1

CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

APEX Language Arts - 7 Learning Packet

Weeks 3 & 4 April 20 – May 1, 2020

2

Contents APEX Lesson - Theme .................................................................................................................................................3

Information – Themes ............................................................................................................................................4

Information – Multiple Themes..............................................................................................................................5

Information – Details Support Multiple Themes ....................................................................................................6

Review – Theme .....................................................................................................................................................7

Study Guide – Theme .............................................................................................................................................8

Assessment – Theme ........................................................................................................................................... 10

APEX Lesson – Setting .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Information – Setting .......................................................................................................................................... 14

Information – Setting Effects on the Plot ............................................................................................................ 15

Information – Setting Influences Theme ............................................................................................................. 17

Review – Setting .................................................................................................................................................. 18

Study Guide – Setting .......................................................................................................................................... 19

Assessment – Setting ........................................................................................................................................... 21

Study Guide Answers ............................................................................................................................................... 25

Theme .................................................................................................................................................................. 25

Setting .................................................................................................................................................................. 26

Extensions ................................................................................................................................................................ 28

Poppy’s Jalopy ..................................................................................................................................................... 29

The House Dog and the Wolf .............................................................................................................................. 31

Ain’t I a Woman” ................................................................................................................................................. 33

Standing Out in the Herd ..................................................................................................................................... 34

Chiron, the Wisest Centaur ................................................................................................................................. 36

3

Name: __________________________________________ School: ________________

Teacher: ________________________________________ Period: ________________

Packet Directions for Students Students should complete the following activities from APEX English Language Arts 7 course.

APEX Lesson - Theme Unit 1: Elements of Literature Lesson: Theme: A work’s theme is sometimes hidden in plain view.

Lesson Objectives:

Recognize theme as the underlying central idea or message that runs through a work of

literature.

Identify multiple themes in works of literature.

Lesson Directions: 1. Read the information about theme, the multiple themes in some texts, and details to identify a

text’s theme.

2. Complete the Study Guide

3. Complete the assessment of your learning

4

Information – Themes

The theme is the underlying central idea or message that runs through a work of literature. A theme is the main

idea of a piece of literature. It's usually not stated directly but is instead revealed through the characters and

details of the plot. The theme of a work is usually an idea about life that the author communicates through the

story.

In Natalie Babbitt's novel Tuck Everlasting, Winnie Foster discovers the Tuck family’s secret: that drinking from a

magical spring has granted them eternal life. Winnie faces great danger as she tries to keep their secret while

also deciding whether she should drink from the spring herself. Here are four different themes supported

throughout the novel.

The importance of loving unselfishly and helping those in need.

Change is an important part of life.

Disrupting the normal circle of life can have serious consequences.

Greed can only lead to despair and misfortune.

The details of a story can help the reader determine the theme of a work of literature. Looking at what a

character overcomes and learns throughout the narrative can help uncover that story's theme.

Explore the following summary of The Call of the Wild by Jack London to see how details can help reveal the

theme “Only the fittest and those with good instincts survive.”

Buck is a dog who is kidnapped from his domestic life and forced to become a sled dog in Canada. Buck becomes the leader of the team by fighting Spitz, the previous lead dog, and winning. The dogs are mistreated by their evil owner, and several dogs die of starvation and exhaustion. After resting in the camp of John Thornton, Buck refuses to leave with the team. John cuts Buck out of the harness, and they watch as the rest of the team leaves. Not long after, everyone perishes when the sled falls through the ice. Buck and John form a strong bond, and Buck is happy for a while until he befriends a wolf and begins to live partly in the wild. One day, John is killed, and Buck leaves the camp completely to live with the wolves, cutting his last ties to humanity.

Detail Connection to Theme

becomes the leader of the team by fighting Spitz, the previous lead dog, and winning.

Buck becomes the leader because of his strength, a detail that supports the theme.

Not long after, everyone perishes when the sled falls through the ice.

Buck refuses to leave with the sled because his instincts tell him it is too dangerous. This decision saves his life, further developing the theme of the story.

and Buck is happy for a while until he befriends a wolf and begins to live partly in the wild.

Buck's instincts again help him to survive in the wild.

One day, John is killed and Buck leaves the camp completely to live with the wolves, cutting his last ties to humanity.

Buck's strength and instincts allow him to thrive in the wild, cut off from humanity. This again develops the theme of the story.

5

Information – Multiple Themes Works of literature often contain multiple themes. A longer work of literature, novels, will usually have more

than one theme. Looking at the details of the work can help you determine each theme.

Below are examples of works with multiple themes.

Romeo and Juliet Theme #1: Sometimes, you can't escape your fate.

Theme #2: True love is more powerful than hate.

A Wrinkle in Time Theme #1: Goodwill always overcomes evil.

Theme #2: Family bonds are strong enough to withstand any challenge.

Here is a text which contains multiple themes.

When Celia's family first moved to California, she didn't know anyone. People were nice, but they were so different from her friends in Colorado. She felt lonely and out of place. She tried out for the soccer team, hoping to make some friends, but she didn't make the cut. She participated in the debate team for a while, but she discovered she didn't actually like arguing. Finally, her drama teacher, Ms. Thornberry, convinced her to try out for the school play. Though Celia didn't think she was very good at acting, she liked Ms. Thornberry and trusted her opinion, so she tried out for the play — and ended up getting the lead role! In doing so, Celia discovered a passion for acting and made many friends in the cast, leading her to feel like she finally belonged.

Theme #1: It is important to remain open to advice.

Theme #2: Your interests can come from unexpected places

6

Information – Details Support Multiple Themes Looking at the events in a story and a character's reaction to those events can help reveal more than one theme

in a work of literature. Explore this passage to see how the details help the author develop multiple themes in a

piece of literature.

