Period A

“To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham Prompt: Cecilia changes dramatically, explain what lesson she learns and how she learns it.

Cecilia soon realizes that family is more important than a field trip. What does the main character come to realize? This will be your thesis. (include theme) Cecilia soon realizes that family is more important than a field trip. Period A

Introduction- Period A Sentence #1 – Sometimes teenagers don’t understand the importance of family. Sentence #2 – It takes a special event to learn this lesson. Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia’s trip to visit grandma changes her opinion on family bonding time.

t-chart – 1st body paragraph Period A Her mother is saddened by her not wanting to visit grandma. Cecilia’s mom is disappointed in her and tells her it’s time to be “unselfish” Cecilia searches for other reasons to stay home, even after her mom says NO! She did not enjoy the car ride to grandma’s like she usually does. She flopped into her chair and gave herself up to self pity. She wanted to see her friends more than she wanted to spend time with her family. She didn’t like the fact that her mom had control over her actions. She didn’t understand how important this trip was to her parents. She didn’t want to be the only one of her friends to miss the trip. She didn’t realize that there would be more opportunities to see the stars.

Period A – 1st body paragraph TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was being selfish when her mom told her she had to visit grandma instead of going to the planetarium. CD: For example, even after Cecilia’s mother says that she will not go on her class trip, Cecilia still searches for excuses to go. CM1 – It was obvious that she wanted to see her friends more than she wanted to spend time with her family. CM2 – Also, Cecilia didn’t realize that there would be more opportunities to see the stars. CS – Cecilia’s self-centered attitude was very apparent in the beginning of the story.

t-chart – 2nd body paragraph Period A Cecilia wrapped her arms around grandma and said “Oh Gran! Thank you! I am so glad to see you and I’ll love the quilt forever!” They laughed and cried and Cecilia learned about her family. Cecilia felt better about visiting grandma, because grandma was so happy to see her. Cecilia was happy to spend time with her grandmother. She was excited to learn about her family. Cecilia never realized that she and her grandma had so much in common. She was having such a good time with her grandma, that she forgot all about the trip to the planetarium.

Period A – 2nd body paragraph TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became aware of the importance of spending time with her family. CD: For instance, after spending time with grandma and receiving a star-covered quilt from her, Cecilia said, “Oh Gran! Thank you! I am so glad to see you and I’ll love the quilt forever!” CM1 – This shows that Cecilia was having such a good time with her grandma that she forgot all about her trip to the planetarium. CM2 – Similarly, Cecilia realized that the two of them had a lot in common. CS – After spending quality time with her family, Cecilia understood why her mom wanted her to join them.

Conclusion– Period A Sent #1- In this story, I realized that you should always make time for your family. Sent #2- Because your family won’t be there forever. Sent #3- Family time can be just as fun and even more memorable than social time.

Period B.

“To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham Prompt: Cecilia changes dramatically, explain what lesson she learns and how she learns it.

Embrace the time you spend with your family; it will not last forever. What does the main character come to realize? This will be your thesis. (include theme) Embrace the time you spend with your family; it will not last forever. Period B

Introduction- Period B Sentence #1 – Everyone has tendencies to be selfish, especially when dealing with relatives. Sentence #2 – Sometimes you have to sacrifice time with your friends to understand the value of family. Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia’s trip to grandma’s house impacted her perspective of family time.

t-chart – 1st body paragraph Period B She really wanted to go to the planetarium with her friends, even after her mom explained how important the trip to grandma’s was. Didn’t enjoy the car ride to grandma’s like she usually did Her mother said, “Cecilia, I am disappointed in you. It is time to be unselfish” She flopped into a chair and gave herself up to self pity. Cecilia couldn’t think beyond spending time with her friends. She would have rather been somewhere else. She was envious of her friends that got to go on the trip. Felt as though her parents were not treating her fairly. She didn’t understand how critical her grandma’s condition was.

Period B – 1st body paragraph TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was a selfish brat because she felt that it was more important for her to go to the planetarium instead of visiting her ailing grandmother. CD: For example, when Cecilia was throwing a fit about not getting her way, her mother said, “Cecilia, I am disappointed in you. It is time to be unselfish.” CM1 – It is obvious that Cecilia couldn’t think beyond spending time with her friends at the planetarium. CM2 – She didn’t understand how critical her grandmother’s condition was. CS – Cecilia’s narrow-minded way of thinking portrayed her as being very inconsiderate to her family.

t-chart – 2nd body paragraph Period B Cecilia said, “Oh gran! I love the quilt. I am so glad I came to see you!” Cecilia took the time to help walk her grandmother down the hall. Grandma was so happy to see Cecilia and her family that it made her feel better about being there. Cecilia is happy to hear her grandma’s stories. Cecilia forgot all about missing her trip to the planetarium with her friends. Cecilia’s perspective on the whole trip changed. Cecilia felt connected to her grandmother when they realized they had a lot in common. She was happy to spend time with her grandmother.

