disabilities in all areas of public life.

” These areas include

“jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and
WEEK 1

Service Animals private places that are open to the general public.
The purpose of the law is to make sure that people
with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities
as everyone else.” New US rules passed in 2010 have
disabilities – conditions that limit people’s ability to do
added miniature (“mini”) horses to the list of service
things, such as moving, sensing, or thinking
discrimination – unfair treatment of a person or group animals. These animals can be in public places with
based on race, gender, or other differences their handler, even if other animals are not allowed.
mobility – the ability to move around easily and
quickly A guide dog helps a blind
distractions – things that make it hard to think clearly man cross a city street.
or pay attention
Ten-year-old Joshua was born blind. Joshua has a
special friend named Simon who helps him get around
safely. Simon is Joshua’s service dog. While Simon is a
taco tico sbr miafozzle
great companion, he’s not a pet. He has been taught
by human trainers to keep Joshua safe from traffic and
other dangers. Simon also helps Joshua move around.
He guides Joshua to avoid objects and lets him know
about curbs and steps.
Animals help people in many different ways.
However, service animals offer special kinds of help.
What exactly are service animals? What kinds of jobs do Guidelines in some US states allow service animals
they do? What kinds of animals can be service animals? besides dogs and mini horses. Outside the United States,
According to the US Department of Justice rules about service animals differ from country
(DOJ), “Service animals are defined as dogs that to country.
are individually trained to do work or perform tasks Service animals are trained to help people with
for people with disabilities.” The DOJ is involved disabilities live more independent lives. Guide animals,
with service animals because of the Americans with like Simon, help people who are blind or have low
Disabilities Act (ADA). This law, which was passed in vision. Hearing animals help people who are deaf
1990, forbids “discrimination against individuals with or hard of hearing. Other service animals may help
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
wheelchair users or people who have other mobility • Therapy animals are trained to help people other
challenges. In addition, people with certain other than their handler. They provide comfort and
conditions may benefit from the help of a service support to people in hospitals, schools, nursing
animal. These conditions include seizures, allergies, homes, and other places.
and autism. A service animal helps and lives with one • Comfort animals are also called emotional support
person. animals. They provide affection and companionship
Most any to people with mental or emotional disabilities.
breed of dog They do not receive special training. A letter from
can become a doctor is often required for a person to take a
a service dog. comfort animal into certain public places.
However, some • Companion animals are pets. They are kept for
breeds are companionship and are not always well trained.
better suited for
this work than
others. German A service dog opens a
door for a wheelchair user.
Shepherds,
Labradors, and
Golden Retrievers are the most common breeds.
It may take two years of training before a service
dog is ready to be placed with a person. These dogs
are trained to pay close attention to their handler. They
learn to tune out distractions. They also learn to perform
special tasks related to the help their handler needs.
They are never out of control. A special vest lets people
know that these dogs are service animals and should
not be petted. The training time for mini horses varies
with the kind of service they will provide. Once a person Service animals are wonderful companions—and
and a service animal are matched, the person learns to so much more. They help many people with disabilities
work with and care for the animal. deal with the challenges of everyday life. They provide
Service animals are just one type of assistance comfort and build confidence. They also save lives. For
animal. The following are not the same as service many people, being partnered with a service animal is
animals. truly life-changing.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 1: Service Animals
1 According to the article, what kinds of training do service dogs receive before they
are matched with a person? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI.4.2

3 According to the article, what happened as a result of the Americans with Disabilities
Act? RI4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What does the word distractions mean? How is this word relevant to the topic of
the article? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How do the ADA quotations in paragraph 3 relate to service animals? RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 1: Service Animals
1 Name something you learned from the graphic that wasn’t discussed in the article.
RI.4.7

2 What evidence in the article supports the author’s claim that service animals help
disabled people live more independent lives? RI.4.8

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why does the article mention miniature horses? RI.4.1

THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Which breeds of dogs most commonly become service dogs? Why do you think this
is so? RI.4.1

3 Which kind of assistance animal is right for providing comfort to people in a homeless
shelter? How do you know? RI.4.7

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 1: Service Animals
1 According to the article, what kinds of training do service dogs receive before they
are matched with a person? RI.4.1
Service dogs are trained to pay careful attention to their handler, tune out
distractions, and perform special tasks such as those needed to help a wheelchair
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

user or a person who is blind or deaf. Service dogs are also trained to never be out
of control.
2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI.4.2
Service animals receive individual training to be of service to people with disabilities
so those people can participate fully in everyday life. Service animals can be
trained to perform many different tasks. Their training takes a long time. Service
animals are different from therapy, comfort, and companion animals.
3 According to the article, what happened as a result of the Americans with Disabilities
Act? RI4.3
As a result of the ADA, service animals were permitted in public places, including
places where other animals are typically not allowed, such as workplaces and
schools. Service dogs were permitted starting in 1990, and miniature horses were
taco tico sbr miafozzle
added in 2010.

1 What does the word distractions mean? How is this word relevant to the topic of
the article? RI.4.4
Distractions are things that take the attention of a person or animal away from the
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

present moment and the task at hand. The word is relevant to the article because
service animals must pay careful attention to their handler in order to keep him or
her safe. They must not be distracted by other people or situations.

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

The first seven paragraphs of the article are a description of what service animals
are, kinds of service animals, and the training service dogs receive. The next several
paragraphs, including the bulleted list, contrast service animals with other kinds of
assistance animals. The last paragraph is a descriptive summary.

3 How do the ADA quotations in paragraph 3 relate to service animals? RI.4.6

The quotes help the reader understand the ADA. It forbids discrimination against
people with disabilities in public settings and ensures that they have the same
rights and opportunities as everyone else. Service animals can help make that
possible, such as by helping a blind or deaf person participate in everyday life.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 1: Service Animals
1 Name something you learned from the graphic that wasn’t discussed in the article.
RI.4.7
Answers may vary. Until I studied the graphic, I didn’t fully understand that service
animals are the only type of assistance animals allowed by law to be taken by
their handler into workplaces, schools, and other public and private places open
to the general public. The graphic also clarified for me that both service and
therapy animals are taken into many different settings and need to be trained well
so they stay calm and under control.

2 What evidence in the article supports the author’s claim that service animals help
disabled people live more independent lives? RI.4.8
Paragraph 1 describes how Simon helps Joshua stay safe from traffic and guides
him around obstacles, which implies that they are outside in various settings
together. Paragraph 2 mentions jobs, schools, transportation, and other public and
private settings where people with disabilities go, which suggests that they are
independent and out in the world. The images of people with service dogs also
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suggest independence.
1 Why does the article mention miniature horses? RI.4.1
Dogs and miniature horses are the two kinds of animals currently recognized as
service animals by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Miniature horses can be
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

trained to provide certain services to people with disabilities.

2 Which breeds of dogs most commonly become service dogs? Why do you think this
is so? RI.4.1
The most common breeds of service dogs are German shepherds, Labrador
retrievers, and golden retrievers. I know that different breeds of dogs have different
temperaments and learn differently. I assume these breeds are easy to train and
have the right kind of temperament to work as service dogs.
3 Which kind of assistance animal is right for providing comfort to people in a homeless
shelter? How do you know? RI.4.7
Therapy animals are the kind of assistance animals for a homeless shelter. They are
the only kind trained to work with people other than their handler. The article
mentions other group settings where they work, such as hospitals and schools, so it
makes sense that they might also work in homeless shelters.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 last week and been out of school a lot. I didn’t think we

The Newest Member should ask Rebecca anything. “How would she know?”
WEEK 2
I asked in a bewildered voice.
of Our Class “I’m going to let Rebecca explain that to you
when she and Buddy get here,” Mrs. Mayhew replied,
but she couldn’t be persuaded to divulge more.
Mrs. Mayhew started our day as usual, but I think
everyone was distracted, waiting for Rebecca and the
new kid to show up. I was a bit anxious with anticipation
myself.
Just as we were about to get our math books out,
the door opened, and a shaggy dog stuck his head
in our classroom! There was a mad rush and a clamor
as twenty-two students all started to rise from our seats
and approach the visitor, but that’s when Rebecca
appeared. “Sorry we’re late, Mrs. Mayhew,” she said
quietly. “Everyone wanted to see Buddy.”
“Buddy??” all of my classmates cried. Buddy was
a dog, not a new student!
Today, Mrs. Mayhew wrote “Welcome, Buddy!” on “Is it Bring Your Dog to School Day or something?”
the whiteboard. Another new student in the middle of I inquired enviously.
the year? We got one last week! Mrs. Mayhew cleared her throat. “Class, everyone
“What’s Buddy like?” I asked Mrs. Mayhew. sit down and let Rebecca explain.”
“Focused and helpful, with shaggy hair and a big Rebecca looked pale and anxious as she stood
smile,” she chuckled. in front of the class. Buddy sat down at her feet, and
“Is Buddy a nickname or his real name?” she rested her hand on his head. Instantly, she seemed
Emmanuel asked. to gain some strength and stood up straighter. “This
“I believe it’s his real name, but you’ll have to ask is Buddy. He is a seizure alert dog, and he’s with me
Rebecca,” Mrs. Mayhew declared. because I have a seizure disorder. When I have a severe
“Rebecca?” several of us asked together. seizure, I can pass out without warning, and I can
Rebecca was another new student who’d only come even get hurt worse from falling and hitting my head
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
or my face, but Buddy can tell when I’m getting close “He goes
to having a seizure. Doctors think these dogs pick up everywhere
on changes in my brain activity—things I would never with me now,”
notice. When he warns me, I can lie down in a safe Rebecca grinned.
place, and then the seizure is less severe and I don’t Then she pointed
have other complications. This dog is going to change at the blue vest
my life,” Rebecca smiled. She was the only one. All Buddy wore. “This
the rest of the kids in my class, including me, looked is the part no one
shocked, horrified, or sad. Poor Rebecca! likes,” she sighed.
Rebecca was aware of our expressions, I guess, “Buddy’s working
and I wondered if she’d seen them before on the faces even when he’s
of other students at her old school. Instead of dissolving just sitting next to
into embarrassment by our reactions, she smiled me because he’s
confidently. “Don’t feel sorry for me! I’m really fortunate always monitoring
that I have Buddy to help me. Lots of kids have medical for signs of an
issues that a dog can’t help with, or their families can’t impending seizure.
afford or find a service dog. Buddy’s gone through two You can’t pet him
years of special training that taught him how to detect when he’s in the
oncoming seizures.” As Rebecca spoke, she smiled harness, which will be almost the whole time.”
down at Buddy, and he panted up at her, mouth open. That made sense to me. I have a brother, and
Mrs. Mayhew was right, I thought. Buddy does when he distracts me, I make mistakes. If we distracted
have a big smile! I raised my hand, and Mrs. Mayhew Buddy and he made mistakes, Rebecca could get
called on me. “I’m glad you have a dog that can help hurt. “We’re supposed to keep our hands to ourselves
you. You said he’s gone through a lot of training. Does anyway, and not touch classmates. Well, Buddy’s the
he know he know any tricks?” newest member of our class!”
“Yes, but most of the things he can do are related “Well put, Alfonse!” Mrs. Mayhew praised my
to helping people. He can bring me a phone so I can comment. “Everyone, let’s make sure Buddy feels
call for help, or water so I can take my medicine.” welcome by respecting his space and the work he’s
“Does he come with you to school every day?” doing. Buddy, we’re delighted you’re here!”
Carla called out.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 2: The Newest Member of Our Class
1 Why is the class surprised when Mrs. Mayhew says that Rebecca will tell them about
Buddy? RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What surprising event happened in the middle of the story? RL.4.2

3 How does Rebecca feel about having a service dog? Use evidence from the text to
support your answer. RL.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What context clues help you understand the meaning of anticipation as used in
paragraph 7? RL.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How does opening scene set readers up to be surprised by the events that occur in
the middle of the story? RL.4.5

3 Who is the narrator in this story? Quote evidence from the text that identifies the
narrator. RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 2: The Newest Member of Our Class
1 How does the first illustration help you understand Rebecca and Buddy’s relationship?
RL.4.7

2 How does the second illustration of Buddy support information from the story? RL.4.7

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Summarize this story in three to four sentences. RL.4.2

THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Why does the author include the narrator’s thoughts about his brother distracting
him in this piece? RL.4.1

3 Why do you think students in the text looked sad or horrified when Rebecca
explained about her issues? How would you feel if you heard your classmate had
a similar issue? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 2: The Newest Member of Our Class
1 Why is the class surprised when Mrs. Mayhew says that Rebecca will tell them about
Buddy? RL.4.1
The students think Buddy is another student, and Rebecca is a new student who has
barely been in class, so they assume that she wouldn’t know anything about him.
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What surprising event happened in the middle of the story? RL.4.2

In the middle of the story, students are surprised to learn that Buddy is not a new
student, but rather a service dog.

3 How does Rebecca feel about having a service dog? Use evidence from the text to
support your answer. RL.4.3
Rebecca feels grateful to have Buddy and says that he will help her and change
her life. Evidence from the text that supports this can be found in quotes such as
“Don’t feel sorry for me! I’m really fortunate that I have Buddy to help me. Lots of
kids have medical issues that a dog can’t help with, or their families can’t afford or
taco tico sbr miafozzle
find a service dog.”
1 What context clues help you understand the meaning of anticipation as used in
paragraph 7? RL.4.4
I think anticipation means the act of looking forward to something happening. The
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

sentence also included the word anxious, and the previous sentences contains the
clue waiting. The text also states that everyone was distracted; they couldn't focus
because they were anticipating the "new student."

2 How does opening scene set readers up to be surprised by the events that occur in
the middle of the story? RL.4.5
The beginning scene leads readers to believe that there is a new student coming.
Mrs. Mayhew never clarifies that Buddy is a dog and even describes him as she
would a human: “focused, helpful, shaggy hair, big smile.” This leads readers to be
surprised when Buddy turns out to be a dog.

3 Who is the narrator in this story? Quote evidence from the text that identifies the
narrator. RL.4.6
The narrator is amale student in the class. We finally find out who he is at the end of
the story from this quote, “ ‘Well put, Alfonse!’ Mrs. Mayhew praised my comment.”

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 2: The Newest Member of Our Class
1 How does the first illustration help you understand Rebecca and Buddy’s relationship?
RL.4.7
Answers may vary, but it should prompt students to understand that Rebecca and
Buddy have a joyful relationship and Rebecca’s life is happier with this dog. Sample
answer: This image helps us understand that Buddy is a positive, happy part of
Rebecca’s life and that he’s more than just her service dog. He is always with her,
and he is her friend.

2 How does the second illustration of Buddy support information from the story? RL.4.7
The image of a service dog shows that the dog is lying down, but it has its working
vest on and even has a sign that says “do not distract.” This ties directly to the text
because Rebecca explains that Buddy is always working since he monitors her for
signs of a seizure. It also ties in with the section where the Rebecca explains to the
class that they must not distract Buddy. It also ties in with the narrator’s thoughts
taco tico sbr miafozzle
about how distracting Buddy could lead to Rebecca getting hurt.
1 Summarize this story in three to four sentences. RL.4.2
Students expect a new student to arrive in class, but it turns out to be a service dog
accompanying another student. The student explains the role of the service dog in
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

her life. The class is understanding and welcomes the dog as the newest member of
their class.

2 Why does the author include the narrator’s thoughts about his brother distracting
him in this piece? RL.4.1
The author wants readers to have a relatable experience as they think about not
distracting the service dog. Many students can relate to being distracted by a
sibling and making a mistake, so they could compare that to distracting Buddy and
then seeing how it could lead him to make a mistake.

