Read this prompt. Analyze what it is
asking.
Today, you will read two stories titled “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best
Thing in the World” and “Me First.” As you read, think about the
actions of the characters and the events of the stories. Answer
questions to help you write an essay.
Old Mother West Wind and the Sandwich both try to teach
important lessons to characters in the stories. Write an essay that
explains how Old Mother West Wind’s and the Sandwich’s words and
actions are important to the plot of the stories. Use what you
learned about the characters to support your essay.
Literary Analysis (3)
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asking.
You have read two texts about famous people in American
history who solved a problem by working to make a change.
Write an article for your school newspaper describing how
Eliza and Carver faced challenges to change something in
America.
Research Simulation (3)
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asking.
Today you will read the story “Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience.” Pay
close attention to the actions of the characters and the events in the
story. Answer the questions to help you prepare to write a narrative
story.
This story tells about Derrick’s first camping trip.
Write Derrick’s journal entry about his camping trip. Include
information about how the characters responded to the events in the
story as you write the journal entry.
Narrative (3)
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asking.
You have read two stories where one family members saves
another. Write an essay describing the mosquito from
“Cricket and Cougar” and one of the main characters from
“Kira-Kira.” For each character described,
-Explain how the thoughts, words, and/or actions of the
character help you understand what the character is like
-Explain why the character chooses to save his or her family
member.
-Be sure to include specific details from each story to
support your ideas.
Literary Analysis (4)
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asking.
Today you will read a story about a girl whose family is from
India and a poem that expresses how the speaker faces
frightening experiences. After you finish the task, you will
write a essay about a theme in the story and poem.
Identify a theme in “Just Like Home” and a theme in “Life
Doesn’t Frighten Me.” Write an essay that explains how the
theme of the story is shown through the characters and
how the theme of the poem is shown through the speaker.
Include specific details from the story and the poem to
support your essay.
Literary Analysis (4)
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asking.
Today you will read two articles and watch a video about
the survival of wild horses on Assateague Island in
Maryland and Chincoteague Island in Virginia. As you
review these sources, you will gather information and
answer questions so that you can write an essay.
Your class has been studying about the survival of the
ponies on Assateague Island. Using information from the
articles and the video, describe the roles that both the
horses and humans play in the horses’ survival. Use the
evidence from the articles and the video to support your
answer.
Research Simulation (4)
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asking. (Narrative 4)
Today, you will read about a girl who finds some unusual
shoes. As you read the story, think about the details the
author uses as you will be asked to write your own story.
In “Those Wacky Shoes,” a girl has to outsmart a pair of
shoes. Think about the details the author uses to create
characters, settings, and events.
Imagine that you, like the girl in the story, find a pair of wacky
shoes that won’t come off. Write a story about how you find
the pair of wacky shoes and what happens to you when you are
wearing them. Use what you have learned about the wacky shoes when
writing your story.
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is
asking.
Today you will analyze a passage from the novel Ida B and a
passage from the novel Moon Over Manifest. As you read
these texts you will gather information and answer
questions about the influence of the narrator’s point of
view so you can write an essay.
The stories titled Ida B and Moon Over Manifest both include
events that did not happen exactly how the narrators
expected them to happen. Write an essay describing how
each narrator’s point of view influenced how these events are
described. Be sure to use details from both stories.
Literary Analysis (5)
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asking.
Today you will research how penguins are rescued after a
large oil spill. You will read two articles, and then you will
view a video. As you review these sources, you will gather
information and answer questions about the rescue of
penguins so you can write an essay.
Compare how the article by Lauren Tarshis and Dyan
deNapoli and the video describe penguin rescue efforts
after oil spills. Support your essay with information from all
three sources.
Research Simulation (5)
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asking.
Today you will read a passage from the story “The Growin’
of Paul Bunyan.” As you read, pay close attention to the
characters’ thoughts. This will help you answer questions
and prepare to write a narrative story.
You have read a passage from “The Growin’ of Paul
Bunyan.” Think about how the story would be different if it
were told from Johnny’s point of view. Write a narrative
story retelling the story from the point of view of Johnny.
Be sure to use supporting details from the passage.
Narrative (5)
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asking.
Today, you will read and think about the passage from the novel
titled Boy’s Life and the fable “Emancipation: A Life Fable.” As you
read these texts, you will gather information and answer questions
about comparing themes and topics so you can write an essay.
You have read the passage from Boy’s Life and “Emancipation: A Life
Fable.” Both texts develop the theme of freedom. Write an essay
that compares and contrasts the approaches each text uses to
develop the theme of freedom.
Literary Analysis (6)
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asking.
Today you will research how zoos impact animals. You will read one
article titled “The Stripes Will Survive.” Then you will read one
passage titled “The Zoos Go Wild” and view one video titled “Lions at
the National Zoo.” As you review these sources, you will gather
information and answer questions about how zoos impact animals so
you can write an essay.
