1. Name ______________________________
The Talent Show
By Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrated by Laura Ovresat
Prediction
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Author’s Purpose
inform persuade entertain

2. The Talent Show Focus Skills:
To use prefixes and suffixes to determine or clarify word meaning
To read and understand a realistic fiction story
To read and understand a mystery
To use abbreviations correctly when writing
Genre
Realistic Fiction- tells about characters and events that are like people and events in real life
Summary
Beany is anxious about the upcoming talent show. After a talk with her father, Beany realizes the most important thing is to have fun.
Reading Strategy
Create Mental Images
Creating mental images will help students understand what they read better. Good readers use details in the story to picture the events that occur and to better understand the story characters.

3. Why doesn’t Beany complain about the props Carol Ann chooses?
What is Carol Ann like?
Page 308
Supporting details
Why doesn’t Beany complain about the props Carol Ann chooses?

4. Why does Carol Anne only tell about things Beany might do wrong?
Page
310
Why does Beany worry something might go wrong?
Page
312
How does Beany’s family feel about her part in the show?
Beany’s mom suggests she does…
Page
314
Why does Beany’s dad show her the stars?
Is Beany enjoying the night sky? Why do you think this way?

5. Why does Beany tell Carol Ann she doesn’t want to do the bee poem?
Page
316
What lesson does Beany learn from looking at the night sky with her dad?
Page
318
Why does Beany tell Carol Ann she doesn’t want to do the bee poem?
Why does Carol Ann ask Beany so many questions about her decision?
Do you think Beany will be happy about the decision she has made?

6. Think and Respond
Why does Beany change her mind about being in the talent show with Carol Ann?
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What is Beany’s father like? How do you know?
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How does Beany show courage in this story?
If your class put on a talent show, what kind of act would you perform?

7. The Last Case of the I.C. Detective Agency
Page
322
How does Ivan feel about Ursula when he first meets her?
Why?
How do Ivan’s feelings toward Ursula change?
Why?
Page
324
How do Ursula and Ivan solve the mystery?
What message is sent to Charlie?

8. Use the graphic organizer to follow the following questions.
What makes this selection a realistic fiction?
Who is telling the story?
What does it mean when Ms. Babbitt wears her smiley face earrings?
Why does Ms. Babbitt have the talent show?
What does Carol Ann want to perform with her friend Beany?
Why does Carol Ann think she should be the queen bee in the performance?
Who decides what Beany’s and Carol Ann’s costumes and props should look like?
Why does Beany agree to perform with Carol Ann?
What does Carol Ann think will happen during the performance?
What does Beany’s mother suggest she do for the talent show?
Why does Beany’s dad take her out to see the stars?
In what way does Beany’s father compare the night stars to the talent show?
What does Beany learn that is important for herself and how she deals with friends?