Concepts: Theme, Setting, Sequence, Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast, Character

C O N C E P T S O F C O M P R E H E N S I O N : R ID I N G F R E E D O M 5 t h G R A D E U N I T Student Packet

Directions: Use your book to fill out the information on the lines below. Then write your name on this packet.

Title: Riding Freedom Author: ______Genre: ______Concepts: Theme, Setting, Sequence, Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast, Character

Name: ______

Genre Lesson Independent Practice: History Detectives Name: ______Date: ______Directions: Find the terms listed below in your book. Write an “H” if it is a real historical term in the novel. Then, using the context in the book to help you, record the historical element in the last column (person, language/slang, cultural artifacts, events, or places). Detail from the Book Historically Term? Historical Element Charlotte Parkhurst New Hampshire (p. 2) Horse-drawn wagon (p. 2) Nursemaids (p. 3) Orphanage (p. 4) Rein (p. 5) The pasture race (p. 6) Plantation (p. 7) Ranch (p. 15) Kitchen maid (p. 19) Potato bin (p. 20) Mollycoddles (p. 25) Bridles (p. 28) “A boy like Hayward could travel without question.” (p. 31) “Dander” (p. 34) Stage/Stage Coach (p. 35) South/North (p. 37) Foal (p. 39) Shears (p. 40) Kerchief (p. 41) Worchester, Massachusetts (p. 49) Carting water (p. 50) Mush (p. 51) Hitching a wagon (p. 60) “Haw!” and “Gee!” (p. 64) Buckskin vest (p. 68) Man’s work (p. 69) “rear boot” (p. 71) “blabberin’” (p. 72) Oil lanterns (p. 76) Argonauts and gold diggers (p. 80) The West (p. 80) Handbills (p. 87) Giving women the right to vote (p. 87) Convention at Seneca Falls (p. 89)

Name: ______Date: ______Vocabulary Activity: Questions, Reasons, and Examples “In the Beginning” — Chapter 4 Directions: Think about the meaning of the following words from Riding Freedom and then answer the questions. blustery, lurched, persistent, clench, earshot, fretting, droning 1. Which of the following would you wear on a blustery day? Shorts, a scarf, or a rain coat? Why?

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2. If you were in a boat that lurched, how would you feel? Explain.

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3. Why is it important to be persistent when learning something new? What else do you need to be persistent at?

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4. Are you more likely to clench your hands while walking or on a roller coaster?

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5. Are you likely to tell a secret when there are others within earshot? Why or why not?

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6. If someone is fretting are they in a good or bad mood? Explain.

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7. Would you want to hear a droning sound? Why or why not?

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Name: ______Date: ______Comprehension Questions “In the Beginning” — Chapter 4

Directions: Read the questions and answer them in complete sentences or choose the correct answer. Use the book to help you, if needed. Use details from the text to support your answer. Record the Concept of Comprehension© on the line next to each question.

_____ 1. When does the story take place? Provide two details that are evidence of this time period.

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_____ 2. What caused the death of Charlotte’s parents? a. They were hit by lightening when riding in their wagon. b. The wind blew their wagon over. c. The wind caused a tree limb to fall over onto their wagon. d. Lightening scared the horses, causing the wagon to go down a hill and turn over.

_____ 3. Why does Charlotte want to beat William so badly in the race? a. She was upset that he had whipped her horse. b. She wanted to prove that a girl could win the race. c. She was angry at him. d. She wanted to show off to him.

_____ 4. What happened to Freedom after the race? a. Freedom had a hard time breathing and died. b. Freedom went to rest in the barn. c. Freedom gave birth to a horse in the barn. d. Freedom walked around the pasture.

_____ 5. What were two reasons why Charlotte has not been adopted?

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Comprehension Questions (continued) “In the Beginning” — Chapter 4

_____ 6. Mr. Millshark tells Charlotte that, “’It’s been brought to my attentions that some of the townspeople don’t think it’s quite lady-like for you to be racing the boys.’” Who do you think brought this to Mr. Millshark’s attention? Why? (pp. 25-26)

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_____ 7. Compare and contrast Charlotte’s feelings about staying at the orphanage to her feelings about running away.

