2R4
Description:
Craft and Structure
Explain how words and phrases in a text suggest feelings and appeal to the senses.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
4C, 5A, 6A, 6B, 6C
Exemplars
4C: Visualizing
4C: Visualizing
Description:
Visualizing
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
B-70
B-70
Grade level: 2
Word count: 995 words
Author: R. Bender
Synopsis: Native Americans knew that corn, beans, and squash grow best when they are near each other. This fable explains it all!
Excerpt:
The oldest sister was strong and tall. She was called Corn. She wore green dress. She had shiny golden hair. She stood very straight in the field. She stood above her sisters. Corn protected them.
Question:
The legend of the three sisters describes one of the sisters as having a "green dress and golden hair." What is this phrase describing?
- the green leaves and yellow corn on a corn plant
- the green vine and yellow roots of a squash plant
- the green eyes and yellow shirt of a Native American boy
- the green and yellow flowers on a bean plant vine
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Authors often use words in the same way artists use paints to create a picture. Describe how an author used words in this way in a selection you read.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
5A: Examining Text Structure
5A: Examining Text Structure
Description:
Examining Text Structure
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiB-23
HiB-23
Grade level: 2
Word count: 1133 words
Author: L. Frank Baum
Synopsis: Dorothy is in for a most unusual ride.
Excerpt:
When Aunt Em came there to live she was a young, pretty wife. The sun and wind had changed her, too. They had taken the sparkle from her eyes. They turned her eyes a serious gray. They had taken the red from her cheeks and lips. They were gray also. She was thin and gaunt, and never smiled now.
Uncle Henry never laughed. He was gray also, from his long beard to his rough boots. He looked stern and solemn. He rarely spoke.
Uncle Henry never laughed. He was gray also, from his long beard to his rough boots. He looked stern and solemn. He rarely spoke.
Question:
Based on this excerpt, the color gray is repeated to give the idea that Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are
- serious.
- happy.
- confused.
- energetic.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Why would an author choose to tell a story that does not follow chronological order? Use an example from a fictional story you have read to support your argument.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6A: Recognizing Author's Intent
6A: Recognizing Author's Intent
Description:
Recognizing Author's Purpose
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
B-68
B-68
Grade level: 2
Word count: 1004 words
Author: R. Bender
Synopsis: While walking around her house, Kayla discovers that people need to use math all the time.
Excerpt:
Kayla sighed. "Dad, why do I need to learn math? No one uses math outside of school."
Question:
Read this part from the selection. Why did the author use the word "sighed" in this part?
- to show that Kayla is upset
- to prove that Kayla is happy
- to explain why Kayla likes math
- to demonstrate that Kayla is afraid
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
List all the things you like about a selection. Then explain which of these reasons are based on fact and which are based on opinion.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
Description:
Recognizing Mood and Tone
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiB-52
HiB-52
Grade level: 2
Word count: 1105 words
Author: Herodotus
Synopsis: Croesus was a powerful king. Solon was a wise man. One day, Croesus asked Solon, "Who is the happiest man?" Solon's answer is not what Croesus thought it would be.
Excerpt:
King Croesus had everything that could make him happy. He had lands and houses and servants. He had fine clothes to wear and beautiful things to look at. He could not think of anything that he needed. "I am the happiest man in the world," he decided.
Many years passed. King Croesus was much older and much richer. At that time, another king rose to power in Asia. His name was Cyrus. Cyrus was the head of a great army. He marched through one country after another. He took over many a rich and old kingdom. Croesus, with all his wealth, could not defeat the mighty Cyrus. King Croesus' city was taken. His great palace was burned. His gardens and stables were destroyed. His many fine things were carried away, and he himself was thrown into prison.
Many years passed. King Croesus was much older and much richer. At that time, another king rose to power in Asia. His name was Cyrus. Cyrus was the head of a great army. He marched through one country after another. He took over many a rich and old kingdom. Croesus, with all his wealth, could not defeat the mighty Cyrus. King Croesus' city was taken. His great palace was burned. His gardens and stables were destroyed. His many fine things were carried away, and he himself was thrown into prison.
Question:
Read this excerpt. The change in the Croesus' mood from the first paragraph to the second can best be described as moving from
- happy to sad.
- weak to strong.
- interested to bored.
- lonely to joyful.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe how you felt when you read a selection. Were you happy, sad, or did you feel something else? Explain why the selection made you feel this way.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6B: Recognizing Persuasion
6B: Recognizing Persuasion
Description:
Recognizing Persuasive Devices
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
B-34
B-34
Grade level: 2
Word count: 931 words
Author: Jan Mader
Synopsis: Marian Anderson changed the world with her voice.
Excerpt:
Anderson became more and more famous with each passing year. In 1961, she sang the national anthem at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. Two years later, President Kennedy awarded Anderson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award goes to very few people--those who have made a major contribution to the well-being, peace, or culture of the United States. No one deserved it more.
Marian Anderson died in 1993 at age 96. She always believed her voice was a gift, one that she should share with the world.
Marian Anderson died in 1993 at age 96. She always believed her voice was a gift, one that she should share with the world.
Question:
An opinion is a person's judgment about something. An opinion may or may not be based on facts. In this part from the selection, which phrase is the author's opinion?
- "no one deserved it more"
- "she sang the national anthem"
- "the award goes to very few people"
- "became more and more famous"
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Give examples of selections you have read that create a mood through the setting, feelings of characters, and choice of words.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions