1. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today, you will read two stories titled “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World” and “Me First.” As you read, think about the actions of the characters and the events of the stories. Answer questions to help you write an essay. Old Mother West Wind and the Sandwich both try to teach important lessons to characters in the stories. Write an essay that explains how Old Mother West Wind’s and the Sandwich’s words and actions are important to the plot of the stories. Use what you learned about the characters to support your essay. Literary Analysis (3)

2. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. You have read two texts about famous people in American history who solved a problem by working to make a change. Write an article for your school newspaper describing how Eliza and Carver faced challenges to change something in America. Research Simulation (3)

3. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read the story “Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience.” Pay close attention to the actions of the characters and the events in the story. Answer the questions to help you prepare to write a narrative story. This story tells about Derrick’s first camping trip. Write Derrick’s journal entry about his camping trip. Include information about how the characters responded to the events in the story as you write the journal entry. Narrative (3)

4. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. You have read two stories where one family members saves another. Write an essay describing the mosquito from “Cricket and Cougar” and one of the main characters from “Kira-Kira.” For each character described, -Explain how the thoughts, words, and/or actions of the character help you understand what the character is like -Explain why the character chooses to save his or her family member. -Be sure to include specific details from each story to support your ideas. Literary Analysis (4)

5. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read a story about a girl whose family is from India and a poem that expresses how the speaker faces frightening experiences. After you finish the task, you will write a essay about a theme in the story and poem. Identify a theme in “Just Like Home” and a theme in “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.” Write an essay that explains how the theme of the story is shown through the characters and how the theme of the poem is shown through the speaker. Include specific details from the story and the poem to support your essay. Literary Analysis (4)

6. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read two articles and watch a video about the survival of wild horses on Assateague Island in Maryland and Chincoteague Island in Virginia. As you review these sources, you will gather information and answer questions so that you can write an essay. Your class has been studying about the survival of the ponies on Assateague Island. Using information from the articles and the video, describe the roles that both the horses and humans play in the horses’ survival. Use the evidence from the articles and the video to support your answer. Research Simulation (4)

7. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. (Narrative 4) Today, you will read about a girl who finds some unusual shoes. As you read the story, think about the details the author uses as you will be asked to write your own story. In “Those Wacky Shoes,” a girl has to outsmart a pair of shoes. Think about the details the author uses to create characters, settings, and events. Imagine that you, like the girl in the story, find a pair of wacky shoes that won’t come off. Write a story about how you find the pair of wacky shoes and what happens to you when you are wearing them. Use what you have learned about the wacky shoes when writing your story.

8. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will analyze a passage from the novel Ida B and a passage from the novel Moon Over Manifest. As you read these texts you will gather information and answer questions about the influence of the narrator’s point of view so you can write an essay. The stories titled Ida B and Moon Over Manifest both include events that did not happen exactly how the narrators expected them to happen. Write an essay describing how each narrator’s point of view influenced how these events are described. Be sure to use details from both stories. Literary Analysis (5)

9. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will research how penguins are rescued after a large oil spill. You will read two articles, and then you will view a video. As you review these sources, you will gather information and answer questions about the rescue of penguins so you can write an essay. Compare how the article by Lauren Tarshis and Dyan deNapoli and the video describe penguin rescue efforts after oil spills. Support your essay with information from all three sources. Research Simulation (5)

10. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read a passage from the story “The Growin’ of Paul Bunyan.” As you read, pay close attention to the characters’ thoughts. This will help you answer questions and prepare to write a narrative story. You have read a passage from “The Growin’ of Paul Bunyan.” Think about how the story would be different if it were told from Johnny’s point of view. Write a narrative story retelling the story from the point of view of Johnny. Be sure to use supporting details from the passage. Narrative (5)

11. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today, you will read and think about the passage from the novel titled Boy’s Life and the fable “Emancipation: A Life Fable.” As you read these texts, you will gather information and answer questions about comparing themes and topics so you can write an essay. You have read the passage from Boy’s Life and “Emancipation: A Life Fable.” Both texts develop the theme of freedom. Write an essay that compares and contrasts the approaches each text uses to develop the theme of freedom. Literary Analysis (6)

12. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will research how zoos impact animals. You will read one article titled “The Stripes Will Survive.” Then you will read one passage titled “The Zoos Go Wild” and view one video titled “Lions at the National Zoo.” As you review these sources, you will gather information and answer questions about how zoos impact animals so you can write an essay. You have read two texts and viewed one video that claim that the role of zoos is to protect animals. Write an essay that compares and contrasts the evidence each source uses to support this claim. Be sure to use evidence from all three sources to support your response. Research Simulation (6)

13. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read a passage from a story titled Magic Elizabeth. As you read, pay close attention to the characters as you answer the questions to prepare to write a narrative story of your own. In the passage from Magic Elizabeth, the author creates a vivid setting and two distinct characters, Mrs. Chipley and Sally. Think about the details the author uses to establish the setting and the characters. Write an original story about what happens when Sally arrives at Aunt Sarah’s house. In your story, be sure to use what you have learned about the setting and the characters as you tell what happens next. Narrative (6)

14. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read a passage from The Count of Monte Cristo as well as a scene from the play Blessings. After you have read the selections and answer some of the questions, you will write an essay analyzing the themes presented in the two texts. You have a read a passage from The Count of Monte Cristo and a scene from Blessings. Think about the similarities and differences in how the two authors develop the themes in each text. Write an essay in which you identify a theme from each text and analyze how each theme is developed. Be sure to include specific details from both selections. Literary Analysis (7)

15. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. You have read a website entry and an article and watched a video describe Amelia Earhart. All three include information that supports the claim that Earhart was a brave, courageous person. The three texts are: “The Biography of Amelia Earhart” “Earhart’s Final Resting Place Believed Found” “Amelia Earhart’s Life and Disappearance” (video) Consider the argument each author uses to demonstrate Earhart’s bravery. Write an essay that analyzes the strength of the arguments related to Earhart’s bravery in at least two of the three supporting materials. Remember to use textual evidence to support your ideas. Research Simulation (7)

16. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will research electricity and consider some of the methods used in science texts and videos to support different purposes. First you will read a passage that explains some of the general principles of electricity. Next, you will watch a video about fun ways to learn about electricity circuits. Finally, you will read an article that explains how different materials conduct electricity. As you review these sources, think about the purpose of each and the role that explanations, demonstrations, and/or descriptions of experiments play in communicating that purpose. At the end of the task, you will be asked to write an essay. You have learned about electricity by reading two articles, “Energy Story” and “Conducting Solutions,” and viewing a video clip titled “Hands-on Science with Squishy Circuits.

17. …Continued In an essay, compare the purposes of the three sources
…Continued In an essay, compare the purposes of the three sources. Then analyze how each source uses explanations, demonstrations, or descriptions of experiments to help accomplish its purpose. Be sure to discuss important differences and similarities between the information gained from the video and the information provided in the articles. Support your response with evidence from each source. Research Simulation (7)

18. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read a passage from a novel. As you read, you will gather information to prepare for writing an original story. At the end of the passage, Howie tells Kevin that he is not making a good case. Write an original story that describes what Kevin does next to try to change Howie’s mind about paying from Cromwell’s training. In writing your story: -Consider what actions Kevin might take or what Kevin might say that would strengthen his case. -Be sure to use what you have learned about the setting, characters, and plot of the passage. Narrative (7)

19. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. You have read excerpts from two novels focused on survival in the wilderness. These excerpts are from -Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen -Call of the Wild by Jack London Consider how the main character in each excerpt reacts to the incidents that occur, and write an essay in which you analyze how each character’s thoughts and actions reveal aspects of his personality. You do not need to compare and contrast the characters from the two texts. You may consider each one separately. Be sure to include evidence from each excerpt to support your analysis and understanding. Literary Analysis (8)

20. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will analyze passages from two novels. As you read these texts, you will gather information and answer questions about the characters and points of view so you can write an analytical essay. In Confetti Girl and Tortilla Sun, the narrators have points of view different from those of their parents. Write an essay analyzing how these differences in points of view create tension in both stories. Remember to use details from both texts support your ideas. Literary Analysis (8)

21. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will research an experiment involving elephants. First, you will view a video and read a passage of the actual study. As you review these sources, you will gather information and answer questions about how the sources present information so you can write an analytical essay. Write an essay comparing the information presented in the video with that presented in the article “Elephants Can Lend a Helping Trunk” and the passage from “Elephants Know When They Need a Helping Trunk in a Cooperative Task.” Remember to use evidence from the video, the article, and the passage to support your answer. Research Simulation (8)

22. Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking
Read this prompt. Analyze what it is asking. Today you will read and answer questions on a story about a man seeking to complete an important mission. When you have finished reading and answering questions, you will write a narrative story using details from your reading. Write a continuation of Bahauddin Shah using details from the passage. Describe what you think might happen after Bahauddin Shah climbs out of the Salt Caverns. What obstacles might he face and what actions might he take to overcome them? Narrative (8)