying to get away from someone or something C. Entering a place in order to take control of it 5. Gale A. A light, soft wind B. A rainstorm C. A very strong wind 6. Wading A. Walking through water B. Swimming through water C. Floating on top of water 7. Color A. A quality such as loud or quiet B. A quality such as red, yellow, blue C. A quality such as near or far 8. Exhale A. To breathe in B. To hold your breath C. To breathe out 9. Sail A. To walk in water B. To travel on water in a boat or ship C. To swim through water 10. Trading A. Exchanging one thing for another B. Buying something with money C. Stealing something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Chester B. Fiona C. Willow 3. Where does this story take place? A. Atop a mountain B. In a glade C. Along a river 4. What type of creature is Willow? A. A bullfrog B. A beaver C. A filly 5. What type of creature is Chester? A. A bullfrog B. A beaver C. A filly 6. What does Willow notice? A. It’s getting colder B. The sun rises later C. Colors are changing and fading 7. What does Chester explain? A. That it’s because fall is coming B. That winter is here C. That spring has only just begun 8. How does Chester make Willow feel? A. Pleased B. Embarrassed C. Proud 9. Why does he make her feel that way? A. He wants everyone he meets to feel better after talking to them B. He is too impatient C. He prides himself on being the smartest creature in the glade 10. What does Willow do at the end of the story? A. Go prepare for fall B. Cry to her friend C. Tell Chester how he made her feel

A Snail’s Journey

The snail followed the trail to scale the hall wall. He’d seen the spider do it earlier. It looked so easy, but the snail supposed all things were easy when you had eight legs. That was eight legs more than he had. The lowly snail had little to be proud of. Unless, of course, you counted his cute, bouncy antennae, and of course, his pearly shell. Thinking about that, the snail perked up a bit. He wasn’t so unlucky after all, he thought.

The snail knew he didn’t have much time. It’s a terrible thing to know when you’re a snail. This is, of course, because snails are known to move so very slowly. But the mail had just been delivered, so the snail had exactly three minutes. If someone saw him, they would knock him into a pail, and dump him back outside. A hail storm was coming tonight, and he didn’t want his shell getting damaged.

Thinking speedy thoughts, the snail began to slink up the wall. The spider was slung on his web in a corner, and he cheered.

“Come on, snail man! You can do it! You’re halfway to the rail, now!”

The snail imagined regaling others with the tale for weeks and months to come. If he failed, he knew the spider would be disappointed, too.

The snail scooted faster. He sailed past the rail to the ceiling. The spider crawled over to congratulate the snail. “Well done! Well done, I say! I’d shake your hand if you had one. Instead, I’ll pat you on your back. What a fine shell you have, snail man!” the spider said.

The snail was tired, but proud. He had made it. And his shell would be safe during the night’s storm. Yes, he would tell this tale for the rest of his life.

1. Failed A. Did succeed B. Did not succeed C. Forgot something 2. Hail A. Water that falls from the sky B. Soft, frozen flakes that fall from the sky C. A piece of ice that falls like rain from the sky 3. Mail A. Letters and packages sent from one person to another B. To hand a gift to a person C. To read the newspaper 4. Pail A. A square box with a cover B. A round container with an open top C. A friend 5. Rail A. The steps or stairs B. To run fast C. A bar used to hang something from 6. Regaling A. Being boring and dull B. Inventing something new C. Telling stories to someone 7. Scale A. To climb down to the bottom of something B. To climb to the top of something C. To walk on a flat surface 8. Snail A. A small animal that carries a shell on its back and moves very slowly B. A creature that lives in the sea and has a curled tail and a nose like a horse C. An animal with fur and whiskers 9. Trail A. To go ahead of someone B. A path to somewhere C. A map 10. Sailed A. Stumbled and had a hard time moving B. Walked through deep sand C. Moved quickly in an easy way

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. The snail B. The spider C. The mailman 3. Where does this story take place? A. Outside a house B. Inside a house C. In a mailbox 4. Why is the snail inside? A. He doesn’t want his shell to get damaged in the hail storm B. He is afraid of being outside at night C. He has gotten lost and ended up inside a house 5. Where is the snail trying to reach? A. The hand railing of the stairs B. The top of the hall wall C. The middle of the ceiling 6. Who or what is cheering on the snail? A. A toddler B. A spider C. The mailman 7. What does the spider call the snail? A. Snoop dog B. My pal the snail C. Snail man 8. What is NOT one of the reasons the snail wants to succeed? A. To regale his friends with the story B. He is too proud to stay outside any longer C. So the spider won’t be disappointed 9. How does the spider congratulate the snail? A. He shakes his hand B. He wiggles his antennae C. He pats his shell 10. How does the snail feel at the end of the story? A. Tired B. Proud C. Both A and B

And Then

The wind was coming in gales. The apartment seemed to shake. The power was out. “Let’s play a game,” Mama said. “It’s called ‘And Then’. Are you ready?”

Shonda and I nodded. We were glad to get our minds off the fact that it washailing so loudly, the windows shook every time a hailstone railed against them.

“OK,” Mama began. “It goes like this. I’ll start telling a story, and I’ll end by saying ‘And then.’ When I say that, it’ll be your turn, Cashton. Add to the story, then say ‘And then,’ and Shonda will have a turn. We’ll keep going around and see how silly we can make it.”

The game sounded odd, but what else were we going to do?

Mama began. “Once upon a time, there was a fish withscales as pale as a moonbeam. It had started its life in the ocean, but one day, it swam so fast that it sailed right out of the sea onto dry land. And then…”

Mama looked to me. I smiled, and began. “And then, the fishinhaled air for the first time, and he coughed a lot. Which is hard for a fish, since they don’t have lungs. So I guess he coughed through his gills.” Shonda laughed. I continued. “The fish was pretty glad to find he could walk on his tail. So there he was, walking around on the beach, and then…” I looked to Shonda.

Shonda squealed, and took over. “And then, a group of sailors walked by. They couldn’t believe their eyes! A walking fish? How could it be? So the fish started feeling embarrassed and wanted to get away, so stood on a pail and hailed a cab. Right there on the beach! And then…”

We were all laughing. The storm wasn’t done, yet, but it seemed a lot quieter now.

1. Scales A. Soft fur covering an animal’s body B. The small, thin pieces that cover a fish or snake C. Skin that covers a person’s body 2. Gales A. Heavy snow B. Huge waves C. Strong winds 3. Hailing A. Pieces of ice falling from the sky B. Rain falling from the sky C. Snow falling from the sky 4. Railed A. Spoke gently to someone B. Sang to someone C. Complained angrily about something 5. Sailed A. Moved slowly B. Moved in a clumsy way C. Moved swiftly and easily 6. Sailors A. People who ride trains B. People who work on a boat or ship C. People who work on cars 7. Inhaled A. Breathed in B. Breathed out C. Screamed 8. Hailed A. Spoke rudely to someone B. Called out in order to get someone to notice you C. Sang loudly 9. Pale A. Very light in color B. To be friends C. A round container with an open top 10. Pail A. A friend B. A round container with an open top C. Very light in color

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Cashton B. Mama C. Shonda 3. Where does this story take place? A. Outside B. In their apartment C. On a bus 4. What is happening outside? A. The sun is shining brightly B. Leaves are falling C. It is hailing and storming 5. Who thinks of playing a game? A. Cashton B. Mama C. Shonda 6. What is the game called? A. Then What? B. And Then C. Tell Me More 7. What is the made-up story about? A. A fish B. A walrus C. A sea lion 8. What is the creature able to do? A. Dance B. Talk C. Walk and breathe air 9. Who embarrasses the creature? A. A group of sailors B. A little boy C. A bird 10. How does the story help everyone? A. It gets so loud they can’t hear the storm B. It distracts them from the storm C. It puts them to sleep

The Salesman

Jonathan was a salesman who sold picture books. Jonathan was good at his job. He wasn’t a failure. He enjoyed sharing stories with children and their parents or grandparents or aunts and uncles. The books never failed to make people smile. Jonathan supposed this was because the stories were good, and sometimes funny. Everyone loved them.

One day, Jonathan went to a new neighborhood to sell books. The neighborhood was lovely. There were white houses with blue shutters, gardens with daffodils poking their heads out, and fences with green ivy trailing down them. Even the dogs barked a friendly hello to Jonathan.

One house looked different from the others, though. It had a weedy lawn, chipped paint, and some of the shutters were nailed shut. Jonathan decided to start at this house. He scaled the broken stone steps, and knocked. A woman answered the door. Jonathan couldn’t tell how old she was. She might be old enough to be a grandmother. Maybe older.

“Hello!” Jonathan greeted the woman and told her about himself and the books he was selling. She raised an eyebrow. She didn’t seem so sure of Jonathan. Jonathan didn’t want to lose a sale, though, so he took out a book and started regaling her with the story. When Jonathan looked up, he was surprised to see the woman was smiling.

“Come in,” she said. “Bring your stories with you.”

Inside the house, Jonathan couldn’t keep himself from staring. There were boat sails covering windows, and jars of snail shells lined the shelves. Suddenly, Jonathan smiled. “I think I have just the book for you.” He searched his case and pulled out “The Sailor of the Southern Seas.” The woman’s face broke into a huge smile. Jonathan knew he had made a sale.

1. Failed A. Ended without success B. Ended well C. Stopped a plan 2. Trailing A. Moving ahead of everyone B. Plants that don’t grow tall C. Having stems that hang down to the ground 3. Scaled A. Walked around a hole in the ground B. Climbed to the top C. Found out how much you weigh 4. Nailed A. Attached with glue B. Attached with a staple C. Attached with a nail 5. Salesman A. Someone whose job is to sell things B. Someone whose job is to fix cars C. Someone whose job is on a ship 6. Regaling A. Telling a boring story to people B. Entertaining someone with a story C. Getting stuck on something 7. Sale A. To make something B. To sell something C. To want something 8. Sailor A. A person whose job is to sell things B. A person who works in a skyscraper C. A person who works on a boat or ship 9. Sails A. The large pieces of cloth attached to a ship used to catch wind and move the ship B. Animals with no legs and a shell on their back C. People who work on a ship 10. Failure A. Doing something correctly B. The act of failing; not succeeding C. Yelling in frustration

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. James B. Jonathan C. Jackson 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Jonathan’s house B. In an office C. In a neighborhood 4. What does Jonathan sell? A. Flowers B. Fences C. Books 5. v How does Jonathan feel about his job? A. He enjoys it B. He is bored by it C. He dislikes it 6. What color are the shutters on the houses in the new neighborhood? A. Gray B. Green C. Blue 7. What is different about the house Jonathan first visits? A. It is perfect B. It seems old and falling apart C. It is surrounded by a rose garden 8. Who answers the door when he knocks? A. A little girl B. An old woman C. A man his age 9. What does the woman do? A. Invites Jonathan into the house B. Tells Jonathan to leave C. Reads a book to Jonathan 10. What book does the woman buy? A. The Sailor of the Southern Seas B. Piggy Leaves Portugal C. Queenie Lives in Queens

Training

Gus Hibbard and his dad were training for the three-mile race the city of Parkview was having later that spring. The race was divided into two groups: kids and adults. Both Gus and Mr. Hibbard were hoping to win. But Gus had to admit, he was having fun just training with his dad. He didn’t even mind if he won or not—even though winning would be fun.

Every evening, Gus and Mr. Hibbard did stretches. Mr. Hibbard said stretching would help them not to sprain an ankle. Then, they either went for a run or did another exercise together. Sometimes it was sit-ups, and they’d restrain each other’s feet by sitting on them. Sometimes it was push-ups, and they’d count together until their muscles were too strained to talk. Sometimes it was jumping jacks, and they’d see who could do the most. Whatever they did, afterward they’d put their foreheads together and yell a chant: “We’re tough! We’re strong! We’ve got it going on!” They knew the brain was as just as important as legs in winning this race.

Mr. Hibbard traced out every detail of the race on a map. They knew where the hills were and where they’d take a tight turn. They hoped for a sunny day, but they’d run in the rain if they had to. Nothing would derail them from doing their best.

Finally, the day of the race arrived. They didn’t know if either of them would win, but they had learned so much and had so much fun together, it didn’t even matter. Besides, they already knew what they’d do after they drank gallons of water at the end of the race—they had big plans to go out for hamburgers.

1. Detail A. The largest part of something B. Something that doesn’t matter C. A small part of something 2. Sprain A. To snap a bone in your body B. To hurt part of your body by twisting it in a sudden, painful way C. To try very hard 3. Restrain A. To stop someone from doing something B. To let someone try something C. To help someone get better 4. Training A. Teaching someone how to do something B. Working in a lazy way C. Reading about people who excel at something 5. Strained A. Feeling free of worry or doubt B. Feeling you’ve worked too hard, too much C. Feeling wide awake and ready to do things 6. Derail A. A small part of something B. To leave the tracks or path C. To get on track 7. Chant A. To whisper a word quietly B. To say something one time, but loudly C. To say something many times in a rhythmic way 8. Brain A. The organ of the body in the head that controls everything B. A boy’s name C. The organ of the body in the chest that pumps blood 9. Gallons A. Units used to measure distance B. Units used to measure length or height C. Unit used for measuring liquids 10. Rain A. Frozen water falling from the sky B. Water falling from the sky C. Ice falling from the sky

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Gus B. Mr. Hibbard C. Both A and B 3. In which city does this story take place? A. Crestview B. Parkview C. Hillside 4. What are Gus and his dad doing? A. Training for a race B. Building birdhouses for their neighbors C. Inventing new ways to make juice 5. When do they train? A. Every morning B. Every afternoon C. Every evening 6. Which is NOT an exercise they do together? A. Jumping jacks B. Windmills C. Sit-ups 7. How long is the race? A. 1 mile B. 2 miles C. 3 miles 8. What do they chant? A. We’re tough! We’re strong! We’ve got it going on! B. We run! We sprint. We’re faster than dryer lint! C. Run fast! Run free! Run right on by the trees! 9. What is their plan for the race? A. To win, even if it means cheating B. To try their very best and hardest to win C. To run until they get tired, and then they’ll walk together 10. Who wins the race? A. A kid named Miles B. Mr. Hibbard C. We don’t know; the story ends before the race

Venice: A City on Water

Imagine a bustling, busy city lined with houses and retailer’s shops. There are restaurants, churches, and even a university. People wave a friendly greeting. But there are no cars. No busses. No streets. No sidewalks. Instead of alleys, there are canals brimming with seawater. Instead of bicycles or cars, special narrow boats, called gondolas get people from here to there. Instead of sidewalks, there are hundreds of bridges. Does it sound like a tall tale? Or just a crazy, hairbrained idea? It’s not. What you’ve just read about is the grand city of Venice, Italy.

Venice is different from most cities. Usually, cities are built on hills orplains . A few are even built in valleys. But Venice is a group of 118 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. The islands are connected by bridges and canals filled with water, where people row gondolas. This charming city is full of history. The ancient buildings are detailed in ways we don’t often see anymore. Some of the world’s finest art is kept in Venice. And let’s not forget about pizza! Venice is known for its delicious Italian food and seafood. Everything is fresh when the restaurants are located right on the sea!

When visiting Venice, you can spend entire days just wandering the city. There are beautiful sites to see. You can climb the Campanile bell tower to see the city from above. Maybe you’d like to visit the cathedrals and art museums. Or you can enjoy people watching at one of the main town squares. Of course, you could always try the different treats at all sorts of cafes. But no matter what you do when you’re there, one thing is for sure: the city of Venice will enchant you.

[sources: https://www.italyguides.it/en/veneto/venice; https://kids.kiddle.co/Venice; https://www.earthtrekkers.com/9-must-have-experiences-venice-italy/] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 82 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Canals A. Sidewalks next to stores B. Long, narrow areas filled with water C. Narrow streets between buildings 2. Detailed A. Has many details, things to notice B. Very plain, not many things to notice or see C. Dull and uninteresting 3. Plains A. Low areas of land B. High areas of land C. Large, flat areas of land 4. Alleys A. Long, narrow areas filled with water B. Narrow streets between buildings C. Low areas of land 5. Harebrained A. Foolish, ridiculous B. An idea a rabbit gets C. To have a small brain 6. Retailer A. A person who buys things B. A person or business that sells things C. A store 7. Tale A. A tricky story B. A boring story C. An exciting story 8. Valleys A. Low areas of land B. High areas of land C. Narrow streets between buildings 9. Enchant A. To bore someone B. To trick someone C. To attract and hold the attention of someone by being pretty, special, or interesting 10. Main A. The least important B. The most important C. The most interesting

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Which city is this story about? A. Italy B. Venice C. Rome 3. In which body of water is Venice found? A. The Adriatic Sea B. The Pacific Ocean C. The Dead Sea 4. How many islands make up Venice? A. 17 B. 118 C. 3 5. How are the islands connected? A. By bridges B. By canals C. Both A and B 6. What is the name of the special boats used in the canals? A. Sailboat B. Dinghy C. Gondola 7. What is the name of the bell tower in Venice? A. Campanile bell tower B. Venetian bell tower C. Italian bell tower 8. What is NOT found in Venice? A. Museums B. The capitol building C. A university 9. What kind of food can you eat in Venice? A. Italian food, like pizza B. Fresh seafood C. Both A and B 10. The city of Venice will ____ you. A. Scare B. Enchant C. Shock

Berry Lite Delight

Bella plunked the blueberries into the strainer. We hadn’t thought it would be a rainy day when we set off to pick. We weren’t at all prepared when thequail suddenly scattered, the thunder boomed, and we got dumped on with rain. It was really disappointing that we only got half as many blueberries as we planned to. I knew I didn’t have to explain that to be Bella. I could see she was being extra careful not to let any berries go down the drain.

Was our bake sale going to be derailed? We were really counting on those blueberries so we could make the delicious muffins we’dgained a reputation for last summer.

“Chloe, I don’t think we’ll have enough,” Bella said with worry in her voice.

“It’s all right,” I reassured Bella. “We can call these muffins something different. Last year they were Jumbo Blues, right?”

Bella nodded.

“So maybe this year we’ll call them…” I trailed off.

“Berry Lite Muffins?” Bella suggested.

“Berry Lite! I That’s perfect!” I said.

Bella drained the water and poured the berries onto a colorful towel. Another stain or two wouldn’t matter. I started pulling off the stems—the “tails,” Bella and I used to call them. Bella giggled when I reminded her.

We mixed up the batter and measured out the berries carefully—just five per muffin. They baked beautifully, and now the sun had come back out! We stacked the muffins into a basket and covered them with the spotted towel. We set up our stand at the street corner and before we knew it, a woman came to us.

“Berry Lite? What does that mean?” she asked us.

Bella and I smiled at each other. “Well, ma’am. It means they’re the most delicious muffins in town.”

1. Explain A. To tell someone a lie B. To not know what’s happening C. To make something easy to understand 2. Gained A. Got something B. Lost something C. Moved backward 3. Stain A. To try hard B. To leave a mark C. To make a thing clean 4. Quail A. A large raptor with a white head B. A small, wild bird C. A tiny songbird 5. Strainer A. A bowl with many holes in it, used to keep items in while water flows out B. A wide bowl with a faucet for water C. A sharp kitchen tool used for slicing food 6. Drain A. A wide bowl that catches water B. A pipe or hole used to remove liquid from something C. A large, flat dish 7. Rainy A. Needing rain B. Very dry C. Having a lot of rain 8. Tails A. The tops of something B. The front part of something C. Long things that come from the back or bottom of something 9. Derailed A. Continued to do something B. Stopped something from happening, went off the tracks C. Made things work 10. Drained A. Added water to something B. Chopped up something C. Removed liquid from something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. Bella B. Chloe C. Ella 3. What do the girls pick in the beginning of the story? A. Raspberries B. Strawberries C. Blueberries 4. What are they going to make? A. Pancakes B. Muffins C. Cake 5. What is the problem? A. They don’t have enough blueberries B. They don’t have all the ingredients for the muffins C. The oven stopped working 6. Why do they have this problem? A. Someone else had already picked most of the berries B. They were too lazy to pick berries for very long C. It started raining while they were picking so they had to leave 7. Who is rinsing the berries? A. Bella B. Chloe C. Both of them 8. What do they want to do with the muffins? A. Sell them B. Eat them C. Give them to their neighbors 9. How do they solve the problem? A. They decide not to use any of the berries in the muffins B. They decide not to put as many berries in each muffin C. They mix in some raspberries, too 10. What happens at the end of the story? A. A man buys a muffin B. A woman is probably going to buy a muffin C. The girls eat all the muffins

Tryg and Harry

From the way he wailed, you’d really think Tryg was seriously ailing. I’ve never heard anyone complain the way Tryg complains. I mean, he’s my best pal, but he is a terrible whiner. The thing is, we grew these funny plants at school last month. We scattered grass seed on top of dirt in a paper cup, drew faces on the cups, and named the plants “Harry.” Well, today we got to bring them home. Tryg put his plant right on his front yard. So what did he expect to happen? Harry got galloped on right away. (Did I mention Tryg has four younger brothers?) I couldn’t stand another second of his crying.

“Tryg, can you try to show some restraint, man? You’re giving me a headache!” I covered my ears with my hands. Tryg looked at me with his forehead creased, like he was about to wail again. “Dude. I mean it.” I said.

Tryg clammed right up. I’ll grant him that. But it still took a while before he stopped pouting and was able to play again. “Sheesh, dude,” I told him. “You’ve really got to get a handle on yourself. I bet the whole neighborhood could hear you.”

Tryg looked like he was about to rant. But he’d acted like a toddler. He wasn’t gaining any sympathy from me. Tryg picking up his Harry. The cup was torn and the stalks of grass were trampled down. “Think I can save him, Denny?” he finally said.

I shrugged. “Sure. But maybe you should find a safe place to put him this time.”

“Yeah, good idea,” Tryg said.

Tryg watered Harry and set him on the kitchen windowsill, then he ran back outside and we continued our game of basketball. Tryg might have complained a lot, but he was still my best pal.

1. Galloped A. Walked slowly B. Ate quickly C. Ran fast, like a horse 2. Rant A. Talk loudly, angrily B. Talk quietly C. Say secretly 3. Plant A. A person B. A living thing that grows from the ground C. A living animal 4. Gaining A. Getting something B. Giving something C. Taking something 5. Pal A. An enemy B. Someone you don’t know C. A friend 6. Restraint A. Not having any control B. Control over how you behave C. To brag about something you have 7. Grant A. To give B. To whine a lot C. To show off 8. Complain A. To brag about something you have B. To talk in a way that shows you are unhappy or don’t like something C. To be proud 9. Wailed A. Tried not to show you were sad B. Had a good time C. Made a long, loud cry of sadness 10. Ailing A. Suffering B. Feeling well C. Doing a kind thing

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Harry B. Tryg C. Denny 3. Where does this story take place? A. Tryg’s house B. Denny’s house C. School 4. Who or what is Harry? A. Tryg’s youngest brother B. The boys’ friend C. A grass plant 5. What is the problem in this story? A. Denny can’t score a basket B. Tryg’s plant gets wrecked C. Harry stops growing 6. How does this happen? A. Tryg put Harry on the front lawn and it got run over by his brothers B. Tryg forgot to water Harry C. Denny accidentally dumped out Harry 7. How does Tryg react? A. He shakes it off and is calm B. He carries on, whines and wails C. He yells in anger 8. Who gets Tryg to calm down? A. His mother B. His brother C. Denny 9. What does Denny tell Tryg to do with Harry? A. Put it somewhere safe B. Throw it away C. Give it to the teacher 10. What do the boys do at the very end of the story? A. Walk back to school B. Play basketball C. Have a fight

Melly

“She entertains herself so easily, doesn’t she?” Grammy said. I smiled and nodded. My little sister, Melly, was a sweet little girl. And Grammy was right. On spring afternoons, sticks became wands, leaves became hats, and wild rabbits became pets.

“She wanders, though, so we have to keep an eye on her,” I reminded Grammy.

Grammy clicked her tongue. “Of course,” she said. Grammy and I were on her front porch sipping apple juice from glass jars. I could see Melly from my chair next to the planter on the porch.

“Hear how she chants! I wonder what she’s saying,” Grammy said.

I smiled because I knew. It was our little prayer—mainly asking to show us where the fairies were. It was Melly’s and my secret, though, so I didn’t tell Grammy. Instead, I pretended to wonder, too. I watched Melly pick up a stone to count the ants beneath it. Grammy sipped her juice and sighed. She closed her eyes and said, “It enchants me, it does, to see a little girl fixed in the magic of the world.” When she opened her eyes, they looked misty. I reached over and squeezed her hand. I knew how she felt. People were always commenting about how Melly never complains and always has a smile on her face. Melly was a special little girl. Even though lots of my friends were annoyed by their younger sisters, I never felt that way about Melly. I could never give my friends any explanation for why I felt that way—I just did. I loved her truly. Grammy looked over at me. “Melly’s a lucky little girl, Jenna,” she said.

I nodded.

“I mean because she has a big sister like you.” Grammy winked at me.

I squeezed her hand again. I knew I was lucky, too.

1. Entertains A. Gives amusement B. Gives a lot of attention to others C. Makes people feel unhappy 2. Wanders A. Follows directions to get to a certain place B. Moves around without going anywhere in particular C. Makes a plan 3. Wands A. Capes worn by magicians B. Wings, like on a fairy C. Long, thin sticks used for magic 4. Complains A. To speak in a way that shows you are unhappy B. To speak in a happy way C. To tell someone only good things 5. Explanation A. Not saying why something is the way it is B. Sharing information to make something clear or easy to understand C. To include all things except a few 6. Chants A. The middle part of a song B. Words heard on the radio C. Says a word many times in a rhythmic way 7. Enchants A. To keep in one place B. Attracts and holds attention by being special or interesting C. To put things in order 8. Planter A. A container for plants B. Something that grows out of the ground C. A place where butterflies live 9. Ants A. Flying insects with black and yellow stripes B. Tiny insects that crawl C. Small insects with a bright red shell 10. Mainly A. Least importantly B. Information that is confusing C. Most importantly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is the big sister’s name in this story? A. Melly B. Lisa C. Jenna 3. What is the little sister’s name in this story? A. Melly B. Lisa C. Jenna 4. Where does this story take place? A. At Grammy’s house B. At a nature museum C. At a thrift store 5. What is Grammy drinking? A. 7-Up B. Apple juice C. Lemonade 6. Who is sitting with Grammy? A. Lisa B. Melly C. Jenna 7. Who is playing in the yard? A. Lisa B. Melly C. Gramma 8. How does Jenna feel about Melly? A. Annoyed by her B. She loves her truly C. Confused by how she acts 9. What does Grammy tell Jenna? A. Melly is lucky to have her as a big sister B. Melly is special C. Melly is beautiful 10. How does Jenna feel at the end of the story? A. Jealous B. Worried C. Lucky

Leonardo da Vinci

There once lived a man so enchanted by life that he couldn’t stop studying it. Even as a young boy, he was entertained by the way animals moved, and was amazed by nature. He grew to be an artist, a scientist, and an inventor. His name was Leonardo da Vinci.

Have you heard of this man? Even if you don’t recognize him, you will probably recognize his famous paintings, the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. The extent of his work included other pieces of art and sculptures, a great understanding of how the human body worked, and even plans for a flying machine and a bicycle. This is even more amazing when you find he lived 500 hundred years ago. The first airplane wasn’t made until nearly 400 years after his death! He was truly a man ahead of his time.

Leonardo lived in Italy, and was born near the town of Vinci. This is where he got his surname, “da Vinci.” He remained in Italy all his life, though he lived in different cities. He trained as an artist, and then worked as an artist and engineer for a wealthy family in Italy. Leonardo filled thousands of pages in many notebooks with drawings and writings. The contents of these notebooks explained in great detail the things he saw, and the plans he had. He was intent on understanding the way nature and science worked. Leonardo wanted some of his writings to stay secret, so he sometimes wrote in a special code that only he could understand.

Leonardo’s thoughts and creations went far past what others were thinking and making during his lifetime. He’s a man who never squandered an opportunity to learn. His beautiful art and incredible inventions live on, so we can continue to appreciate his great mind today.

[sources https://www.history.com/topics/renaissance/leonardo-da-vinci; http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/da_vinci_leonardo.shtml] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 86 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Inventor A. Someone who creates something for the first time B. A thing that is created for the first time C. To create something for the first time 2. Explained A. Made something difficult to understand B. Made something clear and easy to understand C. Asked how to understand something 3. Enchanted A. Stuck in a place B. Felt nervous C. Captivated, captured by a place, person, or idea 4. Entertained A. Helped someone B. Bored by someone or something C. Given amusement by something 5. Extent A. What is not included in something B. What is included in something C. Being left out 6. Squandered A. Used something in a foolish or wasteful way B. Used something in a good way C. Used something incorrectly 7. Wanted A. Did not like something B. Wished for something C. Was in need of something 8. Contents A. What is around a thing B. What is above a thing C. What’s inside something 9. Remained A. Turned into a different thing B. Stopped doing or being C. Continued to be 10. Intent A. What is in a thing B. Showing great attention or concentration C. Not really knowing what is going on

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Whom is this story about? A. Leonardo da Vinci B. Michelangelo C. Raphael 3. Where does this story take place? A. France B. Italy C. England 4. Leonardo was a(n): A. Artist B. Inventor and scientist C. Both A and B 5. Leonardo lived____ years ago. A. 50 B. 500 C. 250 6. Leonardo wrote in: A. Newspapers B. Books C. Notebooks 7. Which of these is NOT a masterpiece by Leonardo? A. Starry Night B. The Last Supper C. The Mona Lisa 8. How did Leonardo keep some of his ideas secret? A. He hid his notebooks B. He wrote in a special code C. He made up his own language 9. Which of these did Leonardo write about? A. A flying machine B. A Ferris wheel C. A dishwasher 10. Which of these could be said about Leonardo? A. He was a lazy man B. He was a curious man C. He was a rude man

On Top of the World

Their ascent to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking. They had already visited the first two floors. This was their lastremaining stop. And it promised to be the best.

Mari’s father held her hand tightly as the lift went up, up, up. At last, the lift stopped moving. They were hundreds of feet high when the doors opened. Mari looked up at her father; she didn’t want to forget this moment. Then she carefully stepped out and followed her father to the rail at the edge of the floor. Mari looked down on Paris. It was nighttime, and the twinkling lights so far below her were enchanting. They could see cars driving, and see people the size of ants, but could hear nothing but the wind.

“Can you believe it, Mari?” her father asked. “We’re on top of the world!”

“I can’t, Father. I can’t believe it,” Mari whispered.

This was her greatest dream—coming to Paris and visiting the Eiffel Tower. How could she possibly believe her father was granting it? A door opened behind them, and a few people came onto the platform. They were panting and laughing. Mari couldn’t imagine climbing all those stairs to get here. It must have taken them a long time. Mari and her father finished their turn at the telescope.

“Let’s go wandering around,” her father winked at Mari. Mari smiled. They held hands again and followed the platform around the elevators. There was a restaurant, but nothing else. So high above the world, Mari was surprised to she didn’t feel pent up, not that she would have complained about it. She looked over the edge again. She fished a macaron cookie from her pocket. It was pink and strawberry flavored. As she ate the cookie, she watched the City of Lights below, and felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

1. Ascent A. Moving up B. Moving down C. Staying in one place 2. Enchanting A. Dull to look at B. Attracting and holding someone’s attention C. Not special 3. Granting A. Taking something away B. Asking for something C. Giving, allowing 4. Pent A. Shut up, kept confined B. Feeling free C. Keeping a secret 5. Can’t A. Contraction of: can do B. Contraction of: can not C. Contraction of: could not 6. Father A. A male parent B. A female parent C. A male child 7. Panting A. Wearing pants B. Wanting something C. Breathing hard and quick 8. Complained A. Bragged about something you’re good at B. Said you were unhappy about something C. Rescued someone or something 9. Remaining A. Everything that is there at the beginning B. The most important part C. What is left to do, be seen, etc. 10. Wandering A. Moving around without having a particular place you’re going B. Following a map C. Being lost

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Myrtle B. Mari C. Mary 3. Where does this story take place? A. At the Great Wall of China B. At the pyramids in Egypt C. At the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France 4. Who is with Mari? A. Her entire family B. Her father C. Her aunt 5. Where do they go? A. The very top of the Eiffel Tower B. The second floor of the Eiffel Tower C. The ground beneath the Eiffel Tower 6. How do they get there? A. They take the stairs B. They use a hot air balloon C. They take the lift 7. What time of day is it in the story? A. Morning B. Afternoon C. Night time 8. What does Mari eat? A. A croissant B. A macaron cookie C. Chocolate bread 9. What flavor is it? A. Butter B. Strawberry C. Vanilla 10. How does Mari feel at the end of the story? A. Scared of heights B. Ready to run C. Like the luckiest girl in the world

Sick Day

Tony usually went to co-op class, but today he would be absent. He didn’t like to miss it. He liked the activities they did, and he had a whole squad of friends there. But his descent into sickness couldn’t be denied. Tony blamed himself. Last week, he didn’t feel like washing his hands before eating a snack, so he didn’t. He knew the best way to prevent sickness was handwashing, but the scent of fresh bread had called to him. He regretted it now that he was sneezing and chilled and feeling plain old miserable.

He heard his mom on the phone, talking to the nurse. “So, in any event, Tony won’t be there today,” she said in between sips of coffee. His mom loved coffee. There was a pause. “Yes, I’ll tell him. Thank you, goodbye!” she finished the phone call. Now Tony heard her footsteps coming toward his room. She came in and sat next to him on the bed. She laid her hand across his forehead and clicked her tongue. “Nurse Drury says she hopes you feel better soon.”

Tony smiled a little. He’d always liked Nurse Drury.

