Reading and comprehension The reason an author has for writing, is the author purpose. There are four main reasons for writing: to persuade, to inform, to entertain, or to express.

PUSHING UP THE SKY by Joseph Bruchac Answer the following questions with your own words. Who is the author of “Pushing up the sky”? Joseph Bruchac Why do you think he wrote this play? To entertain When do you think the play takes place? Why? possible answer: A long time ago, because the story came from a totem pole. Totem poles tell stories from the past. 4. Identify the main idea and one supporting detail. Main idea: the sky is too close to the ground. Supporting detail: people can jump right into it. 4). Think about what you know about the sky. Do you think this story is realistic? Why or why not? possible answer: this story is not realistic because we cannot touch the sky. 5). What is the problem of the story? A: the sky was too close. .

6.) How do you think the chiefs feel about the problem? Why? A: frustrated, worried. The chiefs get together to talk about the problem 7.) The chiefs all thought the sky was too low. Name three effects of the low sky? A: Tall son hitting head, daughter losing her ball in the sky, people going up into the sky too often, mothers not finding their children because they are playing in the sky

VOCABULARY TO STUDY Antlers bony, branching growths on the head of a male deer, elk, or moose

imagined made a picture or idea of something in your mind

languages human speech, spoken or written

Narrator The person who tells a story

Overhead over the head; on high; above

poked pushed with force against someone or something