Period B – 2nd body paragraph TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia understood the value of family time. CD: For instance, after grandma gave Cecilia a star-covered quilt, Cecilia said, “Oh gran! I love the quilt. I am so glad I came to see you!” CM1 – This shows that Cecilia felt connected to her grandmother when they realized they had a lot in common. CM2 – In addition, Cecilia forgot all about missing her trip to the planetarium with her friends. CS – That trip to grandma’s house changed Cecilia’s outlook and taught her to appreciate every moment with her family.

Conclusion– Period B Sentence #1: I realized that people don’t have to be so selfish. Sentence #2: Because it is still possible to have a good time with your relatives, not just with your friends. Sentence #3: In the final analysis, this story taught me that you should embrace the time you have with your family, because it will not last forever.

PERIOD D

“To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham Prompt: Cecilia changes dramatically, explain what lesson she learns and how she learns it.

Cecilia realized that family needs to come first. What does the main character come to realize? This will be your thesis. (include theme) Cecilia realized that family needs to come first. Period D

Introduction- Period D Sentence #1 – Family is a very important part of everyone’s life. Sentence #2 – Sometimes kids think that spending time with friends is a better choice over family. Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia learned that family always comes first.

t-chart – 1st body paragraph She would rather go to the planetarium than to her grandma’s house. She’d rather hang out with her friends than her family. Class trip was more important to her Grandma’s surgery was less important to her. Her mother was upset by her attitude/priorities She flopped herself into a chair and gave herself up to self pity. Cecilia searched quickly for another reason to stay home. Cecilia was still unhappy when the time came to head to grandmas. She usually enjoyed the ride but this time she did not Period D

Period D – 1st body paragraph TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was acting selfish because she had to go to her grandmother’s house instead of going on her first class trip to the planetarium. CD: For example, after Cecilia’s mom interrupts her argument to stay home she flopped into her chair and gave herself up to self pity. CM1 – It was obvious that grandma’s surgery was not important to Cecilia. CM2 – Also, she would rather go to the planetarium than spend time with her family. CS – Cecilia’s attitude toward her mom’s choice was inconsiderate.

t-chart – 2nd body paragraph Period D t-chart – 2nd body paragraph Cecilia wrapped her arms around grandma, thanked her for the quilt, and said she was happy she came to visit. Grandma looked tired but she was so happy to see them that Cecilia felt a little better. They laughed and cried while Cecilia learned about her family. Cecilia learned that winter how important family was Cecilia had such a great time with grandma that she forgot about her class trip. Cecilia felt comforted by the time she spent with her grandma. Cecilia was glad that her visit to grandma’s could make her day. The people you go on trips with is what makes them special- not the places you go.

Period D – 2nd body paragraph TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became grateful for the time she spent with her family. CD: For instance, grandma shared stories about her childhood and then gave Cecilia a star-covered quilt she made; they laughed and cried while Cecilia learned about her family. CM1 – This shows that Cecilia had such a great time with grandma that she forgot about missing her class trip. CM2 – Cecilia felt comforted by the time she spent with her grandma. CS – Cecilia was very appreciative that she was able to visit her grandma.

Conclusion – Period D Sentence #1: I realized that family time can be just as fun as hanging with my friends. Sentence #2: Because the time we spend with relatives is very valuable. Sentence #3: In the final analysis, it is important to remember that family comes first.

Period E

“To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham Prompt: Cecilia changes dramatically, explain what lesson she learns and how she learns it.

What does the main character come to realize. This will be your thesis What does the main character come to realize? This will be your thesis. (include theme) Cecilia learned throughout the story that family time is very important. Period E

Introduction- Period E Sentence #1 – Family time is very important. Sentence #2 – Sometimes teenagers would rather spend time with their friends instead of their family. Sentence #3 – In “To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia learns that being with your grandma can be just as much fun as being with your friends.

t-chart – 1st body paragraph Period E Cecilia searched quickly for a reason to stay home from grandma’s. “It’s not fair” to miss her first class trip. She flopped into a chair and gave herself up to self pity. She was usually happy on the car ride, but this time she was still upset. Cecilia was upset that she was missing her very first school trip. Spending time with her friends seemed like more fun She didn’t want to be the only of her friends to miss the trip. She didn’t realize how important it was to her family that she visit grandma.