Marisa was terrified of heights. So when her best friends planned a rock-climbing trip, she was worried. She didn't want to go, but she didn't want to be left out either. And she didn't want her friends to find out she was afraid of heights. When Jolie asked her if she was going, she thought about lying, but finally she decided to tell her friends the truth. "I'm not too crazy about heights," she said. "I'll go next time." But her friends wouldn't give up. "Come on," Jolie said. "We'll help you. You can go as far up as you want — no pressure — and we'll be there the whole way." Marisa finally agreed to go, and she ended up climbing as high as any of her friends. With their support, she felt safe and free to just have fun.

Theme #1: Real friends will support you no matter what.

Theme #2: Sometimes, you have to challenge yourself to overcome fear.

Detail How it helps supports one or both themes

So when her best friends planned a rock-climbing trip, she was worried. She didn't want to go, but she didn't want to be left out either.

This is the major conflict Marisa encounters. It serves as a clue to the themes involving fear and friendship.

But her friends wouldn't give up. "Come on," Jolie said. "We'll help you. You can go as far up as you want — no pressure — and we'll be there the whole way."

Marisa's friends don't judge her but instead remain supportive, emphasizing the theme relating to friendship.

Marisa finally agreed to go, and she ended up climbing as high as any of her friends.

Marisa decides to go on the trip despite her fear, developing the theme that relates to overcoming obstacles.

With their support, she felt safe and free to just have fun.

Marisa decides to go on the trip despite her fear, developing the theme that relates to overcoming obstacles.

7

Review – Theme

A theme is an underlying central idea or message that runs through a work of literature, and can be

expressed in a complete sentence.

Take one of the most famous books of all time, Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It's about a sea captain

named Captain Ahab who is obsessed with a white whale that took his leg. The captain dedicates his

whole life to finding the whale, and exacting his revenge. The captain makes some bad decisions and

things don't turn out very well for him. You might say one of the major themes of Moby Dick is

"seeking revenge is destructive for everyone involved."

Now, some works of literature have more than one theme. Let's look at another famous story. Charlie

and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl. In this story, Willy Wonka, owner of the biggest and best

chocolate factory in the world, invites five kids to come visit by hiding five golden tickets in his

chocolate bars. Charlie Bucket, the hero of the story, ends up with a ticket. Charlie is honest and good,

and one by one, the other four kids get dismissed from the factory for being greedy or not following

the rules. In the end, only Charlie is left, and Willy Wonka informs him that for being so good, he's won

the entire chocolate factory.

There are a couple different themes at work here. One theme is, "good things

come in small packages." Another theme is, "good behavior will be rewarded."

Details develop the theme that "good things come in small packages." For

example, Charlie Bucket is small for his age, the chocolate bars are small, Willy

Wonka is small. The details of the story are what can help you determine the

theme.

Now for the second theme, "good behavior will be rewarded." There are

lots of details in this story that support and develop this theme, such as

the fact that all four of the other kids get thrown out of the chocolate

factory for not following the rules. For example, Violet grabs a piece of

experimental gum she was told not to touch, and she blows up like a big

blueberry. Charlie, on the other hand, does what he's told and follows

the rules. And he ends up winning the entire chocolate factory.

And now you know a little bit about theme and supporting details.

Key Term:

Theme: An underlying central idea or message that runs through a work of literature, which can

be expressed in a complete sentence.

8

Study Guide – Theme Use this guide to take notes as you work through the activity. Taking good notes can help you remember

important ideas. Your notes on this guide will help you prepare for quizzes and tests.

Match each detail to the theme it would best support.

Detail Theme

A man hesitates to cross a muddy stream that might be deeper than it looks.

True friends will stand by you.

Juan looked back at that summer, playing in the fields with his friends, as the happiest time of his life.

Trust your instincts in dangerous situations.

Rohit hung his head after striking out, but John punched his shoulder and said, “You’ll hit it out of the park next time!”

Joy isn’t something that can be bought in a store.

Circle which theme the following details from the passage are more likely to reveal.

Best friends Damian and Connor both dream of becoming famous musicians. Damian plays guitar and sings, and Connor plays the drums. They start a band with two other friends and practice every day. Soon, they book a couple of gigs around town. Connor begins to notice that Damian has started coming to practice late and leaving early. When Connor confronts him, Damian says he is better than the rest of them and doesn’t need as much practice. The other band members want to kick Damian out, but Connor refuses, saying Damian is his friend. Instead, he organizes a band meeting to tell Damian how they feel. Damian realizes how badly he's been behaving and thanks Connor and the other members of the band for being honest with him. After the meeting, he starts showing up to practice on time. The band ends up winning a local competition and becomes very popular.

Theme #1: Loyalty and honesty are important qualities in a friendship.

Theme #2: Following your dreams requires hard work and dedication.

Detail Theme

Their band practices every day and starts to book gigs. #1 #2

The other bandmates want to kick Damian out of the group, but Connor refuses. He says that Damian is his friend and he's not going to do that to him.

#1 #2

Damian apologizes for his behavior and rededicates himself to the band. #1 #2

The band wins a couple of local competitions and becomes very popular. #1 #2

9

Circle the two statements that describe theme.

A directly stated message in a text

The main idea of a piece of literature

An idea about life communicated by the author

Read the passage. Identify two themes, and then explain which details from the passage help to develop each

theme. Your response should have two themes and one detail to support each theme.

Colleen was failing Spanish. Now the midterm test was only two weeks away, and if she didn't get at least a B, she would fail the class and lose her place on the lacrosse team. Colleen's friend and teammate, Lucinda, offered to help Colleen study, but Colleen refused, saying she wanted to do this on her own. But after a week of studying nonstop, Colleen still didn't understand the material. Finally, she asked Lucinda if she was still willing to tutor her. Lucinda agreed, and the two spent most of the next week studying together. Colleen received a B+ on the test and was able to pass the class and stay on the team. Colleen thanked her tutor profusely, but Lucinda just shook her head and smiled brightly, saying that's what friends are for.