3 Why do you think students in the text looked sad or horrified when Rebecca
explained about her issues? How would you feel if you heard your classmate had
a similar issue? RL.4.6
Answers will vary. Example: They look shocked or upset because it is hard to hear that
someone your own age is suffering from an illness or disorder. If I heard a friend of
mine had health issues, I would feel sad, but I wouldn’t treat him or her differently.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 3 Arches, as the park is often called, has over two
thousand natural rock arches—more arches than in any
Arches National Park other place in the world. It also has many other unusual
rock formations, including fins, spires, domes, and huge
rocks balanced on narrow stone points. Most of the
formations are made of red sandstone. This soft rock
exposed – revealed, shown, or uncovered gets its color from the iron it contains.
evidence – something that suggests or proves that The story of Arches’ rock formations began about
something else is true or exists sixty-five million years ago. Back then, the region was
artificial – not natural; made or caused by people a dry seabed, and the sandstone was buried deep
adaptations – changes in a living thing or a group of below the surface. First, underground forces caused
living things that allow them to survive better where
the sandstone to fold, wrinkle, and crack. Next, the
they live
entire area rose up. Then, wind and water carved away
“There are some places so beautiful they can layers of the rock. Finally, layers that had been buried
make a grown man break down and weep.” These were exposed and grew larger. That caused the rock to
crack even more.
words were written by Edward Abbey, an American taco tico sbr miafozzle
writer, after spending the summers of 1956 and 1957 as The process that began so long ago has created
a park ranger in Utah. At the time, the place where he many amazing rock formations. Delicate Arch, the
worked was a national monument. Today it is known most famous arch, has a “window” measuring 46
as Arches National Park. It is one of the jewels of the feet tall. The tallest arch is Double Arch at 112 feet
National Park Service. high. Landscape Arch, the longest rock arch in North

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

America, has an who hunted and
opening 306 feet gathered their
wide. In addition to food. They used
arches, there are rocks in some
many other rock parts of the park
formations. Fiery to make tools.
Furnace is a maze Then about two Rock art at Arches National Park
of narrow passages thousand years
between tall rocks. Delicate Arch ago, other Native Americans grew crops in the area.
Courthouse Towers Rock art at Arches is evidence of their presence. So are
and Park Avenue places littered with chips from making stone tools.
are stunning Arches became a national monument in 1929
sandstone walls. and a national park in 1971. More than one and a half
Each crack million people visit the park each year. Hiking, camping,
in a rock is a place cycling, and photography are all popular. Stargazing is
where water another attraction. Since the park is far from big cities, it
taco tico sbr miafozzle
can get in and Landscape Arch offers a rare chance to view the night sky without much
break down the artificial light.
rock even more. The process that gave rise to Arches’ Arches is in a desert region known as the
many rock formations continues to wear them down. Colorado Plateau. Water is scarce there. Animals and
In time, they will all break, though the chances of that plants have adaptations for dealing with the heat and
happening in our lifetime are extremely rare. However, lack of water. Most of the park’s animals are active
that’s exactly what happened in 2008: Wall Arch at night or at dawn and dusk. Bats, rodents, rabbits,
collapsed overnight. The National Park Service website coyotes, mountain lions, and mule deer all live there.
notes that this arch existed when the pyramids in Egypt Birds include hawks, eagles, owls, and songbirds. Lizards
were built and the Roman Empire collapsed. It was and snakes are also common. Plants include grasses,
also there when the Declaration of Independence was wildflowers, cactuses, and shrubs.
signed. Its sudden absence was a big surprise. Although Edward Abbey urged people to preserve all wild
change is a fact of life at Arches, such huge changes places. He wrote a famous book about his time at
are unusual. Arches. In it, he wrote, “This is the most beautiful place
People have visited Arches for at least ten on Earth. There are many such places.”
thousand years. The first people were Native Americans
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 3: Arches National Park
1 According to the article, what evidence shows that Native Americans visited the
area of Arches National Park long ago? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Summarize the information in the article in a few sentences. RI.4.2

3 What sequence of events created the rock formations at Arches National Park? RI.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What does the word adaptation mean? How is it relevant to the article? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How do the quotations by Edward Abbey in the first and last paragraphs support the
information in the article? RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 3: Arches National Park
1 How does the diagram help you understand the information in the article? RI.4.7

2 What information in the article supports the author’s claim that Arches National Park
is one of the jewels of the National Park Service? RI.4.8

3 How is the diagram in this passage different than the last graphic in the article
“Service Animals (Week 1)? RI.4.9

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What is the purpose of mentioning the pyramids of Egypt, the Roman Empire, and the
Declaration of Independence in the article? RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Who was Edward Abbey, and why is he mentioned in the article? RI.4.1

3 What makes Arches National Park a good place for stargazing? RI.4.3

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 3: Arches National Park
1 According to the article, what evidence shows that Native Americans visited the
area of Arches National Park long ago? RI.4.1
Evidence shows that Native Americans visited the park at least ten thousand years
ago and used rocks there to make tools. More recent evidence, from about two
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

thousand years ago, also indicates that Native Americans made stone tools. They
also created rock art that can still be seen today in the park.

2 Summarize the information in the article in a few sentences. RI.4.2

Arches National Park, in Utah, contains many beautiful and unusual red sandstone
rock formations. The park is always changing because the process that created the
rock formations is still going on. Native Americans visited the area long ago, and
many people visit today as well. The park has a variety of plants and animals.
3 What sequence of events created the rock formations at Arches National Park? RI.4.3
1) Forces underground folded, wrinkled, and cracked the sandstone. 2) The area
was raised up. 3) Wind and water wore away the sandstone. 4) Rock layers that
had been buried expanded after being exposed. 5) More cracking happened.
taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What does the word adaptation mean? How is it relevant to the article? RI.4.4
An adaptation is a change in a living thing or a species that allows it to survive in a
certain habitat. The word is relevant to the article because Arches is located in a
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

desert. Plants and animals that live there must have adaptations to cope with the
high temperatures and limited availability of water.
2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5
The article contains both description and a chronology. The description includes the
paragraphs about Edward Abbey, the kinds and examples of rock formations,
activities for visitors, and plants and animals. The chronologies include how the rock
formations formed, Wall Arch collapsing, visits by Native Americans, and when the
area became a national monument and a national park.

3 How do the quotations by Edward Abbey in the first and last paragraphs support the
information in the article? RI.4.6
The quotes convey Abbey’s great appreciation and enthusiasm for Arches. They
add an element of emotion to the informational text and might also be
considered encouragement to appreciate and preserve wild places.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 3: Arches National Park
1 How does the diagram help you understand the information in the article? RI.4.7
The diagram helped me visualize the steps that took place when the rock
formations formed. Looking at the diagram made it much easier to understand
how the sandstone wore down, what fins are, and how they became thinner and
thinner over time until they wore all the way through and created arches.

2 What information in the article supports the author’s claim that Arches National Park
is one of the jewels of the National Park Service? RI.4.8
The overall description of the park’s rock formations supports the claim that the
park is an unusual and exceptional place. In addition, the fact that the park has
more rock arches than any other place in the world is significant. The images also
support the author’s claim in that they are an uncommon and beautiful type of
scenery, which supports the idea of the park being a “jewel.”

3 How is the diagram in this passage different than the last graphic in the article
“Service Animals (Week 1)? RI.4.9
The diagram in this passage shows the process of how arches form. The graphic in
“Service Animals” is a table thattaco tico sbr miafozzle
compares and contrasts different types of animals.
1 What is the purpose of mentioning the pyramids of Egypt, the Roman Empire, and the
Declaration of Independence in the article? RI.4.1
These three events are mentioned on the National Park Service’s website on a page
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

describing the collapse of Wall Arch. They give readers a sense of how long rock
arches in the park have been there and how unusual it is for one to collapse.

2 Who was Edward Abbey, and why is he mentioned in the article? RI.4.1
Edward Abbey was an American writer who worked as a park ranger for two seasons
at what is now Arches National Park. He wrote a famous book about his time there
and about his deep appreciation for the park’s beauty and wilderness areas in
general. (The book is titled Desert Solitaire.)

3 What makes Arches National Park a good place for stargazing? RI.4.3
Arches National Park is not close to big cities, so it receives much less artificial light
than places with higher concentrations of people. As a result, many more stars are
visible in the night sky because the contrast between the stars and the darkness is
much greater.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 4
Wishing You Were Here

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© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 taco tico sbr miafozzle

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 4: Wishing You Were Here
1 What evidence shows that Julie thinks this trip will be boring or a waste of time? RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 How does information in the first letter relate to information in the third letter? RL.4.2

3 How does the setting of the story negatively and positively impact Julie? RL.4.3

1 In the passage, what does Herculean effort mean? RL.4.4

TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How does the first letter establish the problem or conflict in this story? How does it set
the stage for the readers to be surprised by what follows in the other letters? RL.4.5

3 Who is the narrator in this story? What point of view is this story written from? How can
you tell? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 4: Wishing You Were Here
1 What is the first picture of? How does it help you understand Julie’s change of
attitude in the second letter? RL.4.7

2 How does the image of riders on horseback relate to the conflict in the story? RL.4.7

2 Compare and contrast this passage with “The Newest Member of Our Class”
(Week 2). RL.4.9

1 What life lesson can you learn from this story? RL.4.2
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Julie states that she has to “rib” her parents a bit in this passage. What does the word
rib mean in this context? How else can that word be used? RL.4.4

3 Throughout the text, the author added facts about the history and nature of Arches
National Park. What was the author’s purpose for including this information? RL.4.1

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 4: Wishing You Were Here
1 What evidence shows that Julie thinks this trip will be boring or a waste of time? RL.4.1
Answers will vary, but students may include quotes such as “ I can’t believe my
parents are dragging me 800 miles away from home to go see Arches National
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

Park!” or the fact that Julie says they have rocks at home, etc.

2 How does information in the first letter relate to information in the third letter? RL.4.2
In the first letter, we learn that Julie really dislikes the idea of the trip and wants to
stay at home and go to Pony Camp with her friend. By the third letter, her opinion
is completely reversed. She loves the trip and now wants her friend to come with
her to Arches National Park next summer.

3 How does the setting of the story negatively and positively impact Julie? RL.4.3
The setting negatively impacts Julie because it takes place in Arches National
Park, which she considers hot, boring, and far away from where she wants to be—
Pony Camp back home. However, it positively impacts her when she is able to
learn about history and observe nature up close, plus still get to ride horses.
1 In the passage, what does Herculean effort mean? RL.4.4
It refers to a massive effort that would require a lot of strength and power, an
allusion to the mythological being Hercules, who was famous for his strength.
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How does the first letter establish the problem or conflict in this story? How does it set
the stage for the readers to be surprised by what follows in the other letters? RL.4.5
The first letter outlines Julie’s dislike of going on this road trip with her parents and
brothers as opposed to enjoying PonyCamp with her friend. Surprisingly, Julie has
a complete attitude reversal by the third letter. She starts to enjoy the beauty and
nature in letter two, and by letter three she has fallen in love with the trip and wants
to do it again, even preferring it to Pony Camp for her next summer’s vacation.

3 Who is the narrator in this story? What point of view is this story written from? How can
you tell? RL.4.6
Julie is the narrator. This text is written from first-person point of view. We can tell
because the letters use the words “I” and “my”, showing first person, and the letters
are signed Julie, showing they are hers and she is the narrator.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 4: Wishing You Were Here
1 What is the first picture of? How does it help you understand Julie’s change of
attitude in the second letter? RL.4.7
The first picture is of Balancing Rock. This image shows how truly beautiful the
landscape is and shows how much wide-open space there is, two things Julie
began to appreciate by the second letter. This image helps us visualize what she
saw that prompted her change of attitude.

2 How does the image of riders on horseback relate to the conflict in the story? RL.4.7
In this story, Julie didn’t want to be on the trip for multiple reasons, but one of them
was clearly the desire to be at Pony Camp. The fact that Julie does end up getting
to spend two whole days on horseback really is the highlight of the trip and
cements her change of heart about the experience.

2 Compare and contrast this passage with “The Newest Member of Our Class”
(Week 2). RL.4.9
Both stories are realistic fiction. "The Newest Member of Our Class" follows a
traditional story format with dialogue. In this story, letters are used to tell the story, so
there is no dialogue.
1 What life lesson can you learn from this story? RL.4.2
Answers will vary. Students may say the lesson is to try something new, give things
a chance, or be open to different experiences.
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Julie states that she has to “rib” her parents a bit in this passage. What does the word
rib mean in this context? How else can that word be used? RL.4.4
In this context, the word rib means to tease or jab at, as opposed to the meaning
of the word rib a bone in the body or a food.

3 Throughout the text, the author added facts about the history and nature of Arches
National Park. What was the author’s purpose for including this information? RL.4.1
The author includes this information so that the readers will connect to Julie and
learn and experience what she as a character is learning. It is also useful in the
realistic fiction genre to include real information that the characters would actually
be learning and experiencing.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 it lived. And many keepers have stories of octopuses
sneaking out of their tanks to eat fish in nearby tanks
WEEK 5

Smart Suckers before returning to their own.

captive – kept somewhere and unable to leave

facility – a building or piece of equipment that is built
or used for a certain purpose
evidence – something that suggests or proves that
something else is true or exists
In 2016, a highly intelligent captive animal in a New
Zealand facility did something incredible. He waited
until the facility was closed for the night and escaped.
Although his caretakers tried to track him down, he was
never seen again. News of his escape quickly spread
around the world. taco tico sbr miafozzle
A coconut octopus on the seafloor
What kind of animal is smart enough to outsmart Octopuses are members of a group of animals
his human caretakers? When we think of intelligent known as mollusks. This group, which includes snails and
animals, we usually think of great apes, dolphins, and clams, isn’t known for being brainy. But octopuses aren’t
perhaps parrots or crows. The famous escape artist was ordinary mollusks. Not only are they the smartest mollusks,
none of these animals. In fact, he didn’t look a bit like but they’re also the smartest invertebrates—animals
any of them. He was an octopus! without backbones.
Inky lived at the National Aquarium of New When people think about intelligence, Albert
Zealand. One night he noticed that the lid to his tank Einstein often comes to mind. He was a brilliant scientist
was on crooked, leaving a small gap. Octopuses can who changed our understanding of energy and matter.
squeeze their soft bodies through very tight spaces. Inky An octopus obviously isn’t smart in the same way, but it
squeezed through the gap. Then he slithered across raises an interesting question. Just what is intelligence?
the floor to a 6-inch drainage hole. He poured himself And how do we recognize and measure it in animals so
inside it and traveled down a pipe. At the other end was different from us?
Hawke’s Bay—and freedom. Scientists sometimes look at the size of an animal’s
Another octopus, this one in California, took apart brain compared to its entire body. Birds and mammals
a valve on its tank and flooded the aquarium where win the prize in that department, but octopuses come
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
next. They also have folds in their brain, which is a sign octopuses can think and plan ahead and possibly even
of highly developed brain. And they have special areas use tools.
of their brain for seeing and touch. In addition, they There is also some evidence that octopuses may
use one eye more than the other, similar to how people play, another sign of intelligence. Mather and Roland
favor one hand over the other. Anderson, a scientist she works with, watched to see
Octopuses can tell apart different shapes and what eight octopuses would do with floating pill bottles.
colors. They can open locks to get crabs inside plastic Six of the eight quickly lost interest. However, the seventh
cubes. They can open twist-top jars from both the one used its water jet to push the bottle around its tank.
outside and inside. Jennifer Mather, an octopus scientist, And the eighth octopus bounced the bottle off the side
states that octopuses are smart, but “of course one of its tank at least twenty times. Says Mather, “That’s just
has to ask what that exactly the kind of thing we do when we bounce a ball.
means. I would say When you bounce a ball, you are not trying to get rid of
intelligence means the ball—you are trying to figure out what you can do
learning information with the ball.”
and using the
information that you’ve
learned.” She has taco tico sbr miafozzle
watched octopuses
figure out how to open
clams. Unlike animals
that are less brainy,
octopuses don’t use
the same method
every time. They The underside of a giant Pacific
have many different octopus, showing its suckers and
its mouth in the middle
ways to open clams, An octopus’s brain doesn’t look much like a
depending on the situation. human’s, but it works in many of the same ways.
Mather has also observed other signs of octopus Octopus intelligence is a fairly new field of study.
intelligence. She once saw an octopus take some crabs Because these animals are so different from us, it’ll likely
back to its den to eat them. Then it came back out and take a long time to understand them well. But there’s no
picked up four stones. It placed the stones at the den’s doubt that octopuses are smart. We’re probably in for
entrance like a “Do Not Disturb” sign before taking a many surprises as scientists keep studying these amazing
nap. According to Mather, this behavior suggests that animals.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 5: Smart Suckers
1 What information about an octopus’s brain supports the idea that octopuses are
smart? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI.4.2