“My plans aren’t in cement yet,” his mom said, “but I was thinking of bringing the rest of the kids to co-op. What do you think? Would you stay in bed if we went? It’s all right if you dissent. Just tell me the truth.”

Tony felt a thrill at the thought of staying home alone. He felt sure he could do it. It would be nice for the rest of his siblings to be able to go to co-op, and they could tell him about his friends, afterward. Tony mustered up a smile and sent his family on their way. He knew he’d be just fine. And he was.

1. Absent A. To be at a place B. Not present, not there C. To not want to go 2. Cement A. A soft mud B. Grass C. The hard surface made when cement mixes with water; concrete 3. Descent A. Going downward from a higher place B. Moving upward C. Staying on a flat surface 4. Dissent A. To agree with someone B. To disagree with someone publicly C. To wish someone would change their mind 5. Event A. Something that happens B. A time something happens C. A place where something happens 6. Prevent A. To make something happen B. To take a break C. To stop something from happening 7. Scent A. A terrible smell B. A pleasant smell C. A bad thing 8. Went A. Past tense of: go B. Past tense of: are C. Past tense of: be 9. Squad A. One person B. A group of people C. To bend down at the knees 10. Sent A. Left a place B. Jumped down C. Told someone to go to a place

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Grayson B. Tony C. Rocco 3. Where does this story take place? A. At school B. At co-op C. At Tony’s house 4. What is Tony going to miss? A. Going to the library B. Visiting his grandparents C. Going to co-op 5. Why did Tony get sick? A. He went out in the cold without warm clothes B. He didn’t wash his hands before eating a snack C. Someone coughed on him 6. What is the nurse’s name? A. Nurse Drury B. Nurse Mimi C. Nurse Violet 7. How does Tony feel about co-op? A. He doesn’t enjoy it B. He really likes the activities and his friends there C. He doesn’t care about it 8. What does his mom ask him? A. If he will be all right staying home alone B. If he will pretend to be well enough to go to co-op C. If he will sleep while they’re gone 9. What does Tony decide? A. He’s too scared to stay home alone B. He will go and stay in the car C. He will stay home alone 10. How does everything turn out? A. Not good; Tony is afraid the whole time B. Everything is just fine C. Really good; Tony eats junk food while his family is gone

A Surprise

The Jones family had rented an apartment on 36th Street for as long as anyone could remember. It was one of those old brownstones where the bricks are colored brown, not red. That’s because of all the iron in the sandstone from which the bricks are made.

Mr. Jones never once hinted that the family would one day move from the brownstone. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and their children, Alba, Maddox, and Shanice, were happy there.

But one bright Saturday morning, Mr. Jones told them they were going upstate today. They spent two hours driving until at last Mr. Jones stopped the car. Everyone scooted out of their seats and stretched in the bright sun. The air was scented with nature—flowers, dirt, ponds.

“Where are we?” Maddox asked.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones smiled. Then Mrs. Jones said, “Welcome to your eventual home.”

The children must have looked as confused as they felt. Mr. Jones pulled a piece of paper from his pocked. On it was printed a beautiful house. It was gray with white shutters and a cheery yellow door.

“But how can we afford it?” Alba asked.

“Your father’s invention sold for a lot of money, and now we can stop renting and finally own a home,” Mrs. Jones answered as she leaned over to hug Alba.

“It’s going to be a lot of work, though,” Mr. Jones said, nodding to the empty space.

“And it’s going to take some time,” added Mrs. Jones.

“But we couldn’t wait another minute to show you your new home,” Mr. Jones finished.

Alba, Maddox, and Shanice finally understood. They screeched with excitement.

“Let’s go exploring!” Maddox yelled.

The girls joined him and disappeared into the woods. Their woods. The Joneses knew this moment would be cemented in their minds and hearts forever.

1. Colored A. Having no color B. Being black and white C. Having a color 2. Cemented A. Made something weaker B. Made something stronger C. Built something small 3. Hinted A. Gave a small piece of information about something B. Explained every detail about something C. Asked for more information 4. Eventual A. Happening right away B. Coming or happening later on C. Not happening at all 5. Invention A. A book about how to build something B. A beautiful painted picture C. Something invented, created 6. Leaned A. Bent or moved from a straight position B. Stood straight C. Sat down 7. Rented A. Used money to purchase and own something B. Paid money to use something, but not to own it C. Sold something 8. Spent A. Past tense of ‘spend’ B. Future tense of ‘spend’ C. Plural of ‘spend’ 9. Scented A. Having a bad smell B. Having no smell at all C. Having a pleasing smell 10. Printed A. To leave a sheet of paper blank B. To have words or pictures put on paper by a machine C. Touched a soft animal

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is the last name of the family in this story? A. Billings B. Jones C. Jetson 3. Where does the family live right now? A. In an apartment in the city B. In a cottage in the country C. In a brand new house upstate 4. How many children are in the family? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 5. Where do they drive to? A. Somewhere upstate B. To the shore C. Deeper into the city 6. How long does it take to get there? A. Half an hour B. Two hours C. Five hours 7. What do their parents tell them about the place? A. They will build a house there to live B. They will be able to camp here whenever they want C. It is a good place to play hide and seek 8. What color is the door on the picture their dad shows them? A. Red B. Blue C. Yellow 9. Which is NOT one of the children’s names? A. Shanice B. Cheryl C. Maddox 10. What do the children do at the end of the story? A. Go exploring B. Play tag C. Hug their parents

Masie’s Lake

Maisie was filled withcontentment . She sat in her little canoe amid the floating lily pads. She knew she would have to go home eventually, but that wasn’t preventing her from enjoying her little escape now. A blue dragonfly—a damsel fly, Maisie remembered thoughtfully— landed on the lily pad closest to her.

“Aren’t you a pretty thing?” Maisie smiled at the insect. Its wings fluttered quickly and they glinted like rainbows in the sunlight. Maisie knew some kids would shoo it away, or maybe even capture it to keep for a collection, but she thought that was mean. She loved nature. She never wanted to keep anything for herself—she’d rather enjoy it where it belonged. That’s why she never picked flowers, frightened away birds, or chased after bunnies. She was very intentional about this, for she knew these things held a special place in the world outside.

Before long, Maisie noticed the sun lowering into the horizon. She sighed sadly. Maybe it was true to Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz that there was “no place like home,” but for Maisie, the place that held the most sacred part of her heart was on this very lake, surrounded by nature’s décor. To Maisie, the fanciest penthouse in the fanciest city in the whole wide world couldn’t compare to here.

Maisie dipped her paddle into the quiet lake, and whispered an apology to the fish she startled. She rowed until the canoe’s underside rubbed against the soft sand of the shore. She leapt out and pulled the canoe to its resting place beneath the old willow tree. Maisie glanced at the lake one last time, then turned and sprinted home.

She would be back again tomorrow. And the next day. Because to Maisie, there was no place like the lake.

1. Aren’t A. Contraction of: are not B. Possessive of: our C. Contraction of: if not 2. Contentment A. A feeling of being upset B. A feeling of being happy and satisfied C. A feeling of being hungry 3. Mean A. Friendly B. Helpful C. Not kind 4. Eventually A. Right away B. Not ever happening C. At some later time 5. Intentional A. Done on purpose B. Done on accident C. Done without thinking about it 6. Preventing A. Making something happen B. Stopping something from happening C. Showing someone how to do something 7. Glinted A. Was very sharp B. Hid away C. Shone in small, bright flashes 8. Before A. At a later time B. At the current time C. At an earlier time 9. Penthouse A. An apartment at the top floor of a building; usually very large and expensive B. An inexpensive apartment on a low level C. To be kept inside 10. Sprinted A. Walked slowly B. Ran fast C. Danced gracefully

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Millie B. Maxwell C. Maisie 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the library B. On a lake C. In a tree 4. What creature does she see at the beginning of the story? A. A dragonfly B. A rabbit C. A sparrow 5. What is she inside of? A. A large boat B. A canoe C. A paddleboat 6. What is she mindful of doing or not doing? A. Picking every flower she comes across B. Trying to pet the wild animals C. Not disturbing nature 7. Which other story does she think of? A. The Wizard of Oz B. The Fantastic Mr. Fox C. Rapunzel 8. Where would she most like to be? A. In a penthouse apartment B. On the lake C. In a castle 9. Where does she store the canoe? A. In a shed B. Beneath the willow tree C. Floating in the lake 10. When will she be back? A. Tomorrow, and the next day, and the next… B. In a month C. Next spring

A Special Gift

Georgia was working hard on a gift for her sister, Lenore. She had heard Lenore hint that she wanted a print of her favorite classical composer, Beethoven. Georgia didn’t enjoy classical music as much as Lenore, but she wanted to do something nice.

Georgia knew most siblings fought and disagreed and argued a lot, but it wasn’t like that for her and Lenore. Their mother loved to talk about how excited Lenore got when she met her new sister. And Georgia had always adored Lenore. They played that Georgia was a princess and Lenore was a queen.

Georgia looked hard at the computer screen. There were so many pictures to choose from. Finally, she decided on one. She copied it onto a fresh document, and then typed: “I like you like Beethoven likes music.” She smiled to herself as she made it look clean and right. At last, she was ready to take it to the print shop to be printed.

A man named Matt helped Georgia. Georgia was so excited she had to lean against the counter to keep herself still. Finally, he handed the print to her. But something was very wrong. The words were so tiny she had to squint to read them. She groaned.

The man looked at the sheet. “That must have been a misprint,” he said. “I’ll reprint it for you for free.”

Georgia thanked him. Matt was gone for a while. When he finally returned, he had a stack of papers in his hand. “Our printer went haywire,” he explained. “But I think I finally got it right.” He handed the print to Georgia. She smiled. It was perfect! She wanted to sprint right home. Instead, she held it carefully and walked home patiently. But inside, she was bursting. She knew Lenore would love it.

1. Clean A. Not messy B. Very messy C. A little bit messy 2. Hint A. To give a little information about something B. To share every detail about something C. To keep all information to yourself 3. Lean A. To stand straight B. To bend or move from a straight position C. To sit down 4. Print A. A sculpture made from clay B. Art made with things found in nature C. A picture made on a piece of paper 5. Queen A. A man who rules a country B. A woman who rules a country C. A daughter of a man who rules a country 6. Screen A. The part of a computer where you type the letters B. The back part of a television, where the wires are C. The flat part of a television, smart phone, or computer where you see images 7. Squint A. To close your eyes part of the way B. To open your eyes wide C. To close your eyes completely 8. Misprint A. To print something again B. A mistake in something that is printed C. To speak the wrong word 9. Reprint A. To try something new B. To print something for the first time C. To print something again 10. Sprint A. To run very fast B. To jump up and down C. To walk very slowly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Lenore B. Mom C. Georgia 3. In what type of shop does this story take place? A. A office supply store B. A print shop C. A church office 4. How do Georgia and Lenore get along? A. Very well; they love each other very much B. Not too bad; they tolerate each other C. Poorly; they do not enjoy spending time together 5. What do they pretend to be? A. A queen and a princess B. Runaway orphans C. A cat and a kitten 6. Which composer does Lenore like? A. Mozart B. Chopin C. Beethoven 7. What does Georgia write for her sister? A. Happy Valentine’s Day B. I like you like Beethoven likes music C. We go together like Beethoven and a piano 8. What goes wrong at the shop? A. The printer breaks B. It prints the words too tiny C. The printer runs out of colored ink 9. How much does it cost to reprint it? A. $10 B. 50 cents C. The man reprints it for free 10. How does Georgia feel at the end of the story? A. Disappointed that it didn’t turn out the way she pictured it B. Excited to give it to Lenore C. Proud of herself for thinking of something so cool

Uncle Joe

Between you and me, my Uncle Joe is a little bit bonkers. Maybe a better way of saying it is he’s a clean freak. Trust me. No one has cleaned a bathroom like Uncle Joe has cleaned a bathroom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Uncle Joe without a pint of mint scented cleaner. He hooks it through his belt loop like a canteen of water.

See, the thing is, Uncle Joe once had a stint as a professional cleaner. From what I can remember it only lasted a few weeks. But boy did it make an impression on him. The first time he visited our new house, he walked around with his eyes squinted so he could see the dust better. Mom rolled her eyes a lot. Then Uncle Joe even looked between the couch cushions looking for lint! Mom said she might not invite Uncle Joe over again. I knew what she meant. Who could blame her? I didn’t exactly like the thought of him inspecting my room, either.

But of course, family is family, so we had Uncle Joe over again. We were having chicken pot pie for dinner.

“So, Henrik,” he nodded to me. “Tell me about your cleaning chores.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. We didn’t exactly have assigned chores in our family—we were just all expected to help out when we saw something that needed to be done. Thankfully, my mom chimed in.

“Henrick does a great job cleaning, actually! He keeps his room tidy, and he helps with dishes after meals, right Henrick?”

I nodded and took a big bite so my mouth would be too full to talk. Uncle Joe winked at me proudly, then he slid a bottle of cleaner across the table to me. I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe I’ll turn into a neat freak, too.

1. Between A. In the space that separates two things B. On the outside of something C. Inside of something 2. Canteen A. A tool that campers carry with them to use for cutting B. A tent used for camping C. A small container for holding drinks 3. Cleaned A. Made something dirty B. Made something clean; removed dirt C. Messed up a neat pile of items 4. Squinted A. Opened your eyes wide B. Kept your eyes completely shut C. Looked at something with your eyes partly closed 5. Mint A. Had a certain meaning B. A plant with large, red berries C. An herb with a strong, pleasant smell and taste 6. Pint A. A unit of measurement for liquids B. A unit of measurement for length C. A unit of measurement for weight 7. Scented A. Having no smell B. Having a pleasing smell C. Having a bad smell 8. Meant A. Acted rudely B. Had a particular meaning C. A type of food from animal muscles 9. Lint A. Clumps of dirt B. Dust and hair C. Tiny pieces from cloth 10. Stint A. An amount of time spent doing a certain job or activity B. A unit of measurement for length C. A very long time

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Uncle Joe B. Henrick C. Mom 3. Who is telling this story? A. Uncle Joe B. Henrick C. Mom 4. What is odd about Uncle Joe? A. He tells crazy stories B. He cleans a lot C. He only eats white bread 5. What does Uncle Joe carry with him at all times? A. A pencil B. A notebook C. A bottle of cleaner 6. Why does the mom roll her eyes a lot? A. Because Uncle Joe looks for dust when he visits them B. Because Uncle Joe gives her so many nice compliments C. Because Uncle Joe eats so much 7. What are they eating for dinner? A. Chicken soup B. Chicken pot pie C. Fried chicken 8. What does Uncle Joe ask Henrick? A. To tell him about his cleaning chores B. To fetch him a scrub brush C. To clean the kitchen while they eat 9. Who answers the question? A. No one B. Mom C. Henrick 10. What does Uncle Joe give Henrick? A. A book about cleaning B. His old baseball card collection C. A bottle of cleaner

Mining

A mine is a pit or tunnel in the earth where minerals or gems can be found. You have probably heard of gold mines and coal mines. Workers, called miners, work deep beneath the surface of the earth in narrow tunnels to collect the items so they can be used on the surface. Mining can be a very dangerous job. Sometimes, a tunnel in a mine can collapse, and the workers become stuck.

This very thing happened to a group of 33 men in the South American country of Chile in 2010. It took over two months before the miners were finally rescued. Luckily, long before they were rescued out of the mine, they were given food to help them survive while waiting to be brought above ground from their confined tunnel. These men were incredibly brave. Rather than whining about their conditions, they patiently waited to be rescued. When they were rescued, they may not have had the cleanest clothes, but they certainly had the brightest smiles.

When a person is trapped underground, it is dangerous for a lot of reasons. The quality of air isn’t as good as it is on the surface, and of course, there isn’t food. In other rescue missions, the rescued people needed to be weaned back onto food slowly, so their bodies can adjust to getting nutrition. That means even while celebrating their rescues, they couldn’t eat lots of refined food. Instead, they needed to slowly start eating special food prepared for them.

Now, there is at least one specially trained canine that can be used in case of another mine emergency. The dog, named Ginny, lives and trains in the state of Virginia. She has spent her entire life training to rescue people trapped underground. Hopefully, though, she will never have to do her job. It would be much better if mines were safer.

[sources: https://www.providencejournal.com/photogallery/PJ/20180419/NEWS/419009999/PH/1; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/24/trapped-chilean-miners-food-water; https://www.heraldcourier.com/news/ginny-the-world-s-first-mine-rescue-dog/article_57f6137a- 9394-547d-b1bd-7cef61f52851.html; https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/world/americas/chilean-mine-rescue/index.html]

1. Finally A. After a long time B. After a short time C. Right away 2. Mine A. A tall mountain B. A pit or tunnel from which minerals are taken C. A grassy field where valuable flowers grow 3. Refined A. Sloppy, gross manners B. Having no manners at all C. Having very fine manners and education 4. Mining A. Digging in mines to get minerals etc. B. Thinking everything is for yourself C. Planting seeds for a living 5. Weaned A. Made someone feel annoyed or angry B. Had someone eat or use something gradually C. Gave someone a lot of something all at once 6. Whining A. Talking in an encouraging way B. Teaching someone C. Complaining in an annoying way 7. Confined A. Very large B. Very small C. Lots of space 8. Canine A. Of or about dogs B. Of or about cats C. Of or about birds 9. CLeanest A. The most clean B. The least clean C. Sort of clean 10. Clothes A. The things we wear on our feet B. The things we wear on our heads C. The things that we wear on our bodies

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is this story about? A. Training dogs B. Mining C. Living aboard a ship 3. This story gives an example of a mine collapse that really happened. When did it occur? A. In 2019 B. In 2010 C. In 1999 4. How many men were trapped? A. 103 B. 12 C. 33 5. Where did it happen? A. Chile, South America B. Virginia, USA C. London, England 6. How long until they were rescued? A. Over two months B. Two days C. Over a year 7. Why is it dangerous to be trapped underground? A. The air quality isn’t good B. There isn’t food available C. Both A and B 8. There is now a specially trained ____ for finding and rescuing trapped people. A. Bird B. Dog C. Cat 9. Her name is: A. Daisy B. Ginny C. Geraldine 10. She lives in: A. Chile, South America B. London, England C. Virginia, USA

The Great Save at Spikey Bottom

Geraldine Porcupine sat beneath her shade tree, out of the sunshine.

“This is simply divine,” she said as she crunched and munched on some bark and vines.

“What could be better than freshly peeled bark and a paw full of juicy vines? I declare, there is nothing on which I would rather dine.”

Geraldine Porcupine was known in these parts for being rather fancy. The other woodland animals at Spikey Bottom liked to think that if they were to look in the dictionary to define “fancy,” they would see a picture of their friend, Geraldine Porcupine, smiling back at them. But they had learned long ago never to undermine their fancy friend. Indeed, it was just last spring that Geraldine saved them all.

Geraldine Porcupine and her friends, Otto Otter and Merle Squirrel, had been enjoying another fine day at Spikey Bottom, when what should they see but a fox! They knew foxes to be cunning, and this one was no different. He walked straight over to the three friends and introduced himself. He kept trying to get closer, and closer. Geraldine Porcupine sensed that her friends were uncomfortable. Even afraid. And she saw a familiar gleam in the fox’s eye. He was hungry.

The fox was near enough Merle Squirrel that he could have touched his bushy tail. When the fox licked his chops, Geraldine Porcupine was ready. She plucked a sharp spine from her back and poked it right in the fox’s nose. Oh! How he yelped! He hopped and howled and ran away quick as a lick!

“You saved my life,” Merle Squirrel said shakily.

“You are a true hero,” Otto Otter added proudly.

“Old Mr. Fox can go eat a bean—not my best friend,” said Geraldine Porcupine.

And the fox never bothered them again.

1. Bean A. A seed that is eaten as a vegetable B. A leafy vegetable C. The root of a vegetable 2. Define A. To ask the meaning of something B. To explain the meaning of a word C. To guess the meaning of something 3. Dine A. To eat breakfast B. To eat a snack C. To eat dinner 4. Divine A. Mysterious and strange B. Very good, coming from God C. Very bad 5. Fine A. Good, very good B. Annoying C. Boring 6. Sunshine A. The light and warmth from the sun B. The sun in the sky C. The shade found around the sun 7. Porcupine A. A small animal with a bushy tail B. A long, sleek animal that lives in water C. A small animal with sharp pointy quills all over its body 8. Spine A. The soft leaf of a plant B. A sharp, pointed part on an animal or plant C. The light fur of an animal 9. Undermine A. To slowly and secretly lessen the power or ability of someone B. To dig a hole beneath someone C. To send someone into a mine 10. Vines A. Colorful flowers that grow on a plant B. Short, green plants that grow along the ground C. Long stemmed plants that grow up and around things

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Merle Squirrel B. Geraldine Porcupine C. Otto Otter 3. Where does this story take place? A. Spikey Bottom B. Sponge Rock C. Climbing Forest 4. How does Geraldine Porcupine behave and talk? A. Very poorly B. Very fine and fancy C. Very embarrassingly 5. What is she eating at the beginning of this story? A. Bark and vines B. Moss and rocks C. Beans and sprouts 6. When did Geraldine do a heroic act? A. Three winters ago B. Last summer C. Last spring 7. What came and threatened the animals? A. A coyote B. A wolf C. A fox 8. What did Geraldine Porcupine notice about him? A. He was hungry B. He was rude C. He was mean 9. How did Geraldine Porcupine fight him? A. She bopped him in the nose with her little fist B. She poked him with one of her spikey spines C. She threw bark at him 10. What does she say Mr. Fox can eat instead? A. Soup B. Grass C. A bean

The Mystery in the Pines

Deep in the confines of the tallest pines in the mountain, a light shined divinely. Only the mountain goats and black bears visited here. That is, until one day a lumberjack name Jerry was tramping through the mountain forest and got beaned by a pinecone. The truth is, he probably wouldn’t have looked up if not for the pinecone.

Jerry rubbed his head—the pinecone had fallen from such a distance on the tall pine that it really did hurt a bit—and looked up. He saw the light shining down. “Well, what on earth…” he said quietly to no one at all. Jerry couldn’t tell what the light was coming from. But it definitely wasn’t the sun. Jerry used his keen eyes to see if he could find an electric cordtwining up a tree, but of course there was no electricity here, so it couldn’t be a lightbulb.

Jerry’s final guess was that some sort of creature was responsible for the light. He decided to set up camp so he could see for himself in the morning light of tomorrow. He couldn’t sleep for the wonderment he felt. It was just as well. Instead, he read by the light of his flashlight. He only had two books along, but he hoped to glean some information about the light from one of them. Unfortunately, the books neither explained nor defined anything helpful to Jerry.

Just before daybreak, Jerry drifted off to sleep. When he woke, he looked up to the tall pines. Thousands of threads hung all about. Attached to those threads, were worms glowing the last little bit. Soon, it would be too bright outside to notice them.

Jerry scratched his beard. “Well, I’ll be,” he whispered. “Glow worms.”

He had never seen anything like it before, and he never would again.

1. Confines A. The edges or limits of something B. The start of something C. Feeling comfortable 2. Divinely A. In a very ordinary way B. As if coming from God C. In an odd way 3. Glean A. To make something not dirty B. To explain something to someone C. To collect or gather something gradually 4. Final A. Happening at the beginning B. Happening in the middle C. Happening at the end; the last 5. Pines A. Trees that grow from acorns B. Trees with thin green needles instead of leaves; they stay green all year C. Trees with white bark 6. Shined A. Gave off light B. Dimmed a light C. Turned off a light 7. Twining A. Looking just like someone else B. Tying something with a piece of rope C. Twisting or wrapping around something 8. Beaned A. Got hit on the head B. Got hit on the foot C. Got hit in the belly 9. Definitely A. Probably, but not for sure B. For sure, without doubt C. Not likely at all 10. Defined A. Asked what a word meant B. Wondered what a word meant C. Explained the meaning of a word

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jerry B. Jimmy C. Henny 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a meadow at the edge of a field B. In a pine forest on a mountain C. In a busy city 4. What is the man’s occupation, or job? A. He is a dentist B. He is a lumberjack C. He is an explorer 5. Why does he look up? A. He wants to see the stars B. He wants to see the tops of the trees C. He got beaned by a pinecone 6. What does he see? A. A light shining down B. A family of bats C. A fallen star on top of a tree 7. What does he do? A. He keeps walking B. He sets up camp so he can look for the light in the morning C. He writes it down so he can tell his friends about it 8. What does he do when he can’t sleep? A. He sings himself a lullaby B. He counts the stars C. He reads his books, looking for information 9. What does he see when he wakes up? A. Glow worms B. Fireflies C. Jellyfish 10. How does he feel? A. Grossed out B. Bewildered and mystified C. Like he’s still sleeping

Best in Show

It had to have been a misprinting. That’s what Antoine told himself. He was at the County Fair showing his pig, Yorkie. Yorkie had been on his best behavior all week. He showed like a real pro. He was the picture of refinement. Yet here was a poster reading Melvin had won Best in Show. It made no sense. Melvin was the meanest swine in the barn. He squealed and whined so loudly Antoine had to cover his ears. Antoine and some of the other County Fair kids talked about it in secret. They thought Melvin should be fined for his bad behavior. Their own pigs were getting nervous just being around Melvin. Truly, that pig was the definition of “nasty.”

Melvin’s owner, Brad, said Melvin didn’t like the confinement of his stall, and that’s why he behaved so poorly. But Antoine and the other kids thought that shouldn’t matter—a good pig is a good pig, after all. (And a bad one is a bad one.) After all, none of the other pigs were acting up.

So needless to say, when Brad saw the sign, he was surprised, too. He thought surely there was no hope for Melvin this year. Antoine was passing through the barn when he saw Brad squinting at the writing on the poster.

“Yep, can you believe it?” Antoine asked Brad. “Your mean pig won.”

Brad looked shocked. “Well, he did show well to the judges, though. Did you see that?” When Antoine shook his head no, Brad went on. “Who’d have thought?” he shrugged. “I guess Melvin is a fine looking pig, after all.”

Antoine couldn’t disagree with that. Maybe Yorkie would have better luck at next year’s County Fair.

1. Squinting A. Making a face at someone B. Looking at something with your eyes partly closed C. Opening your mouth wide 2. Fined A. Had to do extra work as a punishment B. Had to write something as a punishment C. Had to pay money as a punishment 3. Misprinting A. A mistake made in printing B. A perfect picture C. Doing something correctly 4. Refinement A. Making something dirty B. Acting rudely C. Elegant behavior or manners 5. Swine A. A cow B. A pig C. A horse 6. Whined A. Announced information in an official way B. Screamed loudly C. Complained in an annoying way 7. Meanest A. The most unkind B. The most kind C. Sort of unkind 8. Definition A. The wrong meaning of a word B. A statement that tells what a word means C. Being absolutely sure of something 9. Confinement A. Being free and able to do anything you want B. Visiting someone once in a while C. The act of keeping someone from freedom 10. Who’d A. Contraction of: who would B. Contraction of: who is C. Contraction of: who had

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Brad B. Antoine C. Melvin 3. Where does this story take place? A. At the County Fair B. At the State Fair C. At a horse ranch 4. What kind of animal is in this story? A. Pig B. Horse C. Cow 5. Who has a pig named Melvin? A. Antoine B. Brad C. Caleb 6. Who has a pig named Yorkie? A. Antoine B. Brad C. Caleb 7. What is wrong with Melvin? A. The spots on his body make him look dirty B. He has a mean scowl C. He behaves terrible and squeals loudly 8. What do Antoine and the other kids think should be done to deal with Melvin? A. They think he should be kicked out B. They think he should be fined C. They think he should have to stay alone in a different barn 9. What surprising thing is announced on the poster? A. Melvin has won B. Yorkie has won C. There is a cash prize for catching Melvin and taking him home 10. About what does Antoine agree with Brad? A. That Melvin is a smart pig B. That Melvin is a nice pig C. That Melvin is a fine looking pig

Snow Bunnies

The bunny went knifing through the snow with joy. Her name was Snowball, and the name suited her well. She ran through snow like boats move through water. Living in the Arctic, it was a good thing she did. There always seemed to be snow driving down from the clouds. But Snowball never complained. Her white fur matched the snow, and it made her feel so safe. She knew she could thrive in a place where she matched the ground.

One day, Snowball was arriving home after eating a lunch of cold moss. As she got to her burrow in the deep snow, she heard a sound. She stopped and listened carefully. Ever since she lost her brother to a hungry fox, she knew that surviving on her own meant being extra careful. But what was this noise? It sounded like fifes playing, but how could that be? Snowball hadn’t heard a fife since her brother disappeared. Just thinking about it made her sad all over again.

She was no baby lamb, though. Snowball shook her sadness away and went ramming into her burrow to scare the daylights out of whomever—or whatever—was hiding there.

As soon as Snowball burst into her burrow, the fife music stopped. Something wasmoving in the corner.

“Snowshoe? Is that you?!” she said with shock.

“Snowball! Yes, it’s me! Oh, I’ve missed you, Snowball.” The other white rabbit hopped to Snowball and the two hugged.

“I can’t believe it! I thought you were gone forever,” Snowball said.

“I thought so, too,” Snowshoe began. “By the time I escaped that fox, I was so far from the burrow, it took me ages to find my way.”

Snowball hugged him again. “Well, welcome home,” she said. And they spent the rest of the day swapping stories of adventures.

1. Fifes A. Musical instruments like drums B. Musical instruments that look like flutes C. Musical instruments that look like violins 2. Living A. Having and staying in a home in a certain place B. Not having a place to stay C. To not be alive 3. Driving A. Slowly moving B. Slipping and sliding down a hill C. Moving with a lot of force or speed 4. Arriving A. Leaving a place B. Getting to the place to which you’re going C. Finally finishing something that took a long time to do 5. Thrive A. To grow well and successfully B. To not be doing well C. To be hungry 6. Knifing A. Moving easily and quickly, like a knife cutting through something B. Having a hard time moving C. Using a spoon to scoop something 7. Surviving A. Having a hard time B. Building something C. Staying alive 8. Ramming A. Gently setting something down B. Forcefully hitting something C. Moving smoothly and gracefully 9. Lamb A. A baby sheep B. A baby goat C. A baby horse 10. Moving A. Not staying still B. Staying still C. Being frozen

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Snow Hare B. Snowball C. Snowshoe 3. Where does this story take place? A. In Africa B. In Alaska C. In the Arctic 4. What color is the rabbit? A. Brown B. Black C. White 5. What has Snowball just been eating? A. Cold moss B. Crunchy tree bark C. Frozen berries 6. What sound does she hear? A. Drums pounding B. Fife music C. Foxes running 7. With whom does Snowball live? A. Herself B. Her entire family C. Her best friend, Bun-Bun 8. Who is in Snowball’s burrow when she comes home? A. Her parents B. Her sister C. Her brother 9. What is his name? A. Snowball B. Snowshoe C. Snow Hare 10. Why is Snowball so happy? A. She thought her brother had been eaten by a fox B. She is glad to have someone to play fife music with together C. Now she’ll have help finding food

Manny’s Science and Art Project

A shaft of light shone through Manny’s window. He sat at his bed with his homework spread around him. His mom was expecting him to finish in an hour. Manny had wanted toscoff when she said so, but instead, he nodded. He would prove that he could do it. Now, he wasn’t so sure any more. He had to come up with a craft to combine science and art, and present the information to his family.

Maybe he could make a ramp for a matchbox car. On the decline down the hill, the car could run through some paint. Then Manny could set some paper on the incline, so when the car went up, the wheels would make a design. He scratched his chin. “Nah,” he decided with a shake of his head. He looked through the papers on his bed again.

Maybe he could design a raft with a colorful sail… “Nah,” he sighed again.

He shuffled the papers around and noticed his mom’s shopping list: “Bananas, tortillas, dish soap, milk.” There was an underline beneath “milk.”

“We must really need milk,” Manny thought. Suddenly, he had an idea. He let out a loud laugh, because it was so perfect.

Off Manny ran to the kitchen. “I’m ready to show you my project!” he called. His mom and younger brothers and sister gathered. Manny poured some milk onto a plate. Then he squeezed drops of blue, red, and yellow food coloring on top of the milk. The spots stayed where they were dropped. But then, Manny squeezed a tiny drop of dish soap right in the middle of the plate. Suddenly, the colors swirled and mixed.

“Science and art,” Manny said proudly, pointing to the colorful plate. “The soap attacks the fats in the milk, taking the food coloring with it as it goes.”

Everyone clapped. Manny beamed proudly.

1. Combine A. To put or mix two or more things together B. To take things apart C. To set two things near each other 2. Craft A. An activity of watching a movie B. An activity of making something with your hands C. To study art 3. Decline A. A straight line B. A slope upward C. To slope downward 4. Incline A. To reach B. To walk C. A slope upward 5. Raft A. A balloon filled with helium B. A flat boat with no sides C. A large ship 6. Scoff A. The sound you make when very sad B. The sound you make to show you are happy or think something is funny C. The sound you make when you’re startled or surprised 7. Laugh A. The sound you make when very sad B. The sound you make to show you are happy or think something is funny C. The sound you make when you’re startled or surprised 8. Shaft A. The bright sun B. A dark shape made from having something between the light and a surface C. A thin beam of light 9. Underline A. To draw a line under something B. To put a line through a word C. To draw a line over something 10. Off A. Away to a place B. Touching something C. To be outside

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Lenny B. Manny C. Menos 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a school building B. At Manny’s home C. At the grocery store 4. What is Manny supposed to be doing at the beginning of the story? A. Reading his history assignment B. Come up with a craft that combines science and art C. Cleaning his room 5. What is his first idea? A. Building a raft B. Driving matchbox cars through paint onto paper C. Mixing milk with food coloring and dish soap 6. What is his next idea? A. Building a raft B. Driving matchbox cars through paint onto paper C. Mixing milk with food coloring and dish soap 7. How does he finally decide on the best idea? A. He sees his mom’s shopping list, which has some of the supplies written on it B. He looks through his favorite science experiment book C. He sees it on YouTube 8. Who comes to see his project? A. His dad B. His mom C. His mom and siblings 9. What happens to the colors when he drops in dish soap? A. They explode out of the dish B. The swirl and mix C. They disappear 10. How does Manny feel at the end of the story? A. Disappointed B. Proud C. Tired

Fred’s Diner

Fred’s Diner was staffed with the friendliest people Fred could find. He knew that if his workers could outshine other restaurant staff, then Fred’s Diner would get more customers. And the best customer to have is a happy customer. The diners that came to Fred’s were happy when they arrived, but even happier by the end of their visit.

