A Special Journal

Read this sentence from the story.

 

“I wish Grandma had given me a game, something we could have done together.” (paragraph 4)

 

Based on this reaction, how does the narrator’s point of view change by the end of the story?

• He still wishes for a gift other than journal

• He realizes that sharing journals is a meaningful family activity.

• He starts to research his family history after listening to Grandma.

• He asks Grandma to read more of her journals so he can learn how to write.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.1.9

CCSS.RL.3.6

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

Select the sentence that shows why the narrator seems confused at the beginning of the story.

• Today I am visiting Grandma to celebrate my birthday.

• At first I think my present is a book, but there are no words on the pages.

• "This is a journal," Grandma explains.

• I thank Grandma but my spirits sink.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RF.3.4C

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

Part A

What is the central message of the story?

• Spending time with family is important.

• It is okay to take a break from a chalenge.

• Journals can be tools to learn about the past.

• Small towns are special and hold many stories.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Part B

Which detail from the passage supports the answer in Part A?

• "Today, I am visiting my Grandma to celebrate my birthday."

• "I got frustrated, but father told me it was okay."

• "I also do not know the people who work at shops near my house."

• "Maybe someday when you have your own grandchildren, you can share your journal about your life as a kid."

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.3.10

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.5.10

Read the sentence from the passage.

"A journal on the other hand, feels like homework."

What does the phrase "feels like homework" show about the narrator?

• He has used a journal before

• He is worried about the journal

• He is disappointed with the journal

• He has a lot of questions about the journal

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.3.10

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.5.10

Select TWO ways that paragraphs 6-10 build the narrator's appreciation for his new journal.

• They highlight how important growing up in a small town can be

• They help the narrator learn more information about his great grandpa

• They show the narrator that using a journal can teach many life lessons

• They describe the different kinds of stories that can be written in a journal

• They inspire the narrator to think of topics similar to his grandma's to write about.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

Read this sentence from the passage.

"I thank Grandma, but my spirits sink."

What does the phrase "spirits sink" suggest about the narrator?

• The narrator feels afraid

• The narrator feels nervous

• The narrator feels uncertain

• The narrator feels disappointed

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the sentences from the passage.

I perk up. I know little about Grandma's father, my great grandpa."

What is the meaning of the phrase "perk up" as it is used in the sentence?

• Smile very widely

• Listen with interest

• Straighten suddenly

• Have many questions

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.4

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RL.4.4