10

Assessment – Theme 1. What is a theme?

a. The events that occur in a story

b. The description of setting in a story

c. The underlying message in a story

d. The conflict in the story

2. Which answer option best states a theme from the passage?

Once upon a time, a knight was sent by his village to fight a dragon living on a nearby mountain. The dragon's frightening breathing could be heard throughout the village at night, and villagers were scared that the dragon had plans to attack. The knight gathered his weapons, climbed the mountain, and approached the dragon's cave. A sleepy dragon came out. "I am here to fight you," said the knight. "Your noises make it clear that you want to destroy the village, and we won't let you."

The dragon looked confused, and then he smiled. "Noises? Oh! I'm sorry," he said. "Have I been snoring again?"

a. It is a good idea to avoid making judgments before having all the information.

b. When one has an instinct about something, it is usually correct.

c. It is not necessary to like someone in order to work well with him or her.

d. People prefer to be together rather than alone.

3. Which answer option best states a theme from the passage?

Two students had a contest to see who could build the fastest boat. Emily spent hours learning about boatbuilding and designing a boat that would be fast but stable in the water. Aaron spent his time painting his boat, making it look impressive and flashy, with red flames along the sides. At the contest, students gathered around to observe the two boats. They were impressed by the beauty of Aaron's boat. "Surely that one will be the winner," they said. But Aaron's boat tipped over and sank almost immediately, while Emily's boat chugged along to the finish line.

a. One should always take pride in looking one's best.

b. The more time one spends on a task, the better the quality of the outcome.

c. It is better to cooperate than to try to work alone.

d. It is more important to focus on the task at hand than to worry about appearances.

11

4. Which answer option best states the two themes from the passage?

Once upon a time, a princess was locked in a castle. She waited and waited for someone to come by and rescue her. That was how it happened in fairy tales, wasn't it? One day, as she gazed out the window waiting for her handsome prince, she noticed that the castle wall was not smooth but instead had stones jutting out that a person could use to carefully climb down. She did it that night. It was simple, really. After that, she became the sort of person who got things done.

a. You should trust your instincts whenever possible, and you can usually reach your goals if you

act strategically enough.

b. Loneliness is not permanent, and getting things done is an accomplishment to be proud of.

c. It's best to rely on your own skill rather than waiting for others, and if you observe your

surroundings carefully, you'll usually find something useful.

d. No one should be overly dependent on others, and it's better to fail at reaching a goal than not

to try at all.

5. Which detail from the text best helps you infer that the following statement is a theme of the story?

Theme: A situation is often less frightening than it first appears. Tavon stepped nervously into the clearing in the woods. Around him, he heard noises from an animal or bird. He walked softly. Evening was settling in, and it was getting darker. He was sure something in these woods was really dangerous.

"Tavon!" he heard from nearby. He turned. Standing in the clearing was his friend Marshall. "We play out here all the time! You should join us. It's right behind my house."

Tavon looked, and not 20 feet away, he could see Marshall's little sister playing hopscotch on their back porch. His heart stopped pounding.

a. It's right behind my house.

b. Tavon stepped nervously into the clearing in the woods.

c. Evening was settling in, and it was getting darker.

d. "Tavon!" he heard from nearby.

12

6. First, identify two themes. Then, identify the evidence from the passage that best supports each theme.

Now that Mia was a seventh grader, she could officially try out for the swim team. Mia didn't have much experience, but she had always dreamed of being a swimmer. Tryout week arrived, and Mia did her best. However, at the end of the week, she didn't find her name on the team roster. Disappointed, she went home and told her mother the news. "Mia, you can be whatever you want, but you need to remember that it will always take hard work," her mom reminded her. Mia dried her tears and made a plan. After a full year of dedicated practice, including several early-morning swim sessions each week, Mia tried out once again. This time, the roster proudly displayed her name as a new member of the swim team.

13

Name: __________________________________________ School: ______________________

Teacher: ________________________________________ Period: ______________________

Packet Directions for Students Students should complete the following activities from APEX English Language Arts 7 course.

APEX Lesson – Setting Unit 1: Elements of Literature Lesson: Setting: The right setting changes everything.

Lesson Objectives:

Recognize that setting is the time, place, and social environment in which a story takes place.

Analyze how a story's setting affects the development of its plot.

Explain how setting can influence the theme of a literary work.

Lesson Directions: 1. Read the information setting and its effect on a story’s plot and theme.

2. Complete the Study Guide.

3. Complete the assessment of your learning.

14

Information – Setting Setting describes the time, place, and social environment in which a story takes place. Read below to see some

examples of each element of setting.

Element Examples

Time

Time refers to the season, era, or even time of day when a story takes place.

#1 It was a bright spring day, and the once-barren trees were now filled with shiny green leaves.

#2 The sun was just beginning to rise over the surrounding hills when Beth awoke to feed the chickens.

Place

Place refers to the location, region, or other geographic areas in which a story takes place.

#1 London had once been a small town, huddled next to a river. Now it was a metropolis, with buildings extending for miles in every direction.

#2 When Georgie sat in the diner booth, he heard the clatter of dishes in the kitchen and could smell the deep fryer.

Social Environment

Social environment refers to the cultural or historical aspect of the setting. This could include trends, behaviors, attitudes, or historical events.

#1 I remember the day an American first landed on the moon. My family surrounded the new color television, watching the grainy footage of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the surface.

#2 In those days, it was customary to eat our biggest meal in the early afternoon, and we called it supper rather than dinner.

15

Information – Setting Effects on the Plot A story's setting can affect the development of the plot. Setting is more than just a description of place, time,

and social environment. It can also be used to introduce conflict into a story and influence how the plot

develops.

Below are examples of how setting can affect plot.

Setting Effect on Plot

Characters are climbing an ice-covered mountain such as Mount Everest.

A dangerous setting like an ice-covered mountain could help to create conflict in a story. The characters might struggle to survive in the harsh environment.

The time period is 1776, right after the Declaration of Independence.

If a character in a story set in the 1700s has a health emergency, there are no cars that can quickly take him to a hospital. Therefore, the emergency is more serious than it would be if the story were set in the present.

The sun has just set, and the full moon is out casting shadows throughout the house.

Scary stories usually take place at night, when the setting is dark. Since nighttime is often associated with feelings of fear, a story set at night can help establish a specific mood.

