Grace and the Time
Machine
Compiled by:
Terry Sams PES
from Starring Grace by Mary Hoffman
adapted for Story Theater by Donald
Abramson
illustrated by Matthew Faulkner
Summary
Grace and her friends build a
time machine powered by
imagination. Using the memories
of Grace’s grandmother and Mrs.
Myerson, a neighbor, everyone has
fun experiencing far-off places
such as Gambia, Trinidad, and
Heidelberg.
Study Skills
Genre: Fiction
Comprehension Skill:
Drawing Conclusions
Comprehension Strategy:
Answer Questions
Comprehension Review Skill:
Compare Contrast
Vocabulary: Prefixes
Genre: Play
A play has all the
elements of a storycharacters, setting, plot, and
theme- but it doesn’t look like
a story because it’s written to
be performed. As you read,
think about how this play
might be different as a chapter
in a book.
Comprehension Skill Tested –
Draw Conclusions
TE 211a
When you draw conclusions, you
use details and what you already
know to form opinions or make
decisions about characters and
events.
The facts and details are small
pieces of information in the
story.
Comprehension Skill Tested –
Draw Conclusions
Facts and details “add up” to a
conclusion.
A flashback briefly “pauses” the
present-time events of the story.
A flashback helps explain
something that is happening now
in the story.
Comprehension Skill Review:
Compare and Contrast
A Comparison tells how two or
more things are alike.
A Contrast tells how they are
different
Clue words such as like or as
show comparisons
Clue words such as but or unlike
show contrasts.
Compare and Contrast Practice
PB 197
Brazil
sizes
land
features
People
Bolivia
Vocabulary Strategy
Prefixes Prefixes are letters added to the
beginning of a word that change
its meaning.
The prefix re- means “again.”
If you retie a knot, you tie it again.
The prefix a means “on, in or at”.
If you are abed, you are in bed.
Word Structure Practice TE211c
Word
think
work
read
visit
set
play
Add Prefix
rerethink
Sentence
I’ll rethink that question.
Research/Study Skill –
Advertisement
All advertisements sell a
product or service.
Advertisements want their
product or service to appear
the best.
Research/Study Skill –
Advertisement
There are four parts to an
advertisement:
-photo or illustration
-a headline in large type
-information about the product
-who makes the product or service
Question of the Week
TE 142 m
What can we
accomplish by
using our
imaginations?
Day 2 - Question of the
Day
What happens when
Grace and her friends
use their
imaginations?
Day 3 - Question of the Day
How did using
her imagination
affect Mrs.
Myerson?
Day 4 - Question of the
Day - Review
What do you
think is the best
way to spend a
summer day with
friends?
Weekly Fluency Check Characterization/Dialogue TE 211a
● Read aloud “Journal of a Teenage
Genius” on p. 188m. Explain how
you use what you know about the
characters to choose a voice for
each one and make the dialogue
more interesting.
Review Questions
1.How did grace show she was
capable of taking care of Nana?
2.How were the trips to The
Gambia and Trinidad alike?
3.What does this story teach
about inventions?
4.How did Mrs. Myerson fell about
the children?
Review Questions
1. Why do you think the author wrote
this story?
2. How might Mrs. Myerson’s imaginary
trip affect her present life?
3. Would you like to time travel? Why or
why not?
4. How were the imaginary trips to
Trinidad and Heidelberg alike?
Vocabulary - Say It
aboard
vehicle
atlas
reseats
awkward
miracle
mechanical
capable
chant
More Words to Know
contraption
pantomime
excursion
invention
research
vehicle
device for
carrying people or
things, such as a
car, bus, airplane,
etc.
reseats
sits again
miracle
a wonderful happening
that is contrary to, or
independent of, the
known laws of
nature
mechanical
like a machine;
automatic; without
expression
chant
to call over and over
again
capable
having fitness,
power, or ability;
able; efficient;
competent
awkward
not graceful or skillful
in movement or shape;
not easily managed
atlas
book of maps
aboard
on board; in or on a
ship, train, bus,
airplane, etc.
contraption
device or gadget
pantomime
to express by
gestures
excursion
a short trip taken
for interest or
pleasure, often by a
group of people
together
invention
something
made for the
first time
research
the act of
hunting
carefully for
facts or truth
Each new
invention seemed
like a mechanical
miracle.
Each new
invention seemed
like a mechanical
miracle.
The train was
capable of wild
speeds of up to 20
miles per hour.
The train was
capable of wild
speeds of up to 20
miles per hour.
Each rider was
thrilled when they
heard, “All
aboard!”
Each rider was
thrilled when they
heard, “All
aboard!”
He was clumsy
awkward as he
walked across the
ice.
He was clumsy
awkward as he
walked across the
ice.
The conductor
reseats us after the
train started.
The conductor
reseats us after the
train started.
The click of the
wheels sounds like a
chant.
The click of the
wheels sounds like a
chant.
Now there is every
kind of vehicle on the
roads.
Now there is every
kind of vehicle on the
roads.
We will look in the
atlas to see what
country is the farthest
away.
We will look in the
atlas to see what
country is the farthest
away.
That is the most
remarkable
invention I have
ever seen.
That is the most
remarkable
invention I have
ever seen.
Sometimes we
have to do
research to find
out more
information.
Sometimes we
have to do
research to find
out more
information.
We took an
unexpected
excursion last
week to the
mountains.
We took an
unexpected
excursion last
week to the
mountains.
What do you call that
unusual contraption?
What do you call that
unusual contraption?
They arranged five
chairs in the center of
the stage and then
pantomime adding
things to them.
They arranged five
chairs in the center of
the stage and then
pantomime adding
things to them.
Writing Assignment TE
211h
Think of a scene in which two
characters are having a
conversation. They might be
arguing, making a decision, or
trying to solve a problem.
Visualize what they look like and
where the scene is taking place.
Write their exact words.
Writing Assignment
Drafting Tips
Make your characters’ speech – or
dialogue – sound the way people
really talk.
Describe important actions
occurring on stage using adverbs.
Organize your writing carefully.
always begin with a description of
the scene.
Spelling Words
adding ar and or
Arkansas
garden
sharp
forward
force
sport
apartment
Florida
storm
partner
Spelling Words
Adding –s and -es
start
backyard
argue
story
corner
alarm
form
garbage
forest
morning
CHALLENGE
carnation
margarine
informative
snorkel
departure
This Week’s Word Wall Words
Click and type your own
words for this week:
Let’s review our Spelling
words. Watch carefully
because they will flash on the
screen for just a moment. We
can clap as we spell the word,
or we might just practice
reading the words.
morning
forest
garbage
form
alarm
story
argue
backyard
start
partner
storm
Florida
apartment
sport
force
forward
sharp
garden
Arkansas
corner