Period A
“To Sleep Under the Stars”
by Carol Shaw Graham
 Prompt:
Cecilia changes
dramatically, explain what
lesson she learns and how
she learns it.
What does the main character
come to realize? This will be your
thesis. (include theme)
Cecilia soon realizes
that family is more
important than a field
trip.
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Period A
Introduction- Period A
Sentence #1 – Sometimes teenagers
don’t understand the importance of
family.
 Sentence #2 – It takes a special
event to learn this lesson.
 Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under
the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham,
Cecilia’s trip to visit grandma changes
her opinion on family bonding time.
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Period A
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t-chart – 1st body paragraph
Her mother is saddened by
her not wanting to visit
grandma.
Cecilia’s mom is disappointed
in her and tells her it’s time to
be “unselfish”
Cecilia searches for other
reasons to stay home, even
after her mom says NO!
She did not enjoy the car ride
to grandma’s like she usually
does.
She flopped into her chair
and gave herself up to self
pity.
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She wanted to see her
friends more than she wanted
to spend time with her family.
She didn’t like the fact that
her mom had control over her
actions.
She didn’t understand how
important this trip was to her
parents.
She didn’t want to be the only
one of her friends to miss the
trip.
She didn’t realize that there
would be more opportunities
to see the stars.
Period A – 1st body paragraph
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TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was being
selfish when her mom told her she had to visit
grandma instead of going to the planetarium.
CD: For example, even after Cecilia’s mother says
that she will not go on her class trip, Cecilia still
searches for excuses to go.
CM1 – It was obvious that she wanted to see her
friends more than she wanted to spend time with her
family.
CM2 – Also, Cecilia didn’t realize that there would be
more opportunities to see the stars.
CS – Cecilia’s self-centered attitude was very
apparent in the beginning of the story.
Period A
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t-chart – 2nd body paragraph
Cecilia wrapped her arms
around grandma and said
“Oh Gran! Thank you! I
am so glad to see you
and I’ll love the quilt
forever!”
They laughed and cried
and Cecilia learned about
her family.
Cecilia felt better about
visiting grandma,
because grandma was so
happy to see her.
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Cecilia was happy to
spend time with her
grandmother.
She was excited to learn
about her family.
Cecilia never realized that
she and her grandma had
so much in common.
She was having such a
good time with her
grandma, that she forgot
all about the trip to the
planetarium.
Period A – 2nd body paragraph
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TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became aware of
the importance of spending time with her family.
CD: For instance, after spending time with grandma
and receiving a star-covered quilt from her, Cecilia
said, “Oh Gran! Thank you! I am so glad to see you
and I’ll love the quilt forever!”
CM1 – This shows that Cecilia was having such a
good time with her grandma that she forgot all about
her trip to the planetarium.
CM2 – Similarly, Cecilia realized that the two of them
had a lot in common.
CS – After spending quality time with her family,
Cecilia understood why her mom wanted her to join
them.
Conclusion– Period A
Sent #1- In this story, I realized
that you should always make time for
your family.
 Sent #2- Because your family won’t
be there forever.
 Sent #3- Family time can be just as
fun and even more memorable than
social time.
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Period
B.
“To Sleep Under the Stars”
by Carol Shaw Graham
 Prompt:
Cecilia changes
dramatically, explain what
lesson she learns and how
she learns it.
What does the main character
come to realize? This will be your
thesis. (include theme)
Embrace the time you
spend with your family;
it will not last forever.
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Period B
Introduction- Period B
Sentence #1 – Everyone has tendencies to
be selfish, especially when dealing with
relatives.
 Sentence #2 – Sometimes you have to
sacrifice time with your friends to
understand the value of family.
 Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under the
Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia’s trip
to grandma’s house impacted her
perspective of family time.
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Period B
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t-chart – 1st body paragraph
She really wanted to go
to the planetarium with
her friends, even after her
mom explained how
important the trip to
grandma’s was.
Didn’t enjoy the car ride
to grandma’s like she
usually did
Her mother said, “Cecilia,
I am disappointed in you.
It is time to be unselfish”
She flopped into a chair
and gave herself up to
self pity.
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Cecilia couldn’t think
beyond spending time
with her friends.
She would have rather
been somewhere else.
She was envious of her
friends that got to go on
the trip.
Felt as though her
parents were not treating
her fairly.
She didn’t understand
how critical her
grandma’s condition was.
Period B – 1st body paragraph
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TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was a selfish
brat because she felt that it was more important for her
to go to the planetarium instead of visiting her ailing
grandmother.
CD: For example, when Cecilia was throwing a fit about
not getting her way, her mother said, “Cecilia, I am
disappointed in you. It is time to be unselfish.”
CM1 – It is obvious that Cecilia couldn’t think beyond
spending time with her friends at the planetarium.
CM2 – She didn’t understand how critical her
grandmother’s condition was.
CS – Cecilia’s narrow-minded way of thinking portrayed
her as being very inconsiderate to her family.