The family land their spaceship on Mars and are ready for their vacation.

A story set on an alien planet can revolve around space-travel technology that doesn't exist in real life. This directly affects the way the plot develops.

16

Setting can play a large role in how a story progresses. Explore this passage from Jean Craighead George’s Julie

of the Wolves to see how setting helps introduce conflict and develop the plot of the story.

Lying on her stomach, she looked across a vast lawn of grass and moss and focused her attention on the wolves she had come upon two sleeps ago. They were wagging their tails as they awoke and saw each other. Her hands trembled and her heartbeat quickened, for she was frightened, not so much of the wolves, who were shy and many harpoon-shots away, but because of her desperate predicament. Miyax was lost. She had been lost without food for many sleeps on the North Slope of Alaska. The barren slope stretches for three hundred miles from the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean, and for more than eight hundred miles from the Chukchi to the Beaufort Sea. No roads cross it; ponds and lakes freckle its immensity. Winds scream across it, and the view in every direction is exactly the same. Somewhere in this cosmos was Miyax; and the very life in her body, its spark and warmth, depended upon these wolves for survival. And she was not so sure they would help.

Setting Effects on plot

Lying on her stomach, she looked across a vast lawn of grass and moss and focused her attention on the wolves she had come upon two sleeps ago.

The author introduces the presence of wolves, and, though they seem to be harmless, the reader doesn't know if they are dangerous or not.

Her hands trembled and her heartbeat quickened, for she was frightened, not so much of the wolves, who were shy and many harpoon-shots away, but because of her desperate predicament. Miyax was lost.

The main conflict is introduced here, and the reader discovers that Miyax has more to fear than the wolves. Here, setting is essential to the conflict in this story.

The barren slope stretches for three hundred miles from the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean, and for more than eight hundred miles from the Chukchi to the Beaufort Sea.

This provides more information about the setting and helps the reader understand why Miyax's situation is so "desperate." She is lost in the wilds of Alaska, which intensifies the conflict.

Somewhere in this cosmos was Miyax; and the very life in her body, its spark and warmth, depended upon these wolves for survival. And she was not so sure they would help.

The author ties the wolves to Miyax's chances for survival in this frozen setting, moving the plot forward.

17

Information – Setting Influences Theme The setting can influence the theme of a literary work. Authors choose their settings for specific reasons.

Understanding the importance of a setting can help the reader figure out the theme of a story.

Below are examples of how setting can influence theme.

Setting Infuence on Theme

The invasion of Normandy during World War II

Setting a story in Europe during World War II could help an author develop themes about courage and bravery.

A beautiful spring day with the buds developing on the trees

Setting a story just before the beginning of spring could help an author develop themes about change and rebirth.

During the year 2145, humans are directly hardwired to use the internet with their thoughts.

Setting a story at a time in the future when computers rule the world could help an author develop themes about the dangers of technology.

A fishing boat is in the middle of the sea with a storm closely approaching.

Setting a story as a fishing boat in the middle of the ocean with a vicious storm coming through could help an author develop themes about how nature can be unforgiving.

18

Review – Setting

Setting is the time, place, and social environment in which a story takes place.

Let's say you have a story that occurs during the summer, one

evening, in the year 2014. These details are all examples of

time. Perhaps all the events of this story happen inside a

general store of a small town in the middle of the United

States. These details are all examples of place. Imagine that

the people of this town are very isolated. They don't like to

travel very far from home, and they distrust strangers. Since

these details are the common attitudes and behaviors of a

town, they describe the social environment.

So that's setting, but how does it affect the story? Setting has a huge impact on both plot and theme.

Let's go back to that isolated town. What if a mysterious stranger suddenly

appears? Now, the local shopkeeper sees the stranger, grows suspicious, and

starts spreading rumors. Pretty soon the whole town is in an uproar. This is an

example of the setting helping to develop the plot.

O.K., but that's not the whole story. Once the mysterious stranger takes his hat

off, and steps out of those creepy streetlights, the town discovers that he's

actually just a good-natured traveling musician. He performs a concert in the town

square, and everyone has a great time listening to his songs.

So, the theme of the story could be "It's bad to judge people before you get to

know them." As you can see, setting the story in an isolated town helped to

develop that theme.

So, there you have it, setting matters. It helps shape the plot of a story and

establish its themes. This means that taking a close look at setting will give you a

better understanding of what you're reading.

Key Terms:

Character: A person, animal, or object in a story.

Conflict: A struggle or problem.

Plot: A series of events that make up "what happens" in a story.

Setting: The time, place, and social environment in which a story takes place.

Theme: An underlying central idea or message that runs through a work of literature, which can be

expressed in a complete sentence.

19

Study Guide – Setting Use this guide to take notes as you work through the activity. Taking good notes can help you remember

important ideas. Your notes on this guide will help you prepare for quizzes and tests.

Complete the table below by identifying which aspect of setting is described.

Time Place Social Environment

Reality TV is popular.

A small apartment

Late summer

Cleveland, Ohio

Match each way the setting can affect the development of the plot.

How it affects plot Setting

A dangerous physical environment can create conflict.

A story takes place in a fantasy world in which characters can work a magic spell to get out of trouble.

The location can affect the reader’s feelings and help establish a scary mood.

A ghost story takes place in a haunted house.

The story’s social environment can create conflict.

A story takes place in the desert, where characters struggle to find water.

An imagined social environment can create unusual opportunities.

A story takes place in the 1800s when women struggle to make their voices heard.

20

Circle the theme that best fits each setting description.

Setting Theme (Circle one)

A future world struggling with social collapse due to rapid climate change

We should take better care of our world.

Peace can be found in the wilderness.

A historic society that does not allow women the same rights as men

People deserve to be treated equally.

Love conquers all.

A private school where wealthy students are forced to follow strict rules

Hard work leads to success.

People who lack freedom often rebel.