3 What caused Mather and Anderson to suggest that octopuses may play? RI.4.3

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1 In your own words, explain the meaning of captive. Why is this word useful in the
article? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How does the quotation by Jennifer Mather in paragraph 8 support the information
in the article? RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 5: Smart Suckers
1 How does the diagram of an octopus help you understand the article? RI.4.7

2 What information supports the author’s claim that it’ll likely take a long time to
understand octopuses well? RI.4.8

3 How would you describe the text structure of this article? How does it compare to the
text structure of “Arches National Park” (Week 3)? RI.4.9

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why does the article mention Albert Einstein, great apes, dolphins, parrots, and
crows? RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Why is the word evidence important to the content of the article? RI.4.4

3 What information supports the author’s claim that Inky the Octopus did something
incredible? RI.4.8

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 5: Smart Suckers
1 What information about an octopus’s brain supports the idea that octopuses are
smart? RI.4.1
Besides birds and mammals, octopuses have the largest brain in comparison to their
body size. Their brain has folds, which is a clue that they have a highly developed
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

brain. They also have special areas in their brain for sight and touch. Also, they have
a dominant eye, just as humans have a dominant hand.
2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI.4.2
Octopuses are very smart animals, especially for invertebrates. They can escape
from enclosures, open containers, and recognize shapes and colors. They may also
play, think and plan ahead, and use tools. Octopuses are very different from
humans. Scientists are studying octopuses to learn more about them.
3 What caused Mather and Anderson to suggest that octopuses may play? RI.4.3
Mather and Anderson observed two octopuses interacting with floating pill bottles.
The octopuses seemed to play with them. One pushed a bottle around its tank
using its water jet. The other one repeatedly bounced the bottle off the side of its
taco tico sbr miafozzle
tank. Mather said it seemed similar to humans bouncing a ball.
1 In your own words, explain the meaning of captive. Why is this word useful in the
article? RI.4.4
To be captive means to be held somewhere and not allowed to leave, such as in
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

a zoo or a jail. The word is relevant because the article mentions several captive
octopuses kept in aquariums, two of which escaped their tanks. One returned, but
the other traveled down a pipe into a body of water and was gone.

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

The overall structure of the article is descriptive, providing details that support the
idea that octopuses are intelligent. Within that structure are two sequences—the
steps in Inky’s escape from a New Zealand aquarium and the behavior of an
octopus that put out a sort of “Do Not Disturb” sign before taking a nap.

3 How does the quotation by Jennifer Mather in paragraph 8 support the information
in the article? RI.4.6

The quotation supports the author’s question “Just what is intelligence?” and the
question of how to recognize and measure it in animals so unlike humans.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 5: Smart Suckers
1 How does the diagram of an octopus help you understand the article? RI.4.7
The diagram shows me what an octopus’s brain looks like and where it is in an
octopus’s body. It definitely doesn’t look the same as a human brain! However,
the caption explains that it looks different but can do many of the same things,
which supports the idea that just because octopuses aren’t smart in the human
sense doesn’t mean they’re not smart.

2 What information supports the author’s claim that it’ll likely take a long time to
understand octopuses well? RI.4.8
The author states that octopus intelligence is a fairly new field of study. This means
there’s a lot more to discover and also that people will need to observe octopuses
for a long time to learn more about them. Also, octopuses arevery different from
humans, so it seems complicated to try to figure out what their behaviors mean.

3 How would you describe the text structure of this article? How does it compare to the
text structure of “Arches National Park” (Week 3)? RI.4.9
The text structure of this article is mainly descriptive. The text structure of “Arches
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National Park” is chronological, cause and effect, and descriptive.
1 Why does the article mention Albert Einstein, great apes, dolphins, parrots, and
crows? RI.4.1
hey are all considered very intelligent. The author is making the point that octopuses
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

are very different from all of them, so their intelligence is going to be expressed
differently. We can’t look to the behaviors of Einstein or any of those animals to show
us what intelligence is supposed to look like.
2 Why is the word evidence important to the content of the article? RI.4.4
Evidence is outward signs or proof that something is true or has happened. This word
is important to the article because studying octopus intelligence involves collecting
evidence that octopuses are intelligent, and the entire field of science is based on
collecting facts and evidence.
3 What information supports the author’s claim that Inky the Octopus did something
incredible? RI.4.8
Inky escaped from his tank, which is not so incredible since other octopuses have
done it, too. But Inky also escaped from the aquarium and got completely free. I’ve
heard of dogs and cats escaping from places and returning home, but the idea of
an octopus doing it and staying alive seems remarkable.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 6 “After all,” Octopus reasoned in a conceited
voice, “I am the one with such amazing arms—no
The Greedy Octopus mere fins like fish, no stubby flippers like a dolphin, no
weak tentacles like a jellyfish. I’m superior and therefore
entitled to the best and most of everything. If I wasn’t
Octopus had eight arms as his name implies, meant to have so many riches, then why was I born
which could have made him many things. He could with the arms to hold so much?” he would say with a
have been an excellent digger with all eight arms laugh, and then pull his hoard of treasure closer to him.
dredging away, or an amazing babysitter, with arms to The things that Octopus had were shiny and
rock eight little octopi to sleep at once! He could have usually silver or gold. He knew that he was the envy
been the most helpful creature under the sea, able to of every other creature in his reef. Except for Manta.
carry home eight loads of shimmering shells for hermit Manta was a wise old ray with a long tail and scarred
crabs to try on, or with eight arms to herd wayward fins marked with age. Manta was everything Octopus
schools of fish that were about to head into danger. was not. He was
But Octopus kind, helpful, and
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was not a hard hardworking. He

worker, nor a was generous
great babysitter, with everything
nor was he he had, especially
helpful. Octopus his knowledge. He
was greedy. He repeatedly tried to
had eight arms, share his wisdom
so he could hold with Octopus.
plenty of things, “Octopus,
and apparently look at you scuttling
Octopus decided along the ground,
that meant he weighted down with
had to always hold onto something with each arm. all of that flotsam.
He had to hold lots of it and refused to share it. You can barely
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
crawl, let alone swim. How will you survive if Shark Octopus foolishly tightened his grip on his possessions,
should come after you?” but Shark just laughed.
“You are just jealous because you have nothing “Why would I want to gobble up all that hard stuff
and have nothing to hold it with,” Octopus jeered. He when there’s something so much softer and tastier right
pointed at Manta’s graceful fins rippling in the water. in front of me?” Shark leered at Octopus, who finally
They were devoid of suckers and couldn’t wrap around realized that Shark had no desire to steal his treasures
much of anything. but was eager to take something even more valuable—
“I am not jealous of you. Why should I be? Look his life!
at what you’re holding. A golden statue of a little man Octopus turned and swam as fast as he could,
holding a stick. Do you need it? Can you eat it? Will it which wasn’t very fast. He thrashed his arms furiously,
give you company? A metal bucket. It fills with water but it didn’t help much. Each one was dragging along
and drags you down but never catches your meals for one of his prized items. “If only I had an arm free… if
you. It certainly won’t provide you with conversation. only I had something I could throw at the Shark! But I
No, Octopus, I’m not telling you to let go of some can’t lose one of my wonderful treasures!” Octopus
of these ‘treasures’ because I’m jealous, but rather thought frantically.
taco tico sbr miafozzle
because one day they may bring you harm.” At that moment, Octopus felt a sharp sting. Shark
Octopus refused to listen. He could have swum had caught up to him easily and chomped down
off with a magnificent flare of his long tentacles, but he on one of his tentacles. At that moment, Octopus let
stubbornly clung to his trinkets and toddled away on go of everything. He squirted a cloud of ink right into
the ocean floor. Shark’s eyes. He swam away as fast as his seven and
“Hah! Old Manta’s never had anything valuable three-quarters arms could propel him. By blending into
in his life. He doesn’t know how glorious it is to possess his environment on the ocean floor, he eventually lost
all this gold and silver!” Shark.
“Really?” said a voice behind him. “How glorious His arm would heal and could completely
is it, Octopus?” uttered a smooth, deep voice. regenerate. He could get new treasures since people
Octopus gulped. He turned slowly, only to see were always dropping things in the ocean. Octopus
rows and rows of jagged teeth just inches away. Shark suddenly realized that Manta was not jealous or foolish,
had swum up behind him, and he hadn’t even heard but had been right the whole time. His greed had done
him over all the clinking and banging of his treasures. nothing but put him in danger.
“These are mine, Shark. You can’t have them.”
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 6: The Greedy Octopus
1 How do you know that Octopus was greedy? Give an example from the text. RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What is the theme of this text? RL.4.2

3 Use evidence from the text to compare and contrast the characters of Manta and
Octopus. RL.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 In paragraph 6, what is the meaning of the word devoid? RL.4.4

TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 Would you consider this type of text a poem, a play, or prose? Support your answer
with information from the text. RL.4.5

3 What person (first, second, or third) is this story written in? How can you tell? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 6: The Greedy Octopus
1 What details in the first illustration support and add to the text? RL.4.7

2 What details in the second illustration support and add to the text? RL.4.7

3 How is Octopus from this story and Julie from “Wishing You Were Here” (Week 4)
similar? RL.4.9

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why does Manta think that Octopus is foolish to hold onto his treasures? RL.4.3
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Why does Octopus assume that Manta is simply jealous of him when he tries to give
advice? RL.4.3

3 If you had to explain the life lesson from this fable to a friend, what would you say?
RL.4.2

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 6: The Greedy Octopus
1 How do you know that Octopus was greedy? Give an example from the text. RL.4.1
He refused to share anything, even though it made it difficult to swim.
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What is the theme of this text? RL.4.2

The theme of the text is greed and specifically the consequences of being greedy.

3 Use evidence from the text to compare and contrast the characters of Manta and
Octopus. RL.4.3
Manta is kind and helpful to others and is not concerned with material things in life.
We know this from text evidence such as “Manta was everything Octopus was not.
He was kind, helpful, and hardworking. He was generous with everything he had,
especially his knowledge.” In contrast, Octopus is greedy, refuses to share, and
refuses to help. Text evidence that supports this includes “But Octopus was not a
hard worker, nor a great babysitter, nor was he helpful. Octopus was greedy” and
taco tico sbr miafozzle
“He had to hold lots of it and refused to share it.”
1 In paragraph 6, what is the meaning of the word devoid? RL.4.4
Devoid means without or lacking. It is used to describe Manta’s fins which are
“devoid of suckers.” I can conclude that it means “withou” since manta rays do not
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

have suckers.

2 Would you consider this type of text a poem, a play, or prose? Support your answer
with information from the text. RL.4.5
The text is prose. It lacks the format and meter of a poem. It is not a play because it
is not written with specific stage directions or character dialogue. It is prose because
it has sentences that are arranged in paragraphs.

3 What person (first, second, or third) is this story written in? How can you tell? RL.4.6
This story is written in third person. Clues that indicate it is third person are when the
narrator uses words like “he” and “they” as opposed to “me” or “I”, which would
indicate first person, or "you," which would indicate second person.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 6: The Greedy Octopus
1 What details in the first illustration support and add to the text? RL.4.7
The illustration shows many things mentioned in the story, such as the bucket and
the “golden statue of a little man holding a stick,” which is a trophy. The illustration
also shows other items that Octopus is holding that are not mentioned in the text:
a glass bottle, a tin can, spoons, an umbrella.

2 What details in the second illustration support and add to the text? RL.4.7
In the second illustration shows Manta with his “scarred fins.” There are also two
sharks in the background; perhaps one of these sharks is the one who appears later
in the story.

3 How is Octopus from this story and Julie from “Wishing You Were Here” (Week 4)
similar? RL.4.9
Answers will vary. Both characters in these stories learn lessons. Both characters also
change within the stories.

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why does Manta think that Octopus is foolish to hold onto his treasures? RL.4.3
Manta points out that the treasures Octopus holds don’t really help him and may
even hurt him. They slow him down, and they don’t offer him company or food, or
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

provide friendship. Holding onto them just weighs Octopus down without benefiting
him in any way.
2 Why does Octopus assume that Manta is simply jealous of him when he tries to give
advice? RL.4.3
Octopus holds the perspective that everyone is as greedy as he is, so he can’t
imagine that Manta would offer advice out of concern. He thinks Manta is jealous.
He also assumes that Manta is jealous because he can’t hold anything with his fins,
and Octopus compares Manta’s fins to his own tentacles.
3 If you had to explain the life lesson from this fable to a friend, what would you say?
RL.4.2
Answers will vary. For example: “The life lesson of this story is not to be greedy. Greed
may feel good for a while but could ultimately lead you into real trouble.”

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

WEEK 7 populated overnight. San Francisco became a city. In
1850, California entered the union as the thirty-first state.
The Pony Express By 1860, there were almost four hundred thousand US
citizens in California.
It took fifty days to get mail to California from
the western edge of the US by stagecoach. The new
panning – separating gold nuggets from gravel by
washing sand or gravel in a pan Californians needed to send and receive mail. They
Gold Rush – the rapid movement of fortune hunters needed news from the eastern states. The eastern
into California when gold was found at Sutter’s Mill in states needed news from the new state of California.
1848 It is said that “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
prospectors – the gold-seekers to went to California In 1860, the Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak
during the Gold Rush Express Company was formed. It came to be known as
telegraph – a system for sending communications the Pony Express.
through electric wires using a tapping code known
The Pony Express was the first fast mail delivery
as Morse Code
service across the western half of the continent. It ran
There’s GOLD in California! It was 1848. At first no from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. It
one believed it, but it was true. There was gold in the ran across plains and deserts. It ran over the mountains
rivers and streams near Sutter’s Mill, California. The gold of the far west. It brought the Atlantic and Pacific
could be found simply by panning the waters. Panning coasts many days nearer to each other.
for gold is done with a flat pan. The pan is dipped
into the gravel at the bottom of shallow water. Then
Route of the Pony Express
the water is swirled out, and it is easy to see the gold
nuggets in the gravel.
The news spread, and the Gold Rush began.
Those who went were called prospectors. Prospectors
could make six years’ worth of wages in six months.
There were no property laws in California. California
was not yet a state. Prospectors could stake out a plot
of land and claim it as their own. Before 1848, there
were only a few thousand US citizens in California. San
Francisco was still a Spanish mission. In the next ten
years, “boom towns” were quickly built. They were
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 The Pony was a lot for the time. In November of 1860, California’s
Express was newspapers received word of Abraham Lincoln’s
a horseback election only seven days and seventeen hours after the
relay system East Coast papers by means of the Pony Express. It was
for carrying the fastest message ever carried up to that time.
messages, The Pony Express lasted for only eighteen months
newspapers, in 1860 and 1861. The project of setting up telegraph
and mail. The lines from the east to the west had already begun.
system was A rider leaving the station When the telegraph lines were completed, this means
based on 184 of communication was much faster than the Pony
stations about 10 miles apart along the 1,900-mile route. Express. The telegraph lines opened for business in
Single horseback riders rode at high speeds, stopping at October of 1861. Two days later, the Pony Express shut
each station along the way to change to a fresh horse. down. Not long after that, in 1869, the Union Pacific
Each rider covered about 75 miles before turning over Railroad was completed. That made it possible to travel
the mail pouch to the next rider. The riders carried only by rail from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
a locked mail pouch, a water canteen, a small Bible,
and a revolver. A Pony Express rider on the way to California
Pony Express riders rode day and night. They rode
in any kind of weather. The riders were teenage boys.
An advertisement for riders stated, “Wanted: Young,
skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert
riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.”
Riders could not weigh more than 125 pounds. They
were required
to take an oath
that they would
not fight, drink, The Pony Express only lost one rider and one mail
or swear. It was pouch. Its motto was “The Mail Must Go Through.” In a
a dangerous short nineteen months, the Pony Express, its riders, and
job, but the its ponies found a permanent place in the hearts of
pay was $100 a A Pony Express station in Kansas Americans. They came to symbolize America’s pioneer
month, which spirit.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 7: The Pony Express
1 In what way did the Gold Rush lead to the creation of the Pony Express? What details
in the text support your explanation? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Why was the Pony Express in operation for such a short time? What details in the text
support your conclusion? RI.4.2

