The Grandfather by Gary Soto page COS – 2a 2010 CCRS – RL ; RL ; RL ; W ; W ; Sl ; L ; L ; L ; L AHSGE – R.II.1; R.IV.2 ARI – Vocabulary Development, Reading Comprehension Literary Skills – Understand symbols with multiple meanings Reading Skills – Identify main idea

The Grandfather Literary Focus: Symbols with Multiple Meaning A symbol is an object, event, person, or animal that stands for something more than itself. Sometimes a symbol has one clear-cut association (like a wedding ring) Other symbols (like the ocean) are more open-ended and may have multiple meanings

While reading “The Grandfather,” pay special attention to what the author says about the avocado tree planted by his grandfather. Notice how the tree’s meaning seems to expand as the tree itself grows over time. The Grandfather Literary Focus: Symbols with Multiple Meanings

Previewing the Vocabulary gurgle v.: make a bubbling sound while flowing. hovered v.: stayed suspended over something. sulked v.: showed resentment and ill-humor. meager adj.: thin; small; inadequate The Grandfather Vocabulary

1. I would be annoyed if someone ___________ over me while I was reading. 2.Jim ate a ___________ breakfast of toast and milk. 3. The water ___________ as it went down the drain. 4.The child ___________ when he got in trouble for fighting with his sister. Vocabulary Activity: Sentence Completion Fill in the blanks with the correct Word Bank words. gurgledhoveredsulkedmeager hovered meager gurgled sulked The Scarlet Ibis Vocabulary

The Grandfather Quickwrite Make the Connection Think about someone who means a great deal to you. What is this person like? Why is he or she so important to you? Write down a few sentences explaining what this person means to you.

While Reading 1.What does the grandfather associate with money? 2.In what way might the grandfather’s rise to packer then to watchman resemble a donkey’s labored climb? 3.By the avocado tree’s third year, what do the tree and Soto have in common? 4.Why is it odd that the avocado tree is the grandfather’s favorite? 5.Why is the avocado tree the grandfather’s favorite? 6.What are the milestones in the avocado tree’s production of fruit? 7.Explain the symbolism of the avocado tree.

Activity Think of a place, element of nature, or an object that has symbolic meaning to you. What do you associate with this place, element, or object? Does this symbol have multiple meanings for you? Write a paragraph in which you reveal the symbol’s meaning or meanings and its appeal to you. The avocado tree is symbolic of the narrator’s family with grandfather being the trunk, or base, of the family. Create a drawing of your own family tree in which you place your family members where you believe they fit on your symbolic tree. (This is not supposed to be a family tree like a genealogist would make.)