Fred scoffed at having to wait too long for food. So he made sure to keep his lines short. If a line formed, then Fred would send one or two people from his staff to entertain the diners. That’s why Fred was inclined to ask his workers what special skills or talents they had. If someone could tap dance, Fred would ask them to keep a pair of shoes handy. If someone could do card tricks, he kept a deck of cards at the front door.

Well, as Fred’s Diner got busier and busier, Fred had to find more help. While he talked to a new waiter, named Kai, Fred was surprised that Kai declined to share his talents. Fred was disappointed, but he could tell Kai was a wonderful waiter, so he hired him anyway. The day came that a long line formed at Fred’s, and everyone was busy except Kai. So Fred nervously sent him to entertain the customers while they waited. It wasn’t long before laughter filled the diner. Fred came to see what the noise was about. He saw yarn hanging from the rafters and was confused. Then he heard Kai, meowing like a perfect feline to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Fred burst out laughing and doffed his cap to Kai. “You are one of a kind!” he said to Kai. And the diners all agreed.

1. Diners A. People who eat at a restaurant B. People who own a restaurant C. A restaurant 2. Declined A. To no longer have claws B. To say that you cannot do something C. To agree to do something 3. Inclined A. Likely to do something B. Not likely to do something C. Stayed on level ground 4. Scoffed A. Offered someone help B. Ignored other people C. Laughed in a way that shows disapproval or disrespect 5. Lines A. People standing in a circle B. Rows of people or things C. People standing in a group 6. Feline A. A dog B. A cow C. A cat 7. Doffed A. Took off one’s hat as a sign of respect B. Dropped one’s hat on accident C. Saluted someone in respect 8. Rafters A. The walls of a house or building B. The pieces of wood that hold up a roof C. The floor of a house or building 9. Outshine A. To do worse than someone else B. The brightest light in a room C. To do better than someone else 10. Staffed A. Kept workers B. Lost workers C. Tried to hire workers

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Kai B. Fred C. Ernie 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a restaurant B. In a shopping mall C. At a store 4. What is the name of the place? A. Al’s Restaurant B. Freddy’s Place C. Fred’s Diner 5. Who does Fred like to hire? A. The friendliest people he can find B. The fastest people he can find C. The quietest people he can find 6. What does Fred like to ask them when he hires them? A. What their favorite food is B. If they like lemon in their water C. If they have any special talents or skills 7. Why did Fred have to find more help? A. His workers kept leaving B. His diner was getting so busy C. He was opening another diner 8. Whom did Fred hire? A. Kel B. Kai C. Ken 9. What does Fred discover is Kai’s special skill? A. Singing like a cat B. Crocheting hats super fast C. Standing on his hands 10. What does he tell Kai? A. “You are one of a kind!” B. “You take the cake!” C. “You kept this a secret?!”

Callie-Girl

The ninth inning ended, and the Blue Jays screamed and cheered. They had finally won against the Blackhawks! This hadn’t happened in their four years of playing against each other. The teams lined up to slap hands, then the kids all scattered. Callie, who played shortstop for the team, trotted all the way home with a smile on her face.

When she got home, Callie kicked off onecleat , then the other before she came in the house. The lining from one of the cleats stuck to her stocking foot until it finally fell off in the kitchen. She was covered in sweat and her hair was going in all directions—the opposite of neat. She poured herself a tall glass of lemonade as a treat, and drank it until it was gone. When she noticed her mom coming into the kitchen, Callie belched as politely and quietly as she could.

“Really, Callie,” her mom said, shaking her head. Callie plopped into the recliner before she could excuse herself. Instead, she giggled. “Really, Callie,” her mother said again.

“Sorry, Mom. Excuse me,” Callie said, and giggled again. “Boy, I’m pooped out!”

“I can see that,” her mom said. “How was the game?”

Callie sat up straight in her seat. “Oh, Mom, it was great! We won! We finallybeat the Blackhawks! I got on base three times, and scored once. It was quite a feat for the Blue Jays, really.” She sat back in the recliner with a grin, her hands behind her head. Her mom shook her head and smiled. “Oh, Callie-girl.”

Callie’s mom liked to joke that Callie usually had enough energy to power three cities, but she could see now that her daughter was tired. At least for now.

1. Cleat A. A shoe with metal or rubber spikes on the bottom B. A shoe with a metal surface, used when dancing C. A pair of pants worn when playing baseball or softball 2. Before A. At a later time B. At an earlier time; prior to C. At the same time as something else 3. Neat A. Very messy B. Unorganized, out of order C. Tidy, not messy 4. Recliner A. A hard chair with a straight back B. A comfortable chair with a back that leans back C. A soft pillow to sit on on the floor 5. Lining A. Material that covers the inside of something B. The outside material of something C. The part of the shoe where the laces go 6. Sweat A. A pleasant taste, not salty or bitter B. The liquid that forms on your body when you’re hot or nervous C. The liquid that comes out of your mouth 7. Seat A. Past tense of: sit B. Another word for “table” C. A place where you sit 8. Feat A. A huge amount of food to eat B. An act that shows courage or skill C. To include someone else 9. Beat A. To defeat someone in a game; to win B. To play a game C. To have a game that ends in a tie 10. Treat A. A normal thing you’re used to having every day B. Something special that is unusual C. An odd thing that you don’t really care for

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Kirsten B. Callie C. Sherri 3. What sport is this story about? A. Baseball B. Softball C. It could be either A or B—we never hear what the exact game is 4. What does Callie drag into the kitchen with her? A. Her cleats B. The lining of one shoe C. Her dirty dog 5. What does Callie have as a treat? A. A chocolate chip cookie B. A banana dipped in Nutella C. A tall glass of lemonade 6. Where does Callie sit? A. At the kitchen table B. On a stool at the counter C. In a recliner 7. Why is Callie happy? A. Her team won the game B. She got a homerun C. Lemonade is her favorite 8. What is Callie’s team’s name? A. Blackhawks B. Blue Jays C. Red Robins 9. What nickname does Callie’s mom call her by? A. C-girl B. Callie-girl C. Callie-be-dally 10. How does Callie feel at the end of the story? A. Tired B. Super excited C. Ready to run

Baseball

Baseball might be America’s greatest tradition. We love to watch and play it.

To play baseball, you’ll need: a large, open space, a bat, a ball, and baseball gloves. On official teams, you’ll also need a uniform and special shoes with spikes on the bottom, called cleats. Set four bases on the ground equal distance from each other in the shape of a diamond. Call one of these “home base.” This is where the batters will stand to hit the ball. The pitcher, who throws the ball to the batters, will stand nearly in the middle of the diamond on a small mound.

Moving to the right from home base, the first base is called “first base.” The next is “second base,” and the third is “third base.” The team in the field will have a player wearing a glove at each base, as well as someone between second and third, called the short stop. They will also have three players farther back in the field. Finally, there’s a pitcher on the mound and a catcher behind home plate. Sometimes, the catcher will use hand signals to indicate what kind of pitch to throw.

Batters get three chances to swing at a ball. If they do not hit it, it’s called a “strike.” Players need to hit the ball, and then run to each base in order. Once they return to home base without being tagged by a player holding the ball, they score a point for their team. Once three players on the batting team get out—either by being tagged or striking out—they switch places with the other team. When the other team also gets three outs, this is called an “inning.” It repeats for nine innings.

Another way to move through bases is by stealing them. This isn’t cheating. These thefts are treated as exciting and fun. If there’s a tie at the end of nine innings, you’ll play until one team defeats the other. The game is hefty and repetitive, but it’s fun!

1. Treated A. Thought about or dealt with in a certain way B. Ignored someone or something C. Offered to help 2. Defeats A. Loses in a game B. Wins in a game C. Plays a game 3. Repeats A. Does or says something just once B. Forgets to do something C. Does or says a thing again 4. Repetitive A. Happening again and again B. Happening only one time C. Never happening 5. Greatest A. Smallest B. Least of all C. Largest, most or best 6. Thefts A. Someone who breaks the law B. The act of stealing something C. Keeping rules 7. Hefty A. Very large B. Tiny and small C. Not important 8. Cleats A. Pants worn when playing sports B. Shoes with rubber or metal spikes on them C. Hard plastic things worn on heads 9. Cheating A. Winning by following all the rules B. Having fun playing a game C. Breaking a rule in order to win 10. Indicate A. To show something B. To ask something C. To ignore someone

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What is this story about? A. Softball B. Basketball C. Baseball 3. Where can you play baseball? A. In a large, open space B. In a library C. In a small room 4. What is it called if you swing at a ball but miss? A. A home run B. A strike C. A ball 5. What is it called after both teams have three outs? A. A run B. An inning C. A game 6. How many innings are in a game? A. 3 B. 10 C. 9 7. What happens if you steal a base? A. You win the game B. People cheer C. You can’t play anymore 8. In what shape are the bases laid? A. A diamond B. A star C. A circle 9. How do you get out? A. By being tagged by a player holding the ball B. By getting three strikes C. Both A and B 10. Baseball might be ___ greatest tradition. A. The world’s B. America’s C. California’s

The Goats

“Nahhhh,” bleated the little goat. He was called Billy, which of course is a common name for goats, but a good one all the same. An older goat named Victor, who had a big heart and had been very fatherly to Billy ever since his actual father had gone, trotted over to him. Billy had been bereft ever since his father was taken away one cold winter day. He was never to be seen again. Victor assured Billy he had nothing to worry about, but who could help worrying when a thing like that happens? Every goat feels threatened when one of them is taken away.

Instead, Victor tried to reassure Billy. “The only thing you should be worrying about is being mistaken for a sheep!” he teased the little goat. Billy kicked his little hooves into the ground to create a puff of dirt. While Victor was laughing and coughing inside the dirt cloud, Billy ran to the gate. By the time the cloud cleared, it was as if Billy had disappeared. It was a game the two goats often played. Now Victor would have to find the little goat.

“Where could he be? He was here just a moment ago!” Victor cried, jokingly. “If he’s not careful, he’ll be taken away to be made into sweaters!”

Billy couldn’t help laughing at this. He knew he looked nothing like a sheep. Victor heard the laughter and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw Billy hiding by the gate. When Billy saw Victor looking at him, he laughed again, but retreated in another cloud of dust. The game was on.

Who’d have thought these two goats would have turned into such a happy family?

1. Bleated A. Made the sound of a goat or sheep B. Hit something again and again C. Late, missed something 2. Bereft A. Happy to be around someone B. Sad because someone has died C. To love someone 3. Fatherly A. To have a dad B. To be a dad C. Acting loving like a father 4. Heart A. Thought of as the place where you make decisions B. Thought of as the place where feelings are felt C. To act very mean 5. Threatened A. Felt excited for something to happen B. Felt ready for something to happen C. Felt that something bad was going to happen 6. Who’d A. Contraction of: who would B. Contraction of: who was C. Contraction of: who had 7. Gate A. A lock on a fence B. The door on a fence C. A fence 8. Create A. To make something B. To think C. To laugh loudly 9. Sweaters A. Thick socks B. Hats to wear on your head C. Warm pieces of clothing worn like a shirt 10. Retreated A. Hid B. Moved back to get away from danger C. Moved closer to danger

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Victor B. Billy C. Hazel 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a circus B. In a farmer’s house C. In a goat pen 4. Whom does Billy miss? A. His mother B. His father C. His brother 5. Who is Victor? A. A friendly older goat in the pen B. Billy’s uncle C. Billy’s little brother 6. What does Victor tease Billy about being mistaken for? A. A horse B. A boy C. A sheep 7. How does Billy “disappear”? A. By creating a cloud of dust and then running away B. By tricking Victor into looking in a different direction C. By hiding behind the largest goat in the pen 8. What does Victor tease Billy about being turned into? A. Dinner B. Sweaters C. Milk and cheese 9. Have Billy and Victor played this hide-and-seek game before? A. Yes, lots of times B. No, this is the first time it’s happened C. We don’t know; the story doesn’t tell us 10. Billy and Victor form a kind of: A. Family B. Brotherhood C. Friendship

A Gift for Aunt Jayne

Josa sat on the slate floor,drafting a painting. There was plenty of seating in the library, but she always chose the hard floor. It made an excellent table for all her papers. She liked to spread them out. Josa was wearing her favorite pleated skirt, and it spread out like a fan around her. She leaned against the wall and looked up thoughtfully.

“An iris!” she suddenly thought aloud. She blushed at her outburst and looked around nervously. No one was close enough to hear. “Phew,” she whispered.

Lately, Josa had been painting flowers. She planned to give four or five paintings to her mom’s best friend, Jayne. Even though they weren’t actually related, Jayne was like an aunt to Josa. She even called her “Aunt Jayne.”

Josa had already sketched a rose, a daisy, a tulip, and even lilacs for her. An iris would go with the collection perfectly. After Josa sketched the iris, she looked at her drawings with a satisfied smile. This would do. She vacated the library and went home to the apartment where she lived with her family. It was located just blocks from the library. Josa grabbed a paper plate and squeezed her paints onto it. Red, blue, yellow, white, and black. With these, she could make any color she could dream of. She carried the plate to the kitchen table, treating the plate of colors very carefully. Dropping it on the floor or bumping into something would be a disaster.

Josa set up her painting area and pulled out her sketches. She could hear music playing from her brother, Leroy’s, room. She smiled and nodded to the beat as she filled the flowers with color. She couldn’t wait to give her gift to Aunt Jayne.

1. Drafting A. Making a final copy of something B. Making or starting something that will later need to be finished C. Drawing with marker 2. Treating A. Being unkind to someone B. Taking something from someone C. Dealing with or thinking about something in a certain way 3. Pleated A. Fabric that’s folded into itself in neat rows B. Fabric that’s cut into a rounded edges C. Fabric that is cut into strings at the ends 4. Seating A. Places to enter a room B. Places to sit C. Places to stand 5. Located A. What something is B. Why something is C. Where something is 6. Plate A. A deep dish used for soup B. A flat, round dish used for eating or serving food C. A container used for drinking 7. Related A. In the same family B. Friends C. Very different 8. Vacated A. Left home and stayed somewhere fun for a while B. Came home C. Left a place 9. Lately A. Long ago B. In a recent time, not long ago C. Coming soon 10. Slate A. A type of hard rock that splits into thin sheets B. A soft material, like cotton C. To get somewhere after the time you were supposed to

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Josie B. Josa C. Jo 3. Where does this story take place? A. At the library B. At Josa’s home C. Both A and B 4. Where is Josa sitting at the beginning of this story? A. At a computer desk B. On the floor at the library C. On the front steps of the library 5. What is Josa doing? A. Reading books about flowers B. Drawing a picture of her aunt C. Sketching flowers 6. For whom is Josa making the drawings? A. Her mom’s friend, Jayne B. Her mom C. Her aunt 7. Which flower does Josa suddenly decide to make? A. An iris B. A rose C. A daffodil 8. Where does Josa go to paint? A. To a special room in the library B. To her treehouse C. To a table in her apartment 9. What does Josa call Jayne? A. Grandma Jayne B. Aunt Jayne C. Jaynie 10. How does Josa feel at the end of the story? A. Nervous that her paintings won’t turn out B. Happy, and excited to give the paintings to Aunt Jayne C. Like she has too much work to do

On Time

Do you know my pet peeve? Lateness. Yep. That means being late, and even when other people are late. I just hate it. It really grates on my nerves. I’ve already decided that when I grow up, I’ll be dedicated to being on time. Maybe I’ll even have a job where I can educate people about the importance of being on time. I mean, everyone’s time is valuable, right? So we should respect that by being on time! Wouldn’t that be great? I know I’d feel so validated to hear people tell me, “Suzy! I was on time again today—thanks to you and everything you taught me.” Yeah, I think that’s what I’ll do when I grow up.

Keeping track of dates and times just feels so good! My mom even put me in charge of the planner where she writes down the order that we’ll do school that day. I have a little bell that I ring to indicate that it’s time for the next subject. Terrence tells me that that really grates on his nerves. Whatever, Terrence, I tell him. I’m just helping you prepare for being a successful adult. He usually rolls his eyes at me, but I just know he’ll thank me later. As for Mom, she just gives me a wink. She’s told me before that she feels like she’s consolidated my favorite activity with her least favorite activity. She calls this a “win-win” because we’re both happy.

I’m still working on Terrence, but I’m hoping that by the time I vacate school for good, he’ll be able to take over my job. I graduate in just ten short years, you know. I think that should be enough time to get him trained. If only he’d show up for our lessons on time…

1. Validated A. To show that something is real or right B. To find out you are wrong C. To have asked many questions 2. Vacate A. To visit someone B. To leave C. To come home 3. Consolidated A. Spread things apart B. Put things together C. Took something away 4. Indicate A. To ask a question B. To shout C. To show 5. Educate A. To teach B. To help C. To drive 6. Dedicated A. Wanting to ignore others B. A strong feeling of support for a person or purpose C. Trying to help others 7. Hate A. To love very much B. To not really care C. To strongly dislike 8. Dates A. Certain days of a month or year B. A certain time C. Certain books 9. Grates A. Has a hopeful effect B. Has an annoying effect C. Has a gross effect 10. Late A. Being early, before something is to begin B. Arriving at the exact time you should C. Not on time, after the time

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Suzy B. Terrence C. We don’t know the narrator’s name 3. What does she hate? A. Being early B. Being late C. Forgetting things 4. Where does she go to school? A. Highrise Academy B. Sunview Elementary C. She is homeschooled 5. What is she in charge of? A. Indicating when it’s time to do the next subject B. Ringing the morning bell C. Dismissing class for the day 6. How does she do this? A. By beeping a horn B. By ringing a bell C. By standing on her chair and speaking loudly 7. Who gave her this job? A. She decided to do it on her own B. Her mom C. Her brother 8. What does she want to do when she grows up? A. Teach people how to drive B. Be a principal C. Teach people to be on time 9. How does her brother feel about her? A. Annoyed B. He appreciates her C. He looks up to her 10. What is the problem at the end of the story? A. Her brother is always late to her lessons B. Her brother is always too early C. Her brother keeps forgetting things

Redecorating

“She’s consolidating,” Dad told us with a shrug. We had walked into the den and were surprised to see Mom taking everything off the walls. She wascreating stacks in the middle of the room, where the rug used to be.

“There’s just so much stuff!” she said when we asked her what was going on. “And some of it’s so dated.”

Devon and I gave each other a look. We loved that room! I didn’t see why she had to be accommodating to new styles.

“Hey,” whispered Dad when Mom was turned around. “Just be grateful she’s leaving your pictures.”

Just then, Mom took Devon’s and my pictures off the wall. Dad shrugged, and left the room. It was a little irritating to watch the room change so much. But without the rug, maybe it’d be all right if we skated in there once in a while. We could use the practice on our new skateboards. Maybe I should say something. But what?

“Say something,” I hissed at Devon under my breath.

“Like what?” he whispered.

“Anything!”

“Um, I like your pants, Mom,” he said.

I smacked my hand against my face. “That was a really weird statement,” I said to Devon.

“She’s wearing her regular pants.”

“Then you say something, Trace!” he replied. But at least Mom had stopped for now. “Well, thanks! That’s sweet of you,” she said with a smile.

“Um, the room looks great, Mom,” I said. “Are you leaving the rug out of here? Maybe Devon and I could try our boards out in here…” I trailed off.

Mom tilted her head and smiled. “I’ll be putting the rug back, but for now, why not? Just wear your helmets!”

We radiated shock, but grabbed our boards and helmets before Mom could change her mind. Maybe redecorating wasn’t so bad after all. Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 105 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Consolidating A. Joining or combining things B. Separating things C. Lining things up in rows 2. Creating A. Destroying something B. Making something C. Thinking about something 3. Dated A. Something very new B. Something cool or trendy C. Old-fashioned, coming from a long time ago 4. Grateful A. Feeling dislike for someone B. Feeling or showing thanks C. Deciding to ignore things 5. Irritating A. Making someone feel annoyed or angry B. Making someone feel welcome C. Making someone feel happy 6. Skated A. Moved clumsily B. Moved on ice skates, roller skates, a skateboard, etc. C. Climbed up something 7. Statement A. A question you ask B. A thing you yell C. Something you say; not a question 8. Regular A. Something that doesn’t happen often B. Happening or done very often C. Something very special and unusual 9. Accommodating A. Being willing to do what someone else wants B. Making things difficult, hard to do C. Asking too many questions 10. Radiated A. Hid a feeling B. Showed a feeling very clearly C. Fell apart

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. Devon B. Trace C. Dad 3. Where does this story take place? A. At their home B. At a store C. In a park 4. What is happening at the beginning of the story? A. Mom is roller skating in the kitchen B. Dad is painting the den C. Mom is taking pictures off the wall 5. In what room are they? A. The kitchen B. The living room C. The den 6. How does Trace feel about seeing the room change at the beginning of the story? A. Extremely upset B. A little irritated C. Excited 7. What does their dad tell them to be grateful about? A. That their mom hasn’t removed their pictures, yet B. That the walls aren’t going to be pink C. That they aren’t being asked to help 8. Then what happens? A. She paints the walls pink B. They get asked to help C. She takes their pictures off the wall 9. What does Trace ask to do? A. Skateboard in the room, since the rug isn’t in there B. Help paint the walls C. Move to a different house 10. How do the brothers feel at the end of the story? A. Nervous that their house is changing B. Excited to skate inside C. Worried their mom isn’t well

Dusty Trains

While going on vacation It was quite an education, We were waiting at the station, and of that I feel quite meek, when the train came chugging up the tracks when our parents got the bill with noisy dedication. for our naughty dining car sneak.

Then we crossed onto the platform “Of all the food in creation, of that dear and dusty train— Must you have found the finest? Really, the thing was so darn old, I’ve never seen numbers like these it was dated ‘29! that weren’t owed to my dentist.”

We sat deep in our seats— My father’s eyes were wild, we weren’t feeling hateful— We racked up quite the bill! we waited ever so patiently We said we were oh so sorry, so we wouldn’t seem ungrateful. but at least we’d had our fill.

But the truth is we got antsy, I looked out of the window. and so, so very hungry. Of our location I was not sure. So when our parents turned around If we were booted off, we snuck out for a munching. We’d be lost in a moor.

We loaded up our plates, But then the queerest thing and our pockets, too, came from my father’s mouth. and we told the nice young lady, He laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed! “Charge it to compartment 22!” Curses, he did not spout.

We gobbled up that food Oh, take us aboard, you dusty train. And returned right to our seats. Take us down the tracks! Our parents must not have missed us, We’re ready for adventure, Because they didn’t make a peep. And maybe some sweet snacks.

Father read the paper, The latest thing in travel Mother did some snoring. might be those sleek white planes, And my brother and I made some noise but as for me and my brother, To hide our bellies’ roaring. we’ll stick to dusty trains.

1. Creation A. Everything in the world B. Nothing C. To make something 2. Dating A. Something very old B. Having a date written on something C. When something will happen 3. Education A. A building where you learn B. To teach C. The knowledge you get from learning 4. Hateful A. Full of hate, causing hate B. Full of goodness C. Causing good feelings 5. Location A. A time B. A place C. A person 6. Vacation A. To always stay at home B. To travel for a job C. A time you spend away from home to relax or travel 7. Latest A. Something that was from long ago B. The most recent, not long ago C. To have a date written on something 8. Ungrateful A. Not feeling or showing thanks B. Feeling or showing thanks C. Full of hate 9. Station A. The tracks on which a train runs B. A place where busses and trains usually stop for people to get on and off C. The vehicle that runs on steel tracks 10. Dedication A. Not really caring about someone B. To pretend you can’t hear someone talking to you C. A feeling of strong support for a person or idea

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. The engineer of the train B. A child riding the train C. A parent riding the train 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a train station B. On a plane C. On a train 4. What date is on the train? A. ‘29 B. ‘20 C. 1918 5. What is the kids’ problem? A. They want to meet people B. They are hungry C. They are bored 6. How do they pay for their food? A. They use money their parents gave them B. They don’t; they steal the food C. They charge it to their parents’ compartment 7. Do their parents notice they were gone? A. No B. Yes C. We don’t know 8. What happens when their parents get the bill? A. Their dad is angry and upset B. They don’t mind C. They make the kids work to pay for it 9. Then what happens? A. They have to get off the train B. Their dad laughs and laughs C. The rest of their vacation is ruined 10. What is the kids’ favorite way to travel? A. By plane B. By car C. By train

Second Grade Spelling Bee

I wanted to dominate the spelling bee, but first, I had toeliminate the challengers. I was up against the other second graders at my homeschool co-op. Teagen, Riley, Spence, and Rhett were in my group. We used to congregate to study together on Friday mornings, but not today. I couldn’t be timid. I had to be smart. I knew these words! …Right? Once, in the middle of the night, I woke and wished it wasn’t a crime to write some of the harder words on my hand so I could peek during the competition. I knew that was wrong, though.

The word lists were difficult. We didn’t know what the judges would ask us, so we had to prepare for anything. I learned to calculate syllables and think about word origins. I never knew I could appreciate Latin so much. But was it enough to win? I was about to find out.

“Leslie Baker,” the judge called into her microphone. I stepped up. I was first in line.

***

The competition took longer than we expected. I didn’t dominate like I wanted to. But it wasn’t because I wasn’t such a good speller; it was because the other students were great, too! At one point, I thought we would just have to nominate a winner, instead of spelling any longer. But then I almost forgot the “c” in “fascinate,” and Spence got stuck on “facilitate.” After he got out, Rhett lost, too.

Finally, it was down to Riley and me. We worked so hard, that I actually felt worse when Riley lost than if it had been me. But I’m still proud of my hard work. Better yet, I’m proud to associate with these smart kids. I wonder who will win next year…

1. Appreciate A. To not enjoy an activity B. To be confused by something C. To understand the importance or worth of something 2. Calculate A. To guess at an answer B. To find an answer by using math C. To read and follow instructions 3. Congregate A. To come together in a group B. To leave a group C. To spread apart 4. Fascinate A. To cause someone to be very interested in something B. To explain something C. To give directions to a place 5. Eliminate A. To mix things together B. To add something C. To remove something 6. Timid A. Being confident B. Having little courage or confidence C. Being bold 7. Crime A. Something illegal, breaking the law B. To make people follow the rules C. Something that follows the law 8. Dominate A. To bully someone B. To be more important or powerful than others in a game, etc. C. To be the least important 9. Nominate A. To earn a title, like “Doctor” B. To vote C. To choose someone for a job or something else 10. Associate A. To be together with others as a group or friends B. A group of houses together C. To be independent

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Leslie Baker B. Teagen C. Spence 3. What is happening in this story? A. A geography bee is being held B. A spelling bee is being held C. A math test is being given 4. Who is competing in this story? A. The third graders at Pineridge Elementary B. A group of second graders from a homeschool co-op C. A family who is homeschooled together 5. How long does the competition take? A. Longer than anyone expects B. A very short time C. One hour 6. Why? A. Because the power goes out in the middle of it B. Because all the students have studied so hard, they’re all very good spellers C. Because the students are so slow at spelling 7. On which word does Leslie almost make a mistake? A. Fedora B. Fabulous C. Fascinate 8. Who gets out first? A. Spence B. Riley C. Rhett 9. Who wins the spelling bee? A. Riley B. Rhett C. Leslie 10. How does Leslie feel at the end of the story? A. Disappointed that she lost B. Proud that she won, and just as proud of her fellow spellers C. Tired from working so hard

NASA’s Women Calculators

It seems strange now, but years ago, “computers” weren’t a handheld machine, or an app on a phone. No, in the early 1900s, “computers” were people who calculated and computed numbers by hand. One place that hired many of these computers was NASA—the organization that studies and explores space.

Math is an important part of science. And it was very important when the U.S. wanted to put send a man named John Glenn around the moon for the first time. This was in 1962.

At this time in history, women didn’t hold many jobs. Some were teachers, and some were nurses. Not many held jobs in government or science. Discriminating against women was a problem, but it was also the norm. Even worse, people of color were still being kept separate from white people. So it was no small feat when NASA began hiring women of color to be computers. At first, these talented women weresegregated in a separate wing in the building. They had to use separate bathrooms and even lunchrooms. They weren’t paid as well, either. It was an intimidating and isolating work environment, to say the least. But these women couldn’t be timid. They continued validating their important role at NASA by showing their talents.

When John Glenn orbited around the moon, three women, in particular, did the math to make it happen. These women were Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. They were all women of color. (You can see a movie about this, called Hidden Figures.)

This was an important time in America. It was the first time an American flew around the moon. The women’s hard work was appreciated and congratulated. But more importantly, it began to eliminate barriers of what women—and people of color—can do.

[sources: https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a24429/hidden-figures-real-story-nasa-women-computers/; https://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/crgis/images/2/2f/TuckerBio.pdf; https://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/Human_Computers]

1. Validating A. Showing that something is real, right, or correct B. Showing that something in wrong C. Standing up for what is right 2. Appreciated A. Didn’t understand what was happening B. Dropped in value or worth C. Understood the worth or importance of something 3. Calculated A. Read something B. Found an answer by using math C. Wrote words 4. Congratulated A. Felt proud B. Told someone you were happy because of their doing well C. Felt disappointed 5. Discriminating A. Treating people fairly B. Welcoming all sorts of people, no matter how different they are C. Treating a person or groups differently and unfairly 6. Eliminating A. Removing something B. Adding something C. Keeping things the same 7. Intimidating A. Welcoming someone B. Making someone afraid C. Making someone laugh 8. Isolating A. Putting people together in a group B. Being kind C. Keeping someone in a separate place 9. Segregating A. Separating people because of their race, religion, etc. B. Mixing groups of people together C. Going to church 10. Timid A. Feeling bold B. Feeling little courage C. Feeling scared

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Which organization is this story about? A. FICA B. NASA C. Hubble 3. Computers used to be: A. Huge machines B. People C. Apps on phones 4. Who was America going to orbit around the moon? A. John Beck B. Neil Armstrong C. John Glenn 5. Did women work at NASA in 1962? A. Yes B. No C. We don’t know 6. People of color were: A. Segregated from others B. Welcome with open arms C. Settled into the same work space as white workers 7. What kind of work environment was NASA for women? A. Welcoming B. Warm C. Intimidating 8. Discriminating against women in the workplace was: A. A problem B. The norm C. Both A and B 9. Whom of these did NOT help orbit John Glenn around the moon? A. Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan B. Tina Smith C. Mary Jackson 10. This was a(n) ____ time in America. A. Boring B. Important C. Terrible

Marie Curie

In 1867, a girl was born in Warsaw, Poland. The world didn’t know it, but she would grow up to make important new discoveries. They would celebrate her and her work. The girl’s name was Marie Curie. Today, Marie is known for her research and discovery of radium and polonium— two separate, but very important, elements.

Marie grew up in Poland, but since it was a violation for women to go to college there, she had to immigrate to Paris, France, when she was 24 to attend college. Marie studied hard and graduated at the top of her class. Four years later, Marie discovered polonium and radium. Radium contains radiation, which can be used to treat some types of diseases. It was a very important discovery.

When Marie was studying radium, she told an American journalist that she needed just one more gram of it for research. When Americans read this story, they donated enough money to buy the radium for Marie. It cost $100,000. President Harding presented the single gram of radium to Marie Curie at the White House in 1921. One gram may seem like just a particle, but it was exactly what Marie needed to continue her research.

Marie did not work in isolation, however. Her husband, Pierre Curie, was also a scientist, and they often worked together. Marie also taught at a university and did other important work. When she discovered the new elements, she was awarded the Noble Prize in physics. Marie was the first woman to earn a Nobel Prize! Surely, with her important discoveries, it took little deliberation to see that she was worthy.

The scientific world will always have a hugeappreciation for Marie Curie—a woman who changed science and our world.