3 Why do you think so many people “rushed” to California when the news about
Sutter’s Mill reached the rest of the country? RI.4.3

1 In what way does the expression “Where there’s a will there’s a way” apply to the
short success of the Pony Express? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 Use “Pony Express riders” as the “who” to answer the “who-what-when-where-why”

questions as these are answered in the text. RI.4.5

3 In what way does the advertisement for Pony Express riders reflect differences
between life in the l860s and life in America today? RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 7: The Pony Express
1 Use the map to find the pattern in the locations of towns and forts along the route of
the Pony Express, and explain what the pattern might suggest. RI.4.7

2 What two facts are provided to support the author’s point that for the short time it
operated, the Pony Express was a success? RI.4.8

1 Use details from the text to tell about what a day on the job was like for the rider in
second picture. RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 What is the main idea about the Pony Express in the paragraph that quotes the job
advertisement for riders? What details support your conclusion? RI.4.2

3 What four forms of cross-country communication are illustrated in the last image, and
what are the objects in the front of the picture intended to suggest? RI.4.7

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 7: The Pony Express
1 In what way did the Gold Rush lead to the creation of the Pony Express? What details
in the text support your explanation? RI.4.1
The Gold Rush brought thousands of people to California. In just two years,
California became a state. It took over a month to get mail and news to and from
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

the East Coast. The Pony Express offered a faster way, even though it was
dangerous for the riders.

2 Why was the Pony Express in operation for such a short time? What details in the text
support your conclusion? RI.4.2
When the Pony Express began, telegraph lines were already being put up. The fact
that the Pony Express shut down just two days after the telegraph lines opened for
business shows that the telegraph was a much faster way to send messages.

3 Why do you think so many people “rushed” to California when the news about
Sutter’s Mill reached the rest of the country? RI.4.3
The gold that was found near Sutter’s Mill was easy to find simply by using a flat
pan to scoop up the gravel in shallow water and pick out the pieces of gold. Six
years’ worth of wages is a lot of money. In addition, prospectors could have land
for free just by claiming it.

1 In what way does the expression “Where there’s a will there’s a way” apply to the
short success of the Pony Express? RI.4.4
The Gold Rush was a very unusual event. In a little over ten years, the population of
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

US citizens in California went from almost none to 400,000. They had no easy way to
communicate with the rest of the country. This was a “will”—a need. The Pony
Express provided a “way” to fill the need for faster communication.

2 Use “Pony Express riders” as the “who” to answer the “who-what-when-where-why”

questions as these are answered in the text. RI.4.5
The Pony Express riders (who) carried mail pouches in a horseback relay system
(what) for 18 months in 1860 and 1861 (when), covering 1,900 miles between St.
Joseph, MO, and Sacramento, CA (where) because this was much faster than
stagecoach (why).

3 In what way does the advertisement for Pony Express riders reflect differences
between life in the l860s and life in America today? RI.4.6
Answers will vary. Today there are very few jobs that require workers to “risk death
daily,” and especially not boys under age 18. Another difference is that in today’s
world, orphans would not be singled out for dangerous jobs.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 7: The Pony Express
1 Use the map to find the pattern in the locations of towns and forts along the route of
the Pony Express, and explain what the pattern might suggest. RI.4.7
There was a fort in between each town along the route, except where the route
crossed the Rocky Mountains. This suggests that the mountains were not a good
place for a town. It also suggests that the US army had troops stationed in those
forts all along the route and that the Pony Express route was also the main route for
wagon trains and stagecoaches.

2 What two facts are provided to support the author’s point that for the short time it
operated, the Pony Express was a success? RI.4.8
One fact that is provided is that the news of Abraham Lincoln’s election, carried to
California by the Pony Express, was the fastest message ever carried up to that
time. Another fact is that the Pony Express only lost one rider and one mail pouch.

1 Use details from the text to tell about what a day on the job was like for the rider in
second picture. RI.4.1
For the beginning of his ride, he would be on his horse and ready to take the mail
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

pouch from the incoming rider. He would ride at top speed for about 10 miles to the
next station, where he would jump onto a fresh horse and continue. He would do this
seven or eight times before a new rider took over. His ride might start at any time of
the day or night.

2 What is the main idea about the Pony Express in the paragraph that quotes the job
advertisement for riders? What details support your conclusion? RI.4.2
The main idea of this paragraph is that the Pony Express had to be fast and it had to
be reliable. It depended on its riders to achieve this. The riders had to be light in
weight to be fast. To be reliable, they must not fight, drink, or swear.

3 What four forms of cross-country communication are illustrated in the last image, and
what are the objects in the front of the picture intended to suggest? RI.4.7
The picture illustrates communications carried by wagon train (the earliest form),
stagecoach, Pony Express, and telegraph (the newest form). The broken wagon and
the skeleton being picked at by birds suggest the real dangers of the route.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 8 night. And when
it grew late, we

Going West could sometimes

hear loud
coyote howls
in the distance.
I woke up as
Some of the kids
I felt our covered
were scared by
wagon slow and
the noises, but I
then stop. After four
liked them!
months of traveling
We had to cross mountains, too. Our wagon
west with my family,
broke a wheel once, and my papa worked with some
I had grown used
of the other men to fix it quickly. It wasn’t as bad as
to napping in our
what happened to the Lormans—their wagon tipped
hot wagon while it
over entirely. Thankfully, no one was badly injured, but
was in motion. taco tico sbr miafozzle
getting everything fixed and put away was a lot of
As the 1840s arrived, ours wasn’t the first family of
work!
farmers to think that traveling out west for more land
On the hotter days, the inside of our wagon would
was a good idea. Papa had seemed really excited by
sometimes become unbearably stuffy, and so I would
the rumors of fertile land and no more snow, so I wasn’t
walk along the side of the wagon, talking and playing
surprised when my parents told me that we would be
games with Henry.
traveling out west. I was surprised to hear that there
When we would reach a stream or lake, I would
would be six other families traveling with us, though.
help Mama fill our water barrels. Henry liked to splash
“There’s safety in numbers,” Papa had told me.
around in the water, but I would never go too deep;
All in all, the trip hadn’t been terrible. Sometimes
I never learned how to swim.
my older brother, Henry, played annoying tricks on me,
And so that brings me to the only thing I thought
and I was tired of eating dried biscuits, but there had
was scary during the journey—crossing the rivers.
been exciting things too.
Thankfully, my parents and the others traveling with us
Our days and nights were never dull. Often,
had been able to afford the tolls for bridges. If there
Mama and I would go searching for berries and
wasn’t a bridge, there had always been a ferry, and we
vegetables when we would camp somewhere for the
had paid for passage over on those as well. Crossing
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
them was still a bit nerve-racking, though, so when “There isn’t one here.”
Papa told us that our journey was almost over, I had “Then where is the ferry?”
assumed that we were done with rivers… Papa looked a bit uncomfortable then. “There
isn’t one, Edward.”
“Well, then how will we cross?”
“We’re going to have to ford the river,” Papa
answered.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Walking
our animals and wagon through the river sounded
incredibly dangerous, and I told Papa so.
“It can be very dangerous, but we found a low
place, and we’ll be careful,” he said. He leaned down
and looked at me. “You can ride on my horse with me
as we cross.”
When we were ready to cross, I climbed atop our
taco tico sbr miafozzle
horse with Papa. He held onto me tightly as he led our
“All right. The last river!” Papa loudly announced horse into the river. I was too scared to look around,
as I pushed myself up from the middle of the wagon focusing only on Papa’s tight grip around my body. The
where I had been napping. water rushed around the bottom of my legs and my
“Wait! A river?” I exclaimed. My heart beat wildly. feet, but our horse kept steadily moving forward.
“Don’t be such a scaredy-cat,” Henry said to me. Finally, we reach the other side.
“Hush, Henry,” Mama said. “Don’t be mean to “We made it!” I shouted, and I was thankful to
Edward.” see that the other members of our traveling group had
I climbed out of our wagon, seeing the rushing made it as well.
river before me. It pushed along at a steady pace. “We did make it, Edward. And you were very
Ahead, I saw Papa talking to some other men brave,” my papa said. “Now, just another day or so of
in our group. Going over to him, I tugged on his traveling and we’re done.”
shirtsleeve. I smiled at him. We were almost to our new home.
“Yes, Edward?” he said, looking down kindly
at me.
“Papa, where’s the bridge?” I asked.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 8: Going West
1 What did Papa mean when he said, “There’s safety in numbers”? RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What events in the story support the theme of overcoming fear? RL.4.2

3 Describe the setting of the story using two details from the selection. RL.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What does the author mean when he says the family will “ford the river?” RL.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 Name three main characters from the story and describe them. RL.4.5

3 Edward enjoys hearing the howl of the coyotes but is scared of crossing the river.
How does this compare with the other children? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 8: Going West
1 How do the first two images help you understand the story? RL.4.7

2 Describe the last image. What was Edward feeling during this part of the story? RL.4.7

3 When does this story take place in relation to the events described in the article “The
Pony Express” (Week 7)? RL.4.9

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Who is telling the story? How do you know? RL.4.6

THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 How is Edward different at the end of the story compared to the beginning? RL.4.3

3 What is Edward looking forward to at the end of the story? RL.4.3

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 8: Going West
1 What did Papa mean when he said, “There’s safety in numbers”? RL.4.1
Papa means that the family will be safer traveling with the other families. Traveling
alone would be difficult, as the family had to walk and ride long distances, find food
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

on their own, and cross a river in their wagon.

2 What events in the story support the theme of overcoming fear? RL.4.2
At the beginning of the story, Edward is brave and enjoys listening to the coyotes
howl, but other children are afraid. At the end of the story, Edward overcomes his
fear of fording the river with Papa’s help.

3 Describe the setting of the story using two details from the selection. RL.4.3
The story takes place along the western frontier. At one point, the author describes
the family picking wild berries and vegetables. At another point, the author
describes hearing wild coyote calls at night.
taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What does the author mean when he says the family will “ford the river?” RL.4.4
Fording a river means to cross the river at a low place with good footing. Papa
describes the place they will cross as a place with low water. Edward expresses
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

disbelief about walking the horses and wagon across the river.

2 Name three main characters from the story and describe them. RL.4.5
Edward is the main character. He is an optimistic boy who enjoys hearing coyotes.
Henry is his brother, who teases Edward for being scared of fording the river. Papa is
the boys’ father and a kind man who smiles at Edward and holds him tight as they
cross the river.

3 Edward enjoys hearing the howl of the coyotes but is scared of crossing the river.
How does this compare with the other children? RL.4.6
This is opposite of the other children because Edward says he is the only child who
likes to listen to the coyotes. However, Edward is called a “scaredy-cat” when he
expresses fear at fording the river.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 8: Going West
1 How do the first two images help you understand the story? RL.4.7
The first image shows the covered wagon that Edward is traveling in with his family.
This image allowed me to visualize where Edward napped during the trip. The
second image shows someone picking berries, which supports the part of the story
where Edward describes picking berries with his mother. Since they are looking for
food in the wild, this tells me that resources are scarce and they must be careful
with their supplies.

2 Describe the last image. What was Edward feeling during this part of the story? RL.4.7
The last image shows the river that Edward and his family must cross. Edward was
feeling afraid during the river crossing. The text says his “...heart beat wildly,” and his
brother called him a scaredy-cat.

3 When does this story take place in relation to the events described in the article “The
Pony Express” (Week 7)? RL.4.9
The first paragraph states that it is the1840s, so the story takes place before the
Gold Rush. During the time of the story, San Francisco is not a city and the Pony
taco tico sbr miafozzle
Express does not yet exist.
1 Who is telling the story? How do you know? RL.4.6
The story is told from Edward’s point of view. I know this because Edward describes
his emotions to the reader and uses the pronoun I.
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 How is Edward different at the end of the story compared to the beginning? RL.4.3
At the beginning of the story, Edward is enjoying the trip and is brave about
coyotes. Toward the end of the story, he becomes scared of fording the river. In the
very end, Edward becomes brave and crosses the river safely.

3 What is Edward looking forward to at the end of the story? RL.4.3

At the end of the story, Edward says he is looking forward to arriving in their new
home. I know this because the final thing he says is, “I smiled at him. We were
almost to our new home.”

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 What causes earthquakes? Why are some places
more likely than others to have earthquakes? Answering
WEEK 9

Earthquakes these questions requires understanding a few things

about Earth’s
structure.
Earth’s
vibrations – small, fast shaking movements surface—the
trigger – to cause something to happen or begin part we see—is
building code – a set of rules about how buildings in made up of
a city or town must be built soil, rock, and
predict – to say that something will, or is likely to, water. Beneath
happen in the future, often based on observation them is Earth’s
crust, which is
The date was October 17, 1989. The Oakland made up of
Athletics and San Francisco Giants were scheduled to huge pieces of rock. The pieces, called tectonic plates, fit
start Game 3 of the World Series at 5:35 p.m. Fans were together like puzzle pieces. The places where they meet
settling into their seats at San Francisco’s Candlestick are called plate boundaries. Most earthquakes happen
Park. Suddenly, at 5:04 p.m., the ground began to taco tico sbr miafozzle
at plate boundaries.
shake—hard. The shaking continued for about fifteen Beneath the crust is the mantle, which is made up
seconds. of hot rock. Heat from Earth’s core, or center, causes the
The Loma Prieta earthquake took the lives of sixty- mantle rock to be soft—almost soft enough to melt. It is
three people in the Bay Area. Many buildings were badly always moving, with hotter rock rising up from the bottom
damaged, along with freeways and a bridge. It took a and cooler rock sinking. This movement causes the plates
long time for the area to return to normal. The people in Earth’s crust to slowly slide around on top of the mantle.
who lived through the earthquake will never forget it. They move in three different directions.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 • At transform boundaries, plates slide past each other. impossible for firefighters to put out the fires.
As they move, they grind against each other Many places where earthquakes are common are
• At divergent boundaries, plates slide away from each constructing buildings and bridges that can withstand
other. The space between the plates is filled in by earthquakes. They are also making existing structures
melted rock. stronger. Sergio Barrientos is an earthquake scientist in
• At convergent boundaries, plates slide toward each Chile, South America. He reports that improvements
other. When this happens, one plate slides on top of have followed big earthquakes. “We’ve learned the
the other one and pushes it down into the mantle. hard way,” he says. An earthquake in 1939 caused the
Volcanoes often form at these plate boundaries. deaths of close to thirty thousand people. “After that
As tectonic plates move, large rocks along their earthquake,” Barrientos explains, “a strict building code
edges sometimes get caught on each other. The began to take shape. Each quake has improved how
pressure builds up until the rocks suddenly slip or break. buildings are designed and constructed. And people are
They release stored-up energy and send vibrations better educated.”
called seismic waves through Earth’s crust. The vibrations It’s impossible to know when an earthquake will
cause the ground on Earth’s surface to shake. This strike. However, scientists are working on being able to
shaking is an earthquake. predict them better to help people and property stay
Scientists measure seismic waves and assign a taco tico sbr miafozzle
safe. If you live in an area that gets earthquakes, learn
number to each earthquake, based on the strength of what to do if one strikes. Education can help you stay
the waves. This number is the earthquake’s magnitude.
safe from these forces of nature.
Stronger earthquakes have higher numbers. In the 1930s,
scientists started using the Richter scale to measure
the magnitude of an earthquake. Today, most use the
moment magnitude scale. The numbers go from 1, for
earthquakes too small to feel, to 9, for earthquakes that
cause great destruction. San Francisco’s Loma Prieta
earthquake measured 6.9.
Strong earthquakes can destroy buildings, dams,
and bridges. They can also trigger tsunamis—huge
ocean waves that can cause great damage when they
reach a coast—as well as mudslides and landslides.
Strong earthquakes can also cause fires if power Damage to an apartment building
and gas lines break. If water lines also break, it may be caused by the Loma Prieta earthquake

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 9: Earthquakes
1 What is the moment magnitude scale? What is its purpose? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI4.2

3 According to the article, what causes earthquakes? RI.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What are vibrations? How are they relevant to the article? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How does the quotation by Sergio Barrientos support the information in the article?
RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 9: Earthquakes
1 Study the map. How does it support the information in the article? RI.4.7

2 What information in the article supports the author’s claim that earthquakes can
cause great destruction? RI.4.8

3 How is the map in this passage different from the one in “The Pony Express” (Week 7)?
RI.4.9

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why do earthquakes tend to happen in certain places and not others? RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 What layers of Earth are mentioned in the article? RI.4.3

3 What are the three types of plate boundaries? How do plates move at each one?
RI.4.3

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 9: Earthquakes
1 What is the moment magnitude scale? What is its purpose? RI.4.1
The moment magnitude scale is a scale, currently in use, that measures how strong
an earthquake is. Scientists determine the strength of an earthquake by measuring
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

seismic waves. The scale goes from 1 (smallest earthquake) to 9 (largest

earthquake).

