Spinach Forever?

Part A: To what "big idea" is the theme of the story most connected?

• fear

• family

• growing up

• the natural world

Part B: How do you know that this is the "big idea" of the story?

• The characters spend the story outdoors.

• The main character is afraid when the lizard loses its tail and she sees it in her hand.

• The main character knows that her brother is getting older and changing.

• The main character is worried about why her relationship with her brother is changing.

What is the most important key detail about Barrett?

• He is having trouble at school, and it is making him sad.

• He walks by a fence.

• He talks a lot.

• He had caught many lizards before this story began.

In paragraph 7, what clue tells you Barrett might not be as mean as he pretends to be?

• He does not talk to his sister.

• He does not tell his sister to leave.

• He walks outside while looking around.

• He gives his sister a look.

To find the theme, it is important to identify the key details. One kind of key detail is the feelings the characters have. Fill in the blanks to identify how the characters feel in the middle of the story.

Barrett felt ________. a. excited b. bored

The narrator felt ______. c. excited d. bored

• A. excited

• B. bored

• C. excited

• D. bored

Fill in the bubble before one sentence from the passage that shows why Barrett goes to get a bandage for the lizard.

A. It made me feel better, not seeing the damage I had done. B. Barrett grinned at me, and I grinned back. C. "Silly," he said, "you know his tail will grow back. D. Now he can look classy in the meantime."

• A

• B

• C

• D

Which two sentences from the passage are key details that best support the idea that animals and humans can be protective?

• "its grayish brown color made it nearly impossible to see." (paragraph 13)

• "The lizard's body remained in my hand, but a moment later, its tail was on the ground." (paragraph 16)

• "I had heard about how lizards would drop their tails if they were in danger and had to escape." (paragraph 16)

• "It had only a stump where its tail had been." (paragraph 17)

• "As for big brothers, sometimes they act mean on the outside even if deep down they care about you."

What is the most important key detail that happens after the lizard's tail comes off?

• Barrett reminds his sister that the lizard's tail will grow back soon.

• Barrett calls his little sister silly for acting the way she does.

• Barrett puts a bandage on the lizard's tail so his sister will not be upset.

• Barrett comes running back with a bandage very quickly.

What important thing does the little sister learn during the story?

Tips and Hints: Remember that the lesson a character learns and the author's message will be connected to the main theme of the story.

• Her brother really does love her.

• Her brother knows a lot about animals.

• There is a better way to catch a lizard.

• she learns what a lizard's skin feels like.

Which statement best identifies the author's message of the story?

• Family members show their love in different ways.

• Animals protect themselves in many different ways.

• Barrett is having his own problems in middle school.

• Some people are better at catching lizards than others.