Bulldog Weekly Reading Article

Bulldog Weekly Reading Article Emotional Kevin Durant Says His Mom is the Real MVP (930 Lexile) Format adapted from http://vms.vale.k12.or.us/articles-week by Angela Lattin and Kelly Gallagher

Instructions: COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS AND MARGIN NOTES using the CLOSE reading strategies practiced in class. This requires reading of the article three times.

Step 1: Skim the article using these symbols as you read: (+) agree, (-) disagree, (*) important, (!) surprising, (?) wondering Step 2: Number the paragraphs. Read the article carefully and make notes in the margin. Notes should include: o Comments that show that you understand the article. (A summary or statement of the main idea of important sections may serve this purpose.) o Questions you have that show what you are wondering about as you read. o Notes that identify facts and opinions. o Observations about how the writer’s techniques (organization, word choice, perspective, support) and choices affect the article.

o Text structure—(is it compare/contrast, main ideas and details, chronological order, cause/effect, or problem solution)—PICK FROM THESE CHOICES Step 3: A final quick read noting anything you may have missed during the first two reads. Your margin notes are part of your score for this assessment. Answer the questions carefully in complete sentences unless otherwise instructed. Student ______Class Period______

Notes on my thoughts, OKLAHOMA CITY — As he accepted his first Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, reactions and questions as I Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant made a point of sharing the honor: He thanked read: all those who made it possible.

In a soul -baring speech that lasted more than 25 minutes, Durant fought back tears several times. He thanked each of his teammates, the coaches, support staff and team executives, and finally his family.

The emotional outpouring concluded with a tribute to his mother, Wanda Pratt. Durant praised her for the sacrifices she made and the encouragement she provided while raising Durant and his brother. The structure of this text is: "You made us believe," Durant said to Pratt, who was at the ceremony in Oklahoma. ______"Kept us off the street, put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn't (pick from the choices listed) eat, you made sure we ate. You sacrificed for us — you're the real MVP."

Mom Got Them Through Tough Times

Durant, who was raised near Washington, D.C., explained that Pratt was a single

mother with two boys. Times were tough while he was growing up, but Pratt always Some facts and opinions thought something better was ahead. Durant said that to appreciate moments like from this story are (label these, he often looks back, so as not to take things for granted. facts with “F” and opinions with “O”): "One of the best memories I had is when we moved into our first apartment," he said as tears streamed down Pratt's face. "No bed, no furniture, and we just all sat in the living room and hugged each other, 'cause that's when we all thought we made it."

Emotional Kevin Durant says his mom is the real MVP. Associated Press adapted by Newsela staff. May 8, 2014. Bulldog Weekly Reading Article Emotional Kevin Durant Says His Mom is the Real MVP (930 Lexile) Format adapted from http://vms.vale.k12.or.us/articles-week by Angela Lattin and Kelly Gallagher

He's really made it now. The young man who said he was told he "wasn't supposed to be here" won the NBA's top individual honor Tuesday. Miami's LeBron James, who had won the last two MVP awards and four of the previous five, finished second. Blake Notes on my thoughts, Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was third. reactions and questions as I read: Durant, 25, called it "surreal." At one point, as he thanked his teammates, he stopped and said, "I don't know why I'm crying so much."

Anything Is Possible

During his speech Durant was humble and heartfelt, but he also drew some laughs."I could walk in and have a terrible day and I could see Hasheem (Thabeet) smiling at me, at 7-foot -3 with small pants on," he said. "That would change my day."

Durant expressed respect for all his teammates. The more experienced players, he said, challenged him to do better, while the rookies inspired him to do things the right A summary of this article way because they look up to him. "When you've got people behind you," Durant said, is:______"you can do whatever" you set out to do. ______

______Durant won his fourth scoring crown in five years by averaging 32 points. The 6-foot-9 forward helped the Thunder achieve 59 wins to 23 losses, the second-best record in ______the league. ______

"He's basically put himself in front of everybody else in the league," teammate and three-time All-Star Russell Westbrook said. Durant, Russell said, has "shown that he's the best player in the world."

James agreed, saying he had "much respect" for Durant, and that Durant "deserves it — he had a big-time MVP season."

What A Season!

This season Durant played 41 games in a row in which he scored at least 25 points. This article relates to me, That scoring run made for the third-longest streak in NBA history. Durant scored at someone I know, or the least 40 points 14 times. He also averaged 7.4 rebounds and a career-high 5.5 assists world I live in while shooting 50 percent from the field. BECAUSE:______Teammate Nick Collison said he and fellow players may be guilty of taking Durant's skill ______and hard work for granted. "To be able to stay on for long periods of time — have to ______cut hard, catch the ball in the right spot and defend on the other end — is tough to do. ______To be able to do that shows that he has an edge to him. He doesn't take a night off."

Durant himself doesn't take anything for granted, though.

"I put in so much work and so many people helped me," he said. "I feel like we all won it. Our equipment guy gave me a hug today and said, 'This is my first MVP,' and I thought about that. And I said, 'Yeah, this is our first MVP.' I couldn't have done it without the teammates, without the trainer — everybody. We all just did this together."

Comprehension questions – answers may be in phrases.

1. What is the name of the award that Kevin Durant won?

2. What is one of Durant’s best memories?

3. How many games in a row did Durant score at least 25 points?

4. What did Lebron James say about Kevin Durant?

5. Who did Kevin Durant thank in his speech?

2. Answer each question in one or more complete sentences.

Citing DIRECTLY from the text, what did Kevin Durant say about his mom?

According to the article, what did Kevin Durant say about his teammates—both the experienced ones as well as the rookies?

.According to the article, how many scoring crowns has Kevin Durant won? How many points did he average?

3. Using inference, make a list of adjectives that you could use to describe Kevin Durant’s personality. What kind of person do you think he is? Why?

4. In the text, Durant states, “.I put in so much work and so many people helped me," he said. "I feel like we all won it. Our equipment guy gave me a hug today and said, 'This is my first MVP,' and I thought about that. And I said, 'Yeah, this is our first MVP.' I couldn't have done it without the teammates, without the trainer — everybody. We all just did this together."

Do you agree with this statement? Which do you think plays a greater role in determining future success: individual talent or teawork? EXPAIN WHY.

Emotional Kevin Durant says his mom is the real MVP. Associated Press adapted by Newsela staff. May 8, 2014.

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Emotional Kevin Durant says his mom is the real MVP. Associated Press adapted by Newsela staff. May 8, 2014.