2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI4.2

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground as a result of the movement of
rocks deep underground. Most earthquakes happen at plate boundaries. They can
cause great destruction. People are working on predicting earthquakes better as
well as making buildings safer.

3 According to the article, what causes earthquakes? RI.4.3

As tectonic plates move, large rocks at plate boundaries sometimes get caught
against each other. When this happens, pressure builds up more and more. Finally,
the rocks suddenly slip or break, which releases stored-up energy. This energy
taco tico sbr miafozzle
travels through Earth’s crust in waves until it reaches Earth’s surface.
1 What are vibrations? How are they relevant to the article? RI.4.4
Vibrations are small, fast, repeating shaking movements. They are relevant to the
article because the released energy that causes earthquakes vibrates out and up
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

from Earth’s crust to the surface and causes the ground to shake.

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

The first two paragraphs describe the sequence of events during the Loma Prieta
earthquake. Most of the article addresses the causes and effects of earthquakes.
The last two paragraphs also incorporate a problem-and-solution focus by discussing
ways to help people be safer during earthquakes.

3 How does the quotation by Sergio Barrientos support the information in the article?
RI.4.6
The quotation by Barrientos discusses the importance of constructing buildings
better able to stay standing during earthquakes. He also explains that a strict
building code only became a priority in Chile after a tragic earthquake in 1939
that caused a huge number of deaths.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 9: Earthquakes
1 Study the map. How does it support the information in the article? RI.4.7
Tectonic plates are large pieces of Earth’s crust. They fit together like the pieces of
a puzzle. When I look at the map, I can see that San Francisco and Chile are both
close to where different tectonic plates meet. The map helps me understand why
San Francisco and Chile are both likely to experience earthquakes.
2 What information in the article supports the author’s claim that earthquakes can
cause great destruction? RI.4.8
The article mentions that almost 30,000 people died in the 1939 earthquake in
Chile, and 63 died in the Loma Prieta earthquake. The fact that the high end of
the moment magnitude scale is for earthquakes that cause great destruction also
supports the claim. So does the description of all the kinds of damage that can
happen—buildings destroyed, as well as tsunamis, mudslides, landslides, and fires.
The need to improve buildings also supports the author’s claim.
3 How is the map in this passage different from the one in “The Pony Express” (Week 7)?
RI.4.9
This article’s map shows the plate boundaries of the entire planet. The map in “The
taco tico sbr miafozzle
Pony Express” shows the route of the Pony Express; it only shows the United States.
1 Why do earthquakes tend to happen in certain places and not others? RI.4.1
Earthquakes tend to happen at plate boundaries, where different tectonic plates
meet. That makes sense because that’s where moving plates push against each
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

other and where rocks along their edges could get caught on each other.

2 What layers of Earth are mentioned in the article? RI.4.3

The article states that the outermost layer is the part we see, which is made up of soil,
rock, and water. Beneath that is Earth’s crust. Beneath the crust is the mantle, and
beneath that is Earth’s core in the middle.

3 What are the three types of plate boundaries? How do plates move at each one?
RI.4.3
Plates slide past each other at transform boundaries. They slide away from each
other at divergent boundaries. They slide toward each other at convergent
boundaries.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

WEEK 10 tricks. The hardest part was making it look effortless.
Practice and repetition were key.

The Talent Show But all too soon, it was time to stop rehearsing—
the day of the talent show had arrived. That afternoon,
the performers waited backstage, listening to the
hubbub of their classmates taking their seats. Paul
It was the first day of school, and all the students peeked through the curtain and caught a glimpse
were gathered for an assembly. “Welcome back,” of Nate and Tiana in the front row. He was glad, but
Principal Torres began, before reminding everyone he couldn’t help but notice that his stomach felt as if
about rules and safety. At the back of the auditorium, butterflies were fluttering inside.
Paul and his fellow fifth graders groaned. They knew the
school rules by heart.
But then Principal Torres cleared his throat and
grinned. Paul and his friends sat up straight in their seats,
suddenly all ears. “At the end of this week, we’re going
to have a back-to-school talent show!” Principal Torres
taco tico sbr miafozzle
announced. “The sign-up sheet is in my office.”
Paul’s friends sank back in their seats dejectedly.
“I don’t think I have a talent,” Nate sighed.
“I’m double-jointed. Does that count?” Tiana
asked, before glancing at Paul, whose eyes were
gleaming. “What about you, Paul? Do you have a
talent?”
“Actually…I’ve been practicing magic tricks all
summer,” Paul admitted.
“That’s perfect!” Tiana cheered as she grabbed “Is everybody ready?” Principal Torres roared, and
Paul’s hand with a fierce tug. “Let’s go, we’re signing the audience whooped with excitement. Backstage,
you up for the talent show!” Paul felt his heartbeat begin to race like a drum.
For the rest of the week, Paul stayed up well past “Curtains up!”
his bedtime, rehearsing his act in front of the mirror. The first acts included a ballerina, a trombone
Floating cards, disappearing coins, bunches of flowers player, and a yo-yo extraordinaire, all of whom
pulled out of a hat—these were just a few of his magic received thunderous applause. Then it was Paul’s
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
turn. He walked onstage in his top hat and cape, “That’s exactly what happened to me,” Paul said
approached the microphone…and froze. The lights glumly.
were blindingly bright. Suddenly his palms were slick “It’s normal to be nervous or scared,” Principal
with sweat, and his face felt flushed. He opened his Torres said. “The real trick is facing your fear.”
mouth to introduce himself, but no words emerged. Paul sighed and shook his head. “I just can’t
Down in the audience, his classmates stared up at him imagine ever getting onstage again.”
with watchful, anxious faces. Paul reached for his deck “You know, I’d be happy to share my stage fright
of cards…and fumbled, scattering cards everywhere. strategies. They work for me every time.”
That was the last straw. Paul raced offstage, his vision Paul thought for a moment, then nodded. The
blurring with tears. thought of going back onstage was terrifying—but why
On Monday, everyone was kind. “Stage fright learn new magic tricks if he couldn’t share them with
gets the best of lots of us,” Paul’s math teacher assured anyone?
him. “Next time,” Tiana suggested with a sympathetic A week later, Paul found
smile. himself waiting in the wings
But Paul was mortified. He had thought about it again. This time, when his
all weekend: how he had practiced and practiced, butterflies came back, he
taco tico sbr miafozzle
and performed perfectly for the mirror, only to flop in took a deep breath. He dried
front of the entire school. How could he sit at lunch his sweaty palms on his pants
and pretend everything was okay? Instead, Paul fled and closed his eyes. You can do
to the furthest stairwell to eat alone. But just as he had it, he told himself. Believe in yourself,
unwrapped his sandwich, Principal Torres came down and you can do anything.
the stairs. The curtain came
“Didn’t expect to see you here, Paul,” he said. up, and Paul strode
Paul shrugged sadly, and Principal Torres took a seat confidently onto the
on the step beside him. stage.
“Can I tell you a secret? I get stage fright too.” “Hi,” he said. “I’m Paul,
“Really?” Paul looked up in astonishment. and I’m a magician, and you
Principal Torres nodded and confessed that know what?” He looked out at the
before every school assembly, his legs trembled, his audience and grinned. “I’m already
hands shook, and his palms got cold and clammy with performing the best trick of all—
sweat. standing here onstage.”

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 10: The Talent Show
1 What happens after Paul signs up for the talent show? RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What is the central theme of this story? RL.4.2

3 What do you think Paul looks like when he is on stage for the first time? RL.4.3

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1 What strategies can you use to determine the meaning of the word flop in the
phrase “only to flop in front of the entire school”? RL.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 Explain the differences between a major and minor character, using examples from
the text. RL.4.5

3 Is this story written in the first or third person? How do you know? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 10: The Talent Show
1 Decribe the first image. How does it support the story? RL.4.7

2 Describe Paul in the second image. How does it support the story and how does it
compare to the first image? RL.4.7

3 How is this story similar to “Going West” (Week 8)? RL.4.9

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Compare and contrast Paul’s experience at the talent show with that of his friends
Nate and Tiana. RL.4.6
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 What does the phrase “The hardest part was making it look effortless” mean? RL.4.4

3 Can you convey in one sentence what role Principal Torres plays in the story? RL.4.1

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 10: The Talent Show
1 What happens after Paul signs up for the talent show? RL.4.1
Paul practices his magic tricks at home in his bedroom, staying up late to make sure
they are perfect. Then, backstage during the show, he begins to get nervous. He
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

goes onstage to perform but gets stage fright and runs offstage. Finally, Principal
Torres teaches him to overcome his fear, and he tries again.

2 What is the central theme of this story? RL.4.2

The theme of this story is learning to overcome your fears and try again after you
fail. We see this when Paul’s first attempt at performing magic in front of an
audience fails, but he listens to Principal Torres and comes up with strategies to try
again. The second time he tries, he is successful.

3 What do you think Paul looks like when he is on stage for the first time? RL.4.3
Paul is wearing a top hat and cape as part of his costume when he is on stage. His
face gets flushed, and his palms get sweaty, so he probably looks nervous and
scared. When he runs offstage, his vision blurs from his tears, so he may look like he
taco tico sbr miafozzle
is about to cry.
1 What strategies can you use to determine the meaning of the word flop in the
phrase “only to flop in front of the entire school”? RL.4.4
By using the context clues in the rest of the sentence, which describe the events
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

leading up to the talent show, and following and understanding the plot of the story
before this moment, we can determine that flop means to fail or perform badly
onstage.

2 Explain the differences between a major and minor character, using examples from
the text. RL.4.5
A major character, like Paul or Principal Torres, is one who helps determine the
action of the plot. We could also argue Tiana is a major character, since she
convinces Paul to sign up. Nate, who does not influence the plot, is a minor
character.

3 Is this story written in the first or third person? How do you know? RL.4.6
This story is written in the third person. We know because the characters are
referred to by their names by an unknown narrator, and we are not given access
to their thoughts or ideas without being told “he thought” by the narrator.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 10: The Talent Show
1 Decribe the first image. How does it support the story? RL.4.7
In the first image, I can only see Paul’s feet. He looks as if he is standing on a stage
because I can see a microphone cord. I can tell by the position of his feet that he
is anxious or unsure of himself, which supports the events in the story when he gets
so that nervous he runs offstage.

2 Describe Paul in the second image. How does it support the story and how does it
compare to the first image? RL.4.7
In the second image, Paul looks happy and relaxed. It relates to the end of the
story when he faces his fears and gets up in front of the crowd again. Paul’s body
language in the first image expresses nervousness, while in the second image he
looks very confident.

3 How is this story similar to “Going West” (Week 8)? RL.4.9

Answers will vary. The main characters of both stories have to deal with fear. While
their fears are different, both characters show courage by facing what scares them.
taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Compare and contrast Paul’s experience at the talent show with that of his friends
Nate and Tiana. RL.4.6
Paul has a difficult experience. He gets stage fright and is unable to perform. He
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

thinks about the talent show all weekend and feels “mortified.” On the other hand,
from the audience, Nate and Tiana probably feel sympathy watching their friend
having a difficult time. It must be hard to not be able to help.

2 What does the phrase “The hardest part was making it look effortless” mean? RL.4.4
This phrase describes what it is like learning to perform magic. It is paradoxical or
unexpected that the hardest part of a magic trick is making it look easy, and helps
us understand better what Paul has to achieve in order to succeed at the talent
show.