You have read two texts and viewed one video that claim that the
role of zoos is to protect animals. Write an essay that compares and
contrasts the evidence each source uses to support this claim. Be
sure to use evidence from all three sources to support your response.
Research Simulation (6)
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asking.
Today you will read a passage from a story titled Magic Elizabeth. As
you read, pay close attention to the characters as you answer the
questions to prepare to write a narrative story of your own.
In the passage from Magic Elizabeth, the author creates a vivid
setting and two distinct characters, Mrs. Chipley and Sally. Think
about the details the author uses to establish the setting and the
characters.
Write an original story about what happens when Sally arrives at
Aunt Sarah’s house. In your story, be sure to use what you have
learned about the setting and the characters as you tell what
happens next.
Narrative (6)
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asking.
Today you will read a passage from The Count of Monte Cristo as well
as a scene from the play Blessings. After you have read the
selections and answer some of the questions, you will write an essay
analyzing the themes presented in the two texts.
You have a read a passage from The Count of Monte Cristo and a
scene from Blessings. Think about the similarities and differences in
how the two authors develop the themes in each text.
Write an essay in which you identify a theme from each text and
analyze how each theme is developed. Be sure to include specific
details from both selections.
Literary Analysis (7)
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asking.
You have read a website entry and an article and watched a video
describe Amelia Earhart. All three include information that supports
the claim that Earhart was a brave, courageous person. The three
texts are:
“The Biography of Amelia Earhart”
“Earhart’s Final Resting Place Believed Found”
“Amelia Earhart’s Life and Disappearance” (video)
Consider the argument each author uses to demonstrate Earhart’s
bravery. Write an essay that analyzes the strength of the arguments
related to Earhart’s bravery in at least two of the three supporting
materials. Remember to use textual evidence to support your ideas.
Research Simulation (7)
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asking.
Today you will research electricity and consider some of the methods
used in science texts and videos to support different purposes. First
you will read a passage that explains some of the general principles
of electricity. Next, you will watch a video about fun ways to learn
about electricity circuits. Finally, you will read an article that explains
how different materials conduct electricity. As you review these
sources, think about the purpose of each and the role that
explanations, demonstrations, and/or descriptions of experiments
play in communicating that purpose. At the end of the task, you will
be asked to write an essay.
You have learned about electricity by reading two articles, “Energy
Story” and “Conducting Solutions,” and viewing a video clip titled
“Hands-on Science with Squishy Circuits.
…Continued
In an essay, compare the purposes of the three sources. Then
analyze how each source uses explanations, demonstrations,
or descriptions of experiments to help accomplish its
purpose. Be sure to discuss important differences and
similarities between the information gained from the video
and the information provided in the articles. Support your
response with evidence from each source.
Research Simulation (7)
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asking.
Today you will read a passage from a novel. As you read, you will
gather information to prepare for writing an original story.
At the end of the passage, Howie tells Kevin that he is not making a
good case. Write an original story that describes what Kevin does
next to try to change Howie’s mind about paying from Cromwell’s
training. In writing your story:
-Consider what actions Kevin might take or what Kevin might say that
would strengthen his case.
-Be sure to use what you have learned about the setting, characters,
and plot of the passage.
Narrative (7)
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking.
You have read excerpts from two novels focused on survival in the
wilderness.
These excerpts are from
-Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen
-Call of the Wild by Jack London
Consider how the main character in each excerpt reacts to the
incidents that occur, and write an essay in which you analyze how
each character’s thoughts and actions reveal aspects of his
personality.
You do not need to compare and contrast the characters from the
two texts. You may consider each one separately. Be sure to include
evidence from each excerpt to support your analysis and
understanding.
Literary Analysis (8)
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is
asking.
Today you will analyze passages from two novels. As you read
these texts, you will gather information and answer questions
about the characters and points of view so you can write an
analytical essay.
In Confetti Girl and Tortilla Sun, the narrators have points of
view different from those of their parents. Write an essay
analyzing how these differences in points of view create
tension in both stories. Remember to use details from both
texts support your ideas.
Literary Analysis (8)
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is
asking.
Today you will research an experiment involving elephants. First, you
will view a video and read a passage of the actual study. As you
review these sources, you will gather information and answer
questions about how the sources present information so you can
write an analytical essay.
Write an essay comparing the information presented in the video
with that presented in the article “Elephants Can Lend a Helping
Trunk” and the passage from “Elephants Know When They Need a
Helping Trunk in a Cooperative Task.” Remember to use evidence
from the video, the article, and the passage to support your answer.
Research Simulation (8)
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asking.
Today you will read and answer questions on a story about a
man seeking to complete an important mission. When you
have finished reading and answering questions, you will write
a narrative story using details from your reading.
Write a continuation of Bahauddin Shah using details from
the passage. Describe what you think might happen after
Bahauddin Shah climbs out of the Salt Caverns. What
obstacles might he face and what actions might he take to
overcome them?
Narrative (8)