Theme

The Birthday Surprise

Isaac turned pale as he looked at the mess he had made in the kitchen. The eggs and bacon were burnt to black shards on the frying pan, cooking oil had spilled out of the broken bottle and was all over the floor, the pancake batter had turned lumpy and dry, and the washcloth had dark stains from the coffee powder that Isaac had spilled and wiped off the counter.

Oh, this is the worst morning Mom could possibly have for her birthday, Isaac thought, as he grabbed a fresh cloth to clean the oil from the floor. It was his mother's birthday, and Isaac had woken up early to prepare breakfast. He wanted to surprise Mom with breakfast in bed and tell her to take the day off. Now, looking at the mess he had created, he realized that not only would Mom not get a day off, she would also have to work extra to help him clean up the mess in the kitchen.

While he was scrubbing the floor, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the kitchen. Mom was up! Isaac's heart began beating wildly. His mother walked into the kitchen and froze in her tracks when she saw the storm Isaac had raised in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, Mom! I was trying to make you breakfast to surprise you for your birthday. I never stopped to think about how terrible I could possibly be at cooking," Isaac said, going red in his cheeks.

For a moment, his mother did not react. Then, a small smile appeared on her face and she hugged Isaac.

"It's alright, sweetheart. You meant well, so there is no reason to feel sorry," she said.

What is the best way to describe the theme in this story?

• It is important to start the day by having a hearty breakfast.

• Sharing household duties helps strengthen the bond between family members.

• It is the good intention behind the deed that matters more than the deed itself.

• Practice makes one perfect, and experience is the best teacher.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

Modern Angels

CHARACTERS

JOE

SMITH

DOCTOR

MR. GARCIA, an old man

ACT 1 SCENE 1: A room in a hospital. Mr. Garcia, looking pale and weak, is lying on the bed. Joe and Smith are talking to the doctor in one corner of the room.

JOE:(looking at the patient on the bed) How is he now, doctor?DOCTOR:(beaming) The surgery was successful, thanks to both of you. If you hadn't brought him on time, we wouldn't have been able to do much for him.SMITH:Oh, I am glad we were able to help him.DOCTOR:(patting Joe and Smith on their back) There aren't many who would have missed their flight to bring a stranger to the hospital.JOE and SMITH:(in unison) Oh c'mon, doc. Anyone would have done the same.(The doctor shakes his head and exits. The curtain falls.)ACT 1 SCENE 2: A living room in a mansion. Mr. Garcia is sitting on a sofa, and Joe and Smith are sitting opposite him. In the background, servants are seen doing some chores.

Mr. GARCIA:Sons, I owe my life to you. If both of you hadn't found me in the basement at the right time, I don't know what would have become of me.JOE:(in an embarrassed tone) Sir, we were only doing what any person would do.Mr. GARCIA:(sadly) I wonder about that . . .you missed your flight and couldn't go on this vacation for which you had been saving for more than a year.SMITH:(smiling) Oh, Sir, you shouldn't think much of that. We have our whole life ahead of us, and we will go on another vacation soon.Mr. GARCIA:(handing an envelope): Well, I have a villa in Florida. And here are your return tickets. I want both of you to go and spend a couple of weeks there. The caretaker there will take care of all your needs. I can never repay you for what you have done for me, but this is the least I can do. And thank you again for being kind.(The old man gives them a hug.The servants hovering in the background clap. Joe and Smith laugh delightedly. Lights out.)

What is the best way to describe the theme?

• Unexpected surprises can lighten up one's mood.

• Senior citizens should go on vacations frequently.

• Saving for a vacation is important to have a stress free holiday.

• Thoughtfulness and unconditional kindness are always rewarded.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

Like a prowler, the moon hovered above Sherri's window. The cicadas snapped and popped in the growing darkness.

After dinner, Sherri had gone upstairs to finish her homework. She wanted to practice her floor routine, but her parents always said, “Homework first!”

The gymnastic competition was only two days away, and she had been too busy with her schoolwork to practice as hard or as long as she wanted. She did a few tumbles on her bedroom floor, but they were light. Her parents had warned her not to practice in the house. The last time she did, she had knocked over an expensive vase, so Sherri limited her practice to small movements.

In her head, she went over the mistakes she made at the last competition. Despite practicing nonstop for six weeks, she had only finished fourth. During her routine, she had tried doing a variation on a rolling twist when her leg dragged the wrong way. She fell and landed right on her face. Everyone clapped for her in the end, but nothing could extinguish her utter embarrassment.

As soon as she could, she dashed to the locker room, where her mom tried to comfort her. "It's okay,” she said. “Everyone makes mistakes. Don't let it get you down. The next competition isn't for a few months. Think about your mistakes and learn from them. You will do better."

Sherri thought about this as bedtime drew near. Visualizing her routine once again in her mind, she suddenly saw the reason behind her fall. She couldn’t wait to test her theory at practice tomorrow. This time I’m going to get it right, she vowed to herself.

What is the theme of this story?

• It is best to study at night.

• A girl messes up her routine.

• Never play inside the house.

• Learn from your mistakes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

The Ak Uk O Jeesh,

or

The Groundhog Family.

An Odjibwa Fable.

by Henry Schoolcraft

A female akukojeesh, or groundhog, with a numerous family of young ones, was burrowing in her wauzh, or hole in the ground, one long winter, in the north, when the young ones became impatient for spring. Every day the mother would go out and get roots and other things, which she brought in to them to eat; and she always told them to lie close and keep warm, and never to venture towards the mouth of the wauzh. But they became very impatient at last to see the light and the green woods. "Mother," said they, "is it not almost spring?" "No! no!" said she, in a cross humor, "keep still and wait patiently; it hails, it snows, it is cold—it is windy. Why should you wish to go out?" This she told them so often, and said it in such a bad temper, that they at last suspected some deception. One day she came in, after having been a long while absent, and fell asleep, with her mouth open. The little ones peeped in slyly, and saw on her teeth the remains of the nice white bulbous roots of the mo-na-wing, or adder's tongue violet. They at once knew it was spring, and without disturbing the old one, who only wanted to keep them in till they were full grown, away they scampered, out of the hole, and dispersed themselves about the forest, and so the family were all scattered.What is one of the themes expressed in this passage?

• Be very grateful for what you already have.

• Parents cannot protect their children forever.

• Laziness leads to severe hardship.

• Slow and steady wins the race.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

December 19, 1777, Friday

I woke to sleet hitting the window and another sound I'd not heard before. A drumbeat. Papa came in from milking and said, "The soldiers are coming."

Finally, through the gray, we saw them. Three officers on horseback led. We ran outside to cheer, but the men were quiet and thin. The sight of them took my breath away.

"They have no shoes," Elizabeth whispered.

We watched for several minutes as they passed by. We were unable to speak. Their footprints left blood in the snow. As I write this upstairs, my candle low and our room cold, I think I shall never again complain.

adapted from The Winter of the Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 by Kristiana Gregory

What statement is a good summary of the meaning of this selection?

• Sometimes our troubles seem small when we look at someone else's.

• Soldiers choose their lot and deserve what they get.

• Always carry an extra pair of shoes when you are walking.

• Always cheer the soldiers who pass by your window.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is the correct spelling of my name?

• Slet

• Salad

• Sallet

• Sellet

Tags

CCSS.L.8.2C