[sources: https://www.famousscientists.org/marie-curie/; https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1903/marie-curie/biographical/] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 109 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Immigrate A. To leave a country B. To come to a country to live C. To stay in a place where you’re born 2. Donated A. Took money or something else you needed B. Paid for something you needed or wanted C. Gave money, food, or something in order to help someone 3. Celebrate A. To do something special for an important event or person B. To not care about what is happening C. To take care of someone 4. Particle A. An entire thing, not just part of it B. A very small piece of something C. A large piece of something 5. Separate A. Joined together B. Kept apart; not joined C. Stayed in a line 6. Deliberation A. Fighting and arguing about what to do B. Starting a war C. Careful thought done before making a decision 7. Isolation A. Being separate or away from others B. Working closely with others C. Studying and reading about something 8. Radiation A. A type of water B. A type of dangerous energy made by radioactive things C. A type of soil 9. Violation A. Following the rules B. Making the rules C. Doing something that is not allowed 10. Appreciation A. A feeling of being grateful for something B. A feeling of being bored C. A feeling of growing larger

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Whom is this story about? A. Jane Goodall B. Marie Curie C. Amelia Earhart 3. Where was she born? A. Paris, France B. Warsaw, Poland C. Sierra, Nevada 4. Where did she attend college? A. Paris, France B. Warsaw, Poland C. In the U.S. 5. What did she discover? A. Hydrogen and oxygen B. Neptune and Pluto C. Radium and polonium 6. How much money did Americans donate to buy her one gram or radium? A. $1 million B. $1,000 C. $100, 000 7. Which president presented the radium to her? A. President Theodore Roosevelt B. President Harding C. President Hoover 8. Which important award did she win? A. The Pulitzer Prize B. The Nobel Prize C. The Academy Award 9. To whom was she married? A. No one—she stayed single B. Richard Frost C. Pierre Curie 10. Marie was the first ___ to win the Nobel Prize. A. Woman B. Scientist C. Polish person

Wedding Cake

It was both wise and considerate of Lou to refrigerate the raspberries they’d picked that day. The fresh berries didn’t tolerate being warm after they were picked, and Sandi looked forward to making pies for their bakery. The insulation from the fridge would keep the raspberries fresh for a few days. It was a good thing, because Sandi didn’t anticipate picking three gallons of raspberries in one morning! Sandi & Lou’s Bakery was already going to be busy that weekend. There was a wedding on Saturday, and a young couple had hired them to make a huge, beautiful cake. They had already baked it. All that was left to do was decorate it.

Early on Friday, Sandi and Lou went in one of the back rooms of the bakery. Sandi could smell the sweetness from the raspberries in the fridge and her mouth watered. But she knew today was all about the wedding cake. Lou studied the drawing of the wedding cake Sandi had made. “This is going to take forever!” he said.

“Oh, don’t exaggerate, Lou. We’ve done harder jobs,” Sandi said.

Sandi got right to work, dumping butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together for the icing. The electric mixer buzzed as it integrated the ingredients. It made the counter vibrate. Meanwhile, Lou began to stack the cakes. Soon, Sandi had smeared a layer of white frosting over the stack of cakes. Then, she and Lou worked together, piping dots and lines and swirls over the cakes. When they finished at last—hours later—they stood back to admire their work.

“Hmm,” said Sandi. “It still needs something.”

She quickly ran to the refrigerator and returned to the cake. Lou watched as she worked. She carefully placed sweet, red raspberries along the bottom of each cake.

“There,” she said with a smile. “Perfect.” And it was.

1. Refrigerate A. To heat something up B. To bake something in the oven C. To put something in a refrigerator to keep it cool and fresh 2. Rooms A. Areas inside a building with walls to divide from other areas B. Houses in which people live C. Buildings in which people work 3. Tolerate A. To look forward to something B. To experience something without being harmed C. To not do something 4. Integrated A. Separated things apart B. Worked far away from others C. Combined things together to create something 5. Vibrate A. To stay completely still B. To shake with quick movements C. To move smoothly, gracefully 6. Considerate A. Thinking about the feelings of other people B. Never thinking about others’ feelings C. To think about what might happen 7. Anticipate A. To do something without thinking about it B. To expect something that will happen C. To follow a recipe 8. Decorate A. To take something apart B. To take a picture C. To make something look better by putting something on it 9. Insulation A. A material that stops heat or other things from going in or out B. To make something by hand C. To be the first person to create something 10. Exaggerate A. To be mellow and calm B. To describe something as greater than it really is C. To say something is less than it is

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Sandi B. Lou C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a wedding B. At a bakery C. At a hardware store 4. What does Lou put in the fridge at the beginning of the story? A. A wedding cake B. Blueberries C. Raspberries 5. How do Sandi and Lou know each other? A. They work together B. They are married C. They are siblings 6. On which day do they decorate the cake? A. Thursday B. Friday C. Saturday 7. Who decorates the cake? A. Sandi does it all B. Lou does it all C. They work together 8. What can Sandi smell in the refrigerator? A. Raspberries B. The cake C. Icing 9. What final touch does Sandi add to the cake? A. She places violets on the top cake B. She places raspberries along the bottoms of the cakes C. She adds blue icing to the middle cake 10. How does it look at the end of the story? A. Unfinished B. Perfect C. Good enough

An Unlikely Friendship

Sonia was fascinated with Jorge, the migrant worker on her grandparents’ citrus farm. He wore bright colors and a large brimmed hat. He had an easy smile and spoke a language that was as beautiful and bright as his clothes. Jorge tolerated Sonia’s fascination kindly. He always deliberately gave her the ripest piece of fruit. They did not speak the same language, but they seemed to understand each other. Jorge showed Sonia how he twisted the fruit off the trees. Sonia showed Jorge the new jump she learned on her rope.

Sonia’s grandparents knew Jorge was a good man with a good heart. They enjoyed hearing the Spanish phrases he taught Sonia. “Tu es muy bonita!” Sonia said to her grandma one morning. But they knew Jorge would only be here for the picking season before he went his separate way to find more work.

Usually, Sonia’s grandparents held a celebration at the end of the harvest, to thank the migrant workers for their hard work. They were anticipating that Jorge and Sonia would miss each other, so they wanted to do something special.

After the party, they called Jorge to their house, where Sonia was playing. They opened a computer and showed Jorge and Sonia a special email app they could use. It would translate Jorge’s Spanish into English for Sonia to read. Likewise, it would translate Sonia’s English into Spanish for Jorge. Then, Sonia’s grandpa closed the computer and handed it to Jorge. “It’s not a donation; it’s a gift,” he told Jorge in Spanish. “You’ll be able to operate it easily.”

Before Jorge could say anything, Sonia threw her arms around him in a hug.

“Te extrañaré,” she told him, using the phrase she’d learned for “I’ll miss you.”

Jorge smiled through tears. It was an unlikely friendship, but a beautiful one.

1. Anticipating A. Expecting something to happen B. Thinking about what happened in the past C. What is happening right now 2. Celebration A. A sad time B. A party for a special occasion C. A meal with many dishes 3. Clothes A. Something worn on the head B. Something worn on feet C. The things we wear to cover our bodies 4. Deliberately A. On accident B. On purpose C. Not done at all 5. Donation A. Something you give to help a person or organization B. Selling something for money C. Money added by the government 6. Migrant A. A person who goes from one place to another to find work B. To move from one country to another C. To leave one’s country 7. Separate A. The same as other things B. Different from something else; apart from C. Joined together 8. Tolerated A. Stopped something from happening B. Enjoyed something that was happening C. Allowed something to happen 9. Fascination A. Being bored by something B. Being very interested in someone or something C. Feeling annoyed about something 10. Operate A. To watch something B. To listen to something C. To use and control something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is the name of the man in this story? A. Jorge B. Alfonso C. Nacho 3. What is the name of the little girl in this story? A. Stevie B. Sonia C. Sophia 4. On which type of farm does this story take place? A. A citrus farm B. A dairy farm C. A hobby farm 5. Whose farm is it? A. Sonia’s parents’ B. Jorge’s C. Sonia’s grandparents’ 6. Why will Jorge be leaving soon? A. Because he is a migrant worker, which means he travels from place to place looking for work B. Because his wife has had a baby and he wants to be home with his family C. Because he doesn’t enjoy the work and wants to do something different 7. What does Jorge often give Sonia? A. A note with a Spanish phrase written on it B. The best piece of fruit C. A flower to put in her hair 8. What does Sonia often show Jorge? A. How she jumps rope B. A new dance move C. The pets on the farm 9. What do Sonia’s grandparents give Jorge? A. A pad of paper and stack of stamps B. A computer C. A puppy 10. What does Sonia tell Jorge in Spanish at the end of the story? A. That she likes his hat B. That she loves him C. That she will miss him

The Fundraiser

The anticipation of the big event was causing a vibration in Jonathan’s heart. He was only 11 years old, but he was the one making this happen. A couple months ago, Jonathan had found a dog with a broken leg lying on the side of the road. He had considerately called a pet rescue from his mom’s cell phone. When the rescue decided to take the dog and fix him up, Jonathan decided he wanted to raise money for the rescue. It was his idea to throw a big picnic in town. With the cooperation of the local supermarket—which offered 200 hotdogs—Jonathan could collect donations for the pet rescue so they would be able to help even more animals.

Jonathan knew he didn’t have money to hire a decorator, so he got a few friends to help him blow up 10 packages of balloons. They were lightheaded by the time they were done. They tied the balloons to road signs, and the local newspaper printed a story inviting the town to the event. Jonathan knew it was no exaggeration that hundreds of people would be coming.

Finally, the time came. A worker from the supermarket set up a hotdog stand. People began arriving. The pet rescue brought some dogs on leashes, and everyone loved petting them. The line for the hotdogs was long, but people were just happy to participate in the fundraiser. The box Jonathan made to collect the donations was soon bursting.

At the end of the day, Jonathan felt tired enough to hibernate for a month. But instead, he carefully separated the money into stacks. He added the numbers three times, just to be sure. He could hardly believe it. Thanks to his little event, the town had raised $3,420 for the animal rescue. Jonathan had never been prouder.

1. Anticipation A. A feeling of excitement about something that’s going to happen B. Feeling ungrateful C. Feeling embarrassed 2. Cooperation A. Working alone B. To argue with someone C. Working together to get something done 3. Decorator A. To make something look nice B. A person who decorates C. To clean a place 4. Donations A. Money or things given to a person or organization to help B. Paying for items you buy C. Getting a gift 5. Vibration A. A smooth movement B. Lying down C. A shaking movement that doesn’t stop 6. Considerately A. To do something in a rough manner B. To do something in a thoughtful way C. To do something without thinking about it 7. Exaggeration A. To say something is exactly as it is B. To joke about something C. To think or say something is greater than it is 8. Separated A. Put things together B. Placed apart from each other C. Pulled something behind you 9. Hibernate A. To spend winter resting B. To take a short nap C. To sleep at night 10. Participate A. To not join in a game B. To take part in an activity; be involved C. To work alone

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Josiah B. Jonathan C. Benjamin 3. What has the main character decided to do? A. Raise money for the pet rescue B. Have a picnic so everyone in town can meet C. Walk dogs to raise money for a pet 4. What made him decide to do this? A. He was bored B. Seeing an injured dog and knowing the animal rescue saved it C. He just loves animals 5. What food is being served? A. Hamburgers B. French fries C. Hotdogs 6. What does the animal rescue bring? A. Birds in cages B. Dogs on leashes C. Cats in crates 7. What is Jonathan collecting? A. Money donations B. Stories about animals C. Drawings of dogs 8. What do Jonathan’s friends help him do? A. Roast hotdogs B. Blow up and hang balloons C. Hang up signs 9. How much money does the fundraiser raise? A. $10 B. $302,999 C. $3,420 10. How does Jonathan feel at the end of the story? A. Proud B. Tired C. Both A and B

The Story-Maker

Callen was very aggravated. He had a story to write. He knew he could illustrate it, but he couldn’t write words, yet. He tried hard to concentrate on the sounds to write the name of his book: Power-Man. But when he handed it to his mom, she read, “puraman,” so he knew he had it wrong. Sometimes it was so irritating to be 5 years old.

“How about you dictate the story to me, instead?” Callen’s mom asked.

“Dictate?” he asked.

“Yes! You just tell me what to write,” she said.

Callen didn’t hesitate to hand his mom his pen. She listened carefully as Callen told her what he wanted on each page. He knew all about periods and exclamation points and when to use uppercase letters. Soon, they were finished with the last page. Callen sat back, pleased. But when he closed the book, he saw that he hadn’t yet made the cover. He really wanted to do the cover himself. But how could he write if he couldn’t spell? His mom saw him puzzling.

“I have an idea,” she told Callen. “I can demonstrate how to write Power-Man on a piece of scrap paper. Then you can write it yourself on the cover!”

Callen thought a moment, then nodded. He was good at imitating the letters he saw on pages. He would be able to do this. His mom wrote the word nice and clear. Then Callen set to work, making bubble letters. He even accentuated the writing with some zigzags to make it look like electricity was coming out of the word.

His mom peered over his shoulder. “Wow,” she whispered. “Those marks really elevate the cover.”

Callen kissed his mom’s cheek. She had helped him write his first book…and he knew it wouldn’t be his last.

1. Aggravated A. Annoyed, bothered B. Felt like doing your best C. Agreed to do something 2. Accentuated A. To make something look dull and boring B. To speak quickly C. To make something more noticeable 3. Concentrate A. To stare off into space B. To think about something really hard C. To do something without thinking about it 4. Hesitate A. To stop for a moment before doing something B. To start a new project C. To stumble 5. Illustrate A. To write a story’s words B. To explain a story with pictures C. To look at photos 6. Dictate A. To draw pictures of what you want to say B. To fold something in half C. To speak something to a person or machine for them to write down 7. Irritating A. Making people laugh B. Making someone feel impatient or angry C. Making people feel good 8. Demonstrate A. To show clearly to others B. To read something carefully C. To watch how someone does something 9. Imitating A. Leading others B. Doing the same thing as someone C. Reading something 10. Elevate A. To make something worse B. To lower something down C. To improve something, make it even more special

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Callen B. Cullen C. Caleb 3. How old is the main character? A. 10 B. 5 C. 8 4. What is the problem in this story? A. Callen wants to write a story, but he can’t read or write yet B. Callen is upset that his pictures aren’t turning out the way he wants them C. Callen is having a tantrum because he doesn’t like his bedtime story 5. What is his story about? A. Superman B. Spider-Man C. Power-Man 6. What does his mom suggest? A. Callen’s book can just be pictures B. Callen can dictate the story to her, and she’ll write down the words C. Callen can learn to read 7. Who writes on the cover? A. No one, he wants it to be just a picture B. His mom C. Callen 8. How does he make the word look more interesting? A. He makes zigzags of electricity coming out of the word B. He colors it bright red C. He draws swirls inside the bubble letters 9. What is Callen best at? A. Reading B. Writing C. Drawing 10. What does he know at the end of the story? A. That this is the best book B. That this won’t be his last book C. That he doesn’t want to write any more books

Ezra and the Kite

The kite rotated on its string. It was situated high above the trees, now, but Ezra wasn’t so sure that was a good thing. Soon, his grandmother would call him home for dinner, and he’d have to try to bring it in. No sooner had he thought it than his grandmother’s voice called to him.

Ezra nervously began pulling at the kite string. The last thing he wanted was for the kite to be penetrated by a branch, or worse yet, be held captive by a tree. It would be ruined, then, and Ezra valued his kite more than any other thing he owned. Ezra wound the string in even faster as his kite imitated a tornado. The kite gradually grew closer and Ezra ran this way and that, guiding it between the branches. At last, the kite landed in his hands. Ezra didn’t have time to inspect it for holes before running home.

Ezra burst through the door and rushed to the kitchen. “The wind must have carried my voice away,” his grandmother insinuated with a knowing look. It had taken Ezra longer than it should have to get home, and he knew it. “Let’s see that kite, shall we?” she asked. Ezra wasn’t yet sure if his kite had been damaged, so he hated to hand it off, but if hehesitated , he’d get scolded. His grandmother inspected the kite. “Well, it looks like you lucked out. One hole no bigger than a mote. We can fix this after dinner tonight,” his grandmother finished with a smile.

Ezra couldn’t believe his luck. Not only was he not in trouble for being late, his grandmother would even help him repair a small hole. Ezra hugged her tightly, and they dug into their meal of roasted chicken and steamed beans.

1. Gradually A. Something happening all at once B. To stop from happening C. Something moving or changing in small amounts 2. Imitated A. Acted unlike everyone else B. Copied the behavior of someone or something C. Was the star of the show 3. Insinuated A. Said or meant something without exactly saying it B. Said something mean C. Said something kind 4. Rotated A. Moved in a straight line B. Turned in a circle C. Bounced up and down 5. Hesitated A. Left a place B. Stopped before doing something C. Entered a room 6. Situated A. How or where something is located B. What something looks like C. How something sounds 7. Valued A. Acted helpfully B. Something you don’t care about C. Thought of as useful or important 8. Mote A. A very small speck of something B. To not be able to speak C. A deep ditch filled with water around a castle 9. Penetrated A. Healed something B. Poked a hole or went through something C. Fixed a tear 10. Captive A. To be free B. To spend time with someone C. Caught and kept somewhere, like prison

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Ella B. Ezra C. Grandmother 3. What is the boy doing at the beginning of the story? A. Flying a kite B. Eating dinner C. His schoolwork 4. Why is he worried? A. He’s feeling very hungry B. He hasn’t heard from his grandmother in a while C. There are so many trees he’ll need to bring the kite back through 5. What does he hear? A. A tornado siren B. Thunder C. His grandmother calling for him 6. Does he get the kite back down? A. Yes B. No C. We aren’t sure 7. What happened to the kite? A. It was torn to shreds B. It was absolutely fine C. There was a tiny hole 8. How can he fix it? A. It isn’t able to be fixed B. His grandmother will help C. It doesn’t need to be fixed 9. How does Ezra feel about this? A. Grateful and glad B. Worried and nervous C. Happy that it’s OK 10. What do they eat for dinner? A. Pizza B. Spaghetti and meatballs C. Roasted chicken and steamed beans

What if There’s a Fire?

Fires are dangerous. Fires are frightening. Hopefully, you will never find yourself involved with a fire. But it is still important to know what to do in case of a fire.

Evacuating the building is the first thing you should consider.Act quickly. Don’t hesitate, because fires can move quickly. Get out of the building or house, and cross the street, if you can. Then, once you are safe, call 911.

If you are in a tall building, you may think you should take the elevator to the bottom floor. But it is important NOT to take an elevator. Even if you are on the top floor, it is much safer to take the stairs. It may seem irritating, but moving gradually down stairs on foot is much safer than getting in an elevator. This is because of a few reasons. For one, the elevator shaft can quickly fill with smoke. For another, thepenetrating heat can actually cause the elevator to stop at the floor where the fire is, holding any passengerscaptive . This would be extremely dangerous. So instead, always be smart and use the stairs.

Another tip is to carefully feel a door or knob before opening it. If it is hot to the touch, then do not open the door—the fire will be too close.

Often, buildings have pictures posted, illustrating the best and safest way to evacuate. Evaluating these pictures during a safe time is wise, so you know what to do just in case of an emergency. You can also find out where fire alarms and fire extinguishers are in the building. In your own home, talk to your parents about your family’s fire escape plan.

Hopefully, you will never encounter a fire. But if you do, now you’ll be prepared.

1. Evacuating A. Leaving a dangerous place B. Entering a building C. Running quickly 2. Elevator A. A set of moving stairs B. A machine used for carrying people to different levels of a building C. A balcony where you can see the floors below you 3. Evaluating A. Leaving a dangerous place B. Quickly making a decision without really thinking about it C. Carefully judging how something is 4. Hesitate A. To completely stop what you are doing B. To stop for a moment before doing something C. To decide 5. Irritating A. Making someone annoyed, impatient B. Helping someone C. Explaining something 6. Penetrating A. Staying in one place B. Spreading out, having the power to enter C. Paying for something you buy 7. Act A. Something that is thought B. Something that is heard C. Something that is done 8. Captive A. Set free B. Captured and kept somewhere, like a prison C. Invited to a fun place 9. Illustrating A. Showing or explaining something with pictures B. Giving instructions C. Making a plan 10. Gradually A. Moving quickly B. Doing something all at once C. Moving in small amounts

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is this story about? A. What to do in case of bad weather B. What to do in case of fire C. What to do in case of a flood 3. What is the first thing you should do in case of a fire? A. Evacuate the building B. Call 911 C. Take the elevator 4. What is the next thing you should do? A. Evacuate the building B. Call 911 C. Take the elevator 5. What should you NEVER do? A. Evacuate the building B. Call 911 C. Take the elevator 6. Why not? A. It moves too slowly B. You could get trapped C. It might be dark 7. Instead, you should: A. Climb out a window B. Take the stairs C. Wait for help 8. Why should you touch a door before opening it? A. To see if it’s hot, which would mean there’s a fire on the other side B. To see if it’s locked C. To see what material it’s made from 9. What should you do in your home? A. Talk to your parents about your family’s fire escape plan B. Practice using the fire extinguisher C. Call 911 to talk to a firefighter 10. In case of a fire, now you are: A. Confused B. Worried C. Prepared

The Castle

Sai and Everett were running as fast as they could away from the castle. Not that Sai needed another thing to motivate him to run. That castle was creepy. The situation was strange enough, already. Neither Sai nor Everett could explain how they had gotten there. One minute, they were playing in the park, and the next, they were chasing their soccer ball alongside a moat.

Everett was the first to walk to the castle door. Sai stood back on the bridge, looking at the castle in amazement. The spires punctuated the stormy sky. He hadn’t noticed the change in weather. It was sunny and warm a moment ago, when they were kicking the soccer ball at the park. Sai shook his head. He would devote some time to thinking about this more later on.

Sai caught up to Everett just as he was pushing the door open.

“Shouldn’t we knock?” Sai asked.

“Uh, Sai? Pretty sure no one’s here,” Everett replied.

“Look!” Sai pointed at the ground, where a delicate note lay.

Everett picked it up and read:

“The castle shall captivate you, But it’s wise not to activate truth. A dragon lurks near And has venom of fear. If the truth you misquote You shall discover no antidote.”

“What does that mean?” Sai asked.

Everett studied the note again. “I have no idea…don’t activate truth? I don’t get it,” he said.

“Let’s go over the facts,” Sai started. “We were playing soccer in the park…” A deep rumble interrupted him. Sai shrugged and continued. “We were playing soccer, we chased our ball through some trees…” The rumble again. A few bricks fell to the ground. “What the?” Sai whispered.

“The truth! This must be what the note meant!” Everett yelled. More bricks fell. “Run!” Sai and Everett didn’t know it, but their adventure had just begun.

1. Activate A. To end something B. To cause something to start working C. To break something 2. Antidote A. To create poison B. The cause of a problem C. Something that stops the effects of poison 3. Misquote A. To report what someone has said incorrectly B. To say what someone should do C. To write down what someone said 4. Motivate A. To feel lazy B. To not want to do something C. To give someone a reason for doing something 5. Note A. A long story B. A short piece of writing C. A pen used for writing 6. Captivate A. To get and keep someone’s attention B. To bore people C. To hold someone prisoner 7. Devote A. To waste time B. To pray C. To give time to something 8. Delicate A. Easily broken B. Very sturdy C. Something new 9. Situation A. A place B. All the things that affect someone at a particular time and place C. A time 10. Punctuated A. Drew pictures B. Felt bumpy, rough C. Repeatedly interrupted

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Sai B. Everett C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a castle B. At a soccer game C. In Everett’s apartment 4. How do the boys find the castle? A. They read a spell B. They chase their soccer ball through some trees and end up by a castle C. The follow a map 5. What does Sai notice has changed? A. The weather B. The time of day C. Their clothes 6. What do the boys find at the door? A. An elf B. A note C. A plate of strange crackers 7. What does the note tell them “lurks near”? A. Warriors B. A wizard C. A dragon 8. What begins to happen to the castle when the boys talk about playing soccer in the park? A. It begins to crumble B. It begins to disappear C. It comes to life 9. What has made this happen? A. The boys were telling a lie B. The boys were saying the truth C. The boys were speaking in a different language 10. What is strange about the ending of the story? A. It’s really just the beginning B. It’s scary C. It’s says “The End”

Pop-Pop and Deshawn

Deshawn’s grandfather, Pop-pop, was obstinately devoted to him. No matter what Deshawn did, Pop-pop thought it was marvelous. When Deshawn hopped on his left foot for 17 seconds, Pop-pop applauded as if he were at the circus. When Deshawn shared silly anecdotes about things he saw and heard on the city bus, Pop-pop listened as if Deshawn were a world-class actor.

“He dotes on him too much,” Deshawn’s mama said to her mother one day.

“Nonsense, honey,” her mother said. “That little boy can’t be loved too much. You let them be. All that attention just promotes more love in his soul.”

Deshawn’s mama threw her arms in the air and laughed. She might have acted annoyed, but privately, she was grateful for the relationship her son and her father had cultivated over the past five years.

Often, Deshawn and Pop-pop took the bus downtown to enjoy the sights that the busy city had to offer. Pop-pop would buy Deshawn a hotdog from a street vendor. The active little boy would try his best not to run on the crowded sidewalks. They’d make their way to the square with cement blocks set like benches on a wide circle of grass. Pop-pop would sit, and Deshawn would wipe mustard from his hands onto the soft grass. They liked the buzzing activity here. They liked watching the people, who came from cultures as many and different as the colors in the rainbow. On the bus ride home, Deshawn always leaned his head on Pop-pop’s elbow and fell asleep. Sometimes Pop-pop woke him at their stop, but often, he’d carry the boy up to the apartment, lay him on the sofa, and cover him with his special blanket.

Pop-pop was obstinately devoted to Deshawn, and Deshawn was a very lucky, very loved little boy because of it.

1. Anecdotes A. A short story about a funny thing that happened B. Long, boring stories C. Acting something out 2. Dotes A. Ignores others B. Gives lots of attention to someone or something C. Feeds someone 3. Promotes A. Helps something happen, or grow bigger B. Stops something from happening C. Asks many questions 4. Devoted A. Not caring about anyone B. Annoying someone C. Having a strong love for someone or something 5. Obstinately A. Easily B. Stubbornly C. Beautifully 6. Cultivated A. Didn’t take care of something well enough B. Stopped doing something C. Fostered or nurtured growth 7. Privately A. Not known to others, only to one’s self B. Telling something to many people C. To be shy 8. Actor A. Someone who reads B. Someone who acts in a show C. Someone who creates paintings 9. Active A. Being lazy B. Sitting and reading quietly C. Doing things that require moving around a lot 10. Cultures A. Different groups of animals B. Particular groups of people with their own set of beliefs and ways C. Different groups of plants

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Pop-pop B. Grandma C. Mama 3. Where does this family live? A. In the country B. In the city C. In the woods 4. What is the little boy’s name? A. Darius B. Deshawn C. Shawn 5. What does Mama think? A. Deshawn needs more attention B. She wants to spend more time with Deshawn C. Pop-pop dotes on Deshawn too much 6. What does her mother tell her? A. Deshawn is lucky for all the love B. She’ll talk to Pop-pop about it C. Deshawn is spoiled 7. Where do Deshawn and Pop-pop like to go? A. The country B. Downtown C. The library 8. What does Deshawn eat? A. Funnel cakes B. Gyros C. Hotdogs 9. How do they get there? A. On a bus B. With a car C. On bicycles 10. Deshawn is very: A. Lucky B. Loved C. Both A and B

The Hike

There is nothing more motivating than the thought of being demoted. Carrie was already in charge of carrying the tote, with the chalk-scribbled number motif splashed across it. It was embarrassing enough. If she lost this job, what would be left for her to do? She better step up her game.

As the group stumbled through the rocky path, Carrie cleared her throat. “You know, excellence is a habit, not an act,” she announced.

One of the older kids looked back at her. “Are you quoting Aristotle?” he laughed. “Just relax, OK? Try to have some fun.”

Carrie wondered how he knew she was nervous. A group of homeschool kids from the co-op had planned the hike. Their parents had given them permission, as long as they wrote a short report about it afterward. Carrie was 8. It was notable that she was the youngest person on the hike. All she wanted was to be like the big kids, but unfortunately, she was so worried about having fun, that she wasn’t having any fun at all. She would have to deliberately try to have fun.

Carrie caught up to Jen, who was 9.

“Hey!” Jen smiled. “That bag looks heavy. Want some help?”

“Well, it is definitelyadequately packed,” Carried giggled. “But I’m OK. Thanks!”

The two girls walked in step for the rest of the hike. They pointed out crooked trees and colorful rocks. They screeched when a snake crossed their path, and they shared a bag of crackers. By the end of the hike, Carrie forgot all about being nervous. She was so glad she had decided to have fun so it wasn’t a total loss. She had gotten to know Jen better, and seen some pretty amazing things. Carrie would have no trouble writing that report.

1. Demoted A. To change to a lower position B. To change to a higher position C. To keep position 2. Motivating A. Taking away a reason to do something B. Giving someone a reason to do something C. Following someone 3. Notable A. Boring, very normal B. Very difficult to do C. Worth noticing, unusual 4. Quoting A. Pretending to be someone else B. Repeating what someone said C. Acting out 5. Total A. Complete, all B. Some of C. None 6. Tote A. A tiny purse B. A paper sack C. A large bag 7. Motif A. To speak a different language B. A design or pattern C. A large picture 8. Deliberately A. On accident B. To do in the future C. On purpose, meant to do 9. Adequately A. Enough B. Not enough C. Too much 10. Unfortunately A. Something good or lucky has happened B. Something bad or unlucky has happened C. Planned to do something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jen B. Carrie C. Noble 3. Where does this story take place? A. On a hike B. In a museum C. At a cabin 4. How old is Carrie? A. 8 B. 9 C. 10 5. How old is Jen? A. 8 B. 9 C. 10 6. What is Carrie’s problem at the beginning of the story? A. She forgot to pack water B. The tote is too heavy for her to lift C. She is so nervous, she isn’t able to have any fun 7. Whom does Carrie quote? A. Benjamin Franklin B. Aristotle C. Chris Pratt 8. With whom does Carrie become friends? A. Janna B. Jen C. Gisele 9. Why do the girls scream? A. A snake crosses their path B. A large spider lands on Jen’s hand C. Carrie stumbles near a cliffside 10. What will be easy for Carrie to do at the end of the story? A. Have fun on the next hike B. Write the report C. Invite Jen to her birthday

Yoga

Yoga is a form of exercise for both your body and mind. It is made up of a group of different motions, or poses. Some of these poses are quite simple—such as child’s pose, where you kneel with your knees apart and then bend down until your forehead rests on the floor. (Your arms can either be stretched forward, or laying alongside your legs behind you.) Others, though, are more difficult. The pose called “crow” has you balanced upside down on your hands with your body crouched above you. Many of yoga’s poses look and feel like stretching actions—pulling your muscles in different positions.

Many people have a strong devotion to yoga. In some eastern cultures, yoga is even part of their spirituality. For others—especially in western culture—yoga is mainly a form of exercise. Yoga can be practiced in the privacy of one’s home, or you can take yoga classes with others. It is totally up to you. However, taking a yoga class will help you learn the poses more accurately. Being in the correct position is important.

For some people, yoga has a negative connotation. They may believe it is a religion, rather than an exercise. Or, they may believe only the most fit people can practice yoga. Both of these are incorrect. Yoga can be a wonderful way to improve your strength and large motor skills. It promotes health in all ways.

If you are interested in practicing yoga, ask your parents to help you research a YouTube video you can try together from home. CosmicKids.com offers great instruction for beginners. Your community education programs may also offer beginner classes. However you decide to practice it, remember to relax, have fun, and enjoy feeling the calm and healthfulness that yoga brings.

1. Difficult A. Simple B. Different C. Not easy 2. Motion A. Being still B. Movement, an act of moving C. Thinking 3. Action A. Something you do B. Something you hear C. Something you smell 4. Devotion A. A strong dislike for someone or something B. A strong feeling of love and loyalty C. An angry feeling 5. Connotation A. What a word makes you think about B. A note written at the bottom of a page to help you understand something C. To think you know what something means, but you do not 6. Privacy A. Being with many others B. Something for everyone to see C. Being alone, not with others 7. Totally A. None B. Completely, all C. Some 8. Accurately A. With errors B. With great determination C. Correctly, no errors 9. Motor A. Something that controls the movement of something B. A wire C. Wheels that turn 10. Promotes A. Moves to a lower rank or position B. Moves to a higher rank or position C. Helps someone to understand

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is the topic of this story? A. The Himalayas B. Yoga C. Exercise 3. Yoga is: A. A group of poses B. Incredibly difficult C. A religion 4. Which is an example of a simple pose? A. The crow B. The firefly C. Child’s pose 5. Which is an example of a difficult pose? A. The crow B. Child’s pose C. Tree 6. Where can you practice yoga? A. In a class B. In your home C. Both A and B 7. Which statement is true? A. Yoga can only be practiced by very fit people B. Yoga is a religion C. Yoga exercise for both your mind and body 8. Where can you find yoga class or instructions? A. On YouTube B. In community education classes C. Both A and B 9. What should you do before researching yoga on YouTube? A. Ask your parents for help B. Go the library C. Take a class 10. Many yoga positions feel like: A. Hard work B. Stretching C. Running

The Fortune Teller

It was my little brother’s idea to set up a stand at the end of the driveway. The idea was that he’d tell anyone their fortune for just a dollar. I rolled my eyes when I heard. After all, Isaiah was 7 years old. What did he know about fortunes?

Isaiah got a customer almost immediately. It was 11:30 a.m. The man who came to the stand looked like a friendly candidate. He’d been walking his dog, and wore a huge smile on his face. He dug in his pocket and handed a dollar to Isaiah.

“I’d like to have my fortune told,” he smiled at Isaiah.

My little brother waved his hands around our mom’s old snow globe—the one with the two bears hugging.

“Ah, yes,” he said. “I see it. It tells me you are about to have lunch.”

Isaiah looked up at the man to see his reaction.

Fortunately, the man laughed. “That’s quite an accurate fortune. I’m having lunch after finishing our walk.” Then he patted Isaiah on the head and walked on. We could hear him chuckling to himself.

“Sheesh, Isaiah!” I said. “That’s it? You’re just going to guess what people are about to do next based on the time of day?”

“Too literal?” he asked, with his nose scrunched.

“Too…something,” I said. “You’re being a pirate, taking people’s money and telling them something obvious and dull. Doesn’t seem adequate.”

Isaiah shrugged. “But I got a dollar, Leilani,” he smirked. I shook my head and started inside. “What?” he called after me. “I’m just being candid!”