3 Can you convey in one sentence what role Principal Torres plays in the story? RL.4.1
Principal Torres leads the school and his students by first welcoming them back with
a talent show and, second, by guiding Paul through facing his fears and learning
how to handle stage fright.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

WEEK 11 for them properly, interest in these animals often wears
off quickly. People usually buy young Burmese pythons
Pythons in the Everglades and don’t understand how large they can grow. Over
the years, many people in Florida decided they no
longer wanted to keep pythons. Instead of getting rid
wetlands – areas of land that are swampy or marshy of them responsibly, they released these huge snakes in
species – a group of living things that look alike and the wild. Many people released them in the Everglades,
can have babies together a wetland area in South Florida that is a national park.
ecosystem – a community of living things together The consequences have been disastrous.
with the nonliving things in their environment
venomous – able to inject a poisonous liquid with
Burmese pythons usually live near water.
fangs or a stinger
A dangerous predator lurks in the wetlands
of South Florida. It’s huge, it’s hungry, and it causes
destruction wherever it goes. This isn’t the plot of a
horror film or a nightmare. It’s the true story of a snake
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known as the Burmese python.
Burmese pythons are one of the world’s largest
snakes. They can grow to a length of 23 feet or more.
That’s longer than a giraffe is tall! These snakes are
native to Asia. In Florida, they are considered an A second cause of pythons in the Everglades took
invasive species. That’s because they have invaded an place in 1992. A nearby reptile-breeding facility was
ecosystem where they don’t belong and are causing destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, and all the pythons
harm. escaped. Scientists estimate that about thirty thousand
Over the years, people have brought Burmese Burmese pythons are in the Everglades. There are likely
pythons to Florida because of the exotic pet trade. An more than twice that many in the rest of Florida.
exotic pet is a wild animal not native to an area that Burmese pythons aren’t venomous, but that
is not usually kept as a pet. (Examples of exotic pets doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. In Asia, they
include lions, chimpanzees, and hedgehogs.) People mostly eat rodents and other mammals. They kill by
who get exotic pets often do so because they seem biting and then coiling tightly around their prey to
exciting or fun. However, without knowing how to care suffocate it. Then they swallow the animal whole.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
Burmese pythons are at the tops of food chains in their can lay up to a hundred eggs at a time. Also, pythons
native ecosystems. No animal is a match for one of are extremely hard to spot.
these snakes. Scientists and land managers have had to step
In Florida, up their efforts. Scientists are studying Burmese pythons
Burmese pythons Burmese pythons often to learn more about where they gather and when
have no natural spend time in trees. they are most active. Also, hunters are now hired to
enemies. Also, kill pythons in South Florida. At first, killing them was not
prey animals allowed in the national park. That changed in early
have not had 2018 because the problem is so serious.
time to develop Killing the snakes isn’t an ideal solution. They’re
ways to hide or just being snakes and trying to stay alive. However,
stay safe from they’re destroying an entire ecosystem and are also
them. Scientist spreading. Many scientists are convinced that they
David Penning must be stopped, no matter what it takes. That doesn’t
explains the mean they don’t feel bad about it, however. Biologist
challenge Ian Bartoszek states, “We have a lot of respect for these
taco tico sbr miafozzle

that invasive animals. They’re definitely beautiful creatures, and we

predators pose don’t like having to put them down. But we know the
to prey animals. “If you don’t know what it is, how do toll that they’re taking on the environment.”
you know it’s dangerous?” That makes Burmese pythons
unstoppable predators. They not only eat birds and
small mammals, but they also remove food sources for
other predators. Raccoons, opossums, and bobcats
have all but disappeared, and rabbits and foxes have
been completely wiped out. Large pythons also eat
deer, hogs, and alligators.
Figuring out what to do about these invasive
snakes is a challenge. Workers have been removing
them from Everglades National Park since 2002.
However, their efforts haven’t put much of a dent in
python numbers. In part, that’s because one female
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 11: Pythons in the Everglades
1 Why is Hurricane Andrew mentioned in the article? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI.4.2

3 According to the article, what is the main cause of Burmese pythons becoming an
invasive species in the Everglades? RI.4.3

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1 In your own words, explain the phrase invasive species in paragraph 2. RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How does the quotation by Ian Bartoszek in the last paragraph support the
information in the article? RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 11: Pythons in the Everglades
1 Study the map. What does it show? RI.4.7

2 What information supports the author’s claim that Burmese pythons in Florida are
unstoppable predators? RI.4.8

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 According to the article, why did many people in Florida who owned Burmese
pythons get rid of them? Where in the article is that information? RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 How does the quotation by David Penning in paragraph 6 support the information
in the article? RI.4.6

3 The author states that “figuring out what to do about these invasive snakes
is a challenge.” What evidence in the article supports this claim? RI.4.8

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 11: Pythons in the Everglades
1 Why is Hurricane Andrew mentioned in the article? RI.4.1
A reptile-breeding facility near the Everglades was destroyed in 1992 during
Hurricane Andrew. All the pythons escaped into the wild and contributed to the
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

invasive species problem.

2 Summarize the article from beginning to end in a few sentences. RI.4.2

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in South Florida. There are likely close to
one hundred thousand of them in Florida. They are having a disastrous effect on
food chains where they live. People are trying different methods to control them.

3 According to the article, what is the main cause of Burmese pythons becoming an
invasive species in the Everglades? RI.4.3
The main cause of Burmese pythons becoming an invasive species is people in
Florida deciding they no longer wanted to keep pet Burmese pythons and getting
rid of them by releasing them in the wild.
taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 In your own words, explain the phrase invasive species in paragraph 2. RI.4.4
A species is a group of living things that are physically similar and can have offspring
together. An invasive species is a species that lives in, and is causing harm to, an
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

ecosystem where it is not native and therefore does not belong.

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

The article is mainly descriptive, with some chronological events included. The first
two paragraphs introduce the topic. Paragraphs 3 and 4 explain how Burmese
pythons became an invasive species. Paragraphs 5 and 6 explain how pythons are
causing harm. The last three paragraphs discuss how people in Florida are dealing
with the problem.

3 How does the quotation by Ian Bartoszek in the last paragraph support the
information in the article? RI.4.6
The quotation supports information earlier in the paragraph about how killing
Burmese pythons is not an ideal solution but seems to be a necessary one, given
how out of control the problem is.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 11: Pythons in the Everglades
1 Study the map. What does it show? RI.4.7
The red area of the map is where Burmese pythons already live in Florida. The
yellow area is the parts of the United States that have a similar climate to parts of
Asia where Burmese pythons naturally live. Burmese pythons would be able to
survive in those places if they spread since they already survive in other places
with the same climate.

2 What information supports the author’s claim that Burmese pythons in Florida are
unstoppable predators? RI.4.8
The article states that Burmese pythons have no natural enemies in Florida and that
prey animals there have not developed ways to stay safe from them. In parts of
Florida where Burmese pythons now live, they have already caused certain prey
animals to disappear completely and have caused others to almost disappear.

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 According to the article, why did many people in Florida who owned Burmese
pythons get rid of them? Where in the article is that information? RI.4.1
Paragraph 3 explains that many people who got Burmese pythons lost interest in
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

keeping them because they didn’t know how to care for them well or didn’t realize
how large they would grow. At that point, they decided to get rid of the pythons.

2 How does the quotation by David Penning in paragraph 6 support the information
in the article? RI.4.6
Penning’s quote, “If you don't know what it is, how do you know it's dangerous?”
helps explain that prey animals in South Florida had no experience with Burmese
pythons and therefore had not developed any defenses against them.

3 The author states that “figuring out what to do about these invasive snakes
is a challenge.” What evidence in the article supports this claim? RI.4.8
The article explains that workers have been collecting Burmese pythons since 2002,
but that hasn't had much impact on their numbers, so it became important to use a
stronger approach to address the problem. The article also mentions that scientists
are still learning about the habits of these snakes.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 12 travel in a group and make a little noise.
As they pedaled from the dirt road to a footpath
Skunk Ape where they had to dismount their bikes and walk, the
friends had no trouble making noise.
“Smells like rotten eggs,” Marco declared loudly.
“Let’s find some centipedes and get out of here before
it starts getting dark.”
“You guys are gross,” Aliyah snapped, “Digging
up centipedes and stinking up the place. What did you
eat, anyway?”
“It’s not me!” Derek protested. “Marco’s the one
who smells like hot garbage. Probably the tacos he had
for lunch.”
It’s true that the air smelled like hot garbage, but
it wasn’t any of the kids. They stopped high-stepping
taco tico sbr miafozzle
through the undergrowth to consider the intense stench
that filled the air around them. Without so much as a
word between them, they all realized that this smell was
It really was too hot to be riding bikes along the not the result of Marco’s lunch. In the fading light, far
trails of the Green Swamp. Even just before sunset, the from civilization, an eerie feeling came over them.
air hung heavy. Derek knew this was the perfect time “Maybe there’s a dead animal nearby,” Aliyah
to catch centipedes to use as bait for fishing, so he suggested, half of her wishing to see one and half
persuaded his friends Aliyah and Marco to tag along. hoping not to.
After all, none of them were allowed in the swamp “It’s the skunk ape,” replied Marco, saying out
alone. loud what they were all thinking. “I mean, what else
Besides the oppressive heat, the thick humidity, could smell that bad? They say it lives inside alligator
and the aggressive mosquitoes, there were real dens with all the corpses of dead animals and stuff.”
dangers in the Everglades. It was home to alligators, Everyone in the Everglades area had heard of
crocodiles, pumas, and even bears. Of course, running the skunk ape, and a few people even claimed to
into a predator would be unlikely, but it was best to have seen it. Blurry videos showed a tall, hairy beast
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
lumbering through the swamp from afar. Pseudo- out from a different direction.
scientists tried tracking the skunk ape to provide “Oh my gosh,” Marco gasped. “They’re onto
definitive proof of its existence. The three friends, us. There’s more than one skunk ape, and they’re
however, had no interest in running into the mythical communicating! I saw it on a show once—they bang
beast. huge tree limbs to signal other skunk apes!”
“That’s just a bunch of stories,” Derek protested. “Marco, this isn’t funny. Everyone knows skunk
“Anyway, even if it’s real, there are no claims that the apes aren’t real. Right?” Aliyah asked with worry in her
skunk ape has ever hurt anyone.” voice.
“Yet…,” Marco added ominously. Derek had been quietly walking away from the
“Guys, look at that,” Aliyah interrupted, directing others for a few moments, but now he spoke up.
their attention to a clump of trees. “Sure, Aliyah. There’s no proof skunk apes are real,
Nearby, under a but I do think we should get out of here. Something
tall banana tree, forty or strange is going on. I hope it’s just someone playing
fifty banana peels were a prank, but come look at this.”
strewn on the ground. There There, in the fresh, thick mud were a few giant
taco tico sbr miafozzle
were few animals in the footprints trailing off into the swamp. Each print was
Everglades that could reach easily larger than any grown man’s foot. Most startling
the bananas, much less about the prints, however, was not their size but their
open and devour that many shape. They looked almost human. Almost, except for
of them. the fact that each print had only four toes.
“Could be raccoons?” Without a word, the friends darted back to the
Derek ventured hesitantly. road for their bikes. Despite the heat, they pedaled
“Dude, you know faster than ever before. They didn’t slow down or even
raccoons did not do that. speak until they were safely back at Derek’s house.
We are in skunk ape territory, Whether or not they had been in the presence of a
and I’m getting out of here!” skunk ape, no one will ever know. So the unsolved
Marco declared. mystery of this Everglades monster continues…
In the brief silence that followed, a nearby Crack!
pierced the air. It sounded a little like the crack of a bat
hitting a home run. Seconds later, another Crack! rang
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 12: Skunk Ape
1 Based on details from the text, describe the skunk ape. RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 How does the characters’ dialogue create a mysterious tone in the story? RL.4.2

3 How does the setting impact the story? RL.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 In Paragraph 9, what do you think the term pseudo-scientists means? RL.4.4

TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 What makes this text different from a play? RL.4.5

3 What are the advantages to telling this story in third-person perspective? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 12: Skunk Ape
1 How does the first picture help you better understand the story? RL.4.7

2 Which part of the story do you think the second photo shows? Why? RL.4.7

3 This story takes place in the Everglades. According to the article “Pythons in the
Everglades” (Week 11), what is a real danger these characters could face? RL.4.7
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1 What clues from the text tell you that kids might not be allowed in the swamp alone?
RL.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Which character acts the way you would in this situation? Why? RL.4.3

3 What elements of a myth does this text contain? RL.4.9

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 12: Skunk Ape
1 Based on details from the text, describe the skunk ape. RL.4.1
The skunk ape is a tall, hairy beast that lives in the Florida Everglades. It smells terrible
because it lives in alligator dens with dead animals. It has four toes on each
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

humanlike foot, and it bangs tree limbs to communicate. No one is sure if the skunk
ape is real or not, though some claim to have seen and recorded it.

2 How does the characters’ dialogue create a mysterious tone in the story? RL.4.2
The characters’ dialogue supports the theme that the skunk ape is a mystery. The
characters talk about the creature using phrases like “they say,” “everyone knows,”
“even if it’s real,” and “no proof.” Marco seems sure that it’s real, Aliyah seems
afraid, and Derek seems skeptical, which is how people often respond to myths.

3 How does the setting impact the story? RL.4.3

The story is set in the Florida Everglades. The isolated swamp setting adds to the
eerie mood of the story. It’s also important to the development of the skunk ape
myth, because the swamp is home to this mythical beast. The banana trees might
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provide food, and the thick mud shows evidence of footprints.

1 In Paragraph 9, what do you think the term pseudo-scientists means? RL.4.4

I think pseudo-scientists are not real scientists. Dealing with mythical creatures, like
the skunk ape or the Loch Ness monster, often crosses the line from real scientific
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

study to myths. I think the narrator is referring to people who want to find evidence
of the skunk ape to prove it is real, but who aren’t real scientists.

2 What makes this text different from a play? RL.4.5

This text is prose, which is written in complete sentences and paragraphs. It includes
dialogue with attributes and a lot of narration. If it were a play, it would mostly have
just dialogue between characters. Each character’s lines would begin with an
indication of who is speaking. There might be stage directions.

3 What are the advantages to telling this story in third-person perspective? RL.4.6
Third-person perspective is helpful in this story because the narrator fills in a lot of
background information that a character might not. For example, the narrator tells
about the Everglades, the skunk ape sightings, and even the eerie feeling.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 12: Skunk Ape
1 How does the first picture help you better understand the story? RL.4.7
The picture helps me understand the setting of the story. I can see that it’s an open
swamp area but that there are still some tall trees, like the banana tree in the story.
I wondered how the kids could ride bikes in a swamp, but seeing the path helps
me answer that question. Also, Marco wants to get out of the swamp before dark
and I can see why—the picture doesn’t show any kind of lights, and it must be
pretty scary there in the dark.
2 Which part of the story do you think the second photo shows? Why? RL.4.7
I think the second photo shows the part when Marco and Aliyah see the footprints
in the mud. Derek is kind of calm about it, as he has been for the whole story, but I
think this is where Marco and Aliyah really get scared. They’ve been buying into the
swamp ape myth more than Derek. Here, it looks as thought Aliyah is covering her
face out of fear and Marco is ready to scream and hop on his bike to get away.

3 This story takes place in the Everglades. According to the article “Pythons in the
Everglades” (Week 11), what is a real danger these characters could face? RL.4.7
Answers will [Link] characters are in danger of encountering pythons or alligators.
taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What clues from the text tell you that kids might not be allowed in the swamp alone?
RL.4.1
The Everglades are home to dangerous predators like alligators, pumas, and bears.
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

It is safer to be with others and make some noise to scare animals away. The text says
they’re far from civilization, and the picture looks like a place where it might be easy
to get lost. If someone got hurt and was alone, he or she couldn’t call for help.

2 Which character acts the way you would in this situation? Why? RL.4.3
I think Derek acts the way I would. I’m pretty adventurous, and he’s the one who
wanted to go into the swamp to find centipedes. I’m also pretty level-headed, and
Derek doesn’t just fall for Marco’s story about the skunk ape. He says it might be
raccoons, the stories aren’t real, and someone might be playing a prank.

3 What elements of a myth does this text contain? RL.4.9

This story is about a mysterious creature that may or may not be real, which is a
common theme in myths. Myths about Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, and aliens
often involve eyewitness accounts or grainy videos without real proof. In this story,
there are even footprints, but no real evidence of the creature’s existence.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 13 should be put out. Detecting fires early became a high
priority. More than 8,000 fire lookout towers were built in
Watching for Fire forests all across the United States.
Lookout towers
reached their peak
priority – something that is more important than other in the 1930s through
things and needs to be taken care of first 1950s, with about 10,000
self-reliant – able to take care of oneself and towers. During World
confident in one’s abilities
War II (1939–1945),
remote – far away from cities and people
solitude – the state of being alone without being fire lookouts had an
lonely extra job—watching
for enemy aircraft.
The date was June 10, 1905. Nineteen-year-old
The number of staffed
William Hilton climbed to the top of a tower on Squaw
lookout towers dropped
Mountain, in Maine. From there, he could see trees for
in the 1960s and 1970s.
hundreds of miles in every direction. Hilton’s job was taco tico sbr miafozzle
More airplanes and
to watch for smoke caused by wildfires and quickly
helicopters were being
let firefighters know. Two weeks later, he saw a wisp of
used to spot fires. Also,
smoke. He scrambled partway down the mountain to
more fires were allowed A fire lookout tower in Arizona
the nearest telephone and called the chief fire warden.
to burn in wilderness areas. Today, only a few hundred
Hilton was a fire lookout. In fact, he was the first one to
staffed lookout towers remain. Many fire lookouts
work for the US Forest Service.
have been replaced by air patrols, cameras, and
Just a few years later, in 1910, one of the largest
computerized systems that track lightning. Towers no
forest fires in recorded history took place. An area
longer staffed by fire lookouts are often used for other
of land almost twice the size of Delaware burned in
activities, including vacation rentals.
Montana and Idaho. Eighty-five people died in the Big
Fire spotting has changed over the years. Every
Burn, most of them firefighters. Fire can be good for
time William Hilton saw smoke, he had to race down
forests. It puts nutrients in the soil and causes certain
the mountain to let someone know. That was the
kinds of seeds to sprout. It also makes room for new
only way to report a fire. In 1909, fire lookout towers
plants to grow. However, after the Big Burn, forest
became connected to the telephone system. The
managers decided that all forest fires were bad and
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
phones weren’t always reliable, though. Lightning or be taken by helicopter. Even today, many lookout
caused interruptions in service. So did moose getting towers have no electricity or running water. Still, it’s the
tangled in telephone wires. It wasn’t until the 1950s that perfect job for people who love nature and solitude.
communication by radio became common. Today, Fire lookouts often see amazing wildlife and take
cell phones are often used to report fires. However, they incredible photos. They also get an extra-special view
don’t always work in wilderness areas. of the night sky.
An important part of a fire lookout’s job is to
pass along information about the location of smoke.
The year after the Big Burn, a US Forest Service worker
named William Bushnell Osborne Jr. invented a device
to help fire lookouts with this task. His “firefinder” had
a map of an area mounted on a steel disk. By lining
up and looking through two parts of a brass sighting
mechanism, lookouts could identify the exact location
of a fire. Over the years, the Osborne Firefinder has
taco tico sbr miafozzle
been improved. It is still used today.

