Homework: a New House for Ralph (4Th Nine Weeks Reading Project)

Homework: A New House for Ralph (4th Nine Weeks Reading Project) Due: Monday, May 5th

We have finished reading Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle together, and guess what? Ralph has decided to move to Greenwood with your child!

Your child’s homework is to build a house for Ralph, using any materials readily available in your home. The finished house should be no smaller than 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall and no larger than 20 inches in diameter and 15 inches tall (basically about the size of an adult shoebox). The house may or may not include a garage for the motorcycle. It may or may not be furnished. It should provide shelter and protection from predators for this very private mouse. Please do not include anything alive or any real food items (we do not need any little Ralphs running around our classroom!). While your child can receive help from you, he or she should be the primary builder. Finished houses can be brought in at any time, but will be due by Monday, May 5th.

Your child will also be writing a persuasive letter to Ralph convincing him to come back to Greenwood and live with him/her (see the back of this paper for instructions). They will be reading this letter aloud when they present the home that they made.

Happy building! Mrs. Ferguson (and Ralph!) Letter to Ralph

You will need to persuade Ralph to move in with you. You will need to write a letter to Ralph letting him know why your house would be a great place for him to live.  Where will you keep Ralph’s new house within your own home?  Why will he like the house you have built for him? Explain the interesting features it has.  Who is in your family? Why will he like your family?  We know that mice are afraid of certain things… Do you have a pet at home? A younger sibling? Any dangers that might scare Ralph? You’ll need to tell him about these dangers and reassure him that the house that you’ve built for him will keep him safe.  Ralph has been living a pretty exciting life at the Mountain View Inn! What kinds of new, fun things will he be able to do in Greenwood? What makes Greenwood a good place for him to live?  Be sure your letter is written in your best handwriting or typed.  If writing by hand, your letter should be at least one page long. If typing, your letter should be at least half of a page long when typed in 12-point font size.  Be sure your letter is written in the proper friendly letter format.  You will share your letter with your classmates when you share Ralph’s new house that you made at home.