The White Umbrella

Pre-Reading Have you ever been embarrassed by something a family member did? How do you react when someone gives you an unexpected gift?

First Reading LISTEN as the text is read aloud. Mark the text where you have questions. Use post-its. 

Sharing questions 1. The question you asked that interested you the most: 2. The question someone else asked that interested you the most:

Second reading 1. Some new things I noticed in the second reading: 2. What I am most interested in exploring in the discussion (a part of the story, a character, or a question):

Why does the narrator throw the umbrella down a sewer? The focus question: Write the question and your answer before the discussion Why does the narrator throw the umbrella down a sewer? Cluster questions: Why does the narrator want the white umbrella so much? Why does the narrator tell Ms. Crossman that her mother is going to buy her a white umbrella for Christmas? Why does the narrator tell Ms. Crossman that she wishes she were her mother? Why doesn’t the narrator want her mother and sister to know about the white umbrella?

Your answer to the focus question after the discussion You may change or add to your original answer!

Additional Discussion points: 1. Why does the narrator insist on waiting for her mother outside in the rain? 2. Why doesn’t the narrator Ms. C. to know her mother is working? 3. Why does the narrator think that playing extra well will show Ms. C. that she doesn’t have to “feel sorry for me”? Pg. 4 4. We’ll discuss our other unanswered questions!