Week 6: Inside Out

Dear Parents and Students,
You are in for a real treat this week as we read Inside Out. The main character of this selection is a boy named Francisco. He is the son of migrant workers new to America. He attends an American school and struggles to learn the language. A misunderstanding with a bullying classmate embarrasses him, but he feels better when his drawing wins first prize in a contest. During the year, he studies a caterpillar in the classroom, eventually watching it construct a cocoon and become a butterfly.

Activity: Fitting In
Talk to a grandparent or other adult you know who came to America from another country. Interview the person about his or her experiences trying to “fit in.” What was the hardest part? What was the easiest?

Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast
When writers compare and contrast things, they tell how those things are alike or different. Words such as same, also, before, although, and however are clues that things are being compared or contrasted.

Activity: Yours and Mine 

With a family member, find two pairs of shoes from different people in your house and put them side by side. Compare and contrast the size, color, style, and how much wear they show. Try comparing and contrasting other household items by using a Venn Diagram.

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Lesson Vocabulary

Knowing the meanings of these words is important to reading Inside Out. Practice using these words.

caterpillar the wormlike larvae of insects such as butterflies and moths
cocoon case of silky thread spun by the larvae of various insects, to live in while they are developing into adults
disrespect to show a lack of respect; to be rude
emerge to come into view; come out; come up

migrant a worker, especially a farm worker, who travels from one area to another in search of work

sketched drawn roughly and quickly
unscrewed loosened or taken off by turning

Grammar Lesson: Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns
A regular plural noun describes more than one person, place, or thing. Such nouns are formed by adding –s or –es. For example: key/keys, table/tables, dish/dishes. An irregular plural noun does not follow this rule. Some words change spelling to form plurals. For example: man/men, tooth/teeth. Other words stay the same whether singular or plural. For example: fish/fish, sheep/sheep. Because irregular plural nouns are formed in many unpredictable ways, you must memorize each plural one at a time.


Activity: Can You Hear It?
When you add –s or –es to the end of an irregular noun to make it plural, the sound of the word alone will indicate that it is irregular. With a member of your family, make a list of singular nouns. Read your list and try making the nouns plural by adding –s or –es to the end of the word. If it sounds odd, it is probably irregular. Look up the word in the dictionary and try to memorize the irregular plural form.

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Weekly Practice
Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast
Introduction
Practice 1
Practice 2
Practice 3

Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast
Diagram
About the Diagram

Vocabulary
Practice 1

Practice 2 

Review Skill: Author's Purpose

Practice 1


Research and Study Skills: Reference Book
Practice 1
Practice 2

Grammar: Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns
Introduction
Practice 1-4

Fresh Reads
Practice 1-3

Meet the Author: Francisco Jimenez

Biography








Tests:
Monday - none
Tuesday - Maya Quiz (maybe)
Wednesday - Maya Quiz
Thursday - Grammar, DOL, Daily Geography
Friday - Reading (Inside Out), Fresh Read

Announcements:

1. Permission slips for Project Wet are due ASAP.

2. School fees are due. Report cards may not be released until this is paid.

3. Concession options are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays ($0.50/each)

4. Signed papers go home on Tuesdays and should be signed and returned on Wednesday.

5. Decorated and taped writing journals are due on Monday.

Student of the Week:

Bethany

Let's Have a great week!
Thanks,
Mrs. Telford