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(1)When Nanabozho was a boy and the earth was new, his grandmother, Nokomis, made him some paints. She mixed colors from moonlight and shadows, snowflakes and sand. She borrowed blues from night and greens from moss. She took the sparkle from stars. Then she put all the colors into pots and gave them to her grandson.

(2)Nokomis told Nanabozho to “make beauty” by painting the flowers.

How does Nanabozho not follow his grandmother’s directions about making beauty?

• He paints animals like bugs and birds.

• He starts by painting a flower in a field.

• He uses many different colors of paint.

• He takes his time and paints carefully.

Nanabozho went to a field with white flowers. He dipped his brush into purple paint and painted the petals gently, one by one, being careful not to go over the edges.

Think about the ending -ly. What does gently mean above?

• being very quiet

• using a light touch

• trying to be perfect

• moving very slowly

Pick the two sentences from the story that show Nanabozho is happy about painting.

• Nanabozho skipped to a field with white flowers.

• He was happy and ran around the field, painting every ladybug he saw, missing only one.

• Nanabozho painted stripes on the bee.

• Nanabozho saw Raccoon's gray tail hanging from a tree.

Sparrow hopped up two more branches, but Nanabozho struggled after him. “Orange?” Nanabozho called.

Sparrow flew to the top branch and watched as Nanabozho climbed up the tree.

What does climbed mean?

• thought quickly

• looked carefully

• shouted nervously

• climbed awkwardly

What happens because Sparrow flies away from Nanabozho?

• Sparrow learns that bright colors are beautiful

• Sparrow loses his bright colors.

• Nanabozho decides to paint the trees.

• Nanabozho accidentally spills paint on the trees.

But the paints and dyes spilled, pouring out of the pots like a rushing waterfall!

Why does the author say the paint spilled “like a rushing waterfall”?

• to show that it makes a pool among the trees

• to show that it knocks Nanabozho down

• to show that it flows fast and strong

• to show that it is fun for Nanabozho to look at

Every year we remember when Nanabozho spilled his paints and made the trees so pretty. And every year, Maple, who forgave Nanabozho first, is the prettiest of all.

Explain how the story shows the theme of forgiveness. Use details from the story to explain your answer.

• Even though Nanabozho made a mess trying to make Sparrow pretty, he is forgiven.

• Nanabozho paints pictures for his grandma.

• Grandma teaches Nanabozho to paint.

Phillipe’s cat, Roco, who had wandered away and not been seen since last year, came back home and everyone was amazed. My event was a big surprise to both my softball team and me.

Why does the author use words like “everyone was amazed” and “big surprise” in paragraph 7?

• to explain why the children want to keep the tree a secret

• to explain why the friends enjoy their vacation time together

• to show that the events are uncommon and important to the children

I usually only hit singles, but this time I hit the ball really far.

What do the words “really far” tell readers about the narrator?

• She can hit the ball farther than any of her teammates.

• She has trouble seeing where the softball field ends.

• She is happy that she hit the ball so far.

• She is still learning the rules of softball.

When fall came, the town council decided to spruce up the courthouse clock tower by painting it.

What does spruce up mean?

• to make something look better

• to give something a new purpose

• to fix something that is broken

• to take something down to rebuild it