21

Assessment – Setting 1. Which is the definition of setting?

a. A problem or struggle faced by the characters in a story

b. A series of events that make up "what happens" in a story

c. An underlying message that runs through a work of literature

d. The time, place, and social environment in which a story takes place

2. Match each theme with the setting most likely to help further that theme.

Theme Setting

Sometimes great sacrifice is the only way to further an important cause.

A robot-controlled world in the near future

Humans today are becoming more and more dependent on technology.

A battlefield during the Revolutionary War

Humans have always been fascinated by the unknown.

A submarine traveling through a deep-sea trench

3. What is the most likely reason an author would use the setting of a harsh, dangerous, and cold

environment in a story?

a. To develop a plot about a character who comes of age in a historically important time

b. To develop a plot about a character overcoming many challenges before achieving her goal

c. To develop a plot about a character who discovers the real nature of friendship

d. To develop a plot about a character who struggles to make peace with his family

22

4. Which statement best explains how the setting affects the plot of this story?

Rosie's family had come through New York's Ellis Island in 1907 with such high hopes. They knew, of course, that the streets weren't really paved with gold, but they looked forward to new opportunities. Opportunities did come, but along with them came hardships. Though the city was exciting, it was also overwhelming. Work was hard to find, and it sometimes seemed as if no one had time to help or even notice the new arrivals. Still, Rosie got used to her new life, and even though she missed her old friends, she made new ones who helped her through many hard times.

a. The setting is the social environment of an immigrant family, which causes Rosie to have to

make new friends even though she misses her old friends.

b. The setting is the social environment of an immigrant family, which enables the author to

explore the histories of real families like Rosie's.

c. The setting is New York, which causes Rosie's family to have to live in a small apartment

building.

d. The setting is New York, which allows Rosie's family to fit in easily within their diverse

neighborhood.

5. Which statement best explains how the setting supports the theme?

Theme: Change, both good and bad, is part of life

Rosie's family had come through New York's Ellis Island in 1907 with such high hopes. They knew, of course, that the streets weren't really paved with gold, but they looked forward to new opportunities. Opportunities did come, but along with them came hardships. Though the city was exciting, it was also overwhelming. Work was hard to find, and it sometimes seemed as if no one had time to help or even notice the new arrivals. Still, Rosie got used to her new life, and even though she missed her old friends, she made new ones who helped her through many hard times.

a. Setting the story in the social environment of an immigrant family shows how Rosie came to

succeed beyond her wildest dreams.

b. Setting the story in the early 20th century shows that people who lived more than 100 years ago

had the same hopes and dreams that we do today.

c. Setting the story in the social environment of an immigrant family shows how the lives of Rosie

and her relatives were affected by coming to America.

d. Setting the story in the early 20th century shows that Rosie has to face her fears about fitting in

at a new school and in a new neighborhood.

23

6. Read the passage below. Then explain how the setting helps to develop the following theme: No matter

how much we want to deny it, people change over time. Use specific examples from the text in

supporting your response.

When I went back to Eastborough for my 20th high school reunion, I didn't know what to expect. I was excited to see the old gang: Squid, Tony, and Mikey were all going to be there. I hadn't been back since graduation, but when I stepped into the old gym it felt like coming home. There was the stage where I starred in Hamlet, and the hoop where I hit the game-winning shot. I felt like a king again, like nothing had changed. I saw the guys and ran over. "Squid!" I yelled and punched him in the arm, just like the four of us used to do. He seemed a little taken aback.

"Actually, I go by my real name now: Harold."

"Hey, sorry Squid. No offense. How are you doing, Mikey? Tony?

"Good," Mikey said. "Enjoying this get-together, though I'll have to get the kids home soon."

"Me, too," said Tony.

"Soon?" I said, "I just got here! Why don't we sneak into the science lab and race some of the frogs, like old times?"

It went on like that for a few more minutes: me trying to get those guys to lighten up and them making excuses until they finally left. Standing alone after the guys left, I looked around again. The paint was chipped on the ceiling, and cobwebs laced across every corner. The banners on the wall were faded. Suddenly, I didn't feel like a king anymore. Nothing was the same, was it?

24

25

Study Guide Answers

Theme Match each detail to the theme it would best support.

Detail Theme

A man hesitates to cross a muddy stream that might be deeper than it looks.

True friends will stand by you.

Juan looked back at that summer, playing in the fields with his friends, as the happiest time of his life.

Trust your instincts in dangerous situations.

Rohit hung his head after striking out, but John punched his shoulder and said, “You’ll hit it out of the park next time!”

Joy isn’t something that can be bought in a store.

Circle which theme the following details from the passage are more likely to reveal.

Best friends Damian and Connor both dream of becoming famous musicians. Damian plays guitar and sings, and Connor plays the drums. They start a band with two other friends and practice every day. Soon, they book a couple of gigs around town. Connor begins to notice that Damian has started coming to practice late and leaving early. When Connor confronts him, Damian says he is better than the rest of them and doesn’t need as much practice. The other band members want to kick Damian out, but Connor refuses, saying Damian is his friend. Instead, he organizes a band meeting to tell Damian how they feel. Damian realizes how badly he's been behaving and thanks Connor and the other members of the band for being honest with him. After the meeting, he starts showing up to practice on time. The band ends up winning a local competition and becomes very popular.

Theme #1: Loyalty and honesty are important qualities in a friendship.

Theme #2: Following your dreams requires hard work and dedication.

Detail Theme

Their band practices every day and starts to book gigs. #1 #2

The other bandmates want to kick Damian out of the group, but Connor refuses. He says that Damian is his friend and he's not going to do that to him.

#1 #2

Damian apologizes for his behavior and rededicates himself to the band.

#1 #2

The band wins a couple of local competitions and becomes very popular. #1 #2

26

Circle the two statements that describe theme.

A directly stated message in a text

The main idea of a piece of literature

An idea about life communicated by the author

Read the passage. Identify two themes, and then explain which details from the passage help to develop each

theme. Your response should have two themes and one detail to support each theme.

