Theme 1Finding a Way

August 29-September 2

Question of the DayQuick Write

Monday – Make a prediction about something you think will happen later in the week. On what did you base this prediction?Tuesday - How does Tanya West Dean feel about playing baseball? How do you know?Wednesday – What are the characteristics of a baseball maven?

Thursday – People sometimes have to prove themselves to others. Think about a time when you had to prove your abilities. Now tell what you proved and how you felt.

Friday – What are the three things you can learn about the history of baseball?

Focus SkillPlot: Conflict and Resolution

Conflict: Main character’s

problem/challenge(occurs early in a story)

Plot Events:Series of Story Events

Resolution:Solution to the problem

(occurs near the end of a story)

Story Structure:Characters and Setting

Characters Setting

people or animals in a story; who the

story is mainly about

time and place a story occurs; may

change several times during story

Lesson 2:This week’s story

Line Drivewritten by, Tanya West Deanillustrated by, Wilson McLean

Genre Study:An autobiography is a person’s account

of his or her own life. As you read, look for

the first person point of view details about important events

in the author’s life.

Vocabulary Words

maven: a maven is someone with special knowledge about a particular subject

Table Talk

Monday: How would you feel if a baking maven offered to bake your birthday cake?

Tuesday: What might make people see Cat as a surfing maven?

Wednesday: How does being a field hockey maven help make the author’s mom a good coach?

Thursday: How would you describe a maven you know?

mortified: if you feel mortified, you feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed.

Table Talk

Monday: Would you be mortified if you forgot your lines during the school play? Explain.

Tuesday: Why did Cat feel mortified during the contest?

Wednesday: Why do you think the author’s brothers were both mortified and proud of their mom?

Thursday: What might make an athlete feel mortified?

reigned: if someone has reigned, he or she has been very important in a particular place

Table Talk

Monday: Was a player who once reigned on the basketball court a good player or a bad player? Explain.

Tuesday: If Cat reigned for two years, was she good at surfing? Explain.

Wednesday: Mark reigned on what part of the baseball field?

Thursday: How might a soccer player have earned the reputation of reigning on the field?

conceited: a conceited person thinks too highly of herself or himself

Table Talk

Monday: Would a conceited person think that he or she is the best player on the team? Explain.

Tuesday: What makes some people believe Andi is conceited?

Wednesday: Why does Mark seem less conceited at the end of the story?

Thursday: If you win a game, how can you show that you are proud without appearing to be conceited?

designated: if a place is designated, it has been chosen for a special purpose

Table Talk

Monday: Why might a child who is scared of dogs stay away from a park designated for pets?

Tuesday: What might an area designated for the press and the winner look like?

Wednesday: What does the designated baseball area in Mark’s yard look like?

Thursday: How would you describe a place that is designated for quiet?

smirk: a smirk is an unkind smile

Table Talk

Monday: How would you feel if a stranger looked at you with a smirk on his face?

Tuesday: Do you think Andi’s smirk bothers some surfing fans? Why or why not?

Wednesday: How does Mark’s smirk show how he feels about the deal with Tanya?

Thursday: Are you smiling sincerely when you have a smirk on your face? Explain.

exhilarated: if someone exhilarated you, it makes you feel excited and energetic

Table Talk

Monday: If you exhilarated about something, how might you show it?

Tuesday: Do you think Andi felt exhilarated about surfing because she was losing interest in the sport? Explain.

Wednesday: Why does the author feel exhilarated when she hits Mark’s pitch?

Thursday: Would you be more likely to be exhilarated after winning a race or taking a nap? Explain.

Spelling Words

Long a Long e Long i Long o Long u

fadesayingteenageobtainfaintrayon

needlespeechsteepteenagereasoncreaseeagerthiefniece

mildtwice

shadowcoachsmoke

human

Grammarimperative sentence - a command or a

request. Imperative sentences usually end with a period.

Example: Please play catch with me. Go clean up your room.

exclamatory sentence – expresses strong feeling. Exclamatory sentences end with an exclamation point!

Example: I love your new shoes! What a great pitch!

Grammar

A sentence can be both imperative and exclamatory!

Example: Run away right now! Throw the ball to home!

interjections - a word used to express some sudden emotion of the mind.

Example: Aw! That was sweet! Wow, what a great hit!

Grammar

Let’s check your answers!