Period B
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t-chart – 2nd body paragraph
Cecilia said, “Oh gran! I
love the quilt. I am so
glad I came to see you!”
Cecilia took the time to
help walk her
grandmother down the
hall.
Grandma was so happy
to see Cecilia and her
family that it made her
feel better about being
there.
Cecilia is happy to hear
her grandma’s stories.
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Cecilia forgot all about
missing her trip to the
planetarium with her
friends.
Cecilia’s perspective on
the whole trip changed.
Cecilia felt connected to
her grandmother when
they realized they had a
lot in common.
She was happy to spend
time with her
grandmother.
Period B – 2nd body paragraph
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TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia understood the
value of family time.
CD: For instance, after grandma gave Cecilia a starcovered quilt, Cecilia said, “Oh gran! I love the quilt. I
am so glad I came to see you!”
CM1 – This shows that Cecilia felt connected to her
grandmother when they realized they had a lot in
common.
CM2 – In addition, Cecilia forgot all about missing her
trip to the planetarium with her friends.
CS – That trip to grandma’s house changed Cecilia’s
outlook and taught her to appreciate every moment
with her family.
Conclusion– Period B
Sentence #1: I realized that people
don’t have to be so selfish.
 Sentence #2: Because it is still
possible to have a good time with your
relatives, not just with your friends.
 Sentence #3: In the final analysis,
this story taught me that you should
embrace the time you have with your
family, because it will not last
forever.
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PERIOD D
“To Sleep Under the Stars”
by Carol Shaw Graham
 Prompt:
Cecilia changes
dramatically, explain what
lesson she learns and how
she learns it.
What does the main character
come to realize? This will be your
thesis. (include theme)
Cecilia realized that
family needs to come
first.
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Period D
Introduction- Period D
Sentence #1 – Family is a very
important part of everyone’s life.
 Sentence #2 – Sometimes kids think
that spending time with friends is a
better choice over family.
 Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under
the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham,
Cecilia learned that family always
comes first.
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t-chart – 1st body paragraph
She flopped herself
into a chair and gave
herself up to self pity.
 Cecilia searched
quickly for another
reason to stay home.
 Cecilia was still
unhappy when the
time came to head to
grandmas.
 She usually enjoyed
Period
the Dride but this time
she did not
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She would rather go to
the planetarium than to
her grandma’s house.
She’d rather hang out
with her friends than
her family.
Class trip was more
important to her
Grandma’s surgery
was less important to
her.
Her mother was upset
by her attitude/priorities
Period D – 1st body paragraph
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TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was acting
selfish because she had to go to her grandmother’s
house instead of going on her first class trip to the
planetarium.
CD: For example, after Cecilia’s mom interrupts her
argument to stay home she flopped into her chair and
gave herself up to self pity.
CM1 – It was obvious that grandma’s surgery was not
important to Cecilia.
CM2 – Also, she would rather go to the planetarium
than spend time with her family.
CS – Cecilia’s attitude toward her mom’s choice was
inconsiderate.
Period D
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t-chart – 2nd body paragraph
Cecilia wrapped her arms
around grandma, thanked
her for the quilt, and said
she was happy she came
to visit.
Grandma looked tired but
she was so happy to see
them that Cecilia felt a
little better.
They laughed and cried
while Cecilia learned
about her family.
Cecilia learned that winter
how important family was
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Cecilia had such a great
time with grandma that
she forgot about her class
trip.
Cecilia felt comforted by
the time she spent with
her grandma.
Cecilia was glad that her
visit to grandma’s could
make her day.
The people you go on
trips with is what makes
them special- not the
places you go.
Period D – 2nd body paragraph
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TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became grateful
for the time she spent with her family.
CD: For instance, grandma shared stories about her
childhood and then gave Cecilia a star-covered quilt
she made; they laughed and cried while Cecilia
learned about her family.
CM1 – This shows that Cecilia had such a great time
with grandma that she forgot about missing her class
trip.
CM2 – Cecilia felt comforted by the time she spent
with her grandma.
CS – Cecilia was very appreciative that she was able
to visit her grandma.
Conclusion – Period D
Sentence #1: I realized that family
time can be just as fun as hanging with
my friends.
 Sentence #2: Because the time we
spend with relatives is very valuable.
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Sentence #3: In the final analysis, it is
important to remember that family
comes first.
Period E
“To Sleep Under the Stars”
by Carol Shaw Graham
 Prompt:
Cecilia changes
dramatically, explain what
lesson she learns and how
she learns it.
What does the main character
come to realize? This will be your
thesis. (include theme)
Cecilia learned
throughout the story
that family time is very
important.
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Period E
Introduction- Period E
Sentence #1 – Family time is very important.
 Sentence #2 – Sometimes teenagers would
rather spend time with their friends instead
of their family.
 Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under the
Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia learns
that being with your grandma can be just as
much fun as being with your friends.
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Period E
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t-chart – 1st body paragraph
Cecilia searched
quickly for a reason to
stay home from
grandma’s.