Colleen was failing Spanish. Now the midterm test was only two weeks away, and if she didn't get at least a B, she would fail the class and lose her place on the lacrosse team. Colleen's friend and teammate, Lucinda, offered to help Colleen study, but Colleen refused, saying she wanted to do this on her own. But after a week of studying nonstop, Colleen still didn't understand the material. Finally, she asked Lucinda if she was still willing to tutor her. Lucinda agreed, and the two spent most of the next week studying together. Colleen received a B+ on the test and was able to pass the class and stay on the team. Colleen thanked her tutor profusely, but Lucinda just shook her head and smiled brightly, saying that's what friends are for.

Sample Response:

The themes of the passage are "Don't be too proud to accept help" and "Friends will always be there for you."

The theme of not being too proud to accept help is supported when Colleen realizes that in order to pass the

Spanish test, she will need to accept Lucinda's help. The theme of friends being there for you is evident when

Lucinda first offers to help Colleen study, and also when Lucinda refuses Colleen's thanks, saying that's what

friends are for.

Setting Complete the table below by identifying which aspect of setting is described.

Time Place Social Environment

Social Environment Reality TV is popular.

Place A small apartment

Time Late summer

Place Cleveland, Ohio

27

Match each way the setting can affect the development of the plot.

How it affects plot Setting

A dangerous physical environment can create conflict.

A story takes place in a fantasy world in which characters can work a magic spell to get out of trouble.

The location can affect the reader’s feelings and help establish a scary mood.

A ghost story takes place in a haunted house.

The story’s social environment can create conflict.

A story takes place in the desert, where characters struggle to find water.

An imagined social environment can create unusual opportunities.

A story takes place in the 1800s when women struggle to make their voices heard.

Circle the theme that best fits each setting description.

Setting Theme (Circle one)

A future world struggling with social collapse due to rapid climate change

We should take better care of our world.

Peace can be found in the wilderness.

A historic society that does not allow women the same rights as men

People deserve to be treated equally.

Love conquers all.

A private school where wealthy students are forced to follow strict rules

Hard work leads to success.

People who lack freedom often rebel.

28

Extensions Here are additional readings to support learning for the week. These are optional, and

the purpose is to provide high-quality texts for middle school students to read. Poppy’s Jalopy by Caroline Pignat

The House Dog and the Wolf by Gail Terp

“Ain’t I a Woman” by Sojourner Truth

“Standing Out in the Herd” by Cecil Dzwowa

Chiron, the Wisest Centaur, by Meredith Engel

Reading is thinking, and it is beneficial to write about your thinking after you read. Here are some

sentence starters is you need them

I felt confused when…and so I… The part…was…because… I figured out that…

I read…pages because I was…;

tomorrow I plan on…

A word/phrase I did not completely

understand:

I only read…because…next time

I’ll…by…

I finally understood…because… I stopped because…What I did next

was…

I remembered that earlier in the

text…

I started to think about…and so I… I was distracted by…but then I… The time went quickly because…

I got stuck when…What I did was… I lost track of everything except… I first thought…but then realized…

29

Poppy’s Jalopy Caroline Pignat

Caroline Pignat is an Irish Canadian author who has written for Highlights. In this poem, a speaker describes their grandfather’s car. As you read, take notes on the words that the speaker uses to describe the car. Also, pause after each break to double-check your understanding of the story.

Poppy's jalopy 1is older than dirt

The bumper's all busted.

The squirter won't squirt.

The passenger door's tied shut with brown twine,

but I can climb through the window and get in just fine.

It's missing a hood.

The trunk doesn't close.

But the dice have some fuzz, and the horn sort of blows.

It's rusty and dusty,

our trusty jalopy. Just perfect for trips made by me and my Poppy.

How would you describe Poppy’s jalopy?

Poppy sticks in the key, shifts into gear,

turns the big wooden wheel that he uses to steer.

We chug down the lane through the sleepy old town,

past the Thank you for visiting! sign that fell down,

then ride the wide highway from all that we know

to places that Poppy and I want to go.

We drive out to see Niagara falls

and whether Old Faithful 2is faithful at all.

Loop-the-loop in the canyon — it really is grand,

drive deep in the jungle,

get stuck in quicksand3.

Do a dinosaur dig among red desert rocks,

tailgate some camels ‘round pyramid blocks,

wake a volcano, find the lost city…twice,

ride an iceberg ferry in oceans of ice.

Drive till north becomes south,

then we’re headed back down.

Take a left at the fork —

and we’re home in our town.

1 Jalopy: An old car 2 Old Faithful: a fountain-like jet of water located in Yellowstone National Park 3 Quicksand: loose wet sand that can suck in anything resting on or falling into it

30

Describe where the speaker and their Poppy go in the car.

Poppy's jalopy is battered and worn.

The rusty paint's chipped.

The leather is torn.

For years it's been sitting behind the woodshed.

The tires are flat.

The motor is dead.

It's rusty and dusty,

our trusty jalopy.

Just right for those trips made by me and my Poppy.

Adventures galore4, all in one afternoon...

Tomorrow we're planning to swing by the moon!

Does the speaker and their Poppy really go on these trips?

4 Galore (adjective ) : in large numbers

31

The House Dog and the Wolf Gail Terp

This story is based on a fable originally written by Aesop. Aesop was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BCE. Aesop's fables, which did not survive in writing but were passed down by people retelling them, have deeply influenced modern storytelling culture. As you read, take notes on how the Dog and Wolf view their own lives, as well as one another’s lives. Also, pause after each break to double-check your understanding of the story.

It had been a long and miserable winter for Wolf. His hunting had not gone well for many weeks and his ribs

were nearly sticking through his skin.

One night, as Wolf was out seeking something to eat, he met a house dog.

“You are looking very well, Cousin,” said Wolf. “Here I am, near starvation, and you are clearly well-fed. What is

your secret?”

“Oh, there is no secret,” said Dog. “I simply have a wonderful job. I guard my master’s house and keep away any

thieves. In return, he treats me very well.”

“Lucky for you! If only I had it so easy. For me, life is a constant struggle.”