I rolled my eyes. But a couple hours later when Isaiah came inside, he yelled, “Leilani! I’m rich!” “How much did you make?” I asked.

“Almost 30 bucks, total!” he exclaimed.

Sheesh. I wished I’d been the one to think of this.

1. Accurate A. With only a few mistakes B. No mistakes, has correct information C. Completely wrong 2. Adequate A. Not enough B. Too much C. Enough 3. Fortune A. The future that someone will have; what will happen to them B. Something bad that’s going to happen C. A lie 4. Candid A. Telling lies B. Being very honest and sincere C. Making up stories 5. Pirate A. A person who takes care of animals B. A person who builds things C. A person who steals from ships on sea 6. Immediately A. Right away B. Too late, after something has already happened C. Something you mean to do 7. Literal A. Not using the exact meaning of a word B. The exact meaning of a word C. In a helpful manner 8. Candidate A. A person who would be bad for a job B. A person who wants to listen C. A person who meets all the requirements for something 9. Fortunately A. Something good or lucky has happened B. Something bad or unlucky has happened C. Having great amounts of money 10. Total A. None B. Complete, all C. Some

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Isaiah B. Leilani C. Sammy 3. Who is telling this story? A. Isaiah B. Leilani C. Samuel 4. Where does this story take place? A. At the end of the driveway B. In the garage C. In a parking lot 5. What is Isaiah selling? A. Lemonade B. Drawings C. Fortunes 6. How much does he charge? A. $1 B. $2 C. 50 cents 7. Who is his first customer? A. A woman wearing a flower hat B. A man walking his dog C. A boy dribbling a basketball 8. What does Isaiah use as a crystal ball? A. A snow globe B. A soccer ball C. A balloon 9. How much money does he make? A. $1 B. Almost $30 C. $17 10. What does Leilani wish? A. That her brother would stop B. That none of her friends would come C. That she had thought of this idea

Easter Eggs

Jonah’s Easter basket was filled with plastic eggs. Each time he pulled one apart, a rainbow of jellybeans fell out. He giggled gleefully. Cinda, his older sister smiled as she watched him.

“Here,” she handed one of her own eggs to him. “Try this one.”

With deliberate concentration, Jonah set to work breaking the egg apart. But this time, instead of colorful jellybeans, there was a solid chocolate bunny.

“Oooh, you got lucky, Jonah,” Cinda cooed to him. “This one is the best.” She turned to her mom. “Is it all right for Jonah to have chocolate, Mom?”

Her mom shook her head. “He’s almost 2 years old, now. It’s fine for him.”

Cinda grinned at Jonah. “Buddy,” she started. “You’re about to have literally the most delicious thing on Earth. Ready?”

Jonah nodded and clapped excitedly.

Cinda broke an ear off the bunny and placed it in Jonah’s open mouth. His reaction was immediate, and unexpected. He began to gag, and spat the chocolate out. Cinda couldn’t understand. Was the chocolate bad? She smelled it. It smelled fine. She tasted it. It tasted great. “Here, try again,” she said as she offered Jonah more. This time, Jonah spat it out so quickly that it landed with great accuracy in the middle of Cinda’s forehead.

“Ew!” Cinda cried. “What is wrong with you?”

“Cinda! Please don’t talk to him like that,” her mom said.

“Well, who doesn’t like chocolate?!” Cinda asked.

Her mom smiled. “Consider yourself lucky,” she said candidly. “Now you’re the one who will get all Jonah’s chocolate treats.”

Cinda cheered and laughed. “You’re one strange little kid for not liking chocolate, Jonah. But that’s all right. Like Mom said, more for me!”

She dragged his basket closer, and together they emptied his eggs, with Cinda claiming all the chocolates.

1. Accuracy A. No mistakes or errors B. Done in a sloppy way C. Speed 2. Candidly A. Dishonestly B. Done in an honest, sincere way C. Helplessly 3. Chocolate A. A sweet treat made from flour, sugar, and eggs B. A sweet treat made from fruit C. A sweet treat made from cacao beans 4. Breaking A. Fixing something B. To forcefully separate something into parts C. Carefully separating things apart 5. Deliberate A. Done or said on purpose B. Done or said on accident C. Done or said without thinking 6. Dragged A. Easily moved something on wheels B. Lifted something off the ground C. Pulled something that is heavy or hard to move 7. Immediate A. Happening at a later time B. Happening right away C. Happened before 8. Literally A. Used to mean something is different B. Used to mean something is changing C. Used to express that something is true and accurate, even though it might be surprising 9. You’re A. Contraction of: you will B. Contraction of: you are C. Possessive of: you 10. Gag A. To feel as if you’ll throw up B. To smell something wonderful C. To speak loudly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Janna B. Cinda C. Isaiah 3. Around which holiday does this story take place? A. Christmas B. A birthday C. Easter 4. What colorful candy does Isaiah find in his basket? A. Jellybeans B. Chocolate bunnies C. Black licorice 5. How old is Isaiah? A. Almost 2 B. 5 C. 8 6. What does Cinda offer to Isaiah? A. A boiled egg B. His first taste of chocolate C. A grape jellybean 7. How does he react? A. He loves it, and gobbles up the whole chocolate bunny B. He claps and squeals with glee C. He spits it out 8. Where does it land, the second time? A. On his mom B. In the middle of Cinda’s forehead C. On his chin 9. What is the good part of this for Cinda? A. She’ll be able to eat his chocolate B. She doesn’t have to feed Isaiah anymore C. She won’t have to clean up the kitchen 10. What happens at the end of the story? A. Cinda gives Isaiah all her jellybeans B. Cinda takes all Isaiah’s chocolate C. Their mom puts away their Easter candy

A Reader At Last

Mason quietly walked down the hallway. It was an understandable and appropriate thing to do, given that Mason’s literacy tutor lived two doors down. He hadn’t exactly been enjoying their studies lately. But sure enough, Miss Violet’s door opened just as Mason got to it. She just happened to be leaving for her meeting with the apartment association. What luck.

“Why, Mason! How nice to see you,” she said with a smile.

Mason smiled back nervously. “Hi Miss Violet, ma’am,” he said. He really hoped he wouldn’t be snagged into an extra lesson.

“You can walk with me to my meeting,” Miss Violet said. “Tell me. How many pages have you read this week?”

Mason sighed. “I’m not exactly sure, ma’am,” he said. It wasn’t inaccurate. He hadn’t been recording the number of pages he’d read. But he also knew there weren’t many pages to record.

“Well I certainly hope the number of pages you’ve read is greater than the number of minutes you’ve wasted on media,” she nagged.

Mason hated that—calling video games and messaging apps and music and YouTube shows “media.”

“Of course not, ma’am,” he said obstinately.

Miss Violet stopped before the elevator and sighed. She looked right at Mason. He had nowhere to hide. Suddenly, Miss Violet smiled. “Mason—I think I have just the thing to make you love reading.” She shuffled through her large tote bag and came up with a book titled,The Hobbit. “You just need to get lost in a story.”

That’s when the elevator doors opened and Miss Violet stepped in. Mason opened the book to the first page and began to read as he walked to his apartment. He didn’t put it down for a week. That was the day Mason became a real reader.

1. Appropriate A. Right or correct for the situation B. The wrong thing C. Something easy to see or understand 2. Association A. A single person B. An organized group of people C. A group of animals that hunts together 3. Pages A. The outside parts of a book B. Notes heard in a song C. Sheets in a book, magazine, etc. 4. Nagged A. Sweetly encouraged someone B. Annoyed with repeated questions C. Offered help 5. Inaccurate A. Right, correct B. Not correct C. Confusing 6. Literacy A. The ability to read and write B. The ability to do math C. Understanding of places and geography 7. Media A. Stories passed down through families B. The ways in which information is given—radio, newspaper, television, etc. C. Pictures created with oil paint 8. Obstinately A. Done in a smooth, easy way B. Done in a cheerful way C. Done in a stubborn way 9. Quietly A. Making very little noise B. Making a lot of noise C. Being silent 10. Snagged A. Waited patiently for help B. Tried not to interrupt anyone C. Caught or got by a quick action

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Trey B. Mason C. Miss Violet 3. Where does this story take place? A. In an apartment building B. In Miss Violet’s front room C. At a park 4. Why doesn’t Mason want Miss Violet to hear him? A. He’s afraid of her B. He doesn’t want to help her organize her books C. He doesn’t want her to force him into a literacy lesson 5. What is Miss Violet teaching Mason? A. How to play piano B. Literacy—reading and writing C. Painting 6. What happens when Mason goes by Miss Violet’s door? A. She happens to open the door B. She hears him and rushes to the door C. Nothing—he’s able to walk by and go home 7. Where is Miss Violet going? A. Grocery shopping B. To an association meeting C. To visit her son 8. What does Miss Violet ask Mason? A. To come with her to the meeting B. To read a book aloud to her C. How many pages he’s read 9. What does Miss Violet give to Mason? A. The Hobbit B. Maniac Magee C. Harry Potter 10. What happens to Mason after that? A. He becomes a reader for life B. He falls asleep because it’s so dull C. He feels very annoyed by Miss Violet

Bragging

Paisley was at the age where she needed to brag about everything. “My nail polish is the brightest,” she said one day. “My dog is the smartest one in town,” she said the next.

Brantley, Paisley’s best friend, was getting annoyed. He felt like he’d go on a rampage if he had to hear her brag once more. “It isn’t safe for me to play with her,” he told his dad one day. “I’ll say something mean if I engage.”

“You can still play with her, pal,” his dad said. “Just try to gauge her behavior from the start. And remember, she won’t always be this way. Plus, you could always remind her that it’s not nice to brag.”

It was sage advice.

***

Soon enough, Brantley went to Paisley’s to play. He noticed her dog, Peaches, was in her cage. She must have been misbehaving. “At least she won’t be bragging about her dog today,” he thought. He followed Paisley to the sunroom with the huge, comfy chair that had begun to sag. Paisley seemed sad. Brantley figured hisoutrage was safe today. “Everything OK?” he asked.

Paisley shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve been feeling a little down, I guess.” “Why?” Brantley asked. “It seems like no one wants to be my friend. You’re the only person who will even talk to me these days,” she said. “I don’t know why.”

Brantley swallowed. “I think I might know,” he said. “You do?” she asked. “Yeah,” he began, “…you’ve sort of been bragging a lot.” “Really?” Paisley was surprised. “I mean, you’re my best friend, but even I was getting tired of hearing how great you were.” Brantley gave Paisley a playful shove. “Wow, I had no idea,” Paisley said. “I guess I’ll be more careful.” She smiled shyly. “Thanks for telling me. You’re a good friend.” “I’m the best friend,” Brantley said with a wink. They both laughed.

1. Age A. How old a person or thing is B. Whether a person is male or female C. What type of animal one is 2. Brag A. To be too shy B. To be too loud C. To talk and show too much pride 3. Cage A. A pet house made of wood, with a door that’s always open B. A box made of bars where you keep animals C. The place where pets eat 4. Safe A. Not in danger B. In danger C. To create a mess 5. Gauge A. To make a mess B. To dig a hole C. To make a judgement about something 6. Rampage A. To run quickly B. Wild, dangerous behavior C. To pray in silence 7. Sag A. To be firm and straight across B. To hang down in the middle C. To hump up in the middle 8. Engage A. To get and keep someone’s attention B. To bore someone C. To stop paying attention 9. Outrage A. Extreme happiness B. Loud laughter C. Extreme anger 10. Sag A. A person who is very old B. A person who is very wise C. A person who is very silly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Frankie B. Brantley C. Paisley 3. Who is having a problem with their behavior? A. Paisley B. Brantley C. Dad 4. What is the problem? A. Whining too much B. Bragging too much C. Pouting too much 5. Who is frustrated by the behavior? A. Dad B. Paisley C. Brantley 6. At first, Brantley: A. Doesn’t want to play with Paisley anymore B. Wants to play at Paisley’s all the time C. Gossips with his friends about how much Paisley brags 7. What does his dad tell Brantley? A. That he should talk to his mom about it B. That he should still play with Paisley and she won’t always behave this way C. Not to play with Paisley anymore 8. What does Brantley notice about Paisley? A. She is the coolest girl in town B. She won’t leave her house C. She seems sad 9. What does he tell her? A. No one likes her anymore B. He says that if she doesn’t stop bragging, he’ll stop being her friend C. He explains that she has been bragging a lot, and people don’t like that 10. How does Paisley feel about that? A. She is glad he told her so she can change her behavior B. She is angry at him for saying it C. She begins to cry

Early Song

Raccoon flagged down the crow that was swooping through the meadow.

“Ah, good evening, Mr. Raccoon,” Crow greeted him in a ragged voice. “How can I help you tonight?”

Mr. Raccoon cleared his throat.

“I need you to talk to your fellow winged friend, the robin. Did you know he wakes at 4:23 each morning to begin his song?” Raccoon looked crazed. “It’s outrageous! I’m up all night hunting and scavenging, and then when I’m finally able to rest, the robin starts singing.”

“Ah, yes,” Crow chuckled. “Robin isn’t one to lag in the morning. I’ll see what I can do.” And with that, the crow flew off.

Raccoon watched Crow zigzag this way and that through the sky. Then, Raccoon turned around and made his way back into the forest. Raccoon made his home not at the meadow, but at the bottom of a rocky crag. It wasn’t the best place to find food, so he often came to the meadow when he first woke in the evening. He liked ahearty breakfast, and until he got one, he was usually quite cranky. He trudged along his path, dragging his tail behind him. Every so often, Raccoon wished he could wag his fluffy, ringed tail, but it just didn’t work that way.

Raccoon snagged a handful of berries. He climbed a tree and found some forgotten eggs, too. After that, he wasn’t feeling quite as enraged at the robin. A good meal always improved his mood. Raccoon scampered back to the meadow to find Crow again.

“Crow! Crow!” he called. Crow landed in a nearby branch. “Crow, please never mind what I said about Robin and his song. I can use soft leaves to cover my ears and I’m sure I’ll sleep much better.”

With that, Raccoon ran back into the forest, ready to find his next meal already.

1. Wag A. To jump up and down B. To move something from side to side C. To move backward 2. Lag A. To move slower than others B. To go faster than others C. To stop 3. Crag A. A deep lake B. A shallow stream C. A steep cliff 4. Enraged A. Filled with hope B. Filled with anger C. Extremely kind 5. Flagged A. Signaled someone to stop B. Hung a flag C. Waved hello 6. Crazed A. Calm and quiet B. Confused C. Wild, out of control 7. Zigzag A. Moved in a straight line B. Moved in a path with many short, sharp turns C. Moved in large circles 8. Hearty A. Weak B. Strong, healthy C. Small 9. Ragged A. Rough, harsh, not even B. Smooth C. Long 10. Outrageous A. A good thing B. Causes happiness C. Very bad, wrong, causes anger

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Crow B. Raccoon C. Robin 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the meadow and forest B. In the city C. At a campground 4. What is Raccoon’s problem? A. He cannot find enough to eat B. Robin wakes and sings too early, so he cannot sleep C. He is grumpy little creature 5. Whom does he ask for help? A. Another raccoon B. A crow C. A worm 6. When does Raccoon sleep? A. During the day B. At night C. In the afternoon 7. What helps Raccoon’s mood? A. Eating a hearty meal B. Exercising a lot C. Sleeping every two hours 8. What does Raccoon eat for breakfast? A. Nuts and berries B. Fish and old cereal C. Berries and eggs 9. What does he do after he eats? A. Returns to the meadow to tell Crow he no longer needs to talk to Robin B. Takes a nice long nap C. Runs around for fun and play 10. What will he do instead? A. Move to a different meadow B. Use leaves to cover his ears C. Talk to Robin himself

Cheese Science

Oliver examined the block of cheese he found in the back of the fridge. It had been aging for some time. There were now cracks and crags where Oliver was sure it had once been perfectly smooth. And it was outrageously colorful, thanks to the mold that covered it. Gauging by the level of funk on this hunk of cheese, he figured it had been lost in the fridge for at least four months. Did he dare open the package to further his scientific study? He did. He pulled the bag open. Somehow, he stopped himself from gagging at the smell. He quickly sealed the bag again.

The nasty smell had gotten the attention of the family dog, Paws. Now he sat at Oliver’s feet, wagging his tail.

“You don’t want any of this,” Oliver said to Paws. “Trust me.”

Oliver knew the only way he’d get Paws out of the kitchen now was practically dragging him by the collar, so instead, he grabbed a treat and led Paws to the backyard. Oliver sat on the grass with his notebook and pencil. Without lagging, Paws circled three times and plopped down beside him.

Oliver thought about how that moldy cheese could be a science experiment. They had studied decomposition a while ago. His mom would be impressed by his engagement to the topic. Maybe she’d even give him extra credit.

Oliver tried to remember what the cheese had looked like when it was fresh. Snagging the packaging before it got tossed would have been smart. It was too late now. Instead, he drew the cheese as it looked now. He used colored pencils to show the craggy green and blue crust that covered it. The picture looked like a wedge of Earth. It was even kind of pretty. Who knew science could be so strange?

1. Aging A. Becoming older B. Getting younger C. Being an age 2. Crags A. Deep areas of water B. Tall trees C. Steep, rocky cliffs 3. Dragging A. Pushing something easily B. Pulling something heavy C. Picking up something heavy 4. Gauging A. Marking down information B. Measuring or judging something C. Cutting something into small pieces 5. Lagging A. Moving slowly behind others B. Moving faster than others C. Staying still 6. Outrageously A. Boring B. Dull, not interesting C. Surprising, shocking 7. Wagging A. Moving up and down B. Moving from side to side C. Being still 8. Snagging A. Catching or capturing something by being quick B. Letting go C. Holding loosely 9. Gagging A. Feeling full B. Feeling hungry C. Feeling like you’re about to throw up 10. Engagement A. Not being involved with anything B. Ignoring what is happening around you C. Being involved with something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Alden B. Oliver C. Winston 3. Where does this story take place? A. At home B. In a classroom C. At a friend’s house 4. What does he find in the fridge? A. Old, moldy cheese B. Rotten, chunky milk C. A piece of bread with swirls of mold on it 5. What subject did they recently study in science? A. Foliage B. Decomposition C. Growth 6. What is the name of the dog? A. Walter B. Nilla C. Paws 7. How does he get the dog outside? A. Drags him by the collar B. Leads him outside with a treat C. Picks him up and carries him 8. What does Oliver hope his mom will give him if he does a project about the cheese? A. Extra credit points B. Extra allowance C. An award 9. What does he make? A. A 3D model of the cheese B. A drawing of the cheese C. A diagram about the cheese 10. How does it look? A. Weird and strange B. A lot like Mars C. Kind of pretty, and a little like the Earth

The Farm is Where the Heart Is

Anika loved to stroll alongside the fence by the cow pasture. She could count fenceposts all afternoon. But mostly, she loved watching the cows. Some were jersey brown, and two were black, but most were black and white Holsteins, which she always thought looked like cows in a storybook.

The group of cows were so mild and mellow, they always made Anika feel calm. She loved to hear their low bellow, though they were usually silent. A few cows wore bells around their necks. Each bell sounded a little different, but each was beautiful. Usually, the cattle just grazed on the grass, or lumbered around lazily. But sometimes, Anika would see one roll in the dirt, and it always surprised her to see the huge creature move like that.

Even the smell there in the pasture was soothing to Anika. The lush, sweet grass mixed with the scent of clover plants. The cattle’s leathery scent drifted in waves. The rich dirt beneath her feet wafted to her nose. When it all mixed together, as it did here in the pasture, the scent came alive. It made Anika’s heart swell. This feeling is how she knew she was a true farmer.

She couldn’t imagine having to sell the farm and move to the city. This is where her heart belonged. The farm made her happy when she was sad. It made her well when she was sick. She knew the land by heart, and the animals by name. The farm could quell her angriest moods. Visiting the city might be a fun adventure, but Anika lived her best life here on the farm, where only the sounds of machinery interrupted the grass growing and animals calling. It was true, what her grandfather always said: The farm is where the heart is.

1. Bellow A. To make a deep, loud sound B. To make a high, chirping sound C. To sing a song 2. Bell A. A musical instrument made from a horn, which you blow on B. The material that comes from cow hide C. A cup-shaped instrument that makes a ringing sound 3. Mellow A. Hyper, too much energy B. Calm, relaxed C. A feeling of eagerness or excitement 4. Quell A. To feel upset B. To become more angry C. To calm or lessen a worry 5. Roll A. To move across the ground by turning over and over B. To walk in a bouncy, happy manner C. To follow a path 6. Sell A. To give something as a gift B. To exchange something for money C. To purchase something using money 7. Smell A. What you can sense with your eyes B. What you can sense with your ears C. What you can sense with your nose 8. Stroll A. To walk slowly in a pleasant way B. To hurry and rush C. To move in a clumsy manner 9. Swell A. To get smaller B. To grow larger C. To stay the same size 10. Well A. Sick, not healthy B. Healthy, not sick C. Coming down with a sickness

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Anika B. Annalise C. Erika 3. Where does this story take place? A. On the family farm B. On a hobby farm during a fieldtrip C. At the zoo 4. Where is she walking at the beginning of the story? A. Through the horse pasture B. Alongside the cow pasture C. Through the corn field 5. What color are most of the cows? A. Black B. Jersey brown C. Black and white Holsteins 6. What does Anika smell? A. The grass and rich earth B. The cows’ leathery scent C. Both A and B 7. What do some of the cows wear? A. Rings through their noses B. Bells around their necks C. Paint on their hooves 8. How does Anika know she’s a true farmer? A. Because of the way her heart swells out on the farm B. Because her parents tell her so C. Because she likes milk so much 9. What makes her happy when she’s sad, and quells her angriest moods? A. The geese B. The farm C. The cows 10. Who says “The farm is where the heart is”? A. Her father B. Her mother C. Her grandfather

Visiting Grammy and Papu

The cottage in the dells looked like it came from a storybook. Each May, Petra and Aggie visited Grammy and Papu there for two weeks. As they sat on the porch and shelled peas from the garden behind their cottage, Grammy would begin a story. The best stories were always about trolls.

“Long ago, these dells were the dwelling place of a small troll named Larry,” Grammy began. Petra and Aggie immediately giggled, for Larry seemed such an ordinary name to give such an extraordinary creature.

“One day as Larry strolled along the path, he met a fellow troll named Oleander. Oleander had always frightened Larry. He was huge, and his teeth were quite yellowed. Larry had heard that a witch once put a spell on Oleander. Larry was fearful, but he did not want Oleander to notice. So instead of letting his eyes well over with tears, he stood as tall as he could and kindly greeted Oleander with a smile.

“Now, Oleander wasn’t used to being treated kindly. He was used to being feared. He wasn’t sure what to do with this new, pleasant feeling. Oleander plucked a branch from high in the tree above them. Larry was frightened because he didn’t know what was happening. Oleander broke the branch into pieces until one piece seemed right. Oleander closed his eyes, muttered some words in the ancient troll language, and swirled his fingers around the branch. The branch shuddered and shook, then sparks flew from its end. Oleander smiled, showing his yellow teeth, then he handed the branch to Larry and walked away.

“The branch was now a magic wand, and for as long as Larry lived, he had whatever he wished for because of it.”

Petra and Aggie clutched the pea shells in their hands. Little Aggie sighed deeply. It was a good story. With Grammy Story, it always was.

1. Dwelling A. A place where someone works B. A place where someone lives C. A place where someone learns 2. Shells A. The inside part of fruits or nuts B. The part of a plant which you can plant again to grow C. The hard, outer covering of a nut, fruit, seed, etc. 3. Spell A. A group of secret words that have magic powers B. A mixture that you drink to receive magic C. A hat that witches wear 4. Yellowed A. To get old B. To become yellow in color C. To turn bad 5. Well A. To fill to the top and spill out B. To dry up C. To splash 6. Fellow A. Someone unlike all the others B. Someone who teachers others C. Someone from a group with similar interests 7. Strolled A. Walked quickly, with purpose B. Walked slowly and pleasantly C. Walked without paying attention 8. Shelled A. Removed the outer part, or shell, of something B. Put things into a shell C. Picked things from a garden 9. Trolls A. Mythical creatures much like a horse B. Mythical creatures with wings C. Mythical creatures that look very ugly 10. Dells A. Places high in the mountains B. Small, grassy valleys C. The tops of hilly areas

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is the name of the little girls in this story? A. Aggie and Petra B. Allie and Paisley C. Arnie and Parrish 3. Whom are they visiting? A. Their godparents B. Their grandparents C. Their friends 4. What are they doing on the porch together? A. Rocking in chairs B. Shelling peas from the garden C. Washing apples from the trees 5. What does Grammy tell them a story about? A. Elves B. Witches C. Trolls 6. What is the small, kind one’s name? A. Larry B. Oleander C. Papu 7. What is the large, mean one’s name? A. Larry B. Oleander C. Papu 8. What does Larry do when he sees Oleander? A. Runs away and cries in fear B. Greets him with a smile C. Nervously asks him for directions 9. What does Oleander do in response? A. Creates a magic wand for Larry B. Growls and roars at Larry C. Places Larry so high in a tree it will take him all day to climb down 10. What do you think is the moral of the story? A. If you’re friendly, you’ll get presents B. Mean people have magic powers C. Treat everyone with kindness, and good will come of it

Camp Chaos

The bell began tolling, telling the kids at Camp Sunrise it was noon. Time to eat. Everyone came rushing pell-mell from their activities in the woods toward the dining area set up in the middle of the cabins. There were plates of bread, tubs of peanut butter, and jars of jelly. Bowls full of apples, bananas, and oranges were set on every table. If this wasn’t enough to quell the campers’ hunger, they’d just have to wait until dinner in a few hours.

It was Skylar who fell first. She tripped on a log from the campfire they’d had the night before. Tobias was close behind Skylar, so of course he tripped on her. He landed with an “Oof!” Janie skidded to a stop to help Skylar and Tobias back to their feet, but Taylor didn’t see Janie stop, and ran right into her, knocking her to the ground. Everyone was yelling and checking their knees and elbows that were already swelling from their falls.

Trace, a camp counselor at Camp Sunrise watched in disbelief as the chaos continued. Finally, he had enough. “Everyone, freeze!” he bellowed. Trace was usually so calm, that his loud voice surprised all the campers. They looked to Trace with wide eyes. Even the other counselors looked at him. When he realized he had everyone’s attention, a droll little smile appeared on his face.

“I didn’t mean to surprise you all,” he said much more quietly now. “But if you’re all finished falling, could you please form two lines and march down here to the tables?” The campers looked a little funny, what with the way they limped more than marched, but soon enough, they made it to their tables. As everyone sat down, Trace handed out bandages. Everyone laughed, and promised they’d be more careful next time.

1. Bellowed A. Whispered a secret B. Spoke in a normal voice C. Shouted in a deep voice 2. Telling A. Asking for information B. Whining about something C. Giving information to someone 3. Jelly A. A food made from flour, and baked in the oven B. A sweet food made from fruit and sugar to spread on bread C. A food made from milk to spread on bread 4. Tolling A. A bell ringing slowly, as a way to give information B. Checking the time on a clock C. Working very hard 5. Droll A. Wise and old B. An odd, amusing way C. Adorable, cute 6. Swelling A. Something shrinking or getting smaller B. Something staying the same size C. Something getting larger 7. Yelling A. Saying something very loudly B. Saying something in a whisper C. Singing something 8. Quell A. To make things worse B. To calm, lessen, or stop something C. To use light to brighten a place 9. Pell-mell A. In a confused and hurried way B. In a controlled, calm way C. In a happy way 10. Fell A. Past tense of ‘fall’ B. Future tense of ‘fall’ C. Plural of ‘fall’

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Where does this story take place? A. At camp B. At home C. On vacation 3. What is the name of the camp? A. Camp Moonstruck B. Camp Sunrise C. Camp Toller 4. What time is it in this story? A. 7 a.m., breakfast time B. Noon, lunchtime C. 6 p.m., dinnertime 5. What are they going to eat? A. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fruit B. Tacos and salsa C. Roasted hotdogs and chips 6. What happens when the kids come to eat? A. They trip into the lake B. The run so fast, they knock the tables over C. They all fall on each other 7. Who falls first? A. Skylar B. Taylor C. Trace 8. Who yells at the campers to freeze? A. Skylar B. Taylor C. Trace 9. What does he hand out to everyone? A. Napkins B. Bandages C. Forks 10. What does everyone promise? A. To be more careful next time B. Not to fall anymore C. To eat all their lunch

Cotton: From Seed to Shirt

Cotton is grown from cotton plants in the southern part of the United States. Long ago, cotton was picked by hand. There were many southern cotton plantations that used slaves to do this difficult anddull work, as well as separating the fluffy part of cotton from the seed. In 1793, though, a man named Eli Whitney invented a machine called the cotton gin to help speed up the process. People extol Whitney for his invention because it changed America. There is a link between machinery and the speed at which things can be done. The cotton gin separated the soft cotton part from the seed much more quickly and easily than a person could.

Today, cotton is harvested by machine. Cotton farmers plant cotton seeds, and when the plants grow and the cotton is ready for picking, they use harvesting machines to pick and separate the cotton. Farmers know cotton is ready to be picked with the hull becomes dry and brown and soft white cotton bursts out from it. This part is called the boll. Farmers drive harvesters through the cotton fields. The harvesterspull the boll from the plant, then knock the seed from the soft cotton part and separate the two parts. The machine then moves the cotton into a bin. When the bin becomes full, the cotton is stored in huge packages that look like giant loaves of bread. These then go through a giant gin, where seeds, dirt, and other things are culled from the cotton. The machine removes all the waste and keeps only the cotton fibers, now called lint. The lint is sold to buyers who use the cotton to make clothing and other cotton goods.

So, the next time you wear your favorite T-shirt, you can thank a farmer…and Eli Whitney.

[sources: http://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/resources.cfm; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_gin; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Whitney]

1. Boll A. When water becomes so hot it bubbles B. The part of a cotton plant that has the seeds C. A bug bite 2. Culled A. Selected or separated from B. Joined together C. Stirred in a bowl 3. Pull A. To press things together B. Boring C. To remove something by holding it and using force 4. Hull A. The outer covering of fruit, seed, etc. B. The inside part of a fruit or nut, etc. C. The leaf on a plant 5. Full A. Not holding as much as possible B. Holding as much as possible C. Holding half as much as possible 6. Help A. To call out B. To pretend not to see someone who needs you C. To assist someone, do something that makes it easier for them 7. Extol A. To praise someone or something B. To not include someone C. To tell someone the could have done better 8. Dull A. Exciting and new B. Bright and fun C. Boring, not interesting 9. Link A. To separate things B. To connect two things C. To like something 10. Thank A. To tell someone you are grateful for what they did or gave B. To tell someone you are glad they liked what you gave them C. To ask for something you want

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is this story mostly about? A. The cotton gin B. Eli Whitney C. Cotton 3. What is the name of the machine that separates cotton from the seed? A. Cotton harvester B. Cotton gin C. Cotton combine 4. Who invented the cotton gin? A. Eli Whitney B. Ben Franklin C. Thomas Edison 5. Who used to harvest cotton before machines? A. Only men B. Slaves C. Cattle 6. What is the part of the plant called with the cotton and the seed? A. The hull B. The stalk C. The boll 7. How do farmers know cotton is ready to be harvested? A. When it is green and silky B. When it is dry and brown on the outside, and white cotton is bursting out of it C. When the stalks fall over 8. What is the cotton called once it’s been culled from the dirt and seeds? A. Lint B. Material C. Fiber 9. What is done with the lint? A. It is dumped in the trash B. It is sold to buyers who make things from cotton C. It is used to grow more cotton the next year 10. Who should you thank (or think of) the next time you wear cotton? A. A farmer and Eli Whitney B. Your mom C. The president

The Beach Bull

The gulls yelped at the young bull when they first saw him. Never had they seen such a creature so near the shores where they flew and lived. But the bull didn’t mind the gulls in the least. Instead, he continued to explore the area in his steady, controlled manner. It wasn’t long until a week passed, and then a month. Still, the bull was there by the shore. After so long, the gulls were no longer surprised by his presence, so they stopped screeching at him at last.

The bull, as it turned out, had escaped from a trailer when he was being moved to a new ranch. He didn’t like how crowded and full the trailer was. And he especially didn’t like the symbol of a bull’s skull painted on it. He could tell it was sunny and bright outside, and he just needed to get out. So when the truck slowed, the bull pushed and pulled at the door until he could squeeze out. The other animals never even noticed.

There wasn’t any pasture on which to graze, here at the beach, but the bull found new grasses and leaves to munch on. He became friendly with the gulls. One gull was even so brave as to perch on the bull’s back as he lumbered up and down the beach as if he were on patrol. A few other birds balked at the gull’s folly in befriending the bull. But the gull and the bull didn’t mind in the least. At least they had a friend.

Sometimes the bull remembered his old life at the ranch. He would mull over his memories of the other bulls as he lolled about in the sunshine near the shore. He hoped they were as happy in their new home as he was in his.