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_____ 8. Why did Charlotte say goodbye to herself as she looked in the water? a. She was changing her appearance and would pretend to be a boy. b. She was making it look like she had drowned. c. She knew that she would never return to the orphanage. d. She was pretending to be Hay.

_____ 9. The chart below shows what happened during Charlotte’s first day in Worcester. Which event belongs in Box C?

Charlotte fell Charlotte went to Charlotte climbed asleep on the the stables with out the window stage coach and the driver and took and went to the woke up in water to the stalls. general store. Worcester.

Box A Box B Box C Box D a. Charlotte climbed into the lofts in the stables and slept there. b. The driver offered Charlotte to watch him put the horses to bed. c. Charlotte stroked the horses that drove the stage coach. d. Charlotte woke up to someone standing over her.

____ 10. How did Charlotte feel before arriving in Worcester? How did she feel after arriving in Worcester?

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Lesson 1 Independent Practice: Charlotte Parkhurst: From Past to Present

Name: ______Date: ______

Directions: Fill in the blank boxes with information about Charlotte’s past and present. Use this information to draw a conclusion about the effect of Charlotte’s past on her present actions, thoughts, and feelings.

Details about the Past Present Actions, Conclusion: How the Past Thoughts, and Feelings Impacted the Present

Charlotte is sad that Hayward was adopted and is leaving her. He is one of her only friends at the orphanage

Charlotte decides to escape the orphanage.

When Charlotte’s parents were killed in a stage coach accident, Charlotte was protected by horses until the morning when she was found and treated.

Name: ______Date: ______

Vocabulary Activity: One of These Words is Not Like the Others Chapter 5 — Chapter 8 Directions: Read each group of words. Cross out the word that does not belong in the group. Then explain why the remaining words belong together.

1. skinny scrawny bony plump

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2. precarious unsteady secure wobbly

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3. trustworthy honest reputable unrespected

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4. overweight portly slender heavy

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5. shouting clamor uproar silence

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6. land disembark arrive board

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Name: ______Date: ______Comprehension Questions Chapter 5 — Chapter 8 Directions: Read the questions and answer them in complete sentences or choose the correct answer. Use the book to help you, if needed. Use details from the text to support your answer. Record the Concept of Comprehension© on the line next to each question.

_____ 1. Why did Ebeneezer Balch decide to let Charlotte work at the stables?

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_____ 2. What is a stock tender? How is that job different from a stable boy? ______

_____ 3. Why was Charlotte so popular with the stage coach passengers?

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_____ 4. What are two things that Charlotte did to maintain her disguise? a. She wore loose-fitting shirts and did not go out much. b. She spoke in a low voice and wore snug undershirts to look like a boy. c. She spoke in a low voice and did not go out much. d. She wore snug undershirts to look like a boy and did not speak.

_____ 5. Why did Charlotte enjoy the power that she felt over Mr. Millshark? ______

Comprehension Questions (continued) Chapter 5 — Chapter 8

_____ 6. What are three things that Charlotte did to get back at Mr. Millshark? a. Drove the stage into a bog, made him stand in the mud and push the stage, and hid his luggage. b. Drove the stage into a bog, made him stand in the mud and push the stage, and hid his boots. c. Drove the stage over a bridge and got stuck, made him stand in the mud and push the stage, and hid his boots. d. Drove the stage into a bog, hid his luggage, and hid his boots.

_____ 7. Based on the reactions of the men at the saloon in California, what can you conclude about how most men felt about women receiving the right to vote?

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_____ 8. Name two ways in which California is different from Rhode Island.

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_____ 9.Based on the stories that he told Charlotte, how do you think the doctor felt about women dressing as men? a. The doctor felt that these women were foolish. b. The doctor felt that it was sometime necessary for these women to dress as men in order to protect themselves. c. The doctor felt that these women couldn’t take care of themselves. d. The doctor felt that these women often felt more comfortable in men’s clothing.

_____ 10. What did Charlotte fear would happen as a result of losing the vision in her left eye? a. She would go blind. b. She would never be able to see Hayward again. c. She would never be able to drive again. d. She would get sent back to the orphanage.