“But you can have this grand life, too,” said Dog. “Just travel with me to my master’s house and help me keep

the thieves away.”

“Happily,” said Wolf. “I’d love to have a belly full of food for a change.”

Why does Wolf agree to go with Dog?

While they were trotting along together, Wolf spotted a mark on Dog’s neck. Curious, he asked what had caused

it.

“Oh, that’s nothing much,” replied Dog. “Perhaps my collar was a little tight.”

“You wear a collar?” Wolf backed away from Dog.

“That’s nothing to worry about," said Dog. "I wear a collar so my master can hook my chain to it."

“You are chained?” cried Wolf in surprise. “You mean you are not free to go wherever you please?”

“Not exactly,” said the dog, looking embarrassed. “You see, my master thinks I’m a bit wild and so he ties me up

in the daytime. But he lets me run free at night.”

32

Wolf backed a few more steps away from Dog.

“Wolf, it’s a good deal,” said Dog. “I get plenty of sleep during the day, and then I am free at night. I am my

master's favorite and he feeds me very well.”

Wolf turned and started to walk toward the forest.

“But wait, where are you going?” cried Dog.

“Good night to you, poor Cousin,” said Wolf. “You are welcome to your grand life — and your chains. As for me,

I will keep my freedom.”

Moral: Lean freedom is better than fat slavery.

Why does Wolf turn around?

33

Ain’t I a Woman” Sojouner Truth

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was an African American women’s rights activist and abolitionist who fought to end slavery. Truth was born into slavery but escaped to freedom in 1826. “Ain’t I a Woman?” is her most famous speech, which she delivered without preparation at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. As you read, take notes on what evidence Truth presents to support her claim that women should have equal rights. Also, pause after each break to double-check your understanding of the story.

May I say a few words? I want to say a few words about this matter. I am a woman’s rights.

I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man. I have plowed and reaped 5and

husked and chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that? I have heard much about the sexes

being equal; I can carry as much as any man, and can eat as much too, if I can get it. I am as strong as any man

that is now.

In comparison to men, Truth describes women as being…

As for intellect, all I can say is, if women have a pint and man a quart 6— why can’t she have her little pint full?

You need not be afraid to give us our rights for fear we will take too much, for we can’t take more than our

pint’ll hold.

The poor men seem to be all in confusion, and don’t know what to do. Why children, if you have woman’s

rights, give it to her and you will feel better. You will have your own rights, and they won’t be so much trouble.

Why does Truth think men are afraid to give women rights?

I can’t read, but I can hear. I have heard the bible and have learned that Eve 7caused man to sin. Well if woman

upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again.

The Lady has spoken about Jesus, how he never spurned 8woman from him, and she was right. When

Lazarus 9died, Mary and Martha came to him with faith and love and besought him to raise their brother. And

Jesus wept — and Lazarus came forth. And how came Jesus into the world? Through God who created him and

woman who bore him10. Man, where is your part?

But the women are coming up blessed be God and a few of the men are coming up with them. But man is in a

tight place, the poor slave is on him, woman is coming on him, and he is surely between a hawk and a buzzard.

Truth describes men as…

5 Reaped: to cut or gather a crop or harvest 6 Quart: One quart is equivalent to two pints. 7 Eve: According to the Bible, Eve gives Adam fruit from a tree that God has forbidden them from eating from. 8 Spurn (verb) : to reject someone because you think they are beneath you 9 Lazarus: a follower of Jesus and the brother of Mary and Martha 10 In the Bible, the mother of Jesus is portrayed as a virgin.

34

Standing Out in the Herd Cecil Dzwowa

In this informational text, Cecil Dzwowa describes how a giraffe named Toro finds a surprising new family. As you read, take notes on how the cows treat Toro. Also, pause after each break to double-check your understanding of the story.

For a cattle herder 11in Africa, the hardest part of the job is searching for cows lost in the bush12. But for 21-year-

old Andrew, a herder at a farm in Zimbabwe, the herd is easy to find. Once he spots Toro, he knows the rest of

the herd is nearby.

That’s because Toro (“tall one” in the Shona language) is not an ordinary member of the herd. He’s a giraffe.

Toro’s unusual situation came about after his mother was killed by lions in a nearby game park13. Toro survived

the attack, but he was left with no one to protect him or give him milk. The young giraffe might have become a

meal for lions or hyenas. He was also at risk of starving. But about two days later, some herders spotted and

rescued him.

Andrew saw the giraffe shortly after the animal’s rescue. “He looked very hungry and sick,” Andrew said. “He

really needed some help.”

Why did Toro need help?

TORO’S NEW FAMILY

Help was on its way. With the permission of the Department of Wildlife, the herders moved Toro to a farm close

to his original territory. A new herd awaited him — a herd of cattle instead of giraffes.

As the only wild animal in the herd, Toro received special attention. He was fed milk from a bottle, and

veterinarians gave him regular checkups. And who was watched most attentively by the herders? The tall one, of

course.

Since giraffes and cattle are both plant-eating animals that live in groups, their behaviors are much the same.

Toro was accepted into the herd and wandered among the cattle as they grazed14.

What special attention did Toro receive?

PEACE-LOVING MEMBER

Toro didn’t always behave like the other members of his new herd. Like many kinds of animals, cattle compete

for dominance15. Standing more than 13 feet tall, Toro was more than three times taller than the biggest bull.

But Toro never tried to be “the boss.”

11 Cattle herder: a person who cares for or drives herds of cattle 12 Bush: a stretch of land covered with wild vegetation or plant life 13 Game park: a large area of land where animals live safely or are hunted in a controlled way for sport 14 Graze: to eat grass in a field 15 Dominance (noun) : power and influence over others

35

“He was mostly interested in their company,” Andrew told me. “He sometimes leaves the grazing cows to

browse on his own, but he is always quick to return to the herd.”

Soon, Toro had adjusted to the cattle lifestyle. Instead of feeding only on leaves, as giraffes do in the wild, he

added dry cornstalks to his diet. Like the cattle, he can now also respond to the herders’ commands, such as

“move” and “stop.”

