assignment_returnWorksheet:
Caring Characters And Life's Lessons
Standard(s): RL.3.2
I Don’t Want To Go
Emily zipped up her suitcase, sighed loudly, and then lugged it out to the SUV.
“Why do I have to go?” she asked.
“This is a family vacation,” replied her dad.
Sure it was, she thought.The idea of spending three entire days and nights sleeping in a tent out in the wilderness that was named after some long ago explorer did not appeal to her girly side. “Mom, can we stay…?”
Before she could finish, Emily’s younger brother came bolting through the door, his suitcase overflowing, and his momentum almost knocking her to the ground. “Let’s go, let’s go.”
Emily climbed into the backseat, her MP3 player blasting loudly, at least she had some piece of civilization left. As they drove for what seemed like forever, Emily enjoyed peering out the window. As they got farther and farther away from the city, she began to catch glimpses of rabbits, squirrels, and various birds that she wasn’t used to seeing.
The tall buildings and annoying noises of the city began to be replaced by a peaceful quiet. She turned her music off, but kept the ear buds in place, as she didn’t want anyone to know that she was enjoying the ride.
Finally, she saw the sign: Welcome to the Daniel Boone National Forest.
“Can we hike to the falls?” her brother asked.
She exited the vehicle and declared that she was ready for a walk. She had heard about Cumberland Falls but had never actually seen it. Some of her classmates had mentioned that it was smaller, but a lot like Niagara Falls. She had no desire to let the others know she was excited, but she hoped her dad would say that they could go exploring.
Looking around her, she saw huge mountains that seemed to tower above the river below. This was much different from the small subdivision that she called home. Just maybe the next three days wouldn’t be so bad. As she removed her earbuds, she smiled, as a small deer crossed the pathway several hundred feet in the distance.
At the age of twelve that was the first live deer that she had ever seen. Wow, this is really amazing. “Let’s take that walk, Dad.”
“Really?” he asked.
What lesson did the girl learn during this story?
Trying new things is not always bad.
New things are always a waste of time.
Her parents were wrong, as usual.
Camping is the best hobby ever.
Standard: RL.3.2
Domain: Reading: Literature
Theme: Key Ideas and Details
Description: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
Read the story and answer the question.
Zane exited the school furious. He had gotten into trouble again, and he had not done anything wrong. As he ran down the sidewalk, he saw Mrs. New’s shiny red car parked there. He had half a mind to go over to it and just start punching. His face was bright red, and he was tired of always being the one in trouble.
He remembered the house key that he had inside his pocket. He knew that would be enough to do damage to her car. Maybe then she would have something to think about other than always picking on him. Yeah, he had been throwing paper wads again. Yes, she had already asked him to stop at least five times, but he just wanted to feel noticed.
Zane’s long hair covered his eyes for just a second. He closed his eyes to shake his entire head, removing the locks of hair from his mysterious eyes. Removing the key from his pocket, he walked closer to the car. He saw some of Mrs. New’s CDs spread across the seat. He saw a couple that he really liked.
“Zane, is everything okay?”
He recognized the voice, but she couldn’t really be asking about him, could she?
Turning around, he saw his teacher. “Yeah, I just had something in my eye.”
“Let’s talk, Zane.”
Unlocking her car, Mrs. New invited Zane to sit down. “Can we listen to that?” he pointed to one of the CDs.
She smiled, “After we finish talking.”
What is the moral of this story?