1. Bull A. An adult male chicken B. A young female cow C. An adult male cow or ox 2. Controlled A. Had power over something or someone B. Could not make yourself do something C. Made something work 3. Yelped A. Made a low, growling sound B. Made a quick, high cry C. Laughed loudly 4. Gulls A. Large fish that live in the ocean B. Small yellow birds C. Large gray and white birds that live near water 5. Patrol A. To go through an area to make sure it’s safe B. To run quickly C. To move slowly 6. Mull A. To speak about B. To think about C. To write about 7. Lolled A. Laughed out loud B. Rolled on the ground C. Sat or laid in a relaxed way 8. Folly A. Foolishness, not having good sense B. Feeling bored C. Doing something sensible 9. Skull A. The bones of the feet B. The top part of a body C. The bones of the head 10. Pulled A. The past tense of ‘push’ B. The opposite of ‘pushed’ C. The plural of ‘pull’

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. The gulls B. The bull C. The rancher 3. Where does this story take place? A. On a ranch B. On a beach C. On a farm 4. With whom does the bull make friends? A. Some gulls B. A little boy C. The rancher 5. From where does the bull escape? A. A trailer B. The pasture C. A cargo ship 6. What is painted on the trailer? A. A red “X” B. A hammer C. A bull’s skull 7. Do the gulls ever stop screeching at him? A. No, never B. Yes, but only after a year has passed C. Yes, after a month or so 8. What does the bull eat? A. Grasses and leaves at the beach B. A huge pasture C. Grain the gulls bring him 9. What does the bull think about sometimes? A. Learning to swim B. Leaving the beach C. The other bulls 10. What does he hope for the other bulls he used to know? A. That they also escaped B. That they’re as happy as he is now C. That they live on a happy ranch

Lollipop Polls

Our spring math project is to collect data from a group of people and make a graph showing the data. Mom gave out the assignment and then just went back to the spelling word list like it was no big deal. But of course, I immediately started thinking. What would I do? Whom would I talk to? What would be interesting? Finally, I decided I would poll all the kids enrolled in homeschooling about their favorite flavor of lollipop. I could create a graph using a computer program we just learned, and mom would be so impressed, I would be extolled for years to come. I mean, right?

As soon as Mom finished our lesson work for the day, I went to our family computer. I created a poll on a picture I posted to Instagram. Then, I sent messages to all the homeschool families in our co-op and asked them to go to Instagram to take my poll. Honestly, it felt like I scrolled through Instagram for the next three hours. (I hope it wasn’t really that long, though.) But my plan worked great. In no time at all, I had tons of votes on the poll. (And only one silly little brother trolled my post, but I knew he was only doing it in fun—he wasn’t being a bully—so I didn’t tattle or anything.)

After a night of sleep, my excitement had not even dulled a little. I was eager to get back to my project, so I decided to crank through my regular lessons as quickly as I could. (To be frank, I could tell Mom was impressed, too.) Then I went straight to the computer, and started my pie chart. It turned out great. I was so proud. Do you want to know what won? Blue raspberry is the favorite.

1. Dulled A. Became less bright B. Became more bright C. Went lower 2. Enrolled A. Stopped participating in a group B. Made something flat by rolling it C. Entered or participated in something, like a school 3. Frank A. To tell lies B. Very honest C. A young man 4. Lollipop A. A piece of hard candy attached to the end of a stick B. A chewy candy made with salt C. A sweet candy made from cacao beans 5. Poll A. To enter your vote B. To take and record votes from people C. To run for president 6. Scrolled A. Turned the page in a book B. Drew on a piece of paper C. Moved up and down a page on a screen 7. Trolled A. Was mean to others online B. Was mean to others in person C. Was mean to someone on a telephone call 8. Extolled A. Paid money to cross a bridge B. Highly praised someone C. Hurt someone 9. Crank A. To move by turning a crank B. To be lazy C. To help 10. Bully A. Someone who says kind things to others B. Someone who helps others C. Someone who hurts or threatens to hurt others who are smaller or weaker than them

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Holly B. Bennet C. We never learn the person’s name 3. Where does the person go to school? A. He or she is homeschooled B. He or she attends Faith Academy C. He or she attends Riverside Elementary School 4. What is the new assignment? A. To learn how to use social media B. To collect data and show the results on a graph C. To send 15 emails 5. What does the person decide to collect information about? A. Which park people like best B. Which lollipop flavor people like best C. How often people go grocery shopping each week 6. Where does the person post the poll? A. Outside the post office B. Inside an email C. On Instagram 7. Does it work? A. Yes B. No C. We don’t know 8. How does the person think their mom will feel about their project? A. They think she will be impressed B. They think she will give them extra allowance C. They think she will give them a day off of chores 9. Which type of chart or graph does the person make? A. A line graph B. A pie chart C. A bar graph 10. Which flavor won? A. Red cherry B. Lemon C. Blue raspberry

Kenya and the Hurt Ankle

Kenya was walking by the bank on her way home from the bus stop. She had always loved watching the glass door revolving in a circle, as the busy people—usually dressed in black suits—came in and out of the big building. It was while she was watching the door that she accidentally stepped off the curb and hurt herankle . Badly.

Kenya whimpered with pain and felt herself sink down. She sat on her flank. She took off her shoe and knew immediately that something was wrong. Her ankle was already swelling, and it definitely didn’t bend that way before. The next thing she felt after the pain was anger. But what good would it do to rankle herself up about something that was already done? She wished she could shrink away. Instead, she sighed and sat on the curb. She was too young to have her own phone. Kenya wasn’t sure how she would call her daddy. She felt helpless, but knew she couldn’t just give up. She looked again at her lank ankle. “Ew,” she said aloud.

Just then, someone stopped next to her. “Are you okay, miss? Can I help you?” a man said. She wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Oh, yes, please. Do you have a phone I could use?” she asked.

“Of course, but let me help you out of the street,” the man said.

He helped her up and carried her to a park bench in a grassy area near the bank. The plank of wood felt much better than the street curb. The man handed his phone to Kenya and she dialed her dad’s number.

In no time, her dad was there by her side. Kenya thanked the man before they left. Her ankle hurt badly, but she was glad such a kind and helpful person had found her.

1. Ankle A. The joint where the leg meets the body B. The joint where the foot meets the leg C. The joint where the hand meets the arm 2. Bank A. A business where people keep their money B. A place where people buy food C. A place where people sit and eat food they bought 3. Flank A. The top of something B. The bottom of something C. The side of something 4. Helpful A. To not be able to do something for yourself B. Making it easier to do a job; willing to help other people C. Not having any control 5. Helpless A. Not able to make something better; not having control B. To make something easier for someone C. Willing to help other people 6. Lank A. Full of life B. Bouncy and full C. Limp, lifeless, floppy 7. Shrink A. To grow larger B. To become smaller C. To stay the same size 8. Plank A. A terrible smell B. A long, thin board C. A small chunk of wood 9. Rankle A. To make someone feel angry and annoyed B. A terrible smell C. To make someone laugh 10. Sink A. To rise up high B. To stand on the ground C. To go down below the surface

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Merissa B. Kenya C. Alejandra 3. Where does this story take place? A. Outside in the city B. Inside a bank C. On a bus 4. What is Kenya watching at the beginning of the story? A. The bank doors revolving B. People running to catch the bus C. A piece of wood floating down the curb with the rain 5. What happens next? A. She meets a nice man B. She borrows a phone C. She slips off the sidewalk and hurts her ankle 6. Who helps her? A. A kind man B. A friendly lady C. A nice girl about her same age 7. What does he do? A. Hands her his phone right away B. First carries her to a bench C. Calls her house for her 8. Whom does she call? A. Her mother B. Her father C. Her grandparents 9. How does she feel at the end? A. Glad that such a good person had found and helped her B. In too much pain to think C. Upset that she doesn’t have her own phone 10. How far from home was she? A. About a mile B. Just one block C. We don’t know, the story doesn’t tell us

A Prank

Frankly, we should have known better when my big brother Elliot offered to bring Shandi and I drinks. He’s not usually that thoughtful. And he really loves pranks. So we definitely should have known better. Instead, we were just thankful to have a cool drink after our game of tag outside.

Shandi was the first to notice. I guess I was drinking so fast that I didn’t notice. Shandi must have known to be careful.

She only took a sip and then said, “My water stinks. Doesn’t yours, Monica?”

I stopped drinking, and that’s when I noticed my water kind of tasted like pickles. It kind of smelled like pickles, too. I was linking two and two together in my mind. I filled in theblanks , and then realized…

“Vinegar!” I said. That’s what the smell and taste was. Vinegar. Just like in a jar of pickles. From around the corner, we heard Elliot trying to muffle his laughter. I was really mad now. Nothing rankles me like someone messing with my food or drink.

“Grrr,” I growled in frustration. “You should be spanked, Mr. Elliot-man!” I yelled in the direction of the laughter. That only made him laugh harder and louder. I guess I couldn’t blame him for that. The thought of our parents—who’ve never spanked us—spanking my 12-year- old brother did seem a little laughable. And I guess that thought was all I needed to change my attitude, because suddenly I was laughing helplessly, too. And then Shandi started up. Elliot came in from around the corner and we all stood there laughing until tears ran down our cheeks.

That’s the thing about pranks, I guess. You never know what’s going to make you cry, and what’s going to make you laugh. Or what’s going to make you do both.

1. Drinks A. Liquids that you consume, drink B. Foods you eat C. Scents you smell 2. Frankly A. In a tricky way B. In an honest way C. In a funny way 3. Blanks A. Full spaces B. A group of words together C. Empty spaces to be filled in 4. Pranks A. To make fun of someone in a mean way B. Tricks played on someone as a joke C. Funny stories to share with others 5. Rankles A. Makes someone feel irritated or annoyed B. To shake about C. Confuses someone 6. Stinks A. Has a pleasant scent or aroma B. Looks strange C. Has a very bad smell 7. Thankful A. Unhappy about something B. Glad about something C. Wishing for something 8. Spanked A. Slapped someone’s bottom as punishment B. Pinched someone C. Covered someone’s eyes 9. Helplessly A. Willing to help others B. Making it easier to do a job C. Unable to help yourself, no control 10. Linking A. Pulling things apart B. Putting two or more things together C. Making things confusing

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. Shandi B. Monica C. Elliot 3. What have the girls just finished doing at the beginning of this story? A. Playing tag B. Making lemonade C. Drawing on the sidewalk with chalk 4. Who gets drinks for them? A. Monica’s big sister B. Shandi’s mom C. Monica’s big brother 5. What is his name? A. Eli B. Elliot C. Elias 6. Who notices the prank first? A. Monica B. Shandi C. Frankie 7. What has Elliot put in the water? A. Vinegar B. Salt C. A fly 8. What does Monica say to Elliot? A. He should go on timeout B. He should go to his room C. He should be spanked 9. What happens then? A. Monica tells their parents B. Everyone starts laughing C. The girls leave and go to Shandi’s house 10. What’s the thing about pranks? A. You never know what’s going to make you laugh or cry B. They are always very mean C. They are a good way to pass time

A Favorite Day

Hank blinked in the bright sun as he cranked open the huge umbrella for shade. It clanked loudly when it was fully open, startling him. He spread a huge towel onto the sand and sank down onto it. In a moment, he was flanked by his children, 7-year-old twins Tilly and Michael. They dug in the sand banks and scooped up buckets of water for building sand castles. They worked tirelessly, running back and forth from their spot on the beach and the lake. Hank couldn’t help but smile as he listened to Tilly and Michael plan their great sand castle. It seemed like time was passing too quickly. His own mother used to tell him, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” It seemed especially true right now.

Tilly was using her shovel to dig a moat around the tall castle she and Michael had built. She had a pleased smiled on her face. Michael yanked some floating plants from the lake and proudly carried them to her. Together, they pulled the leaves off the stems to use as decoration for the castle. Seeing his children work so nicely with one another made Hank’s heart feel full. He looked around and began to feel quite lucky indeed. Thankfully, Hank had remembered to pack snacks, so he wouldn’t have to bring the kids home too soon. Hank dug through the bag he’d packed and found boxes of lemonade for everyone. The kids settled in the shade of the umbrella with Hank, and they drank eagerly.

The sun was bright and warm. The sky was clear and blue. The lake was warm and calm, and there were so few people around. It was only 11 a.m., but already this ranked as one of his favorite days of his life.

1. Banks A. The higher ground along a body of water B. The bottom of a lake C. The grass that grows by water 2. Drank A. Past tense of ‘dance’ B. Past tense of ‘drink’ C. Past tense of ‘dig’ 3. Blinked A. Closed and opened one eye B. Closed your eyes C. Closed and opened your eyes quickly 4. Clanked A. A low rumbling sound B. A loud, sharp sound of metal hitting something C. A pretty chime sound 5. Cranked A. Pushed a button down B. Pulled something up C. Moved something by turning a handle, or crank 6. Flanked A. To have something on both sides of a person B. To have something in front of a person C. To not have anything around you 7. Sank A. Rose up into the air B. Stayed standing on the ground C. Went down below the surface of something 8. Thankfully A. With a feeling of thanks B. To tell someone you are glad about something C. To have as much as possible 9. Yanked A. Gently laid something down B. Gave a quick, strong pull C. Moved something to the side 10. Ranked A. Stood in a line B. Smelled terrible C. Put something in a position alongside others according to size, quality, etc.

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Hank B. Michael C. Tilly 3. Where does this story take place? A. At an office B. At the beach C. In a car 4. How old are the children? A. 5 and 7 B. 7 C. 9 and 10 5. How do the children know each other? A. They are cousins B. They are friends C. They are twins 6. What is Hank doing in the beginning of the story? A. Setting up an umbrella B. Laying out towels C. Taking out snacks 7. What are the children doing? A. Fishing B. Swimming C. Building a sandcastle 8. What do they drink together? A. Kool-Aid B. Lemonade C. Water 9. What is the weather like in this story? A. Warm and sunny B. Warm and cloudy C. Chilly and brisk 10. What time is it at the end of the story? A. 11 a.m. B. Noon C. 1 p.m.

The Great Hotdog Naming Competition

The company needed a name for its new hotdog, but everyone kept blanking in their meetings to do so. Rather unhelpfully, one young man raised his hand and said, “How about Frank’s?” Everyone sighed and shook their heads. After all, it wasn’t a very original idea.

Finally, one important looking woman in a dark suit suggested something new. “Let’s hold a contest and let anyone suggest a name. Once we weed out all the pranksters who are just yanking our chains, surely something will come of it.”

Everyone nodded their heads thoughtfully, and so it was decided.

The company ran an ad that read: “We’re banking on you! Name our fresh new hotdog and win $1,000!” It included instructions to send in ideas. Now all the company had to do was sit back and wait for the right name.

Of course, the woman in the dark suit soon realized there was a wrinkle in the plan. What if no one came up with a good name? They’d have to choose something—the ad said there would be a $1,000 winner. She shrank back in her seat and thought it over. Though the thought rankled her, she decided to have faith in the people and believe that the right name would come through.

The company decided to sell their nameless hotdogs so people could taste them. Hopefully, someone would bite into a terrific idea for a name. Soon, the names started rolling in. There were definitely some silly ones, and some that made you think. Some were amusing, and some just plain stunk. But finally, on the last day of the competition, it came through. The woman in the dark suit smiled and nodded. They would call the winner this afternoon, and be inking the $1,000 check by morning. The hotdog had its new name: The Furious Frankfurter.

1. Inking A. Drawing something B. Signing something C. Spilling paint 2. Yanking A. Setting something down B. Pressing down on something C. Pulling something 3. Frankfurter A. A hotdog B. A hamburger C. A cheese sandwich 4. Shrank A. Became smaller B. Grew larger C. Got taller 5. Unhelpfully A. In a way that is useful B. In a way that’s not useful, giving no help C. To not think a thing will work out 6. Blanking A. Having many ideas B. Thinking a lot C. Having no ideas 7. Wrinkle A. A surprising or unexpected thing to happen B. A plan that goes the way you expect C. To make plans 8. Banking A. Not knowing what to expect B. Depending on something or someone, feeling like you know it will happen C. Hoping for the best 9. Rankled A. Caused to feel nervous and excited B. Caused to feel calm and relaxed C. Caused to feel annoyed or irritated 10. Pranksters A. People who play jokes or pranks on others B. To play a joke on someone C. People who help others

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. The young man B. The woman in the dark suit C. The boy 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a company office B. In a school C. In a home 4. What is the name of the company? A. ABC Marketing B. Tell Us Company C. We don’t know; the story doesn’t tell us 5. What are the people at the company trying to do? A. Come up with a name for their new hotdog B. Hire a new worker C. Decide on the next food to sell 6. How are they going to do it? A. By working late every night until they have a name B. Have a contest and offer the winner money C. By drawing ideas out of a hat 7. How much is the reward? A. $10 B. $100 C. $1,000 8. What does the woman see as the wrinkle in the plan? A. What if there are no good name suggestions? B. What if no one makes any suggestions? C. What if everyone makes the same suggestion? 9. How does the plan turn out? A. They still don’t have a name B. No one enters the contest C. There is a winner 10. What is the winning name? A. Fiery Franks B. Furious Frankfurters C. Winning Wienies

The Collection

“Try not to conk your head. It’s a low ceiling,” Uncle Jamal called after Maverick.

“Don’t worry,” Maverick called back.

There was always an ebb and flow to fads in the neighborhood. These days, it was all about baseball cards. Maverick had a few, but when he began to beg for more, his mom told him to see Uncle Jamal’s collection. Uncle Jamal lived just down the street, so Maverick wasted no time running over, even though it had begun to sprinkle outside.

“I didn’t peg you as a collector,” Uncle Jamal had said when Maverick arrived. “But it’ll be good to see the guys again.” Then he told Maverick exactly where to find the box of cards tucked away in the cellar.

Now, Maverick held the flashlight Uncle Jamal had handed him, and brushed awaycobwebs .

“I think I found them!” Maverick called.

“Is it a flat white box?” Uncle Jamal called back.

“Yeah, and it weighs a ton!”

“That’s it,” Uncle Jamal laughed.

Maverick held the flashlight between his teeth. He lugged the heavy box out of the cellar. “Phew! You must have a ton of cards in here!” Maverick said.

“Yeah, something like that,” Uncle Jamal said with a wink. “Let’s go check it out.”

Upstairs, they spread out on the floor and sifted through the rows of baseball cards. The rain was falling harder outside.

“Gosh, you took good care of these. No kinks or wrinkles or anything,” Maverick said. Uncle Jamal nodded, distracted by the cards in front of him. Mostly, the players on the cards were strangers to Maverick. But he did recognize some names, like Kirby Puckett and Bo Jackson. Excitement bubbled up inside Maverick. He already liked his uncle so much, but this might be his new favorite thing to do with him.

1. Conk A. To hit your head B. To stub your toe C. To fall over 2. Peg A. To daydream B. To decide on something C. To think of someone as a certain type of person, have them ‘pegged’ 3. Kinks A. Straight lines B. Tight bends C. Loose waves 4. Cobwebs A. Dusty spiderwebs B. Dust found underneath furniture C. A type of flower that is white 5. Sprinkle A. To pour rain B. A steady, heavy rain C. To rain lightly 6. Think A. To say what is in your mind B. To form a thought in your mind C. To see pictures when you sleep 7. Beg A. To calmly and politely ask for something B. To grant someone’s wish C. To ask in a serious and emotional way 8. Wrinkles A. Small lines or folds B. Deep pits surrounding something C. A bump on a surface 9. Wink A. To close and open both eyes B. To quickly close and open an eye C. To leave your eyes closed 10. Ebb A. When the tide flows to the land; gets greater or larger B. When a lake is calm and still C. When the tide flows out from land; gets lesser or smaller

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Maverick B. Micha C. Mitchel 3. Where does this story take place? A. Mostly at the uncle’s house B. Mostly at Maverick’s house C. Mostly at the park 4. What is the uncle’s name? A. Jimmy B. Robert C. Jamal 5. What is the current fad in the neighborhood? A. Eating cherry popsicles B. Collecting and trading baseball cards C. Collecting and trading bottlecaps 6. Why does Maverick’s mom send him to his uncle? A. Because he has a large collection of cards from when he was a kid B. Because she has to go to work and he can babysit C. Because he likes talking about baseball and needs some company 7. Where are the uncle’s cards? A. Under his bed B. Locked in a safe C. In a box in the cellar 8. In what condition are the cards? A. Great, Uncle Jamal took good care of the cards B. Rough, they have wrinkles and tears C. Terrible, the pictures are hard to see 9. What is the weather like in this story? A. Rainy B. Sunny C. Snowy 10. How does Maverick feel at the end of the story? A. Jealous B. Excited C. Bored

At the Dressing Table

Jasmine slinked over to her aunt’s glossy, nutmeg colored dressing table. The jewelry there twinkled even in the dull evening light. Jasmine had begged to play with the beautiful jewelry for as long as she could remember, but she was always told they weren’t toys. Jasmine knew the jewelry was valuable. They were gifts her uncle brought Aunt Susan from his faraway travels in Europe.

Jasmine had just reached for a pair of ruby earrings when a sudden honking sound outside startled her. She ran to the window and saw a pair of geese on the lawn. Her little cousin, Toby, had sprinkled the ground with bread crusts for them.

Suddenly, Jasmine heard footsteps. She twirled around to see a surprised Aunt Susan. “Why, Jasmine! I didn’t expect to find you in here. I thought you were playing with Theresa and Gia,” Aunt Susan said.

Jasmine fumbled for words. “Oh, um, I…” she began. But her aunt interrupted her.

“Darling?” she said quietly. “Were you playing with my jewelry?”

Jasmine looked down at her hands. “I didn’t touch anything,” she said truthfully. What she didn’t say is how badly she had wanted to. Aunt Susan sighed. Then a smile spread across her face.

“I have an idea. Come,” she said. Jasmine wrinkled her nose in confusion. “No, really!” Aunt Susan laughed. “Sit here.” Jasmine did as she was told. Then Aunt Susan asked, “What would you like to wear?”

Jasmine couldn’t believe it. “Really?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“Really,” Aunt Susan nodded.

Soon, they were laughing together and talking excitedly. Aunt Susan put diamond earrings in her ears, a sapphire necklace around her neck, and she let Jasmine put as many rings on her fingers as could fit. thoughtA entered Jasmine’s mind. It was that there was no luckier girl than her.

1. Begged A. Asked in a serious, emotional way B. Insisted someone give you something C. Told someone what you want 2. Darling A. A person you love very much B. A person who annoys you C. A person with whom you are not friends 3. Thought A. Words spoken out loud B. A song you sing C. An idea 4. Twinkled A. A dim light B. Shined with an unsteady light C. Became rough to the touch 5. Sprinkled A. Spread small amounts of something over an area B. Dumped out a lot of something C. Placed one thing somewhere 6. Slinked A. Moved gracefully B. Moved in a sneaky way so no one would notice C. Moved clumsily, making a lot of noise 7. Uncle A. A sister of one of your parents B. A father of one of your parents C. A brother of one of your parents, or the husband of your aunt 8. Wrinkled A. Made a lump on something B. Made small lines or creases on something C. Cut pieces out of something 9. Honking A. The sound a cat makes B. The sound a cow makes C. A loud sound made by a goose 10. Nutmeg A. A spice from the hard seed of a nutmeg tree B. A syrup that comes from maple trees C. A leaf you can eat from a spinach plant

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Jasmine B. Thella C. Gianna 3. Where does this story take place? A. In the front yard B. In Aunt Susan’s room C. In the playroom 4. What does Jasmine want to do? A. Play with her aunt’s jewelry B. Feed the geese with her cousin C. Try on her aunt’s shoes 5. Where has the jewelry come from? A. A thrift store B. Her uncle got it from his travels to Europe C. Quarter machines 6. What is Toby doing? A. Keeping a watch for people B. Swinging from a tree C. Feeding geese 7. What does Jasmine almost touch? A. Ruby earrings B. Diamond earrings C. A sapphire hair comb 8. Who finds Jasmine? A. Her mother B. Her Aunt Susan C. Her cousin Theresa 9. What does Aunt Susan do? A. She invites Jasmine to try on as much jewelry as she wants B. She calls Jasmine’s parents to tell them she is in trouble C. She sends Jasmine to bed 10. How does Jasmine feel at the end of the story? A. Grateful and lucky B. Frustrated and upset C. Embarrassed and full of shame

Let’s Learn About Animals!

There are so many types of creatures on land and sea, and they’re all so different from one another. Let’s take a closer look at a few amazing animals.

Monkey: Monkeys are popular animals, partly because their features are so similar to humans! There are more than 200 types of monkeys in the world. Some live in trees, and some live on ground.

Skunk: Despite being stinky, skunks are actually pretty cute critters. They have black bodies with two white stripes down their backs. If they feel threatened, they will spray an awful smelling gas.

Peacock: The word “peacock” actually refers to the male species. Females are called “peahens.” Both types can live for up to 20 years. The peacock’s tail is more than twice as long as its body.

Duck: Ducks can live in both freshwater and saltwater, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica! They use their webbed feet to move through the water, and dunk their heads to find food. Their young hatch out of eggs, and are calledducklings .

Herring: Herring are small, silver fish that live in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Many people enjoy eating pickled herring, so most of these fish end up on someone’s plate.

Elephant: Elephants are huge, beautiful creatures. They are knowns for their large, floppy ears and their strong trunks, which they use for scooping food and water into their mouths. Elephants live in Asia and Africa, but you may find one at your local zoo.

Cow: Cows are large farm animals, also referred to as livestock. These animals can live on farms and be used for their milk and their meat.

Spider: Spiders are arachnids, not animals, but they, too, are amazing creatures. Their spider webs are stored as a liquid in their body, but turns to silk as soon as it comes out. The sticky web is useful for catching flies and other insects to eat.

[sources: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/monkey.html; https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-skunks/; http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/peacock_facts/43/; https://animalsake.com/herring-fish-facts; http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/duck.html; https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/elephant-facts/;] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 138 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Dunk A. To stay on top of water B. To dip into water C. To stay out of water 2. Spider webs A. Sticky threads made by spiders for resting and catching their prey B. The insects caught by spiders C. The legs on spiders 3. Webbed feet A. The feathers grown on B. Having tissue connecting toes, like on ducks C. Having fur that grows between toes 4. Monkeys A. Animals whose parents are a donkey and a horse B. Animals that live in the ocean C. Animals closely related to humans and apes 5. Duckling A. A young duck B. A female duck C. An adult duck 6. Herring A. The largest fish in the ocean B. A silver fish that lives in the ocean and is often eaten C. A colorful fish often used as a trophy 7. Skunk A. A small gray animal with dark rings on its tail and over its eyes B. A small tree-dwelling animal with a bushy tail C. A small black and white animal that sprays a strong smelling gas when frightened 8. Peacock A. A small bird that can remember how to fly home from long distances B. A large male bird with long, colorful tail feathers C. A song bird 9. Trunks A. The long, flexible noses of elephants B. The huge feet of elephants C. The skinny tails on elephants 10. Livestock A. Rare animals from Asia B. Colorful birds kept as pets in the home C. Farm animals that are raised and used by people

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. What is the topic of this story? A. Mountains B. Animals C. Sea creatures 3. Which type of animal has more than 200 types? A. Monkey B. Duck C. Spider 4. Which type of animal dunks their head in water to find food? A. Cows B. Skunks C. Ducks 5. Which type of animal sprays a strong smell when scared? A. Skunks B. Spiders C. Peacocks 6. Which type of animal is a male? A. Peahen B. Peacock C. Peafowl 7. Which type of animal is livestock? A. Elephants B. Monkeys C. Cows 8. Which type of animal has liquid web material inside of their body? A. Spiders B. Flies C. Gnats 9. Which type of animal can live up to 20 years? A. Spiders B. Herring C. Peacocks 10. Which type of animal is mostly used as food? A. Elephants B. Herring C. Skunks

Treasure Chest

Waylon sat on the back of the hay wagon using a piece of hay as a toothpick.

“I’ve got stuff stuck in my teeth,” Waylon said as he picked.

“That’s what happens after eating corn on the cob,” Marvin replied to his roughneck friend. “Now hop down here and help me again.”

Waylon plunked the piece of hay on the ground and hopped off the wagon. The two men were digging holes for fence posts to make the horse pasture larger. Marvin plunged his shovel down into the earth, and the men heard a clunk.

“What was that?” Waylon asked.

Marvin looked confused. “Beats me. Sounds like a chunk of bedrock.” He dug some more, and again they heard the chinking sound. Waylon used his shovel to clear away more dirt, and then two men crouched down to see what the shovel was hitting.

“Sheesh, is that what it looks like?” Waylon asked in amazement.

“Buddy,” Marvin started, “we could be on the brink of a great discovery here.”

Quickly, Marvin and Waylon used their shovels to dig a larger hole. They reached down and pulled up what looked like a large treasure chest. Their eyes shone with excitement. The chest was locked with an old padlock but it was rusty. Marvin used the side of his shovel to break it open. Together, they lifted the lid of the trunk.

No gold coins glittered back at them. No pearls or diamonds shone in the sunlight. In fact, there was nothing in there but some old clothes that had long ago rotted into threads.

“It’s junk!” Waylon said.

Marvin sighed loudly.

The men leaned on the wagon and gazed at the treasureless chest.

“Ah well,” Waylon said. “Wouldn’t know what to do with a million bucks, anyway.”

The men laughed and went back to digging holes.

1. Brink A. The bottom of something B. The edge at the top of a steep cliff C. The wall of a house 2. Clunk A. A loud, dull sound made when something heavy hits something else B. A broken piece of glass C. A long jump 3. Chunk A. A thin slice of something B. A thick piece of something C. A wide cut made in something 4. Bedrock A. A place early humans used to sleep B. A soft soil useful for camping C. The solid rock that lies beneath the soil and oceans on Earth 5. Junk A. Stuff with little or no value B. Valuable items C. Things that hold many memories 6. Toothpick A. A tool used for brushing your teeth B. A short, pointed stick used for picking food out of teeth C. A sharp tooth animals get 7. Chinking A. Making a short, sharp sound like metal on metal B. To think for a long time C. Taking small pieces off a thing 8. Plunked A. Lifted up B. Walked slowly C. Dropped in a forceful way 9. Trunk A. A pouch used for storing money B. A large, sturdy box used for storing and carrying things C. A cloth bag 10. Roughneck A. Someone who acts in a rough, rude way B. Someone who acts very politely C. Someone whose neck feels rough

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Marvin B. Waylon C. Both A and B 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a field B. In a barn C. On a ship 4. What are the men working on doing? A. Planting corn B. Digging holes for fence posts C. Digging for treasure 5. Why are they doing this? A. To make the pasture bigger for the horses B. So they can get more cows C. Because they are bored 6. What is Waylon using for a toothpick? A. A piece of string B. A piece of hay C. A piece of rock 7. What do they think they hit at first? A. A treasure chest B. The center of the earth C. Bedrock 8. What do they soon believe they found? A. A treasure chest B. The center of the earth C. Bedrock 9. What do they find inside? A. Old scraps of cloth B. Gold coins C. Valuable gems 10. What do they do at the end? A. Cry because they’re so disappointed B. Laugh and go back to digging holes C. Drive the treasure straight to the bank

Willy and the Spelling Test

“I got skunked” Willy whined loudly as he looked at his spelling test, which was scrawled with red marker X’s.

“That’s not exactly true,” Winnie said matter-of-factly. “If you flunk a spelling test, it’s no one’s fault but your own, you know.”

“Winnie, please stop egging him on,” their mom said in a warning tone. But then she turned to Willy. “She’s right, though. You do have to take responsibility for studying if you want to do well on your tests.”

Willy slunk down in his chair. He knew their feedback was right on, but he still felt angry. Like somehow it wasn’t all his own fault that he’d only gotten two words right on the test. Maybe he could blame the starling. It was building a nest right outside the window, and it was so hard for Willy to pay attention to anything else. Sometimes when he got stuck on a thing, it really felt impossible to get unstuck. So he supposed that if the starling hadn’t been distracting him, he would have learned his spelling words just fine.

Mom dunked the last of her bread in her coffee, then poured thedregs down the kitchen drain. Willy didn’t know how she could eat or drink that gunk.

“Yuck. That’s totally revolting,” he said under his breath. Winnie heard him. She giggled. “What’s so funny?” their mom turned and asked them.

“Oh nothing, Mom,” Winnie said with a smile. “Willy was just helping me practice some new words.”

Their mom smiled. “That’s nice, Willy. Tell you what, why don’t you teach them to me, too? Maybe it’ll help you remember.”

Willy covered his face in his hands. This day was going from bad to worse. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

1. Gunk A. To feel down B. Stuff that’s dirty or sticky C. A clean area 2. Dregs A. The solid stuff that falls to the bottom of a liquid B. To drink quickly C. The walkways near beaches 3. Flunk A. To get every question correct on a test B. To do well in school C. To get a failing grade in something 4. Dunked A. Spilled some liquid over the edge of a container B. Dipped food into liquid C. Covered food with frosting 5. Skunked A. Got sprayed by a skunk B. Wiped out, fell C. Completely defeated someone in a game or contest 6. Slunk A. Moved in a clumsy, noisy way B. Moved sneakily in a quiet way, so as not to be noticed C. Moved in a jumpy, nervous way 7. Starling A. A common black or dark brown bird B. A small, bright yellow bird C. A medium size red bird with a crest on its head 8. Unstuck A. To become attached to something B. Moving freely, no longer stuck to something C. To pull away 9. Feedback A. To feed someone again after they’ve just eaten B. To say nice things to someone C. Helpful information given to someone so they can improve and get better at something 10. Egging A. To serve eggs to someone B. Urging someone, usually to do something foolish C. Cleaning eggs off of plates

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Winnie B. Willy C. The mom 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a school B. In a house C. In a library 4. What is the problem in this story? A. Willy has flunked his spelling test B. Winnie is teasing Willy C. Mom has run out of coffee 5. Why does Willy think this happened? A. Because he was studying the wrong spelling list B. Because he fell asleep early C. Because he was distracted by a bird outside the window 6. What type of bird is in this story? A. A cardinal B. A starling C. A crow 7. What does Winnie tell Willy at the beginning of the story? A. She will help him study next time B. It’s his own fault that he failed C. The words were hard for her, too 8. What is the mom drinking in this story? A. Coffee B. Hot tea C. Iced tea 9. What is one of the new words Willy “teaches” Winnie? A. Gross B. Disgusting C. Revolting 10. What does their mom want Willy to do at the end of the story? A. Study harder B. Teach them new spelling words C. Take a walk

The Drive Home

Dev sat in the backseat of the station wagon plunking on his guitar. He had hitched a ride home for the family potluck this weekend. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Dev was homesick. He thought of piling his plate with his favorite foods: Curry, rice, a dumpling. He smiled at the thought.