At night, Toro joins the rest of the cattle in the kraal, a wooden enclosure in which cattle are sheltered. When

the herd enters the kraal, the cows and bulls push and shove. They sometimes get so aggressive that they even

gore 16one another for the right-of-way at the gate.

“But thanks to his height, Toro does not need to join the stampede,” said Vengai, Andrew’s assistant. “He just

lifts his long front legs effortlessly over the wooden poles, and he will be in.”

Describe how Toro gets along with the herd.

ABOVE THE CROWD

Toro has benefited from living with the cattle, but his presence is good for them, too. In hot weather, cattle rest

in the shade under his belly. And because of his height, Toro can spot lions, hyenas, and other predators long

before they come close to the herd.

The herd is not always peaceful. Fights sometimes break out among the bulls. But the cattle usually leave Toro

out of their disagreements.

Even if a bull did confront Toro, the giraffe would not be an easy target. Giraffes can deliver devastating 17kicks

and have been known to cause permanent injuries even to lions. In Andrew’s herd, the cattle seem to know this.

I asked a game ranger named Munetsi if Toro would ever be returned to the wild. The answer was no. “In the

wild, he would find it difficult to be accepted into another herd or defend himself from predators,” Munetsi said.

“He seems very much at home and respected among the cows.”

Why won’t Toro be reintroduced to the wild?

16 Gore: to pierce or stab with a horn or tusk 17 Devastating (adjective) : causing serious damage

36

Chiron, the Wisest Centaur Meredith Engel

Centaurs are creatures that have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse and appear in various works of fiction and Greek mythology. One of the most well-known centaurs in Greek mythology is Chiron. In this fictional interview with Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods, Chiron discusses his life and his accomplishments. As you read, take notes on how the author describes Chiron’s character. Also, pause after each break to double-check your understanding of the story.

HERMES: This is Hermes, Messenger of the Gods, reporting for the Greek Mythology News Network, live from

Mount Pelion18. We’re lucky today to be joined by Chiron the Centaur — the extremely talented mentor who

trained many of the heroes we feature regularly on our show. Chiron, I’ve heard you had a challenging childhood

— what happened and how did you get through it?

CHIRON: It is true, my early years were not easy. As a baby, I was abandoned by my parents, Cronus 19and

Philyra. My mother was disgusted by my half-human, half-horse appearance. Luckily, the god Apollo and his

sister Artemis discovered me, and they found it in their hearts to take me in and raise me as their own. From

Apollo, I learned about music and medicine. From Artemis, I learned about archery 20and hunting. With their

guidance I have been able to master all of these skills and more.

Why was Chiron’s childhood difficult?

HERMES: Fascinating! And thank the stars 21for Apollo and Artemis. What else do you think separates you from

other typical centaurs?

CHIRON: Well, as you can see, my two front legs are not horse legs but human legs — this is a significant

difference. Additionally, I enjoy wearing human clothing from time to time, something my centaur brothers and

sisters never try. I embrace 22civilization, that’s why I’ve been able to develop friendships with gods, goddesses,

and humans alike.

How does Chiron differ from other centaurs?

HERMES: Speaking of which, the hero Peleus speaks very highly of you. How long have you known him and how

did you make such a strong impression on him?

CHIRON: I’ve known Peleus for many years. As a young man, he was left stranded in the wilderness by the

traitor Acastus. Fortunately, I came across Peleus and was able to restore him to his full strength and even give

him some advice as to how to win over the woman of his dreams, Thetis the ocean nymph23! Eventually, Peleus

returned to me and asked me to train his son, Achilles. Now Achilles is one of the greatest archers in the world!

Possibly even better than me...

18 Mount Pelion: Chiron’s homeland 19 Cronus: Cronus overthrew his father to be leader of the Titans, until he was later overthrown by Zeus. 20 Archery: the skill of shooting arrows with a bow 21 Thank the star: a phrase expressing extreme gratitude for the way something is 22 Embrace (verb) : to support or accept something enthusiastically 23 Nymph: a mythological spirit of nature

37

HERMES: Oh, wow! I didn’t know you trained Achilles! Do you have any other stories about students of yours

whom our viewers may have heard of?

CHIRON: Well, Ajax, who fought alongside Achilles in the Trojan War, was also brought to me as a young boy for

training. And of course, Apollo, my adoptive father, brought his son Asclepius to me, as well. Asclepius was

particularly adept 24at the healing arts25, and I’m honored to have had a hand in sculpting the great god of

medicine. Actually, one of my favorite stories isn’t about my years as a teacher but rather as a healer. You see,

tragically, Phoenix — another one of Achilles’ mentors — was blinded during a fight with his father, Amyntor.

Using my knowledge of herbal medicine, I was able to restore Phoenix’s sight. This is certainly one of my

proudest accomplishments.

How did Chiron help young heroes?

HERMES: Just incredible. We really are blessed to have such a talented centaur in our midst26. Well, Chiron, I

know your time is short, just one last question though. Seeing as you are an oracle 27— on top of all your other

abilities — do you have any predictions about what, if anything, may ultimately cause your death?

CHIRON: I don’t pretend to know anything for certain, and I try to shy away from looking into my own future.

However, my gifted daughter Melanippe has foretold my death. Though she was disturbed by the vision and is

not willing to speak openly about it, she did mention it involved Heracles and an arrow... My only wish is that my

death is not in vain28, that someone or something else benefits from my passing.

HERMES: Oh my! For the sake of the world, I certainly hope Melanippe is wrong! Well, you heard it all here first

folks! Tune in after the break for Cooking with Hestia29.

How did Chiron help young heroes?

24 Adept (adjective) : very skilled at something 25 Healing arts: the arts and sciences involved in healing or treating mental or physical illness 26 In our midst: a phrase meaning “among us” 27Oracle: a person with great wisdom who makes predictions about the future, usually aided by the gods 28 In vain: to be useless because it did not achieve something 29 Hestia: the goddess of domestic activities