Lesson 2 Independent Practice: Compare and Contrast the Settings: Rhode Island and California Name: ______Date: ______Directions: Record details about the two settings in the boxes on either side of the page. Then, draw comparison and contrast links between the two places. On the next page, use these links to explain the similarities and differences between Rhode Island and California. Rhode Island California

Compare and Contrast: Rhode Island and California (continued)

How are Rhode Island and California different? ______

How are Rhode Island and California similar?

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Why do you think these differences and similarities are important to the story?

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Name: ______Date: ______

Vocabulary Activity: Opposite Meanings Chapter 9 — “In the End”

Directions: Read each sentence from the story. The definition of each bold word has been provided for you. Write two to four antonyms of the word on the line provided. Then write a sentence using the word.

1. “For years after that, Charlotte caused all sorts of commotion every time she drove into town.” (Chapter 9, p. 108) commotion: Noisy and excited activity antonyms: ______sentence: ______

2. “The food was the most rancid bacon, mustard greens, corn doggers, and sandy coffee” (Chapter 9, p. 110) rancid: spoiled, rotten, strong-smelling antonyms: ______sentence: ______

3. “She saved a substantial amount of money. She could afford it.” (Chapter 9, p. 112) substantial: large amount antonyms: ______sentence: ______

4. “Horatio Seymour or Ulysses S. Grant, the conservative Democrat or the much talked-about Republican.” (Chapter 10, p. 128) conservative: cautious and traditional antonyms: ______sentence: ______

5. “Because I’m qualified as the next man” (Chapter 10, p. 129) qualified: To have an ability to do something; skilled, capable antonyms: ______sentence: ______

6. “The two sat up all night soothing the mother horse who was as frightened by the thunder as she as the birthing.” (“In the End”, p. 132) soothing: calming someone who is upset antonyms: ______sentence: ______

Name: ______Date: ______Comprehension Questions Chapter 9 — “In the End” Directions: Read the questions and answer them in complete sentences or choose the correct answer. Use the book to help you, if needed. Use details from the text to support your answer. Record the Concept of Comprehension© on the line next to each question.

_____1. Compare and contrast how passengers reacted to Charlotte in both Rhode Island and California. ______

_____ 2. What did Charlotte love about her new route from San Juan Bautista to Santa Cruz? a. Being able to scare off the bandits. b. Sleeping in the loft in Sacramento. c. The fog, the mountains, and the hills near the ocean. d. Stopping to rest at the way station.

_____ 3. Describe what a way station is. ______

_____ 4. What do you think motivated Charlotte to purchase Margaret’s land also? ______

_____ 5. Why did Charlotte’s heart leap after she realized that the painted sign in her pasture said, “Private Property”? a. She was nervous that someone had bought her land. b. She was happy and excited that the property was hers. c. She was upset that she would have to leave the property. d. She was happy because she knew that Hayward had come to see her.

Comprehension Questions (continued) Chapter 9 — “In the End” _____ 6. Why didn’t Charlotte travel to Missouri with Hayward? ______

_____ 7. What are Charlotte’s reasons for wanting to vote? a. She wanted to let people know that she was a woman. b. She wanted to help Ulysses S. Grant win the election. c. She wanted to make her vote count. d. She wanted to prove that she is a member of the county and can vote.

_____ 8. Before Hayward leaves California for Missouri, he says to Charlotte, “’You know how I feel about you.’” (p. 124) Describe how you think Hayward feels about Charlotte. ______

_____ 9. Why do you think Charlotte continued Vern’s tradition of giving horses important names?

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_____ 10. Why did Charlotte name the filly Freedom?

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Lesson 3 Independent Practice: History’s Effect

Name: ______Date: ______

Directions: In the space below, explain how 19th century expectations for girls and women affected Charlotte in Riding Freedom. Use specific examples from the story to support your explanation.

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Lesson 4 Independent Practice: Real World Connections: Freedom

Name: ______Date: ______Directions: Examine the author’s message about Freedom in Riding Freedom by answering the following questions.

Topic: Freedom

Textual Examples: When/How is freedom important in Riding Freedom?

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What is the author’s message about freedom in the story?

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How can you apply this lesson to your own world?

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