FIRST-READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS from An American Childhood Name: Date: from An American Childhood Annie Dillard DIRECTIONS: Complete the following items after you have read the text. ____________________________________________________________________________ RI.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 1. (a) Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly. In the first paragraph of the excerpt from An American Childhood, the author states that she “longed for,” or really wanted, a microscope. Reread paragraphs 2 through 5 of the text, and cite at least two details from the text that support the idea that the author really wanted a microscope and explain how important it was to her. (b) Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of inferences drawn from the text. Reread paragraph 4 of the excerpt from An American Childhood. Based on the details in this paragraph, what inference can you make about the author’s interest in using her microscope after she got it? What details in this paragraph support your inference. © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 1 FIRST-READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS from An American Childhood _________________________________________________________________________ RI.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. 2. (a) Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including technical meanings. In paragraph 2 of the excerpt from An American Childhood, the author uses technical terms including scalpel, slides, and slips. Use context clues to determine the meaning of these words. What words or phrases provide you with hints about their meanings? (b) Analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. Explain what the author’s use of the technical terms scalpel, slides, and slips and the scientific terms one-celled and membrane tell you about her interests during this period of her life. What tone does the use of these terms give to her memoir? _____________________________________________________________________________ RI.7.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others. Determine an author's point of view in a text, and analyze how the author distinguishes her position from that of others. In paragraph 7 of the excerpt from An American Childhood, the author finally sees an amoeba through her microscope and immediately tells her parents. Explain how the author’s point of view, or opinion, of discovering the amoeba compares with her parents’ position. Use evidence from the text to support your explanation. © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2 FIRST-READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS from An American Childhood __________________________________________________________________________ RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. 3. (a) Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text. Identify two or more central ideas about life in the excerpt from An American Childhood. Then, use details from the text to explain how these ideas are developed over the course of the memoir. (b) Provide an objective summary of the text. Briefly summarize the excerpt from An American Childhood. Do not include personal opinions. Remember to include the author and title of the text in your summary. © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 3 FIRST-READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS from An American Childhood Analyze Interactions Complete the following activity as either a written response or a group discussion. DIRECTIONS: _____________________________________________________________________________ RI.7.3 Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events). Beginning in paragraph 11 of the excerpt from An American Childhood, the author provides details about the way that she and her parents interact. Review the excerpt and analyze the way the author interacts with her parents, explaining how these interactions helped shape the author as she grew up. Use text details in your writing or discussion. Use these guidelines in your writing or discussion. Consider why the author wanted to show her parents the amoeba. What did the author learn when her parents expressed no interest in the amoeba? How might the author’s development as a person have been different if her parents had shown great interest in the amoeba and in other activities the author participated in? What valuable lessons did the author learn as a result of the way in which she and her parents interacted? TIP FOR WRITTEN RESPONSE Take notes as you work through the bulleted items. Then, rework your notes into a cohesive essay. TIP FOR DISCUSSION Ask a group member to clarify a statement if you are confused about what he or she has said. © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 4
