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CC.1.3.5.A

Description: Determine a theme of a text from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
Maps to Reading Plus skills: 2C, 3C, 5B

Exemplars

3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect

3C: Analyzing Cause/Effect

Description: Analyzing Cause and Effect

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: HiE-24

HiE-24

Grade level: 5
Word count: 1707 words
Author: Anonymous
Synopsis: In this classic Norse myth, the gods need someone to build a strong stone fortress. Out of nowhere, a very strong stranger says he'll do the job. Sounds good -- right?
Excerpt: "I ask but a small price," the stranger replied. "I ask you to give me Freia for my wife, and those two sparkling jewels, the Sun and Moon."

At this demand the gods looked grave. Freia was their dearest treasure. She was the most beloved maid, the light and life of heaven. If she should leave their beautiful city, joy would go with her. And the Sun and Moon were the light and life of the men who lived in the world below.

Question: Why were the gods doubtful about agreeing to the stranger's price to build the fortress?
  1. They were afraid they might lose Freia, the Sun, and the Moon.
  2. They were afraid that they would have no money left after they paid the stranger.
  3. They thought the stranger might know other people who could help him build.
  4. They thought the fortress, even though it was going to be huge, should not cost that much.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Write a new, different ending for a selection that changes the lesson (or theme) of the selection.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

5B: Examining Sequence

5B: Examining Sequence

Description: Examining Sequence of Ideas and Events

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: E-18

E-18

Grade level: 5
Word count: 1705 words
Author: Anonymous
Synopsis: In this classic myth, the gods need someone to build a strong stone fortress. A very strong stranger says he'll do the job.
Excerpt: First, the gods built a house with a silver roof, where there were seats for all twelve chiefs. In the midst, high above the rest, was the wonder-throne of Odin the All-Father. Afterwards, the gods built separate houses for all those who dwelt in the city. They saved Father Odin's palace until last, for they meant this to be the largest and most splendid of all.

Odin's house was built of gold and set in the midst of a wood. For the safety of All-Father, it was surrounded by a roaring river and high picket fence.

Question: Identify the order in which the gods built their city, from first step to last step.
  1. They built the house with the silver roof with seats for all 12 chiefs.
  2. They built individual houses for all city dwellers.
  3. They built Odin's house and Valhalla.
  4. They built a fortress to protect the city from giants.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Think about a narrative you read. Re-write the story in reverse order, but make sure it still has the same lesson or theme.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions

2C: Summarizing

2C: Summarizing

Description: Summarizing

SeeReader
✓ standard met

Selection: E-31

E-31

Grade level: 5
Word count: 1655 words
Author: Adapted from a story by Horace E. Scudder.
Synopsis: This classic legend tells about Dutch sailors who must spend eternity sailing the ocean.
Excerpt: Now, while they were talking, the man at the ship's wheel listened. This was not a man of good character. As he heard of the bags of gold Otto was transporting home, his evil heart began to desire the gold. As he steered the ship, and later when his shift was over, he thought and thought about how he could get that gold. He knew it would be impossible for him alone to seize it. So he whispered about it to one and another and another of the sailors on the ship.

The crew included not one man who had a good and decent character. Every member of that crew had committed some crime at one time or another. When the sailor told them of the gold on board, they were ready for anything. They did not fear or respect the authority of the captain.

Question: Read this excerpt from the selection. Which two of the following statements best summarize the author's description of the crew of The Flying Dutchman?
  1. The crew members were willing to defy the captain's orders to get what they wanted.
  2. The crew members were all criminals.
  3. The crew members were all loyal to the captain.
  4. The crew members were all loyal to Otto.
  5. The crew members had all worked with one another on The Flying Dutchman for many years.

Writing
✓ standard met

Writing prompt: Write one paragraph that describes the main information about a selection you read.

Evaluator

Organization: Certica Solutions