Inside a fire lookout tower

Kathryn Ball worked as a fire lookout in Sequoia

National Park for many years, starting in 1997. She once
said, “It’s like living at the top of the world! I have a
360-degree ... view of the High Sierra [mountain range],
giant sequoia trees thrive in groves below me and
eagles fly by at eye-level.” Over the years, being a fire
lookout has offered a few lucky people the chance to
see great beauty while doing a very important job.
It takes a special kind of person to be a fire
lookout. He or she must be tough and self-reliant. Many
towers are so remote that a lookout must hike there
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 13: Watching for Fire
1 What facts in the article support the author’s claim that ”it takes a special kind of
person to be a fire lookout”? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Summarize the article in exactly four sentences. RI.4.2

3 What was the Big Burn? According to the article, what sequence of events
happened as a result of the Big Burn? RI.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Using information in the article, explain the meaning of the word remote. How is this
word important to the content of the article? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How does the quotation by Kathryn Ball support the author’s claims about fire
lookouts? RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 13: Watching for Fire
1 How does the labeled image of an Osborne Firefighter help you understand the
article? RI.4.7

2 Do the reasons and evidence provided in the article support the author’s claim that
fire lookouts are lucky to work at that job? Why or why not? RI.4.8

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What information in the article might support the statement in paragraph 3 that more
fires were allowed to burn in wilderness areas after the 1960s? RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 According to the article, what caused the decline of fire lookouts after the 1950s?
RI.4.1

3 Explain how two things mentioned in the article have changed over the years. RI.4.3

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 13: Watching for Fire
1 What facts in the article support the author’s claim that ”it takes a special kind of
person to be a fire lookout”? RI.4.1
Fire lookouts are alone for long periods of time and must be self-reliant. They may
not have electricity or running water and may be in such a remote location that
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

they have to hike to get there or be dropped off by a helicopter. Not everyone
would choose to deal with those challenges.
2 Summarize the article in exactly four sentences. RI.4.2
Fire lookouts live and work in tall towers in wilderness areas. They watch for forest
fires and report signs of fire as soon as possible. Many more people worked as fire
lookouts long ago than do today. Fire lookouts must be comfortable living alone in
remote nature places.
3 What was the Big Burn? According to the article, what sequence of events
happened as a result of the Big Burn? RI.4.3
The Big Burn was a huge forest fire in 1910 that caused the deaths of eighty-five
people. After the fire, forest managers decided that it was not good to let fires
burn, so they increased efforts to detect forest fires early and put out all fires. The
taco tico sbr miafozzle
goal of early detection led to thousands of lookout towers being built.
1 Using information in the article, explain the meaning of the word remote. How is this
word important to the content of the article? RI.4.4
When a place is remote, it is far from cities and large numbers of people. This word
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

is important to the article because forest fires generally take place in remote areas.
The purpose of a fire lookout is for someone to be able to notice a forest fire before
it burns a large area and let firefighters know about it.

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

The first four paragraphs are a chronological account of fire lookouts in the US. The
article then explains the Osborne Firefinder. Finally, the article discusses people who
work as fire lookouts and quotes someone who worked as one for many years.

3 How does the quotation by Kathryn Ball support the author’s claims about fire
lookouts? RI.4.6
The quotation by Kathryn Ball expresses her enthusiasm for working as a fire lookout
and her appreciation for the incredible views of mountains, forests, and eagles. Her
statements support the author’s description of what it’s like to be a fire lookout and
the rare opportunity these people have to see nature close-up.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 13: Watching for Fire
1 How does the labeled image of an Osborne Firefighter help you understand the
article? RI.4.7
The image of the Osborne Firefighter helps me understand how fire lookouts are
able to identify where a fire is so they can communicate that information to other
people. Without such a tool, I think it would be much harder for fire lookouts to
accurately direct people to the right location.

2 Do the reasons and evidence provided in the article support the author’s claim that
fire lookouts are lucky to work at that job? Why or why not? RI.4.8
The content of the article clearly explains that firefighters perform an important
service by helping stop forest fires that could otherwise grow very large. No doubt,
many people would consider themselves lucky to make such a big difference in
the world. Fire lookouts likely also consider themselves lucky to be alone in nature;
otherwise, they probably wouldn’t become fire lookouts in the first place.
taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What information in the article might support the statement in paragraph 3 that more
fires were allowed to burn in wilderness areas after the 1960s? RI.4.1
Paragraph 2 describes the ways in which fires can be good for forests. Benefits
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

include enriching the soil, causing the seeds of certain plants to sprout, and making
room for new plants. These facts support the strategy of allowing more forest fires to
burn.
2 According to the article, what caused the decline of fire lookouts after the 1950s?
RI.4.1
More airplanes and helicopters started being used to spot fires, and forest managers
were allowing more fires to burn. In addition, cameras and computerized systems for
tracking lightning made fire lookouts less important to forest management.

3 Explain how two things mentioned in the article have changed over the years. RI.4.3
Answers may vary. The way fire lookouts notify others when they spot smoke or flames
has changed. William Hilton had to run down the mountain to let someone know.
Later, telephones and radios were used. The Osborne Firefinder has also changed
over the years.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 10:00 am - After a breakfast of oatmeal and
A Day in the Life
WEEK 14
bananas, I walked down the 138 steps for the
of a Fire Lookout second “bathroom” trip of the day. As I chopped a
few logs for the woodstove, I thought about ideas
for my book. With no television, Internet, or phone
September 15, 2018 service at the tower, I should have plenty of the
book written by now. However, it’s been much too
6:30 am - I woke up to a mostly cloudy sky. As easy to just sit and watch the show that nature
much as I wish for rain, I expect the clouds will puts on each day. Today, that show is taking the
break up once the sun rises. The land is so dry that form of clouds that are growing thick and gray.
all the fire lookouts are on high alert. One flash While balancing an armful of wood, I grabbed
of lightning, one cigarette butt, or one careless a jug of fresh water from my truck. I’ve learned to
camper is all it would take to start a blaze. With combine my trips as much as possible, but I’m still
so much dry grass and leaves, controlling a blaze taco tico sbr miafozzle up and down those 138 steps many times each day.
would be a Herculean task. Spotting smoke early
and calling in firefighters right away are vital. 1:00 pm - I spent the afternoon keeping my work
I looked through my binoculars, scanning skills sharp. We get 20 or more wildfires each
in every direction for smoke. Walking the catwalk year, so I have to be ready to act fast. I checked
around my square tower home is always a pleasure. my firefinder - a large, round map with a sighting
I feel the cool morning air, listen to the birds, instrument. If a fire were to break out, I would use
and enjoy the views. I checked the temperature, this tool to pinpoint its location. Then I could help
humidity, and wind speed, noting them all in my direct the firefighters. I looked over my fire report
weather journal. Then I radioed base to share the sheet to make sure I’m familiar with all the details
weather report. I would need to radio in. I would give base the map
coordinates, burn speed, best point of access, and
other important information. Finally, I checked
the batteries in my radio. In case of a fire,
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 it’s my main connection to the firefighters. I have wooden stool with its legs in glass jars. The glass
to update them on changing winds and describe prevents electricity from traveling up the stool to
landmarks that will help them find their way my body in case of a lightning strike. I wondered
around. about getting glass jars large enough to fit the
legs of my bed. It would be more comfortable than
6:00 pm - Unfortunately, my weather readings sitting on the stool, but probably useless. During
don’t indicate rain coming. It feels as though one this kind of storm, I wouldn’t be able to get any
of those hot, dry lightning storms is on its way. I rest anyway.
won’t get any of my book written today, as I’ll have As a proud “freak on the peak,” this is all
to be all eyes on the landscape. It’s no problem part of the unusual lifestyle I enjoy. I love the long,
staying alert during a lightning storm - as the quiet hours alone. I adore being surrounded by
highest point for miles around, my feeling of terror nature. And I get a rush of excitement when I look
keeps me wide awake! for fires or radio the coordinates of a blaze to the
I fixed PB&J and canned peaches for dinner. taco tico sbr miafozzle firefighters. I just hope tonight isn’t one of those
I’ll stock up on more fresh fruit and vegetables nights.
when I go into town in a few days. I also made
my second radio check-in to base, advising them
to change the fire danger signs from “medium”
to “high” due to the dry weather and the coming
storm. Even if lightning doesn’t start a fire, rain on
this dry ground could cause mudslides.

11:15 pm - I would normally be in bed by now, but

the wind and lightning really picked up. The tower
sways with every gust, and the windows rattle.
Every crack of thunder sounds like an explosion
right over my head. To be safe, I sit on my
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 14: A Day in the Life of a Fire Lookout
1 What tools does the speaker use in the job of fire lookout? How does the speaker use
these tools? RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the speaker’s day? RL.4.2

3 Why is the speaker well-suited for the job of a fire lookout? RL.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why does the speaker call controlling a blaze a Herculean task? RL.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 What makes this text structure different from a typical narrative? RL.4.5

3 What aspects of this job would you find challenging? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 14: A Day in the Life of a Fire Lookout
1 How does the first picture help you better understand the story? RL.4.7

2 What clue in the second photo helps you understand why the fire danger is high
today? RL.4.7

3 How did the article “Watching for Fire” (Week 13) help you understand this passage?
RL.4.7

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Why does the speaker say that either rain or lightning would be dangerous in dry
conditions? RL.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Why does the speaker use the term “freak on the peak”? Is this an insult? RL.4.2

3 The speaker says, “I’ll have to be all eyes on the landscape.” Is this literal or non-literal
language? What does it mean? RL.4.4

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 14: A Day in the Life of a Fire Lookout
1 What tools does the speaker use in the job of fire lookout? How does the speaker use
these tools? RL.4.1
He uses a radio to call into base and to help direct firefighters in case of a fire. He
also uses a firefinder, which is a big map with a sighting instrument. That helps him
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

pinpoint the exact location of a fire. He also uses binoculars to see far away and
look for any signs of smoke or fire.

2 What happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the speaker’s day? RL.4.2
In the morning, the speaker took some weather readings, radioed base, and
carried up wood and water up to the tower. In the afternoon, he checked his work
tools and radioed base again. At night, he watched carefully for fires during a
lightning storm.

3 Why is the speaker well-suited for the job of a fire lookout? RL.4.3
The speaker says he enjoys this unusual lifestyle. He likes being alone and even has
plans to write a book. He enjoys nature, whether going for a walk or just watching
the view outside his window. He also likes the excitement of weathering storms and
taco tico sbr miafozzle
looking out for fires so he can help firefighters put them out.
1 Why does the speaker call controlling a blaze a Herculean task? RL.4.4
Hercules was a hero of Roman mythology who had great strength. Something that
is a Herculean task would take a lot of strength to accomplish. Because the area is
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

so dry, a fire would spread quickly and become large and dangerous. That would
make it difficult to control, so it would be a Herculean task.

2 What makes this text structure different from a typical narrative? RL.4.5
This text is written as a diary or journal. All of the events take place at different times
during the same day. Every few hours, the speaker notes the time and then writes
about what has happened so far during the day. A typical narrative could be
chronological like this, but it wouldn’t be separated by time into short entries like
a diary.
3 What aspects of this job would you find challenging? RL.4.6
I wouldn’t like being alone for so long or going without Internet and fresh fruit. I
really wouldn’t like going up and down so many stairs every time I had to go to the
bathroom. I’m sure I would find the lightning storms very scary as well.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 14: A Day in the Life of a Fire Lookout
1 How does the first picture help you better understand the story? RL.4.7
The picture helps me understand the setting of the story. I can see that the tower is
a small building high above the ground. I can even see the catwalk around it and
the windows the speaker writes about. The surrounding area looks dry,
mountainous, and isolated, just as the speaker describes.

2 What clue in the second photo helps you understand why the fire danger is high
today? RL.4.7
It looks as if the grass all around the sign is brown and dry. That means that any
small spark, fire, or flash of lightning could turn quickly into a large blaze. It looks as if
the danger level on the sign can be changed, and they probably change it based
on how dry the area is or maybe based on the threat of lightning.

3 How did the article “Watching for Fire” (Week 13) help you understand this passage?
RL.4.7
Answers will vary. Students may mention how learning about the firefinder (what it
looks like, how it is used) helped them to understand the part of the passage that
taco tico sbr miafozzle
refers to using it.
1 Why does the speaker say that either rain or lightning would be dangerous in dry
conditions? RL.4.1
The story is mostly about the threat of fire, so it’s clear that lightning would be
dangerous. Any flash of lightning could start a fire on the dry grass. Rain could also
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

be dangerous, though, because the speaker says rain on the dry ground could
cause mudslides.
2 Why does the speaker use the term “freak on the peak”? Is this an insult? RL.4.2
I think “freak on the peak” is not an insult because the speaker says he’s proud to be
one. I think freak just means that it is an unusual lifestyle or job that only a unique
person would enjoy. Of course, the “peak” part just means he’s at the highest point
(and it rhymes with "freak").
3 The speaker says, “I’ll have to be all eyes on the landscape.” Is this literal or non-literal
language? What does it mean? RL.4.4
It is non-literal language. The expression “all eyes on” something means that you pay
very close attention to it and don’t look at anything else. In this case, it makes sense
because the threat of fire is so great. The speaker can’t look at anything else and has
to stay alert scanning the landscape for fire.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
WEEK 15 Tufts and Tenen kept their discovery secret for

Caves
many years. They knew they’d found a treasure and
didn’t want it damaged. They later wrote, “Since we
discovered the cave in 1974, all our efforts have been
for the purpose of protecting the cave.” Finally, in 1988,
dissolve – to mix completely with a liquid and no the caves became Kartchner Caverns State Park and
longer be solid were given special protection. They are among the
minerals – solid natural materials made underground most amazing caves in the United States.
that are not from living things Caves are large, hollow spaces that may form
deposited – set down on the surface of something underground or in a hill or cliff. Millions of caves are
over time found all around the world. They are found in both rock
fragile – delicate; easily damaged or broken
and ice. Some are even found underwater. Kartchner
In the late 1960s, Randy Tufts was looking for Caverns and most other caves are made of limestone
caves in southern Arizona. One day, he found a hole in or other types of rock that dissolve in water. These
the ground. A crack at the bottom didn’t seem to lead caves are called solutional caves. (The words dissolve
and solutional are related.) Water from Earth’s surface
anywhere. Tufts returned in 1974 with a friend namedtaco tico sbr miafozzle
Gary Tenen. This time, warm, moist air was coming out seeps into the soil and travels through cracks in the
of the crack. Tufts and Tenen thought it might lead to rock. The water combines with carbon dioxide gas
a cave. They crawled through the crack and found to form a weak acid. This acid dissolves the rock and
several small caves. Over the next two years, they creates hollow areas. Over millions of years, the hollow
found many more. areas join together to create a cave.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 As water visitors include bears, raccoons, skunks, foxes, pack
travels through rats, owls, frogs, salamanders, snails, and humans. Fish,
cracks in the crayfish, and mussels may live in streams in this zone.
rock, it picks The twilight zone is deeper inside the cave. It
up minerals. receives dim light—not enough for plants to grow.
Solutional caves Mushrooms often grow here. Animals may include
can create spiders, millipedes, centipedes, earthworms, moths,
fantastic cave beetles, crickets, and salamanders. These animals are
formations as Stalactites and stalagmites in a cave able to live either in a cave or outside of it.
a result of this The dark zone is completely without light. Unusual
process. The best-known formations are stalactites, life-forms that can’t live above the ground live in this
which hang from ceilings, and stalagmites, which build zone. Animals include cave spiders, cave millipedes,
up from a cave’s floor. Stalactites may look like icicles. certain types of beetles, blind cavefish, blind crayfish,
They form when dripping water leaves minerals behind cave shrimp, and blind cave salamanders.
on a cave’s ceiling. Stalagmites form when minerals Exploring caves is a popular hobby for many
from ceiling drippings build up on the floor. people. Scientists also visit and study caves to learn
taco tico sbr miafozzle
Draperies are more about our planet. Caves are exciting places to
thin, wavy sheets of explore, but they can also be dangerous. The floors can
minerals that hang be steep, unstable, or slippery with mud. People can
from cave walls. get lost in the darkness or trapped in tight spaces. Skillful
Soda straws are training helps people prepare for these situations.
hollow stalactites that Being careful is also important because many
form as a result of cave formations are very fragile. A careless moment
slow drips. A ring of can destroy a formation that took thousands of years
minerals is deposited to build up. For most people, guided tours are the best
at the tip before each Drapery in a cave way to learn about caves. Visitors can enjoy these
drop of water falls. Soda straws are some of the most amazing natural wonders while keeping both the
delicate and beautiful cave formations. formations and themselves safe.
Solutional caves have three main parts, or zones.
The entrance zone is the part closest to the opening. It
has green plants because it receives sunlight. Bats are
common part-time visitors in the entrance zone. Other
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 15: Caves
1 What reason might explain why some animals in a cave’s dark zone are blind? What
evidence in the text supports that conclusion? RI.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 Using complete sentences, list the main idea of the article and four key details. RI.4.2

3 In your own words, explain the three zones inside a cave. RI.4.3

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 Using information in the article, explain the meaning of the word minerals. How is
this word important to the content of the article? RI.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

3 How does the quotation by Tufts and Tenen support the author’s claims about caves?
RI.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 15: Caves
1 Study the diagram. Using the diagram and information in the article, describe the
sequence of events involved in the formation of a solutional cave. RI.4.7

2 The author wrote, “For most people, guided tours are the best way to learn about
caves.” What facts in the article support this statement? RI.4.8

taco tico sbr miafozzle

1 What clue caused Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen to decide to explore the area where
they later discovered Kartchner Caverns? Based on this information, what can you
infer about the two men? RI.4.1
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 What details in the article support the author’s claim that Tufts and Tenen had found
a treasure? RI.4.1

3 How are stalactites (including soda straws), stalagmites, and draperies the same?
How are they different? RI.4.5

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 15: Caves
1 What reason might explain why some animals in a cave’s dark zone are blind? What
evidence in the text supports that conclusion? RI.4.1
The text states, “The dark zone is completely without light.” It also lists many blind
animals that live there. I can infer that because these animals live in total darkness,
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

they have no need to see. It would make sense for them to lose their ability to see
over time because they don’t need vision in order to survive.

2 Using complete sentences, list the main idea of the article and four key details. RI.4.2
Caves are large, hollow spaces that form in rock or ice. Most caves are solutional
caves. Stalactites, stalagmites, and cave drapery are types of cave formations.
Cave zones receive different amounts of sunlight and are home to different living
things. Safety is important in caves for both people and the cave formations.

3 In your own words, explain the three zones inside a cave. RI.4.3
1. The entrance zone gets sunlight, so green plants can grow there. Bats and many
other animals live there. 2. The twilight zone gets dim light, so no plants grow there.
Mushrooms grow there, and some insects, spiders, worms, and salamanders live
taco tico sbr miafozzle
there. 3. The dark zone gets no light. many animals that live there are blind.
1 Using information in the article, explain the meaning of the word minerals. How is
this word important to the content of the article? RI.4.4
Minerals are solid natural materials that come from underground and do not come
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

from anything that has been alive. Cave formations are made of minerals. They are
deposited by water that drips or flows inside a cave.

2 How is the information in the article organized? RI.4.5

The article begins with a chronological description of the discovery of Kartchner
Caverns. It then provides descriptive information about what caves are, how
solutional caves form, cave formations, and the three zones in a cave. Finally, the
article discussed the importance of safety in caves.

3 How does the quotation by Tufts and Tenen support the author’s claims about caves?
RI.4.6
The quotation by Tufts and Tenen expresses their concern about the caves they
found getting damaged. Their concern supports the information in the article
about cave formations being fragile and the fact that one careless moment can
cause serious damage.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 15: Caves
1 Study the diagram. Using the diagram and information in the article, describe the
sequence of events involved in the formation of a solutional cave. RI.4.7
Water seeps into the ground and travels through cracks in rock. Water and carbon
dioxide combine and form a weak acid. The acid creates hollow areas in rock by
dissolving it. Over long periods of time, the acid dissolves more rock, and hollow
areas join together.

2 The author wrote, “For most people, guided tours are the best way to learn about
caves.” What facts in the article support this statement? RI.4.8
The author includes facts about the ways in which caves can be dangerous. Caves
can be steep, unstable, or slippery. Because they are dark, people can get lost.
Caves may also have tight spaces that people can get trapped in. The author also
explains that cave formations are very fragile and can be destroyed easily in a
moment of carelessness.
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1 What clue caused Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen to decide to explore the area where
they later discovered Kartchner Caverns? Based on this information, what can you
infer about the two men? RI.4.1
Tufts and Tenen decided to explore the area because they discovered warm, moist
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

area coming out of a crack in the ground. I can infer that their training and/or
experience taught them the clues to look for that are signs of hidden caves.
2 What details in the article support the author’s claim that Tufts and Tenen had found
a treasure? RI.4.1
The author states that Tufts and Tenen kept their discovery secret for many years to
keep it safe. Also, in the last paragraph, the author states that cave formations can
take thousands of years to build up. This suggests that they are very precious and
worth preserving.
3 How are stalactites (including soda straws), stalagmites, and draperies the same?
How are they different? RI.4.5
All these kinds of cave formations are created by minerals building up as a result of
water dripping. Stalactites, including soda straws, hang from a cave’s ceiling.
Stalagmites build up from a cave’s floor. Draperies hang from the walls of caves.

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

WEEK 16 Farther and farther from the library, Kwame and
I walked along the edge of a small creek. Soon, the
The Secret of Mystic Cave bank ended and the creek met the steep face of a
small cliff. Already soaked, Kwame and I stepped into
the creek to wade a few yards farther. I suppose that’s
That August day began just like any other. No, how the cave has stayed hidden.
scratch that—it began much more boring and ordinary Eventually, we found the mouth of Mystic Cave.
than any other. Rain poured down from a dark sky, At first, it only looked like a crack in the cliff face, but
and my soccer game had been canceled. As I flipped we realized we could slip inside, where it opened up
through a well-worn copy of a Mythical Beings comic considerably. The remains of a small fire and some litter
book, I never could have imagined the mysterious made it clear that we weren’t the cave’s first visitors.
adventure that lay in store that day.
“Rowan,” I heard my mother call, “Kwame is
here.”
My teammate stepped into the kitchen, creating
a puddle on the tile floor, as lightning flashed [Link] tico sbr miafozzle
“Man, it looks like Zeus is throwing a temper
tantrum out there!” he exclaimed.
Once we had complained a bit about our
canceled soccer game and my mother was out of
earshot, Kwame leaned closer to me.
“I gotta show you something you won’t believe,”
he said in a low voice.
I couldn’t wait to see it. I told my mother a made-
up story about Kwame and me needing to work at the
library. Once the storm died down, my father dropped
The cave felt cool and damp, and it wasn’t
us off there. As soon as he pulled away, we were out
completely dark. Kwame had brought a flashlight,
the door and crossing an open field.
which revealed a space about the size of a bedroom.
“I heard my brother talking about it on the phone
The floor was dusty and the walls were mossy. After a
last night—it’s called Mystic Cave. I guess the older kids
few minutes, the cave actually became kind of boring.
hang out there sometimes at night.”
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 As we were about to leave, I kicked a small rock. you think they’re dangerous?”
It ricocheted off the wall at an odd angle, then made a The flying crystals didn’t appear to be harmful
strange, distant clunking noise. Kwame and I looked at or even aware of us. I remembered learning that some
each other. He swung the beam of the flashlight toward living things in caves are blind, but were these living
the back of the cave. There, along the bottom of the things? Were these even earthly things?
wall, in a ripple of rock, we found another opening. Just then, a large green crystal flew closer to us.
Always up for an adventure, Kwame slipped right I can’t say we heard it speak aloud, but somehow we
through. Hesitantly, I followed my friend into a deeper heard its words. We are the Crystalines. We will not harm
chamber of the cave. Now we were in complete you. All we ask is that you promise us the same. Now
darkness except for the small beam of light from that you have seen us, you are welcome to visit our
Kwame’s flashlight. There was no more moss growing home any time. But if ever you mention our existence
on the walls, but water dripped down around us. Small or bring another to this place, you will cease to find us.
stalactites clung to the ceiling. Kwame and I visited the Crystalines many times
The passageway was long and wide. I glanced over the next few years, but we never revealed their
back to make sure we’d be able to get back out and secret. If you’re reading this, it means that I am now an
then followed Kwame a few more steps. old man (or dead) and that my days of visiting these
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“What could that be?” he asked, indicating strange beings is over.
a spot up ahead with the flashlight.
When he moved the light away, I could see
faint, glowing colors. It didn’t look like anything that
belonged in a dark cave. As we stepped closer, we
could hear a soft humming sound.
Rounding a shadowy bend in the passageway,
we stumbled upon something I still can’t explain. The
glowing colors were coming from small crystals of pink,
yellow, blue, purple, and green. But the light wasn’t
shining through the crystals—it was coming from inside
them! And that humming sound? It was the flutter of
wings that were attached to the crystals!
“I think too many fantasy comic books have gone
to my head,” I said.
“No, I see them, too,” Kwame assured me. “Do
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
Week 16: The Secret of Mystic Cave
1 What is the best evidence that shows Rowan trusts Kwame? RL.4.1
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

2 What is a summary of this story? RL.4.2

3 Why is the setting important to the story? RL.4.3

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1 What do you think ricocheted means in paragraph 12? How can you tell? RL.4.4
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

2 Would this story make a good movie? Why or why not? RL.4.5

3 Who is telling this story? How do you know? RL.4.6

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 16: The Secret of Mystic Cave
1 What part of the story does the first photo show? How can you tell? RL.4.7

2 How does the second photo relate to the story? RL.4.7

3 How might the author of “Caves” (Week 15) feel about Rowan and Kwame entering
the cave? RL.4.9

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1 What do you think the last paragraph means? RL.4.2

THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

2 Why does Kwame say, “it looks like Zeus is throwing a temper tantrum”? What does
this phrase mean? RL.4.1

3 Are you more similar to Rowan or to Kwame? How? RL.4.3

© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]

 Name: Date:
Week 16: The Secret of Mystic Cave
1 What is the best evidence that shows Rowan trusts Kwame? RL.4.1
Rowan agrees to make up a story about needing to work at the library and then
sneaks out the back without even knowing what Kwame is up to yet. Also, Rowan
MONDAY: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS

follows Kwame into the cave’s passage. If he didn’t trust Kwame so much, I think
Rowan would have asked more questions or not gone along with his friend.
2 What is a summary of this story? RL.4.2
Two friends sneak out after a rainstorm to explore a mysterious cave. They find the
cave, but it seems kind of boring until they find a hidden passageway. Inside, they
come across some strange flying crystals who communicate without speaking. The
boys agree not to harm them or tell anyone of their existence.

3 Why is the setting important to the story? RL.4.3

The cave setting is important because the Crystalines have to live somewhere very
hidden. The cave and the thunderstorm give the story a mysterious, scary mood.
They also give the story a very isolated feeling because no one else would be
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around right after a thunderstorm.
1 What do you think ricocheted means in paragraph 12? How can you tell? RL.4.4
I think ricocheted means bounced off of. The text says Rowan kicked a stone and it
ricocheted off the wall and made a distant clunking noise. That means it didn’t just
TUESDAY: KEY CRAFT AND STRUCTURE

hit the wall—it bounced off and rolled away.

2 Would this story make a good movie? Why or why not? RL.4.5
Answers may vary. Example: I think it would be a great movie. It would be cool to
see the boys walking around right after a thunderstorm and then discovering the
cave. The scenes in the cave could be dark and echoey. CGI could be used to
make the Crystalines. I think that would show them in more detail than the written
story is able to do.

3 Who is telling this story? How do you know? RL.4.6

Rowan is telling the story in first-person point of view. He uses words like “I” and
“my.” He also shares his own thoughts and feelings but not those of other
characters. Other characters in the story call him by his name—Rowan.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]
 Name: Date:
WEDNESDAY: INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS Week 16: The Secret of Mystic Cave
1 What part of the story does the first photo show? How can you tell? RL.4.7
The first photo must show the part when Rowan and Kwame are in the first part of
the cave. The text says this part wasn’t completely dark, and the photo shows light
shining into the dark space. I don’t think it’s the deeper passageway, because the
text says that part is completely dark except for Kwame’s flashlight.

2 How does the second photo relate to the story? RL.4.7

The second photo shows Rowan as an old man writing this story. The person’s hands
look wrinkled, and the glasses look like the kind an old person would wear. The
person is writing something that fills the whole paper, as this story would. Also,
Rowan is the one telling the story, so I think the photo shows him writing down
everything he remembers about that day.

3 How might the author of “Caves” (Week 15) feel about Rowan and Kwame entering
the cave? RL.4.9
The author might not approve of the boys entering the cave because she wrote to
be careful “...because many cave formations are very fragile.” She also wrote that
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“...guided tours are the best way to learn about caves.”
1 What do you think the last paragraph means? RL.4.2
At the end of the story, Rowan says that if you’re reading this, he must be too old
to visit the Crystalines. I think he kept the secret all the years he wanted to visit
THURSDAY: MIXED SKILLS PRACTICE

them, and now that he’s too old, he’s ready to tell the story. He didn’t want to tell
anyone earlier or else he wouldn’t be able to see the Crystalines anymore.

2 Why does Kwame say, “it looks like Zeus is throwing a temper tantrum”? What does
this phrase mean? RL.4.1
Zeus was a god from ancient Greek mythology. He could throw lightning bolts. He
often got mad and threw lightning bolts, which looked to people like a thunderstorm.
Kwame says this because there’s so much lightning outside.

3 Are you more similar to Rowan or to Kwame? How? RL.4.3

Answers may vary. Example: I’m more like Rowan because I like to read, and he was
reading a comic book. He seems calm and quiet compared to Kwame, and that’s
more like me. Kwame talks a lot more and seems more eager to start an adventure,
while Rowan just goes along with it. I’d probably go along with an adventure like
Rowan, but I wouldn’t think of one and bring a friend like Kwame did.
© M. Tallman 2018 • [Link]