1. Common Core Performance Coach Lesson 4

2.  One way to analyze literature is to think about how a particular story is like or unlike another one you know. Comparing and contrasting helps you better understand both stories. When you compare and contrast, you tell how things are similar and different. In fiction, you can compare and contrast story elements, including characters, setting, plot, point of view, and theme.

3.  Story characters are a lot like real people. Characters in different types of fiction may have much in common. Or, two characters in stories about the same topic may be very different.  You can compare and contrast: ◦ How characters look ◦ How characters act ◦ What they say ◦ How they treat others ◦ How others react to them

4.  Two stories may be set in the same place or time, or in different places and times. To compare and contrast settings, first look for details about setting in each story. These details may tell you the weather, the location, and the time of day. The way characters dress and speak may give clues to the time period.

5.  Plot structure is how the events of the story are put together. Here is how you can analyze plot structure. ◦ Determine what happens in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story. ◦ Determine what problem the main character or characters must solve. ◦ Look for details about how the characters solve the problem.

6.  Theme is the message an author wants readers to take away from a story. Two stories might have the same theme—such as the importance of remaining true to oneself— but the characters may discover the lesson in different ways.

7.  To analyze stories for point of view, think about who is narrating, or telling, each story. A story might be told in first-person point of view by ones of its characters or in third- person point of view by an outside narrator.  First-person point of view uses pronouns such as I and my, and gives readers a look into one character’s thoughts.  Third person point of view use pronouns such as he, she, and they, and often tells readers the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.

8.  Think about how the choice of point of view affects each story.  Ask yourself: If this had a different point of view, how would the story be different?

10. I was visiting my cousin Caroline in the city. What an amazing place! Museums, theater, restaurants… and the shopping! Oakville has nothing like this. But as I was chattering to Caroline, crossing the street, a taxi came about an inch from hitting me! Maybe I should go home. There I know a taxi won’t run me over. City Mouse invited his country cousin to dine with him. Every tasty item in the kitchen cupboard was laid out, to Country Mouse’s delight. Suddenly, they heard a thump. The cupboard door opened. The cat! The mice ran and hid. Then the Country Mouse packed his bags and returned to his cornfield where he could be safe.

11.  Who are the main characters, and what are they like?  Who is telling the story? Whose thoughts and feelings does the author reveal?  What is the setting?  What is the plot? What happens in the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story?  What problem do the characters have? How do they solve it?  What is the theme or central message?

12.  A multiple-meaning word is a word that has more than one meaning.  Read the following sentence: ◦ Dad bought flour, sugar, and other kitchen staples.  You may know that staples are small wire fasteners that hold papers together. But in the sentence above, the meaning of staples does not make sense. To figure out the correct meaning, try these strategies: ◦ Use clues from the context of the sentence. ◦ Say each meaning in the sentence to see which makes sense. ◦ Confirm the meaning by looking up the word.

14. 1. Suan said that he was born lucky. Which event from the passage is the best example of his luck? A.Suan said, “Nonsense,” and the prince thought he said nine cents. B.Suan learned the number of orange seeds by eavesdropping. C.Suan told his mother what she bought at the market. D.Suan’s mother believed he had special powers. Hint: A lucky character has good things happen to him or her. The character does not cause these good things to happen. Which event describes a misunderstanding that helps Suan?

15. 2. The following plot events are out of order. Write the numbers 1 through 6 one the lines to put the events in the correct order. ____ Instead of going to school, Suan watches his mother return from the market. ____ By chance, Suan stares at the guilty soldier, which causes the solider to confess. ____ Suan tells his mother what she has purchased at the market. ____ Suan hides the ring in a turkey. The ring is found when the turkey is cut open. ____ Suan marries the princess. ____ Suan’s mother takes Suan to the prince because she thinks Suan has powers to find the ring.

16.  Reread these paragraphs from the passage. Later, the guilty soldier came to me and begged, “I will give you the ring. But please don’t turn me over to the prince!” “Give it to me, and you shall be safe,” I said. The next morning, I came to the palace with a turkey. “Where is the ring?” the prince demanded. “This turkey has swallowed it,” I replied. The turkey was cooked, and when it was cut open, the ring was found inside.

17. 3. Based on these paragraphs, what is the best conclusion you can draw about the ring? A.The turkey ate the ring accidentally. B.Suan fed the ring to the turkey to protect the soldier. C.The soldier hid the ring by feeding it to the turkey. D.Suan told the prince that the soldier hid the ring in the turkey. Hint: Consider what the soldier asked Suan for in exchange for the ring and what Suan promised the soldier. How did he keep that promise?