Teachers have favorites
Things are not as bad as they might seem
People should always go with their first choice
Friends can make even bad times seem better
Standard: RL.3.2
Domain: Reading: Literature
Theme: Key Ideas and Details
Description: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
Danny had always been a different kind of child, so I wasn’t real happy when Xavier started hanging out with him. I didn’t really know how to handle the situation, but I didn’t want to be one of those parents who told him he had to stop. When Xavier told me about playing with Danny that first day at recess, I remember thinking, “Oh no…” It has been about a month since that day, and every afternoon I still ask if anyone lost recess today. It is my way of finding out if Danny or Xavier got into any trouble. This way it doesn’t seem like I am pointing the finger at Danny. Those first few times that I asked, it seemed that Xavier would usually tell me something silly that Danny did to get in trouble: throws pit balls, spit wads, pour milk onto another student’s mashed potatoes, run in the hallway, etc. Not bad things, just things that showed disrespect. As the days passed, either Xavier realized that I was fed up with Danny’s silliness or wasn’t Danny getting into as much trouble. I have agreed to let Danny spend the night tonight. The boys are excited about sleeping outside in the tent, and I have arranged for them to make S’mores, have a small campfire, and enjoy the comforts of almost being alone in the wilderness. “Mom, where are you? This is Danny.” I stare at Danny. He looks sweet enough. His short haircut makes him look much younger than eight, well, assuming that he is the same age as Xavier. “Hi, Mrs.” said Danny. “Just call me Ann. Danny, do you want to see Xavier’s room?” I asked. Danny smiled at me and I was hooked. His crystal blue eyes lit up, and his left cheek had a small, but noticeable dimple. I patted Danny on the back. “We are glad you came to visit,” I stated. I walked the boys down the hallway to Xavier’s room. “What’s this?” Xavier asked. “Since this is your first official camp out, I thought you needed the right pajamas. I just guessed your size, Danny; let’s hope they fit.” Danny scooped the pajamas up, while Xavier shrugged. “Is this the bathroom?” I nodded. Moments later, Danny returned, wearing his new pajamas. They were a little large, but they would do. The boy that I had pegged to be the troublemaker seemed so sweet. He threw his tiny arms around me. “These are great…” said Danny. I could see the tears in his eyes, and I pulled him even closer. “I am glad that you like them, Danny,” I stated.
Danny had always been a different kind of child, so I wasn’t real happy when Xavier started hanging out with him. I didn’t really know how to handle the situation, but I didn’t want to be one of those parents who told him he had to stop. When Xavier told me about playing with Danny that first day at recess, I remember thinking, “Oh no…”
What is the moral of this story?
Some people are just meant to be bad influences.
Everyone should be treated equally.
Everyone deserves a second chance.
Moms need to stay strong for their kids.
Standard: RL.3.2
Domain: Reading: Literature
Theme: Key Ideas and Details
Description: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
Read the story and answer the question.
A. The king’s dinner was to be an elaborate affair, with many guests. In the kitchen, the cooks were rushing to prepare an elegant dinner. Extra chefs had been brought in from all over the kingdom and everyone was working very hard. The first dish on the menu was a delicate soup, full of fresh vegetables from the king’s own garden. Each time a cook walked by and smelled the soup, he would taste it and add just a pinch of salt to bring out the flavor. After each cook had added just a pinch of salt, the soup was served to the king, who sent it back to the kitchen. Too salty!
B. The king’s dinner was to be an elaborate affair, with many guests. In the kitchen, the cooks were rushing to prepare an elegant dinner. Extra chefs had been brought in from all over the kingdom and everyone was working very hard. The first dish on the menu was a delicate soup, full of fresh vegetables from the king’s own garden. Many vegetables had to be chopped into tiny pieces, but because there were so many helpers in the kitchen, the soup was easy to prepare. When the king tasted the rich soup, he declared it to be a magnificent piece of work.
Which of the following is the moral of Fable B?
Many hands make light work.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Never trust a cook who doesn’t eat his own soup.
A King can never be satisfied.
Standard: RL.3.2
Domain: Reading: Literature
Theme: Key Ideas and Details
Description: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
Read the story and answer the question.
A. The king’s dinner was to be an elaborate affair, with many guests. In the kitchen, the cooks were rushing to prepare an elegant dinner. Extra chefs had been brought in from all over the kingdom and everyone was working very hard. The first dish on the menu was a delicate soup, full of fresh vegetables from the king’s own garden. Each time a cook walked by and smelled the soup, he would taste it and add just a pinch of salt to bring out the flavor. After each cook had added just a pinch of salt, the soup was served to the king, who sent it back to the kitchen. Too salty!
B. The king’s dinner was to be an elaborate affair, with many guests. In the kitchen, the cooks were rushing to prepare an elegant dinner. Extra chefs had been brought in from all over the kingdom and everyone was working very hard. The first dish on the menu was a delicate soup, full of fresh vegetables from the king’s own garden. Many vegetables had to be chopped into tiny pieces, but because there were so many helpers in the kitchen, the soup was easy to prepare. When the king tasted the rich soup, he declared it to be a magnificent piece of work.
Which of the following is the moral of Fable A?
Many hands make light work.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Never trust a cook who doesn't eat his own soup.
A king can never be satisfied.