Sailing Home By Gloria Rand

Vocabulary The train carried tons of cargo. a. uniforms b. freight

a. freight

The president looked very dignified. a. handsome b. noble

Celestial lights brightened our path. a. dazzling b. heavenly

The captain kept a close eye on the ship’s navigation. a. course b. safety

a. course

She turned and looked at the stern of the ship. a. rear b. hull

a.rear

They watched dolphins swim at the bow of the ship. a. bridge b. front

The musicians followed along as she conducted the concert. a. composed b. directed

Comprehension What is the MOST LIKELY reason the author wrote this story? a. to explain the benefits and dangers of taking a cargo ship around the world b. to entertain with an interesting tale about children who grew up on a boat

When the ship carried coal, the children lived ashore because the coal __________. a. filled every room in the ship. b. was a very dangerous cargo

Which of these events happened LAST in the story? a. The family had picnics in Japan. b. Albert began skipping school.

The children probably got their animals ____________. a. in trades with other cargo ships. b. from the countries they visited.

How were Miss Shipman and Albert ALIKE? a. They were strong- minded. b. They were hard-working.

a. They were strong- minded. a. They were strong- minded.

What happened when the John Ena “quivered a strange quiver and slowly righted herself”? a. The boat sped through the water and then stopped. b. The boat shook and then straightened back up.

Which of these events happened FIRST in the story? a. The children helped tie the furniture to the railing. b. Father became Santa for the Christmas party.

a. The children helped tie the furniture to the railing. a. The children helped tie the furniture to the railing.

The mother in this story can best be described as ________. a. generous b. practical

Saves money with coupons. Plants her own vegetables. Sews her own clothes. Cleans her own house.

Which of the following is an important theme from the story? a. Children learn to use signal flags to send messages to other ships. b. Children can be happy growing up in many types of places.

Which of these events happened after Captain Madsen became a steamship captain? a. The mother gave birth to baby Ena. b. The children lived on land all the time.

Group Work In what way was the crew like a family to the children in this story?

They watched over the children to make sure they did not get hurt.

What was the author’s purpose for including the “Afterword”?

The Afterword gives facts about the real Madsen family.

What is the MOST LIKELY reason the Madsen family chose Hawaii for their home?

It is surrounded by the ocean.