1. BY ROBERT J. HIDY Why Own a House When You Can Own an R.V.?

2. THE STORY JACOB’S LADDER GOALS & OBJECTIVES HABITS OF MIND Tier 1

3. Today's life is so hectic nobody spends any time in their homes with their families. Leisurely evenings at home have given way to hectic evenings on the road. People are always on the go, so why not take the house with you? That's where the recreational vehicle (R.V.) comes in. When you have to run errands, or take your kids to soccer or basketball practice, your time could also be spent cleaning your house, doing your laundry or making a meal. Why Own a House When You Can Own an R.V.? Page 1

4. We've created a world where the goal is to make things faster and to allow us to do two or three things at once. Traditional mail has been replaced by overnight mail, e-mail, and faxes, and home cooked meals have been replaced by fast food or microwave meals. We have so many things to make our lives "easier," but we never have time to use any of them. Page 2

5. One solution for anyone who says "I spend no time in my house," is to trade your expensive mortgage for a house you can take with you. After all, with a good hook-up, an R.V. contains all the necessities of life: a bathroom, running water, kitchens, beds, satellite TV, cellular phones, electric lights, and, of course, a moving vehicle. In the near future, our communities will simply be R.V. lots so families can drive from their home lot to temporary lots that provide home-like settings for busy families on the go. Page 3

6. Another solution would be to cut back your busy schedules and stay home more often. Do one thing at a time and live for today. Sit back once in a while, relax, and take the time to enjoy your life. Page 4

7. Students will be able: Ladder B B1 Details Students will be able to list specific details or recall facts related to the text or generate a list of ideas about a specific topic or character. B2 Classification Students will be able to categorize different aspects of the text or identify and sort categories from a list of topics or details. B3 Generalizations Students will be able to make general statements about a reading and/or an idea within the reading, using data to support their statements. Ladder C C1 Literary Elements Students will be able to identify and explain specific story elements such as character, setting, or poetic device. C2 Inference Students will be able to use textual clues to read between the lines and make judgments about specific textual events, ideas or character analysis. C3 Theme/Concept Students will be able to identify a major idea or theme common throughout the text.

8. Habits of Mind  Think about Thinking  Posing Questions  Innovating, Creating Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladder B & C Thinking Questions

9. (DISCUSSION) HIGH LEVEL STRATEGIES WITH LADDER B & C QUESTIONS Tier 2 Rigor

10. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames) C3 What ideas are expressed in the essay about the concept of time? B2 Classify the list made in B1 into categories. B3 What generalizations can you make about how families spend time today?

11. (DISCUSSION) HIGH LEVEL STRATEGIES WITH LADDER B & C QUESTIONS Tier 3 Rigor

12. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames) C1 Write a paragraph or draw a picture of the type of family being characterized in the essay? C2 Do you agree or disagree with the author about trading in your house for an r.v.? What evidence supports your answer? B1 Prioritize 12 things that keep families busy.

13. REFLECTIONS/RELEV ANCE Tier 4

14. Choose one of the writing ideas to complete. Be creative.  Write a paragraph about the type of family being characterized in this essay.  Create an interview script centered on the main ideas in this story. Interview 4-5 individuals and report your findings. (Newspaper article, PSA, Podcast, PowerPoint) Be creative with either question you choose to complete. Here are some suggested project strategies: Write a podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give before the class.