“It’s not fair” to miss
her first class trip.
She flopped into a
chair and gave herself
up to self pity.
She was usually
happy on the car ride,
but this time she was
still upset.
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Cecilia was upset that
she was missing her
very first school trip.
Spending time with
her friends seemed
like more fun
She didn’t want to be
the only of her friends
to miss the trip.
She didn’t realize how
important it was to her
family that she visit
Period E – 1st body paragraph
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TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia acted selfish
because she wanted to go on her first class trip
instead of going to visit her grandmother.
CD: For example, when Cecilia realized there was no
way her mom would let her go on her class trip, she
flopped in her chair and gave herself up to self pity.
CM1 – It was obvious that Cecilia didn’t realize how
important it was to her family that she visit her
grandmother.
CM2 – Instead, she didn’t want to be the only one of
her friends to miss the trip.
CS – Cecilia’s narrow-minded attitude made it hard for
her to see the importance of family.
Period E
t-chart – 2nd body paragraph
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Cecilia thanked grandma
for the quilt and said she
was so happy to have
visited.
They laughed and cried
and Cecilia learned about
her family.
Cecilia was surprised to
get grandma’s quilt and
thought it was beautiful.
Cecilia wrapped her arms
around grandma when
she gave her the star
covered quilt.
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Cecilia realized that the
people you share your trips
with is more important than
the location.
Cecilia was happy to learn
that she and her
grandmother have a lot in
common.
Cecilia felt special to have
received the quilt from her
grandma.
Cecilia forgot all about her
class trip because she had
such a good time with
grandma.
Period E – 2nd body paragraph
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TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became grateful
for the time she spent with her grandmother.
CD: For instance, after Cecilia realized that she and
her grandma shared the love of astronomy, she
wrapped her arms around grandma and was thankful
for the star covered quilt she received.
CM1 – This shows that Cecilia was happy to learn that
she and her grandmother have a lot in common.
CM2 – Furthermore, Cecilia forgot all about her class
trip because she had such a good time with grandma.
CS – As a result, Cecilia was appreciative for the
memories that her grandmother shared with her.
Conclusion– Period E
Sentence #1: In this story I realized
that spending time with your relatives
is very important.
 Sentence #2: Because family time is
just as valuable as time with your
friends.
 Sentence #3: In the final analysis,
you should always make time to share
with your family.
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Period F
Introduction- Period F
Sentence #1 – Family should be a top
priority.
 Sentence #2 – Often teenagers prioritize
their friends before their relatives.
 Sentence #3 – In the story “To Sleep
Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham,
Cecilia finally grasps the full importance of
family.
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Period F
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t-chart – 1st body paragraph
Cecilia says, “It’s not
fair” when her mom
insists she goes to
grandma’s.
Her mom tells her that
it’s time to be “unselfish”
She flopped into the
chair and gave herself
up to self pity
She searches for
another reason to stay
home, even though
mom already said no.
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Cecilia wants to spend
time with her friends
more than her family.
She is not recognizing the
importance of seeing her
grandma.
She’s not seeing how
important this visit is to
her mom.
She doesn’t want to use
her own time to see her
family.
Period F – 1st body paragraph
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TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was being
selfish and simple-minded when she found out that
visiting her grandmother meant she wouldn’t be able
to go on her class trip to the planetarium.
CD: For example, when Cecilia’s mom puts her foot
down, Cecilia desperately searches for another
excuse to stay home.
CM1 – It is obvious that she doesn’t recognize the
importance of visiting her grandma.
CM2 – She doesn’t want to use her own time to see
her family.
CS – Cecilia’s self-absorbed nature was very
apparent in the beginning of the story.
Period F
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t-chart – 2nd body paragraph
Cecilia says thank
you for the quilt and
that she is so glad
she came to see
grandma.
They laughed and
cried as Cecilia
learned about her
family.
Cecilia felt better
because grandma
was so happy to see
her.
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She felt special to
receive an heirloom from
her grandma.
She enjoyed learning
about her family,
something she couldn’t
have done at the
planetarium.
She felt connected to
her grandmother.
She was happy to find
that she and her
grandma had so many
things in common.
Period F – 2nd body paragraph
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TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became grateful
for the opportunity to visit her grandmother.
CD: For instance, after grandma and Cecilia bonded
over astronomy and grandma gave her a star-covered
quilt, Cecilia thanked her for the quilt and said she was
so happy that she came to visit.
CM1 – This shows that she enjoyed learning about her
family, something she couldn’t have done at the
planetarium.
CM2 – Likewise, she was glad to discover that she
and her grandma had so many things in common.
CS – Cecilia appreciated the time she spent with her
family.
Conclusion – Period F
Sentence #1: In this story I realized
that you must make time for your
family.
 Sentence #2: If you don’t spend time
with your family, you will miss out on
precious opportunities to bond and
create memorable moments.
 Sentence #3: In the final analysis,
family time should always be
cherished.
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