Exploring Kindness and Intolerance in The Widow's Broom

Mrs. R introduces 'The Widow's Broom' by Chris Van Allsburg, a story about a kind widow, Minna Shaw, who helps a witch. The witch leaves behind a broom that magically sweeps and performs tasks. The neighbors, led by Mr. Spivey, fear the broom and destroy it, but Minna cleverly saves the magical broom by painting it white. The story concludes with a moral about understanding and respecting differences.

What is Minna Shaw's relationship status in the story?

• Divorced

• Single

• Married

• Widow

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CCSS.RL.1.3

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

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CCSS.RL.K.3

What causes the witch's broom to lose its power?

• The witch discarded it

• It was broken in a storm

• It became too old

• It was cursed

What task does the broom NOT learn to do?

• Cook meals

• Sweep floors

• Chop wood

• Fetch water

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CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.3.10

CCSS.RL.3.6

CCSS.RL.4.6

How did the neighbors initially react to the magical broom?

• They were terrified

• They were indifferent

• They were amazed

• They were curious

What action did Mr. Spivey take against the broom?

• He ignored it

• He attempted to destroy it

• He tried to buy it

• He stole it

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CCSS.RI.1.4

CCSS.RI.2.1

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CCSS.RL.1.1

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What was the community's final decision regarding the broom?

• Keep it as a helper

• Destroy it

• Sell it

• Banish it from the town

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CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5

What did Minna see that frightened her neighbors?

• The broom's ghost

• A ghost

• A fire

• A new witch

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CCSS.RL.2.10

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What was the true identity of the broom's ghost?

• The painted broom

• A new witch

• Minna's imagination

• A real ghost

What lesson does the story of 'The Widow's Broom' teach?

• Brooms can be pets

• Acceptance of differences

• Witches are dangerous

• Magic is real

What did Minna do to the broom at the end of the story?

• She hid it

• She gave it away

• She painted it

• She broke it

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.K.5