Dev had been gone to college for two months already. Bunking with a stranger had been uncomfortable at first, but now he and his roommate, Tim, were becoming friends. Still, it wasn’t the same as being with family. The car stopped. Dev looked around at the gridlock and sighed. He didn’t want to rubberneck, but this was crazy. They seemed lost in a sea of hundreds of vehicles.

“You alright back there?” Kelly, the girl who was driving, turned to Dev. “It looks like we’ll be adding some time to our drive with this jam.”

Dev nodded. “Yeah, I’m OK. I’ve got my guitar,” he said.

“Play us some music?” Kelly asked hopefully, as she used the mirror to apply some lipstick. “That’s the drawback to this car. My radio’s broken.”

Dev laughed. “Better than the clunking sounds my car back home always made. But sure, I’ll play something.”

He sat up straighter in the seat and pulled his guitar into position. He strummed the familiar chords. Kelly smiled and closed her eyes. “I know this one,” she said. She hummed along.

Their windows were open. So were the windows in the cars next to them. Before long, the people in the cars around them turned their radios down so they could hear Dev’s guitar. They danced in their seats and sang along.

Dev smiled. It would be a while before he got home, but he knew this was a good place to be, too.

1. Dumpling A. A piece of food wrapped in dough and cooked B. A large flat piece of bread C. Crispy noodles 2. Homesick A. To be ill while you are at home B. To feel sad because you miss your home and family C. To be tired of being home 3. Gridlock A. Putting a lock on something to keep it shut B. To drive in straight lines only C. When streets are so full, cars cannot move 4. Plunking A. Moving in a clumsy way B. Pulling a string or striking a key to make music C. Pressing down buttons to make music 5. Potluck A. A meal where everyone who comes brings food to share B. To try your luck at finding a pot of gold C. A very nice meal at a restaurant 6. Rubberneck A. To have a sore neck B. To look around and stare with great curiosity, especially while driving C. To look in a bored way 7. Bunking A. Making up a story B. Making beds C. Staying overnight at a place 8. Drawback A. Something that makes problems, or makes something more difficult B. To pull something away C. To tell someone what’s wrong 9. Clunking A. Moving gracefully B. Making a loud, dull sound C. A sweet, song-like sound 10. Lipstick A. A type of makeup worn on the cheeks B. A type of makeup worn on the eyelids C. A type of colorful makeup worn on the lips

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Dev B. Betty C. Kelly 3. Where does this story take place? A. At college B. In a house C. In a car 4. What is Dev looking forward to eating? A. Dumplings B. Rice Crispy treats C. Stew 5. Who is driving? A. Dev B. Kelly C. A man they hired 6. What is Dev doing? A. Driving B. Playing guitar in the backseat C. Reading a book of poetry 7. How long has Dev been away from home? A. Two years B. Two weeks C. Two months 8. What is the drawback to Kelly’s car? A. The radio doesn’t work B. It makes a loud clunking sound C. The gas gauge is broken 9. Why are they stopped? A. They’ve run out of gas B. There’s gridlock on the street C. They’re lost 10. Why is Dev smiling at the end of the story? A. People around them are beginning to sing along with his music B. He knows they’re nearly home C. He’s made a new best friend

Mary Edwards Walker: An Educated Woman

Mary Edwards Walker was born in New York, in 1832. She had five sisters and one brother. Their parents wanted all their children to have a good education, so they were all encouraged to attend college. Each of the sisters went on to become teachers. However, for Mary, there was something more she wanted to do.

Mary went on to attend medical school, and became a medical doctor. She was dedicated to medicine and when the Civil War broke out in 1861, she joined the Union Army to work as a medic.

Mary’s dedication as a surgeon during the Civil War resulted in her being awarded the Medal of Honor. To this day, she is the only woman to have this honor.

After the war, Mary continued to play an important role in American history. She lived her life during a complicated time, when women were kept very separate from men. Mary believed that women should be able to dress in more comfortable clothing, and so she fought for this right. Women at this time were still wearing long, heavy dresses with many petticoats underneath. Mary—and other women—found this dress uncomfortable, and frustrating, and even dirty (as the large dresses collected and spread so much dust and dirt). Instead, Mary started wearing shorter dresser over a pair of men’s trousers. People didn’t appreciate Mary’s way of dressing. They made fun of her, and she was even arrested for dressing like a man. Even the media printed rude cartoon pictures about her style of dress. But Mary stayed strong. She gave speeches and educated other Americans about women’s dress. She explained why women should be able to wear lighter, more comfortable clothing. Mary also fought for women’s right to vote.

Mary Edwards Walker was an incredible woman who was determined to make men and women equal.

[sources: https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_325.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Edwards_Walker; https://americancivilwar.com/women/mary_edwards_walker.html]

1. Medic A. A person who does medical work, especially in the military B. The science of preventing and treating sickness C. Having to do with medicine 2. Complicated A. Easy to understand B. Boring to explain C. Difficult to understand or explain 3. Dedication A. Not really caring about something B. Feeling strong support for or loyalty to someone or something C. Working on many different things at once 4. Education A. Being smart B. Another word for ‘school’ C. The knowledge and skill you get from attending school and learning 5. Educated A. Having an education B. Having a large house C. Having a fast car 6. Medicine A. Having to do with medicine B. The science of preventing and treating sickness C. A person who does medical work, especially in the military 7. Media A. The art and other pictures hanging in a house B. Photographs taken of families C. Newspapers, radio, TV, etc. through which information is shared 8. Appreciate A. To understand worth or importance B. To be confused about something C. To give all your time to something 9. Medical A. The science of preventing and treating sickness B. Having to do with medicine C. A person who does medical work, especially in the military 10. Dedicated A. Understood something’s importance B. Gave some money to someone C. Being strongly devoted to a task or purpose

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Whom is this story about? A. Mary Tyler Moore B. Mary Edwards Walker C. Mary Magdalene 3. Where did Mary live? A. Queens, Australia B. London, England C. New York, USA 4. What was Mary’s job? A. She was a medical doctor B. She was a teacher C. She was a nurse 5. In which war did Mary serve? A. World War I B. The Civil War C. The Revolutionary War 6. What was Mary’s job during the war? A. Spy B. Medic C. Nurse 7. What did Mary educate people about? A. Medicine B. Reading and literacy C. Women’s dress 8. Why was Mary arrested? A. For dressing like a man B. For practicing medicine without a license C. For littering in the street 9. What else was Mary passionate about? A. Saving our national forests B. Women’s right to vote C. Teaching women to drive 10. Mary is the only woman ever awarded: A. The Medal of Freedom B. The Medal of Medicine C. The Medal of Honor

Trail Ride

Liza couldn’t wait to go trail riding with her Girls’ Club group. They didn’t need to accommodate for weather, because the threat of rain wasn’t very valid. The weather was lovely. The group of girls congregated next to Mrs. Gannet near the stables. Liza and the girls were excited, but also a little nervous. Mrs. Gannet delegated the task of collecting everyone’s permission slips to Khloe. Then, smiled at the girls.

“I know none of you have ridden a horse before, but don’t let their size intimidate you. You’re about to learn that horses are gentle giants,” she said.

Alexa was feeling especially timid. She was afraid of dogs and most cats. Mrs. Gannet put her arm around Alexa as they lead the group to the stable.

The horses were already out of their stalls. A tall girl stood waiting for them. She wore cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and a wide grin.

“Good morning girls,” she said, tipping her hat. “I’m Katrina. I’ll be your trail leader today, and I’m very obliged to meet you.”

Liza giggled. She had never heard that word used in real life. Katrina showed the girls the different parts of the horse, and explained the route they would take on the trail. Then, she climbed onto her horse, Kentucky, to demonstrate using the horse’s reins to navigate the trail. She grinned again and said, “Now, if no one needs to use the commode, we can get riding.”

The girls giggled shyly. No one raised their hand to use the restroom. Katrina helped the girls fasten their helmets and mount their horses, then she lead them out to the trail. The horses walked steadily and proudly. Liza reached down and patted her horse, Tucker, on his wide neck. She smiled. She thought horses must be the most wonderful animal in all of creation.

1. Accommodate A. To provide what is wanted or needed B. To leave someone out C. To lessen someone’s load 2. Valid A. Not making sense B. Giving a gift C. Fair and acceptable; makes sense 3. Congregated A. Separated from others B. Came together in a group C. Followed someone 4. Timid A. Easily frightened, not having courage or confidence B. Very brave C. Able to make something out of few materials 5. Delegated A. Picked something up with your hand B. Pretended to be someone you are not C. Chose someone to do something; gave someone a job 6. Intimidate A. To welcome someone B. To make someone afraid C. To choose someone 7. Obliged A. Grateful, thankful B. Annoyed, irritated C. Old fashioned word for ‘bathroom’ 8. Navigate A. To become lost B. To prepare food for a meal C. To find the way when traveling 9. Creation A. Nothing at all B. Everything in the world C. The stars in the sky 10. Commode A. To hide B. Colloquial word for ‘toilet’ C. To have privacy

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Liza B. Khloe C. Tucker 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a clubhouse B. At a horse stable C. At a roller skating park 4. What type of group is this? A. Second graders B. Girls’ Club C. Girl Scouts 5. What is the girls’ leader’s name? A. Mrs. Rose B. Mrs. Gorman C. Mrs. Gannet 6. Why does Mrs. Gannet think the girls might feel intimidated? A. Because horses are so large B. Because the trail is winding C. Because the cowboys speak a different language 7. What is the name of the trail leader? A. Katie B. Katrina C. Cally 8. What is her horse’s name? A. Pack B. Buddy C. Kentucky 9. What does she ask the girls before they leave? A. If anyone packed snacks B. If anyone needs to use the commode C. If anyone knows the way 10. Liza think horses: A. Must be the most wonderful animal in all of creation B. Must be the strongest animal ever created C. Must be the smelliest animal ever created

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Maybe it was my own fault I got it wrong. I thought Ned would appreciate that I sent in his story to the contest, but instead, he was furious. Honestly, his reaction was a little irritating. He worked on that story for most of a year. You’d think he’d appreciate some validation for all his hard work. So when I saw the ad for an official story writing contest, I was sure his story must be good enough to win.

I waited until dinner to tell him about it, so we could hear our parents’ and sister’s reactions to the news. Maybe that was a good thing, because he couldn’t wring my neck in front of everyone. I’ve never seen Ned turn so red. At first, I thought it was because he was so happy. Nope. I’m certain that if Mom and Dad hadn’t been right there, I would have had to negotiate for my life immediately.

Mom tried her best to mediate. At least she knew I didn’t send it in as a prank.

“Honestly, Ned,” Mom said, “Weston was just trying to do something kind. Isn’t that right, Weston?” I furiously nodded to alleviate Ned’s suspicion that I was guilty.

Ned took a deep breath. “Weston? Did you read the story before you sent it in?”

I had to be honest. “No.”

Ned looked at the ceiling and closed his eyes. “Weston? The story wasn’t finished. In fact it wasn’t a story at all. It was my diary.” He let out a big breath and held his face in his hands.

Oh boy, had I messed up. I thought he was upset that his story was too remedial for the contest, but it was too personal for the contest—and not even a real story. I guess I’ll be doing Ned’s chores for a year.

1. Appreciate A. To be grateful for something B. To become less or smaller C. To disagree with someone 2. Furious A. Very happy B. Feeling sad C. Extremely angry 3. Immediately A. Right away B. After some time has passed C. Before something happens 4. Irritating A. Scratching an itch B. Making someone angry or annoyed C. Helping someone with a problem 5. Official A. Not done in a formal or public way B. An idea that hasn’t been talked about yet C. When something is said or made known in a public way 6. Mediate A. To work with both sides in an argument to come to a peaceful agreement B. To make a decision for others C. To be selfish 7. Remedial A. Excelling at school B. To help others with learning C. Needing special instruction when having learning difficulties 8. Alleviating A. Making a bad thing even worse B. Reducing the pain or trouble of something C. Pressing down on something 9. Negotiate A. To make a plan B. To discuss and agree on something formally C. To be correct 10. Validation A. To show something is correct B. To be wrong C. To complete a task

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Ned B. Weston C. Wesley 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a newspaper office B. At home at dinnertime C. In the city park 4. What has happened at the beginning of the story? A. Weston sent in a story to a contest B. Weston read Ned’s diary C. Ned won a story writing contest 5. How long had Ned worked on his writing? A. For a few weeks B. For a few days C. For almost a year 6. How does their mom react? A. She is upset with Ned for being ungrateful B. She mediates, and tries to explain that Weston meant to be helpful C. She is upset with Weston for snooping in Ned’s room 7. How does Ned react? A. He turns bright red and becomes angry B. He is grateful to Weston C. He is excited to see if he will win 8. Had Weston read the story? A. Yes B. No C. We aren’t sure 9. Why is Ned so upset? A. He wasn’t finished with the story yet B. It wasn’t a story—it was his diary C. Weston went in his room without permission 10. What is Weston going to do for a year? A. Beg for forgiveness B. Hide from Ned C. Do Ned’s chores

Wondering About Halloween

“Stop being such a pest,” Erika snapped at Josiah. “You know how I detest feeling people’s breath on me.”

Josiah covered his mouth with his pajama sleeve, and moved his head so he could still see out the window, but would no longer be breathing down Erika’s neck. She was right—he knew it was one of her biggest peeves.

It was Halloween, or hallow’s eve, as they were calling it tonight. Erika and Josiah weren’t allowed to go trick or treating, but that didn’t stop them from spying on the rest of the neighborhood kids as they ran up and down the street in costumes. It always seemed like a silly event—dressing like goblins, witches, and characters from TV shows and movies, then knocking on strangers’ doors and asking for—and receiving—candy. There was one kid tonight who was dressed as a nest, complete with three eggs attached. How odd. Erika couldn’t decide if it was a very clever idea, or a very silly one.

It was past Erika and Josiah’s bedtime now, and they knew their parents were snuggled on the couch at the back of the house, watching a show about antiques. Erika and Josiah’s parents hadn’t trick or treated when they were kids, either. They’d never handed out candy as adults, either. It was easy for them to decide not to partake in Halloween activities, but sometimes the kids weren’t so sure. Hearing the laughter of children and the clunking weight of candy being dropped into buckets was making Erika and Josiah wonder. Would it be so bad to paint their faces and run around with their friends? Might they suggest to their parents that they only ask for candy from a few houses? They hadn’t spoken their thoughts aloud to each other, but Erika and Josiah looked at each other now. Suddenly, Erika felt badly for snapping at him earlier. He still held his arm over his mouth, but now Erika gently pushed it down. She smiled at him and shrugged.

“Maybe next year, buddy. Maybe we can talk to Mom and Dad about it tomorrow,” she said. Josiah smiled hopefully and nodded. Erika walked him to his bed, and then crawled beneath the covers, too. “You’d make a cute little ghost, if you wanted to,” she smiled at him. He nodded in a sleepy way, and closed his eyes.

1. Nest A. The place where a bird lays her eggs B. The top part of a tree C. The soft ground beneath a pine tree 2. Rest A. The part of something that leaves B. The bottom part of something C. The part that is left when others are gone 3. Peeves A. Delightful stories meant to teach a lesson B. Things that annoy someone C. Long roads 4. Eve A. The night before a special day B. The day after a special day C. A special day 5. Sleeve A. The part of clothing that covers your leg B. The part of clothing that covers your stomach C. The part of clothing that covers your arm 6. Event A. A place where special things happen B. Something important that happens C. The night before something important 7. Suggest A. To yell at someone B. To ignore someone’s idea C. To mention something to be done 8. Clever A. Funny and smart B. Dull and boring C. Goofy and wild 9. Detest A. To like B. To hate C. To love 10. Pest A. A person you enjoy B. A good friend C. A person who bothers or annoys others

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Erika B. Josiah C. Candace 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a home B. On a street C. On a porch 4. Which holiday is being celebrated? A. Thanksgiving B. Halloween C. Fourth of July 5. What are Erika and Josiah doing? A. Trick or treating B. Handing out candy C. Watching the neighborhood kids trick or treat from a window 6. Why don’t they get involved with Halloween, too? A. Because their parents never did, either B. Because they can’t have candy C. Because they’re allergic to Halloween makeup 7. How does Erika treat Josiah at the beginning of the story? A. Rudely B. Kindly C. She ignores him 8. How does she treat him by the end of the story? A. Rudely B. Kindly C. She ignores him 9. What do they agree to talk to their parents about in the morning? A. Buying some candy to share B. Getting ready for Thanksgiving C. Celebrating Halloween the next year 10. What does Erika think Josiah would be cute as? A. A goblin B. A ghost C. A mummy

Memory Game

I was trying to think of a beautiful expression I’d once heard. Distance makes the heart grow…older? Softer? I was sure I’d once learned it once, but unfortunately, I wasn’t in possession of the best memory. My mother always told me I make up for that with my extensive vocabulary. I’d be in bliss if that were true. I love words.

I needed to find out the ending of this expression. I took the only route ofegress available from my room (unless I wanted to climb out the window, of course), and came upon my mom in the kitchen. She was standing at the sink, putting good smelling things into a crockpot for dinner.

“Mom,” I moaned. “I’ll positively die if I don’t figure this out. You have to help me.” I put my arm across my forehead for dramatic flair.

“Oh, Macy, I hope you’re not stressing and fussing over unimportant things,” she told me with a smile.

I told her what I was trying to remember. She just said “I’m sure you’ll come up with it soon,” and then winked as if in dismissal. Well, I never! I thought to myself. Usually my mom is actually helpful. I stormed off to my room. I flopped onto the bed, kicked off my slippers, and snuggled into my blanket. I closed my eyes and tried again to remember the phrase. Still nothing. I went to my bookshelf and skimmed every book I had. Maybe it would be printed in one of them. An hour passed, and then another. I could hear my mom clanging around in the kitchen again. I still needed to cool off, though. I stayed in my room even longer.

But after a few hours, I wasn’t just getting hungry, I was also starting to miss my mom. Usually we chatted all day, even during lesson time. I liked talking to her and doing things together. “Gosh,” I thought to myself. “Isn’t it strange how being apart from someone makes you feel more fondly of them?”

Then I sat up in my bed. “That’s it!” I yelled, pointing my finger in the air. “Fonder! Distance makes the heart grow fonder!”

I ran downstairs to my mom and threw my arms around her. I must have made the right impression. “You figured it out!” she laughed.

“I did!” I smiled. “And I love you. Fondly.”

1. Impression A. The effect someone or something has on your thoughts and feelings B. To lift something C. To not be able to remember 2. Stressing A. Feeling calm B. Feeling worried C. Feeling happy 3. Expression A. A painted picture B. The wrong way to do a thing C. A particular word or phrase 4. Egress A. A way to leave a place B. The middle of a room C. A high, narrow window that is too small for a person to pass through 5. Possession A. Giving something B. Owning something C. Lending something 6. Dismissal A. To officially begin something B. The middle part of a class C. To officially stop or end something 7. Lesson A. An activity you do to learn something B. To study for a test C. To be lazy 8. Beautiful A. Ugly and unattractive B. Very good, having beauty C. Strange, unique 9. Bliss A. Disappointment B. Fear C. Complete happiness 10. Fussing A. Working hard B. Becoming worried or upset C. Repairing something once broken

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Macy B. Mom C. Ainsley 3. Where does this story take place? A. In school B. At home C. At a restaurant 4. What is the problem? A. Macy and her mom are fighting about clothes B. Macy hasn’t finished her homework on time C. Macy can’t remember the ending of a particular phrase 5. Which phrase is she trying to remember? A. Distance makes the heart grow fonder B. You are what you eat C. A penny saved is a penny earned 6. How does her mom answer? A. She tells her the full phrase B. She doesn’t; she tells her she will eventually remember C. She gives her clues until she guesses it 7. How does Macy react? A. She gets upset and goes to her room B. She is thankful for her mom’s help C. She decides to forget about it and move onto something else 8. Where else does Macy look for the answer? A. On the internet B. In her journal C. In every book in her room 9. What does she realize while she’s alone in her room? A. She’s starting to miss her mom B. She’s feeling very, very hungry C. She’s getting bored 10. What is the word she finally remembers? A. Fonder B. Nicer C. Larger

Butter on Monday

Wayne thought it was a bit excessive to play chess three times a week, but his friend and opponent, Dale insisted. If Wayne didn’t enjoy it so much, he’d think the arrangement rather oppressive. As it was, he didn’t mind having something on his calendar three days a week. He and Wayne met at the park every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. Dale was always there first, and always at the same table. Wayne liked to tease Dale for being sopossessive of “their” spot. After all, it was a public park, and the table was open to anyone. Dale, though, disagreed with this assessment. He felt entitled to the table after showing up for it three times a week for as many years as he could remember. The last time the men missed a game of chess was five years ago, when Wayne had surgery for his appendix.

On this sunny Monday morning, Wayne walked to the table where Dale was already setting up the chess board. “Ahh, ‘tis a thing of beauty, isn’t it?” he asked Dale with a smile.

“What is?” Dale hissed, sounding a bit on the grumpy side.

“A freshly lain chess game!” Wayne had a wide smile. He sat in his chair opposite Dale, and set his paper cup of coffee off to the side.

Dale only grunted and cussed under his breath.

“Everything OK, old chap?” Wayne asked. His friend almost seemed under duress. He was never the happiest guy around, but this wasn’t quite like him, either.

“Eh, Butter didn’t seem herself this morning,” Dale said. Butter was his old bulldog. A funny name for a funny dog.

“What do you mean?” Wayne asked with concern.

“She didn’t want to go out for her walk. Didn’t want to eat her breakfast. Didn’t much care to do anything,” Dale said.

Wayne scratched his chin. “Old friend, let’s do something different today. Let’s bring Butter to the vet. They’ll see to it that she’s set right.” Dale hated to go against his routine. Monday mornings were for chess at the park, after all. Yet, his heart tugged him in another direction. He swept away the chess pieces and folded the board.

“All right,” he said. “Let’s get on with it, then.” It was the first time in five years the men missed a chess game. But Butter was better for it, and from then on, Butter came along to play chess.

1. Excessive A. More than is needed or normal B. Not enough C. Just the right amount 2. Assessment A. Not understanding something B. An idea, judgement, or opinion about something C. Being unfair 3. Chess A. A game with 16 pieces for each player, the object is to move the pieces across the board and protect your king B. A game with circular pieces in which you try to jump over the other player’s pieces C. A card game in which you keep score with pegs on a board

4. Oppressive A. Having more than is needed B. Being welcoming and helpful C. Very unpleasant, mean, unfair 5. Possessive A. Very unpleasant B. Not willing to share things C. Being generous 6. Duress A. Receiving what you are owed B. Being tempted to do something C. Doing something because you are being threatened or forced 7. Missed A. Failed to do, get, or reach something B. Did or got what was needed C. Felt fine 8. Hissed A. Said in a happy manner B. Fell down C. Said in a loud or angry whisper 9. Beauty A. A bad part of something B. A good or lovely part of something C. Something that is not pleasing to see 10. Cussed A. Used kind words B. Spoke in a foreign language C. Used offensive words, swore

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Who is the grumpy man? A. Dale B. Wayne C. Butter 3. Who is the happy man? A. Dale B. Wayne C. Butter 4. What kind of animal is Butter? A. A squirrel B. A cat C. A bulldog 5. Where does this story take place? A. In the park B. At the vet’s office C. At Dale’s home 6. What are the men planning to do? A. Drink coffee and chat B. Play chess C. Walk the dog 7. How often do they do this? A. Three times a week B. Every Sunday C. Once a month 8. When is the last time they missed a game? A. Never B. A year ago C. Five years ago 9. Why is Dale upset? A. His dog seems unwell B. He hates losing at chess C. He didn’t get their regular table 10. What do they do different on this day? A. Sit at a different table B. Take the dog to the vet instead of playing chess C. Go out for ice cream instead of playing chess

Steph Curry: One of Basketball’s Finest

You would be hard-pressed to find a moreimpressive basketball player than Stephen “Steph” Curry. Steph has played professional basketball for California’s Golden State Warriors. However, it took a lot of determination and hard work to get there.

Even though Steph is the oldest child of professional basketball player, Dell Curry, that didn’t exactly give Steph easy access to an NBA career. Most coaches didn’t see Steph’s skill as a player when he was in high school. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, Steph doesn’t have an excess of height—when it comes to basketball, that is. He is still taller than the average American, but the average player in the NBA is 6 feet 7 inches, putting Steph at a disadvantage. Steph was often dismissed by coaches because of his smaller stature. Steph had to work hard to get noticed. He stressed his work on the three-point shot, and progressed his skill. Soon, his intense focus was getting him noticed. In his second season with Davidson College, Stephen set the NCAA record for the most three-pointers in a season. After his third season, he was drafted to the NBA to play for the Golden State Warriors in 2009.

Steph is admired for his hard work, and it pays off. In adiscussion about this with a journalist, Steph said: “It inspires…a lot of people who love the game of basketball to value the skill of it, value the fact that you can work every single day to get better. You’ve got to be able to put the time and the work. That’s how I got here, that’s how I continue to get better every single day.”

Steph Curry continues to be known for his three-pointers. As of 2019, Steph had scored the third most three-pointers in NBA history. Aside from his basketball skills, Steph is also known for bringing awareness to a disease called malaria. Steph has famously donated mosquito nets to families in poor countries. Sometimes, he donates a net for each three-point shot he makes.

Steph is admired by many—both for his basketball abilities as well as his strong character. Steph is a living example that if you work hard, you can achieve extraordinary things. It’s truly no wonder the basketball community fusses over him so much. He’s worth watching and admiring.

[sources: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/stephen-curry-13932.php; https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html; https://www.biography.com/athlete/stephen-curry]

1. Impressive A. Deserving admiration or respect B. Ordinary, like everyone else C. Makes others dislike them 2. Stressed A. Ignored many things B. Put special attention or importance on something C. Spoke in an impolite way 3. Excess A. To learn new information B. A way of getting to something C. An amount that is more than what is needed 4. Access A. An amount that is more than what is needed B. To learn new information C. A way of getting to something 5. Progressed A. Improved or moved forward over time B. Lost your skills C. Did worse over time 6. Focus A. Many small things to consider B. A main interest or subject C. To daydream 7. Fusses A. Needs a lot of attention B. Forcing others to do what you want C. Showing excitement over something 8. Discussion A. Spreading false information B. Talking with others about something; having a conversation C. Teaching others 9. Hard-pressed A. A phrase meaning it is difficult to do something B. Pushing down with a lot of force C. Being difficult to talk to 10. Dismissed A. Worried more than was necessary B. Gave a lot of attention to something C. Decided not to think about something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Whom or what is this story about? A. The NBA B. How to play basketball C. Steph Curry 3. What sport does he play? A. Baseball B. Basketball C. Football 4. What is he especially known for? A. His free throws B. His three-pointers C. His defensive plays 5. Which of these is true? A. His father played for the NBA B. His son plays for the NBA C. His uncles play for the NBA 6. Which of these is true? A. Steph is much taller than most basketball players B. Steph is much shorter than most basketball players C. Steph is about the same height as other basketball players 7. Where did Steph play basketball in college? A. Notre Dame B. Davidson College C. Marquette University 8. For which team does Steph now play? A. The Minnesota Timberwolves B. The Dallas Mavericks C. The Golden State Warriors 9. Which of these is true? A. Steph was often dismissed by coaches because of his smaller stature B. Steph had a lot of interest from the NBA when he was in high school C. Steph played for the best college basketball team in the nation 10. As of 2019, Steph had scored the ____ three-pointers in NBA history. A. Least B. Most C. Third most

Apple Assumptions

Brenda—or Bean, as we called her—did her best to assess the situation. The other kids did not possess the same critical skills she had. They didn’t want to miss anything, so it was for the best to leave it up to Bean.

She held the spyglass close to her left eye, and covered her right eye with her hand. Something was definitelyamiss next door.

“I think they are trespassers,” Bean said under her breath. “They’re massing beneath Mr. Dodgers’ apple tree, but I don’t see Mr. Dodgers anywhere.”

The other kids raised their eyebrows, and Becca gasped loudly. They all tried to see for themselves through the wooden slats on the fence, but it was no use. No one could see as well as Bean with her spyglass.

“Here,” she said. Without turning her head, she handed the spyglass to Clinton. Clinton whistled lowly. “Yep,” he said. “Looks like someone’s apple picking where they don’t belong.”

Bean turned to the rest of the group. “What are we going to do? Any ideas?” she asked. Clinton, Becca, Trey, and Bean looked around thoughtfully. They knew how Mr. Dodgers cared for his apples. It didn’t seem right to let someone steal them. At the same time, it seemed awfully scary for some 9-year-old kids to march into someone else’s yard and scare away trespassers. Stress played across Clinton’s face. Nevertheless, something had to be done. Any children of lesser integrity would have gone back to playing boardgames in the basement. But not them. Bean lead the group across the street right to Mr. Dodgers’ gate. She didn’t knock. Just pulled the gate open. There were three women and a man picking apples. They all froze and looked at the kids. The kids glared.

“What are you doing with Mr. Dodgers’ apples?” Bean asked.

The adults looked at each other with confusion. “Mr. Dodgers asked us to pick them,” one of the women said. “He’s been visiting his daughter out of state and didn’t want his apples to go to waste. Didn’t you know?”

The kids looked at each other. Suddenly, it all made sense. The newspapers piling up on Mr. Dodgers’ porch. Not hearing his dog barking each morning. The kids looked at each other sheepishly, but the adults smiled kindly.

“You’re good kids to watch out for your neighbor,” the man said. Then he tossed each of them an apple, and the kids stayed and helped.

1. Stress A. A state of hunger B. A state of worry C. A state of happiness 2. Trespassers A. People who belong in a place B. To go where you don’t belong C. People who go on someone else’s land without permission 3. Spyglass A. A small telescope B. A telescope used for seeing into space C. A microscope used to see tiny things 4. Lesser A. Of greater size B. Huge C. Of smaller size 5. Miss A. To achieve what you set out to do B. To fail to get something C. To need help 6. Possess A. To have or own something B. Not enough of something C. To enjoy doing something 7. Assess A. To talk to someone you don’t know B. To make a judgement about something C. To gather things together 8. Amiss A. To get things right B. To feel confused C. In the wrong way 9. Massing A. Forming in a large group B. Attending religious services C. Falling apart 10. Nevertheless A. Not ever going to happen B. When something isn’t any smaller than the others C. In spite of what was just said

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Bean B. Clinton C. Becca 3. For what is “Bean” a nickname? A. Ben B. Brenda C. Beau 4. Whose yard are the kids looking into? A. Mr. Dodgers’ B. Mrs. Split’s C. Mr. Davis’ 5. How old are the kids? A. 7 B. 9 C. 11 6. What do the kids see through the spyglass? A. Mr. Dodgers reading the newspaper B. Mr. Dodgers’ dog running down the street C. People taking apples from Mr. Dodgers’ tree 7. What do they decide to do about it? A. Approach the people and make them stop B. Tell their parents C. Call the police 8. Which of the kids opens the gate and talks to the adults? A. Clinton B. Bean C. Becca 9. Why are the adults confused? A. Because they aren’t doing anything wrong; Mr. Dodgers asked them to pick apples while he’s away B. Because they didn’t think anyone could see them C. Because this isn’t Mr. Dodgers’ house anymore

10. What do the kids do at the end of the story? A. Run away B. Stay and help C. Make apple pie

Temple Grandin: A True Hero

Temple Grandin isn’t like most people. That’s what makes her so special, and so important.

Temple was born in 1947 to a wealthy and classy family in Boston, Massachusetts. Her mother was an actor and singer. Her father was a real estate agent who was also heir to the largest wheat farm business in the United States. At a young age, Temple’s mother noticed that she acted differently than others. Her mother took her to a doctor at an early age, but it wasn’t until Temple was a teenager that her mother came upon a checklist of autism behaviors. This is when her family finally understood why Temple acted differently.

Autism is a disorder that makes it difficult to interact with others in the ways we consider “normal.” It can also cause people to repeat words or phrases, or do things over and over again. Because of her different behavior, Temple experienced a lot of difficulties with other people. She dressed differently than them, talked differently than them, and even thought differently than them. (Temple later explained that her thoughtprocess differs from others. She thinks in pictures, rather than in words.)

Unfortunately, kids at Temple’s school began to oppress and tease her. Understandably, this caused Temple a lot of distress. She was expelled from school in ninth grade for throwing a book at someone who teased her. But later, when Temple began at a new school for children with behavior issues, she had much more success. One of her teachers, William Carlock, pressed Temple to create something called a “Hug Box.” This hug box provided great comfort to Temple by gently compressing her when she was overwhelmed by too many noises, people, or other things. The hug box has helped many other people with autism, too.

Now Temple Grandin is a successful professor at Colorado State University where she teaches animal science. Temple also continues to help others with autism. She speaks at conferences about behavior issues. She has shared what it has been like for her to live with autism, and that has made it possible for those without autism to better understand the disorder. Temple has surpassed so many expectations. She lives a full, wonderful life. She teaches and helps others—with and without autism. And she has always stayed true to who she is.

[sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin}

1. Classy A. Not having good manners B. Being a student C. Being special or attractive 2. Surpassed A. Went worse than expected B. Went better than expected C. Was exactly what was expected 3. Successful A. To have not gone well B. Not being good at what you do C. Having the result you wanted 4. Distress A. Unhappiness, stress that affects the mind or body B. To taste unpleasant C. To wear strange clothes 5. Professor A. A student at college B. A teacher at the elementary level C. A teacher at a college or university 6. Pressed A. Felt loose and free B. Talked into doing something by being asked again and again C. Got to where you wanted to be 7. Dressed A. Made things the way you wanted them to be B. Got food ready to eat C. Wore clothes of a certain style 8. Oppress A. To treat someone in a cruel, unfair way B. Unhappiness, stress that affects the mind or body C. To take in and use information 9. Process A. Unhappiness, stress that affects the mind or body B. To take in and use information C. To treat someone in a cruel, unfair way 10. Compress A. To squeeze something B. To pull apart C. To relax

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Temple Grandin B. Amelia Earhart C. Marilyn Monroe 3. What is special about her? A. She was born without feet B. She has autism C. She can see music 4. Where was she born? A. New Orleans B. Boston C. Houston 5. Why did she get expelled from school? A. For failing classes B. For teasing others C. For throwing a book at someone who was teasing her 6. What did her new teacher convince her to invent? A. A cow milking machine B. A hug box C. A special radio 7. Where does she work now? A. Colorado State University B. The White House C. NASA 8. What does she teach? A. Music B. Animal science C. English 9. What has she taught people? A. How to garden B. How to raise pigs C. What it is like to live with autism 10. How does she think? A. In words B. In pictures C. In music

Out of Gas

Uncle Tio parked beneath the overpass and sighed. “Sorry, guys. I ran out of gas. Looks like we’re stuck while I figure this out.”

My cousin, Anton, and I looked at each other. What did he mean, stuck? Uncle Tio pulled out his phone and started searching for a number to call. He dialed and listened for a while before looking at Anton through the rearview mirror.

“Any guesses where Ma is?” he said.

“Yeah, it’s her nail day, isn’t it?” Anton said.

Uncle Tio groaned as he processed this information. Aunt Meesha got her nails done every Saturday. He laid his head on the steering wheel. We could hear the cars passing over us. I watched the grass in the median bow to the ground each time a car zoomed past. But one car went by slowly, and pulled over just in front of Uncle Tio. A man wearing round glasses got out of his car very carefully. He kept an eye on traffic as he walked to Uncle Tio’s window and knocked.

“Need some gasoline?” the man asked with a smile when Uncle Tio put down his window. “How’d you know?” Uncle Tio laughed. “I guess I had less in my tank than I thought. Don’t tell my wife, OK?” The two men laughed together. Anton and I looked at each other and shook our heads. Sometimes men could be plain goofy about their wives. Wasn’t he about to call Aunt Meesha a minute ago? Uncle Tio handed the man $10, and the man drove off to the gas station. At least that’s what we all hoped. It would have been a shame if the man seemed nice but was actually tricking my uncle. But it turned out he was good for his word. He soon returned with a small canister of gas. Uncle Tio poured the gasoline into the car’s gas tank. Then he turned to the man and professed his appreciation.

“Sir, we are very blessed that you came upon us when you did. Thank you for stopping and checking on us,” he said as they shook hands.

The man smiled kindly and pushed his round glasses up on his nose. “It was no problem at all. It looks like these boys are ready to get to where you’re headed, but you might want to get some more gas before long.” Uncle Tio nodded and chuckled. He promised he would never let himself run out of gas again.

1. Gasoline A. A liquid used as fuel for engines B. The energy that comes out of wall sockets C. A drink that tastes like honey 2. Glasses A. Devices worn in your ears to help you hear better B. Jewelry worn around your neck C. A pair of lenses worn over your eyes to help you see 3. Grass A. Plants with large, rough trunks B. Plants with narrow green leaves C. Plants with colorful blooms 4. Passing A. Staying behind something B. Staying directly next to someone C. Moving toward and then beyond something 5. Overpass A. A road bridge over another road B. To decide not to do something after all C. A road that lies under another road 6. Less A. More than others B. Not as much as others C. The same as others 7. Guesses A. Information needed to make a decision B. Being correct C. Opinions or answers about something when you don’t really know very much about it 8. Processed A. Took and used information B. Made a guess C. Was incorrect 9. Professed A. Taught at school B. Openly said or declared something C. Secretly said something 10. Blessed A. Unlucky B. To be lucky C. Connected with God

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. Uncle Tio B. Anton C. We never find out his name 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a car B. At a park C. In a museum 4. What is the problem in this story? A. They get lost while driving B. The car runs out of gas C. They are too late and miss the big game 5. Who does Uncle Tio try to call? A. His wife, Aunt Meesha B. The car insurance company C. A gas station 6. Why doesn’t his call get answered? A. Because he has the wrong number B. Because his phone battery is dead C. Because she is getting her nails done 7. Where is their car? A. In the middle of the road B. Parked below an overpass C. In the garage 8. Who helps them? A. Aunt Meesha B. A police officer C. A man whom they don’t know 9. What shape are his glasses? A. Round B. Halfmoon C. Rectangular 10. What does Uncle Tio promise at the end of the story? A. That he will never let himself run out of gas again B. That they will stay extra long at the park since they were stuck for so long C. That he will take the bus from now on

The Yard Sale Mess

It was at a yard sale that it happened. I didn’t trespass—plenty of other people were there checking out the things being sold from their home. At first glance, it looked like amess . But really, it was organized. There were tables full of folded clothing, boxes of toys and tools and books, and shelves filled with more fragile items. There werebrass candlesticks, glass figurines, and even painted teacups.

I confess I probably wasn’t being as careful as I should have been. Alas, in the process of reaching for the Mickey Mouse statue, I bumped the end of the shelf off its bracket. You can guess what happened next. Every single thing on the shelf slid to the other side. And since there was nothing to stop it, every single thing continued to slide right off the shelf, onto the cement ground. I cringe even now just thinking about it.

“Sami!” my mom yelled to me.

The woman having the sale covered her mouth with her hand. She looked down at the broken pieces.

“Oh, Sami,” my mom said, quieter this time, hanging her head low.

I was speechless. Everyone there was looking at me and the mess. I felt awful.

The woman walked over and picked up one of the figurines.

“Ma’am,” I began, with a lump in my throat. “I’m so sorry. It was an accident, and I-”

She stopped me. “Hush, hush, child. I know it was. I wanted to get rid of everything, after all. Now I’ll just sweep it into the trash can! I can still call that a success, I’d say.”

She chuckled a little, but I could tell she was just trying to be nice. It seemed to me she was probably selling her things in order to make some money. I ran home as fast as I could, and when I came back, my mom was helping the woman sweep up the last of the mess. “Here,” I said. I handed her every last bit of money I had hiding in my room. It came to $37. “I know it isn’t enough for everything, but I want to help.”

The woman smiled kindly at me. “Bless you, sweetheart,” she said, taking the money. I felt at least a little bit better after giving her my money, and then I gladly went home. I hope I never surpass this mess.

1. Glass A. A soft, bendable material B. A hard—but breakable—material used for making windows and other things C. A gooey, sticky material 2. Trespass A. To be invited to someone’s home B. To invite someone to your home C. To go on someone’s land without their permission 3. Surpass A. To be better or greater than something B. To not meet expectations C. To do worse than expected 4. Mess A. Something that is very untidy or dirty B. Something that is tidy and clean C. Something that is carefully organized 5. Alas A. To include, too B. A map of the world C. An old-fashioned way to express disappointment or sadness 6. Brass A. A very valuable soft, yellow metal B. A yellow metal made of copper and zinc C. A soft grayish-white metal that is valuable 7. Confess A. To admit you did something wrong B. To tell a lie C. To force someone to say something 8. Bless A. To talk to God B. To have an idea C. To ask God to care for and protect someone 9. Process A. One single action B. A series of actions C. A result of doing something 10. Success A. To fail at doing something B. To try doing something new C. Achieving the correct or desired result

1. Which type of story is this? A. Nonfiction B. Poetry C. Fiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Sami B. Mom C. The woman having the sale 3. Where does this story take place? A. At a yard sale B. At an antique shop C. At a grocery store 4. What is Sami trying to reach? A. A statue of a duck B. A statue of Micky Mouse C. A copy of A Tale of Two Cities 5. What happens when she reaches for it? A. It falls into her purse without her noticing B. She notices his ear is broken off C. She bumps the shelf off its bracket and everything slides off it 6. Who yells “Sami!”? A. Her mom B. Her friend C. The woman 7. How does the woman react to the mess? A. She is upset and forces Sami to clean it up and pay for everything B. She is kind and understanding, and explains that she knows it was an accident, and this is just another way to get rid of things C. She is deeply upset, and cries inside her house

8. What does Sami do? A. She sweeps up the pieces B. She asks her mom to pay for everything C. She runs home for her own money 9. How much does she pay the woman? A. $10 B. $37 C. Nothing, but she says she will pay her back 10. How does Sami feel at the end of the story? A. Worse than ever B. Just a little bit better C. Completely fine; it was an accident after all

Grammar “Rules”!

The plural of “mouse” is “mice”; The plural of “louse” is “lice.” So tell me, please, why should it be, that the plural of “blouse” is not “blice?” Instead, what they do, When of blouse there are two, they call those two buttoned shirts “blouses.” Honestly, it’d make so much more sense if only two mice were called “mouses.” The same can be said about houses: more than one house isn’t “hice,” But you’d think that it might be because of the thing where more than one mouse becomes “mice.” There are two more words that come to mind when I think of this ill-followed rule: Both “spouse” and “douse” become “spouses” and “douses” so how should we know what to do? Ah, the English language, it’s full of surprises. It’s charming in its own silly way. The rules we have are broken in two in all sorts of unusual ways. The best thing to do—as far as I know—is to pay close attention. Behave! Your teacher will be pleased and you’ll be far less teased When you don’t speak like a man from a cave.

1. Mouse A. A very small animal with a pointed nose and long tail B. A rodent with a bushy tail and that climbs trees C. A tiny insect that lives on people or animals 2. Mice A. A tiny insect that lives on people or animals B. More than one mouse C. One mouse 3. Louse A. A place where people live B. A very small animal with a pointed nose and long tail C. A tiny insect that lives on people or animals 4. Lice A. More than one louse B. Male louse C. Female louse 5. Blouse A. A skirt for women or girls B. A shirt for women or girls C. A shirt for men or boys 6. Blouses A. Dress pants for men B. Just one item C. More than one blouse 7. Douse A. To totally cover something with water B. To totally dry something C. To stumble 8. Spouse A. Someone who’s married B. A child C. An old man who lives alone 9. House A. A building where people work B. A building where a family lives C. A building where cows live 10. Behave A. To be smart B. To not behave well C. To act properly

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. What subject, or topic, is this story about? A. Places in America B. Types of bodies of water C. English grammar 3. What is the plural of mouse? A. Mouses B. Mice C. Meese 4. What is the plural of blouse? A. Bleese B. Blice C. Blouses 5. What is the plural of house? A. Houses B. Hice C. Heese 6. What is the plural of louse? A. Lice B. Leese C. Louses 7. What is the plural of spouse? A. Speese B. Spouses C. Spice 8. How can you learn the rules of grammar? A. Speese B. Spouses C. Spice 9. What is interesting about the rules of grammar? A. They are always kept B. They rhyme C. They are sometime broken 10. What is good about learning the rules of grammar? A. You won’t speak like a caveman B. You will sound intelligent C. Both A and B

The Bracelet

He didn’t know for how many birthdays and Christmases he had saved money. Maybe two or three. But he knew how he wanted to spend it: on the bracelet in the shop window he and his dad walked by each day.

When James first asked his dad, his dad just brushed him off. “Save for a toy. Mom would be just as happy with a picture you draw.”

But James persisted. Finally, his dad told him, “We’ll have time tonight. Bring your money, and I’ll take you to that shop.”

James ran to his piggybank, which was actually a safe. He dialed the code and it popped open. He emptied it into his pocket.

James and his dad took the shortcut to the shop, shaving off a good five minutes from their walk. James ran through the door. The shopkeeper looked down at him and sighed. James braved the man’s attitude and asked to see the silver bracelet from the window. The man almost said no, but then James’s dad walked through the door and nodded.

“Please,” his dad said. “He wants to buy it for my wife.”

The man gave James the bracelet. “How much?” James asked.

“It’s a lot, $135.”

James knew he had enough, almost exactly! He was thrilled. “Will you please engrave ‘To Mom, with love’ on it?” he asked.

“That costs $30 more,” the man said.

James’s was shocked. “I don’t have that much,” he said, as his eyes filled with tears.

“Fine, fine,” the shopkeeper said roughly. Hecaved and waived the fee for having the bracelet engraved.

James was so pleased with the bracelet, his dad could barely keep up on their walk home.

“I’m sorry, Dad, I just can’t wait to give it to her!” he yelled.

His dad just laughed, and marveled at his thoughtful son.

1. Many A. One or two things B. Nothing C. A large number of things 2. Safe A. A building that keeps money in it B. A strong, metal box with a lock C. Something dangerous 3. Saved A. Spent money B. Kept money, instead of spending it C. Bought something 4. Engraved A. Something cut into a surface B. A drawing on paper C. Painting on rocks 5. Waived A. Moved your hand to say hello or goodbye B. Rocked back and forth C. To not use or take something that you usually get to have 6. Caved A. Built a hole in a rock B. Gave into someone asking for something C. Offered to help 7. Shaving A. Adding something B. Growing your hair long C. Taking away a small amount of something 8. Braved A. Faced something unpleasant B. Hid away C. Left a place 9. Gave A. Charged money for something B. Let someone have something as a gift C. Made something 10. Wife A. A young woman B. A married man C. A married woman

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. James B. Mom C. Dad 3. What does James want to buy? A. A video game B. A bracelet for his mom C. A ring for his dad 4. Where does James see it? A. In a catalog B. In a shopping mall C. In a window he and his dad walk by each day 5. How long has James been saving his money? A. For a few weeks B. For a few years C. Forever 6. Who takes James to buy the gift? A. His uncle B. He goes by himself C. His dad 7. How much does it cost? A. $1,000 B. $135 C. $27 8. How does the shopkeeper treat James? A. He acts annoyed by him B. He is extra kind to him C. He talks to him like he’s a grown man 9. What does the shopkeeper charge James for engraving the gift? A. Nothing, he waives the fee B. $30 C. $5 10. Why does James run home? A. He wants to get away from the crabby shopkeeper B. He has a lot of energy C. He’s excited to give the gift to his mother

Visiting Cleo

“You’ve arrived!” shouted Cleo from the front of her house where she stood waving. She clasped her hands together and grinned widely. We all tumbled out of the car, feeling cramped and cranky after driving for ten hours. Seeing the Cheerios and grapes scattered all over the back seat of the car, I couldn’t help but think maybe travel just wasn’t for our family. I quickly swept the mess out the door when no one was looking.

“How was the drive?” Cleo asked as she hugged my parents.

Dad chuckled. “Well, there were a couple times I wasn’t sure we’d survive it, but here we are!”

Mom playfully hit Dad. “Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad. Only a little strife between the kids.” She rolled her eyes, then they all turned and looked at us: Melia, Ryan, and me. We must have been a sight for sore eyes, because the adults all kind of grimaced. I pulled a Cheerio out of Ryan’s hair, and rubbed my neck where the seatbelt had chafed.

“Come hug Auntie Cleo!” Mom called.

Cleo wasn’t really our aunt, but we all called her that because she acted like one. She’d known us our whole lives. Now, she squeezed us together in a group hug. “Mattie, you’re almost as tall as me, now!” she could barely ruffle the hair on top of my head. Then she turned to my parents again. “You all must be hungry. Come in, and we’ll get your bags later. I have cheese, crackers, and olives in the kitchen.”

“Black or green?” asked Melia.

“Both!” Cleo said, and Melia ran to catch up to the adults.

Cleo’s house was cozy and bright. We stuffed ourselves full, then stretched out for a game of Monopoly on the living room rug, where the ends had all raveled. We felt right at home.

1. Chafed A. Got sore or hurt by rubbing against something B. Got sore from dancing too much C. Got hurt by not being careful 2. Arrived A. Left to go home B. Got to where you were going C. Went many places 3. Drive A. To travel by train B. To travel by plane C. To travel by car 4. Olives A. Small black or green fruits that grow on trees, and can be used to make oil B. Trees on which small black or green fruits grow C. Very sweet, juicy red berries 5. Survive A. To die B. To get sick C. To stay alive 6. Travel A. To stay in one place B. To go on a trip C. To plan a trip 7. You’ve A. Contraction of: you have B. Contraction of: you are C. Contraction of: you will 8. Raveled A. Braided threads together B. Tied knots C. Divided into separate threads 9. Strife A. A great argument or fight B. Getting along nicely C. Being kind 10. Waving A. Swinging your legs when sitting on a high seat B. Moving your hand to greet or get someone’s attention C. Digging in soil

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Who is telling this story? A. The parents B. Cleo C. Mattie 3. Where does this story take place? A. At the family’s house B. At Cleo’s house C. At the airport 4. Where does Cleo live? A. California B. Alaska C. We don’t know 5. Who is visiting whom? A. The family is visiting Cleo B. Cleo is visiting the family C. The family and Cleo met each other in a place neither of them live 6. How does the family get there? A. By plane B. By car C. By train 7. How long did it take to get there? A. 10 hours B. 5 hours C. 24 hours 8. What does Mattie think about his family traveling? A. That maybe it just wasn’t the thing for his family B. That his family really enjoys it C. That everyone did really well with the long trip, so they should do it more often 9. What do they eat at the end of the story? A. Grapes and cheddar cheese B. Olives C. Sun Chips 10. What game do they play at the end of the story? A. I Spy B. Monopoly C. Checkers

Missed Bus

Walker pointed to the bus as it zoomed past, and loudly yelled after it, “Stop! You missed me!” He waved his arms over his head. It was a crowded bus stop, but he seemed to be the only one who needed bus 678-B. How was he going to get downtown, now? Was his plan to spend the day at the Central Library foiled? Walker looked down at the coins in his hand. Exactly enough to ride the bus. Then he looked up at the sky. The clouds were getting darker. He knew it would rain soon. Besides that, he was too far away to walk. That’s when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Walker recoiled out of surprise.

“Can I help?” he heard a voice say. Walker turned around to find a young man smiling brightly. Walker explained, and the man typed on his phone. “Aha!” he said. “Another bus will be here soon. I’m going the same direction, so we’ll get on together.”

“I’m Mr. Dillon,” said the man. “What’s at the library?”

Walker’s eyes lit up. He told Mr. Dillon how he’d always loved the building, but when his family moved out of the city, he missed it. He told him his plan to grab a stack of good books, and sit in a window seat and read. He loved those seats because they were always shrouded in light.

The bus stopped, and Mr. Dillon joined Walker on a seat. They sat, talking about their favorite books. Mr. Dillon told Walker to get Freckle Juice. He didn’t tell him anything about it, because he was afraid of spoiling it. “Just read it,” he said. Walker nodded, and thanked Mr. Dillon before getting off the bus. Inside the library, Walker found the book, and settled into his favorite spot to read. He would never forget that story…or Mr. Dillon.

1. Foiled A. Kept someone from reaching their goal B. Wrapped something in foil C. Made someone’s hopes come true 2. Spoiling A. Fixing something B. Being mean to someone C. Ruining something 3. Clouds A. The blue part of the sky B. White or gray things in the sky that carry rain water C. The dirt on the ground 4. Shrouded A. To be easily seen B. Something in bright light C. Covered 5. Joined A. Brought things together B. Separated things apart C. Held something up 6. Crowded A. Not many things or people in one place B. Filled with many things or people C. A noisy area 7. Coins A. Paper money B. Any type of money C. Small, flat, round pieces of metal used as money 8. Pointed A. Held up a fist to show excitement B. Looked down at the ground C. Held out a finger to show someone where something is 9. Loudly A. Said in a musical way B. Saying or doing something in a way that’s easy to hear C. Speaking in a whisper 10. Recoiled A. Quickly moved away from something B. Leaned against something C. Touched something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Mr. Dillon B. Walker C. Thomas 3. Where does the beginning of this story take place? A. On a bus B. At a library C. At a bus stop 4. Where does the middle of this story take place? A. On a bus B. At a library C. At a bus stop 5. Where does the end of this story take place? A. On a bus B. At a library C. At a bus stop 6. What happens at the beginning of this story? A. Walker misses his bus B. Mr. Dillon tells Walker he should read Freckle Juice C. Walker asks a man to help him find his bus 7. What does Mr. Dillon do for Walker? A. Calls his parents for him B. Walks him downtown C. Checks his phone to find the next bus that will bring Walker to the library 8. How does Walker pay his bus fare? A. With a special card B. With a dollar bill C. With coins 9. Where does Walker like to read in the library? A. On the front steps of the building B. In a window seat on an upper level, where there’s plenty of light C. Sitting between rows of books 10. What book does Mr. Dillon tell Walker to read? A. Freckle Juice B. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C. Frankenstein

Diving

Each time Larissa dove, she felt revived. It was the closest thing to flying she could do. Itgave her such a thrill. Of course, it wasn’t always this way. When she was younger, she needed to be taught water safety and how to swim. She didn’t learn to dive until she was 9. Now, she was a diver. She could already do a forward tuck and pike, and was now working on her backward twist.

Larissa was so lively. When she put all that energy into diving, it made people gasp with amazement. She was both graceful and powerful. Larissa was lucky that her family had a pool with a diving board, so she was able to practice often—even when she wasn’t in swim and dive class. At first, her momchafed about her practicing so much, but she knew how much joy it brought Larissa.

One day, as her mom sat at the pool, watching Larissa, she remembered how free she felt the first time she learned how to dive. She smiled and closed her eyes. She could easily picture the day. Her memory traveled back to being 12 as she relived the moment she dove into the water with barely a splash. Larissa swam to the edge of the pool in front of her. Droplets of water strafed her mom’s arm as Larissa propped herself up on the edge and giggled. “What are you thinking about, Mom?” Larissa asked.

Her mom opened her eyes and laughed at herself. “Oh, gosh. I was just getting lost in a memory, honey.” She reached out and touched Larissa’s dripping wet hair. “I was remembering what it was like to want to live in the water, like you.”

They smiled at each other, like they were sharing a secret. Then Larissa climbed back onto the diving board and dove again.

1. Relived A. To feel glad and not worried B. Remembered something again in your imagination so clearly it was like it was happening again C. To try to do something again 2. Gave A. Past tense of give B. Past tense of have C. Past tense of grow 3. Diver A. To jump into the water with your hands and head going in first B. Someone who swims in the water C. A person who dives in the water 4. Safety A. Being in danger B. Not being in danger C. Helping someone 5. Lively A. Not dead B. Being very lazy C. Very active, lots of energy 6. Dive A. To jump into the water with your hands and head going in first B. To move through water by moving your arms and legs C. A person who dives in the water 7. Revived A. Remembered something again in your imagination so clearly it was like it was happening again B. Made strong and healthy again C. To feel glad and not worried 8. Chafed A. Felt happy and glad B. Felt very angry C. Became irritated or felt annoyed 9. Traveled A. Staying in one place B. Went somewhere C. Someone who goes places 10. Strafed A. Attacked B. Became annoyed C. Felt worried

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Katie B. Larissa C. Louisa 3. Where does this story take place? A. At the ocean B. At a lake C. In a swimming pool 4. What is Larissa good at doing? A. Diving B. Swimming C. Doing handstands in the water 5. How old is Larissa? A. 12 B. 9 C. We don’t know 6. Which dive is Larissa working on now? A. Front pike B. Backward twist C. Front tuck 7. Who used to worry that Larissa practiced too much? A. Her coach B. Her mom C. Her dad 8. What does her mom start to remember? A. How much she used to love being in the water, too B. That Larissa is a stronger swimmer than she is C. That Larissa won’t always love diving 9. What does Larissa ask her mom? A. “Why are your eyes closed, Mom?” B. “Do you want to come in too, Mom?” C. “What are you thinking about, Mom?” 10. When they smile at each other, it’s like they are sharing a: A. Secret B. Memory C. Plan

Nina’s Dollhouse

Nina was toiling over her dollhouse. She had felt so spoiled when her grandfather gave the house to her. Even though shingles needed to be glued on, and the soiled wallpaper was peeling off the walls, and the staircase needed to berejoined together, Nina loved the dollhouse. Two pieces of jet black hair curled like coils over her forehead. She blew them away and stuck on the last shingle. Then Nina turned to her pile of craft paper. She beamed. One of these patterned pages would make the perfect wallpaper for the dollhouse. She wasn’t sure which she liked better: the bubblegum pink paper with red cherries, or periwinkle blue paper with grapevines. Finally, Nina decided on blue. She carefully measured and cut and pasted the paper onto the dollhouse’s dining room wall. She sat back, proudly admiring her work.

After lunch, Nina gathered magazines and catalogs. She cut out pictures of sparkling lights and expensive sofas to add to the little house. She made a refrigerator out of cardboard, and put tiny pictures of food inside.

Nina was working so hard that she didn’t even hear her grandfather enter the room. She jumped when he said, “I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.”

“Did I save the dollhouse, Papa? Just like you asked me to?” Nina asked, happy that her grandfather was there to see her hard work.

“Oh, yes, indeed. Indeed you did,” her grandfather said with a twinkle in his eye. He hugged Nina tightly. Suddenly, Nina’s entire family was in her room. Her twin brothers, Kalix and Kaze, and her big sister, Zina, were crowding around the dollhouse.

“It’s so cute!” Zina said.

“Look at the stove!” Kaze said.

“Can we play?” Kalix asked shyly.

Nina grinned. “Yeah, let’s all play together,” she said. All her hard work had paid off.

1. Spoiled A. Had a bad effect on someone because they were given everything they ever wanted B. Made something better C. Did not understand something 2. Coils A. Straight lines B. Something wound into circles C. A curved road 3. Soiled A. Made dirty B. Made clean C. Threw away 4. Proudly A. Done in a way that shows you are shy B. Done in a way that shows you are upset C. Done in a way that shows you are very happy with something you’ve done 5. Crowding A. Emptying something B. Filling a space so there is little room left C. Getting far away from a person or place 6. Toiling A. Being lazy B. Pretending to work C. Working very hard 7. Rejoined A. Came together with something again B. Left a place C. Broke apart 8. Disappointed A. Feeling glad about something that happened B. Feeling sad that something didn’t go the way you hoped C. Feeling worried about something that might happen 9. Save A. To put something in danger B. To be in danger C. To keep something safe from damage 10. House A. A building where a family lives B. A building where people work C. A building where people praise God

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. A main character is a person a story is mostly about. Who is the main character in this story? A. Nella B. Zina C. Nina 3. Where does this story take place? A. At Papa’s house B. In Nina’s room C. On a sidewalk 4. What is Nina doing at the beginning of this story? A. Working on her dollhouse B. Playing with her dollhouse C. Showing her family her dollhouse 5. What does Nina have to repair, or fix? A. Shingles and wallpaper B. The staircase C. Both A and B 6. What does she use for wallpaper? A. Actual wallpaper samples B. Craft paper C. Wrapping paper 7. What does she do after lunch? A. Gather magazines and catalogs to cut out picture B. Call her grandfather C. Go for a walk to get a break from the dollhouse 8. What does she call her grandfather? A. Grandpa B. Grandfather C. Papa 9. How does Nina feel about the work she’s done on the dollhouse? A. Worn out B. Proud C. Annoyed 10. What does Nina do with her siblings at the end of the story? A. Watch a movie B. Play together with the dollhouse C. Eat dinner

It Takes a Village

If you haven’t heard someone say, “it takes a village,” then maybe you weren’t listening. An African proverb coined the phrase, “It takes a village.” But what does it really mean? It doesn’t mean that all the people in a community, or place, need to raise a child by having them over for dinner, or helping tuck them in to bed at night. But it does mean that all people in a place should talk and interact with a child. When adults take interest in helping kids around them, children can have a safe environment in which to live.

“It takes a village” is the idea that all adults have a powerful role in helping youth in their community. Adults can pave the way for youth to live in a safe place. They can help children understand if they misbehave. They can teach children in their communities by example. If a child struggles with math, and a friend’s parent happens to be excellent at math, that parent might want to help the child. Maybe there’s a dad in the neighborhood who shaves all the boys’ hair. Maybe there’s a mom who drives loads of kids to the basketball court every week. There are endless examples.

Children are a blessing to their communities. When adults treat all children like their own, it engraves a message upon the child’s heart that they are loved, respected, and worthy. It doesn’t mean adults need to rave about every child they see. What it means is they can help a child whenever necessary.

So, when you grow into an adult, be brave. Don’t wait to be appointed with a task. Just care for, and about, the children around you. Do what you can to help, and lead by example.

[sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_takes_a_village; http://www.afriprov.org/african-proverb-of-the-month/23-1998proverbs/137-november-1998-proverb.html] Copyright Angie Bromeland 2019 Lesson 159 | Vocabulary Quiz

1. Youth A. Babies B. Young people C. Old people 2. Pave A. To make things difficult B. To make a flat, even surface with tar or concrete C. To clean something 3. Shaves A. Clips hairs at the very ends B. Grows hair C. Cuts the hair close to the skin 4. Rave A. Talks about something in an excited way B. Talks about something in a rude way C. Talks loudly 5. Engraves A. Draws something on a surface B. Carves something into a surface C. Using sand to draw 6. Coined A. Paid for something B. Made money C. Created a word or phrase that people then begin to use 7. Misbehave A. To behave badly B. To behave well C. How a woman acts 8. Appointed A. Used your finger to show what you’re talking about B. Studied apes C. Gave someone a particular job or duty 9. Haven’t A. Contraction of: have not B. Contraction of: will not C. Contraction of: would not 10. Brave A. Showing great fear B. Showing no fear C. Acting strong

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Which phrase is this story about? A. It takes a village B. Every life matters C. Survival of the fittest 3. Where does this story take place? A. In a house B. On a street C. Everywhere! 4. What does the phrase mean? A. That no one can live anywhere except in a village B. That all adults can help the children in their communities C. That people don’t need to help those who aren’t in their families 5. Adults can teach or lead children by: A. Offering classes B. Quizzing them C. Example 6. Children are a ____ to their communities. A. Blessing B. Problem C. Annoyance 7. Adults don’t need to ___ about children every day. A. Rave B. Yell C. Complain 8. Adults can ___ children whenever necessary. A. Call B. Help C. Ignore 9. When you’re an adult, be: A. Scared B. Ignorant C. Brave 10. ___ adults can have a role in helping youth. A. No B. Some C. All

Three Magical Lakes

Across the world, lies the island country of Indonesia. There on this beautiful isle, which is rife with powerful volcanoes, is housed a great mystery. At the peak of one volcano, called Kelimutu, there are three lakes set inside craters created by the volcano. These crater lakes might be interesting enough, but what makes them truly magical is that each of the lakes is a different color. Even more interesting is that the colors of the lakes change regularly. They may be indigo, mint green, and dark red one day, but a month later they could be white, light blue, and brown.

Why are these three lakes behaving in such strange ways? How is it that the lakes seem so alive? Scientists think the colors change because of different volcanic gasses and minerals in the soil that mix and react to each other.

Travelers can see the crater lakes in person by following a trail to the lakes. These trails are marked, but not paved. To keep safe from the heat, many travelers plan to arrive right as the sun rises. It means waking up very early, but that’s when the lakes are doused in the early morning sun. The lakes’ colors are brilliant at this time of day, and the heat isn’t quite as intense.

Braving the hot sun and crowds of people wanting to see the lakes is well worth it to travelers who want to see something unlike anything else. Anyone craving a new adventure would be thrilled to see the lakes at Kelimutu. Whatever the reason is for these color-changing lakes, one thing is for sure: they are unique and beautiful.

[sources: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kelimutu+volcano+indonesia&FORM=wsbs01&filters=IsConversation:% 22True%22+BTEPKey:%22Encyclo_WL_KelimutuVolcanoIndonesia%22&trivia=1; https://curiosity.com/topics/the-crater-lakes-of-mount-kelimutu-change-color-all-the-time-curiosity/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crater_lake; https://www.tripsavvy.com/visiting-kelimutu-lake-1629402]

1. Doused A. Covered completely, usually with liquid B. Dried off C. A few things scattered here and there 2. Isle A. A palm tree B. An island C. A continent 3. Housed A. A building where families live B. Got lost C. Stored or kept something 4. Arrive A. To plan to visit a place B. To leave a place C. To get to the place you’re going 5. Alive A. Not dead B. Having life C. Breathing 6. Behaving A. Being good B. Acting in a certain way C. Being naughty 7. Travelers A. To go to a place B. The places people visit C. People who go places often 8. Safe A. In a dangerous place B. Not likely to be hurt C. A boring idea 9. Paved A. Covered with a hard, smooth material on which to walk B. Covered with loose dirt C. Covered with leaves and sticks 10. Rife A. A gun used for hunting B. When a fruit is ready to eat C. Having a large amount of something

1. Which type of story is this? A. Fiction B. Poetry C. Nonfiction 2. Where does this story take place? A. Indonesia B. Hawaii C. Australia 3. How many lakes are in this story? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 4. Where are the lakes found? A. Deep in a canyon B. At the top of a volcano C. Near a mountainside 5. What is interesting about the lakes? A. They change size B. They change color C. They are both freshwater and saltwater 6. Can people visit these lakes to see them in person? A. Yes B. No C. Not sure 7. Which of these is NOT a color of the lakes? A. Indigo B. Red C. Purple 8. What is the temperature like here? A. Very cold B. Not too hot or too cold C. Hot 9. What is the name of the volcano? A. Copacobana B. Kelimutu C. Maui 10. When is a good time of day to see the lakes? A. Sunrise B. Sunset C. Afternoon