Period E – 1st body paragraph TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia acted selfish because she wanted to go on her first class trip instead of going to visit her grandmother. CD: For example, when Cecilia realized there was no way her mom would let her go on her class trip, she flopped in her chair and gave herself up to self pity. CM1 – It was obvious that Cecilia didn’t realize how important it was to her family that she visit her grandmother. CM2 – Instead, she didn’t want to be the only one of her friends to miss the trip. CS – Cecilia’s narrow-minded attitude made it hard for her to see the importance of family.

t-chart – 2nd body paragraph Period E Cecilia realized that the people you share your trips with is more important than the location. Cecilia was happy to learn that she and her grandmother have a lot in common. Cecilia felt special to have received the quilt from her grandma. Cecilia forgot all about her class trip because she had such a good time with grandma. Cecilia thanked grandma for the quilt and said she was so happy to have visited. They laughed and cried and Cecilia learned about her family. Cecilia was surprised to get grandma’s quilt and thought it was beautiful. Cecilia wrapped her arms around grandma when she gave her the star covered quilt.

Period E – 2nd body paragraph TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became grateful for the time she spent with her grandmother. CD: For instance, after Cecilia realized that she and her grandma shared the love of astronomy, she wrapped her arms around grandma and was thankful for the star covered quilt she received. CM1 – This shows that Cecilia was happy to learn that she and her grandmother have a lot in common. CM2 – Furthermore, Cecilia forgot all about her class trip because she had such a good time with grandma. CS – As a result, Cecilia was appreciative for the memories that her grandmother shared with her.

Conclusion– Period E Sentence #1: In this story I realized that spending time with your relatives is very important. Sentence #2: Because family time is just as valuable as time with your friends. Sentence #3: In the final analysis, you should always make time to share with your family.

Period F

Introduction- Period F Sentence #1 – Family should be a top priority. Sentence #2 – Often teenagers prioritize their friends before their relatives. Sentence #3 – In the story “To Sleep Under the Stars” by Carol Shaw Graham, Cecilia finally grasps the full importance of family.

t-chart – 1st body paragraph Period F Cecilia says, “It’s not fair” when her mom insists she goes to grandma’s. Her mom tells her that it’s time to be “unselfish” She flopped into the chair and gave herself up to self pity She searches for another reason to stay home, even though mom already said no. Cecilia wants to spend time with her friends more than her family. She is not recognizing the importance of seeing her grandma. She’s not seeing how important this visit is to her mom. She doesn’t want to use her own time to see her family.

Period F – 1st body paragraph TS – In the beginning of the story, Cecilia was being selfish and simple-minded when she found out that visiting her grandmother meant she wouldn’t be able to go on her class trip to the planetarium. CD: For example, when Cecilia’s mom puts her foot down, Cecilia desperately searches for another excuse to stay home. CM1 – It is obvious that she doesn’t recognize the importance of visiting her grandma. CM2 – She doesn’t want to use her own time to see her family. CS – Cecilia’s self-absorbed nature was very apparent in the beginning of the story.

t-chart – 2nd body paragraph Period F Cecilia says thank you for the quilt and that she is so glad she came to see grandma. They laughed and cried as Cecilia learned about her family. Cecilia felt better because grandma was so happy to see her. She felt special to receive an heirloom from her grandma. She enjoyed learning about her family, something she couldn’t have done at the planetarium. She felt connected to her grandmother. She was happy to find that she and her grandma had so many things in common.

Period F – 2nd body paragraph TS – In the end of the story, Cecilia became grateful for the opportunity to visit her grandmother. CD: For instance, after grandma and Cecilia bonded over astronomy and grandma gave her a star-covered quilt, Cecilia thanked her for the quilt and said she was so happy that she came to visit. CM1 – This shows that she enjoyed learning about her family, something she couldn’t have done at the planetarium. CM2 – Likewise, she was glad to discover that she and her grandma had so many things in common. CS – Cecilia appreciated the time she spent with her family.

Conclusion – Period F Sentence #1: In this story I realized that you must make time for your family. Sentence #2: If you don’t spend time with your family, you will miss out on precious opportunities to bond and create memorable moments. Sentence #3: In the final analysis, family time should always be cherished.