“That’s Amazing!” Theme 3

“That’s Amazing!” Name some things that are amazing. Are these things real or imaginary? What makes these things amazing?

Chris Van Allsburg

Genre: Fantasy Characters and events that could occur in real life combine with those that could not. “That’s Amazing!”

Purposes for Reading Strategy focus: Monitor and Clarify Comprehension skill: Noting Detail Vocabulary development Critical thinking, discussion

Strategy Focus: Strategy Focus: Monitor /Clarify Monitor: Ask yourself, “Did I understand what I just read?” Clarify: Reread the story, or read ahead to clarify your understanding. Monitoring and clarifying are ways of making sure you follow and understand the story.

Key Vocabulary autumn draft etched frost mercury thermometer peculiar timid

Autumn The season after summer

Draft A flow of air

Etched (v) made a design by cutting lines

frost A very thin covering of ice.

mercury Silvery white metal used in thermometers

thermometer An instrument that measures temperature.

peculiar Unusual, strange or odd

timid Easily frightened; shy

Spelling Focus Spelling Focus Compound Words railroad airport seat belt everywhere homesick understand background anything ninety-nine already fireplace ourselves all right forever breakfast whenever everything meanwhile afternoon make-believe landmark nationwide postscript motorcycle handkerchief

Grade Four English-language Arts Content Standards Writing Create multiple-paragraph writings Illustrate focus, graphic organize, point of view Write legibly in cursive Demonstrate keyboarding skills Be familiar with computer vocabulary Know the purpose of various reference books Revise and edit own paper for progress Write narratives using related ideas and sensory details Write responses to literature and expository reports Write and speak using appropriate grammar Identify and use various parts of speech Organize and deliver oral reports Know appropriate punctuation rules Correctly spell grade level words Alphabetical order Reading Decoding and word recognition Antonyms, synonyms, idioms, affixes Read aloud narrative/expository texts fluently Use a dictionary and a thesaurus Comprehension strategies Comprehend and analyze texts Listening and Speaking Listen and respond appropriately to oral communication Deliver oral presentations with a clear focus Analyze and evaluate oral and media communications

Spelling Focus Spelling Focus Compound Words herself something himself nowhere snowflake home run runner-up nighttime well-known no one crosswalk bathtub bedtime maybe into science fiction light-year videotape field trip toothache

Genre: Fairy Tale A fantasy story that has been retold through generations and in many cultures. “That’s Amazing!”

Purposes for Reading Strategy focus: Question Comprehension skill: Compare/Contrast Vocabulary development Critical thinking, discussion

Strategy Focus: Strategy Focus: Question Question: What is Cendrillon’s carriage made out of? Question: Does she have two evil stepsisters? As you read the story, think of questions you can ask other students.

Key Vocabulary crossly elegant godmother orphan peasant proud

crossly: in a grumpy or grouchy way

elegant: marked by good taste; graceful

godmother: a woman who acts as a child’s parent

orphan: a child whose parents are dead

peasant: relating to a poor farm worker

proud: thinking too highly of oneself

Spelling Focus Spelling Focus Final /er/ and /l/ harbor final middle weather labor model chapter special sugar bottle medal collar proper towel beggar battle trouble shower uncle doctor shoulder decimal trifle solar cancel

Spelling Focus Spelling Focus Final /er/ and /l/ metal pedal angel total suffer favor bitter feather terror clutter mammal pebble kennel quarter mineral stellar boulder example smaller quarrel

Genre: Tall Tale Characters with exaggerated qualities and abilities perform fantastic feats. “That’s Amazing!”

Purposes for Reading Strategy focus: Evaluate Comprehension skill: Fantasy/realism Vocabulary development Critical thinking, discussion

Strategy Focus: Strategy Focus: Evaluate Evaluate: What details make the story realistic and which details make the story fantastic? Evaluate how the author and illustrator make the story funny and incredible.

Key Vocabulary affected horizon miscalculated singe temperature weather vane commotion pasture

affected caused a change in

horizon line along which the earth and sky seem to meet

miscalculated figured incorrectly

singe To burn slightly

temperature measure of heat or coldness

weather vane movable pointer that shows wind direction

commotion noisy confusion

pasture land used for animals to graze

Spelling Focus Spelling Focus Words ending with -ed or -ing dancing skipped hiking flipped snapping raced landed pleasing checking dared dimmed rubbing striped wasting traced stripped tanning smelling phoning fainted breathing tiring urged scrubbed striving

Spelling Focus Spelling Focus Words ending with -ed or -ing smiled saving dropped rubbed grinning buzzed judged wiped putting scaring folded scarred scared bluffing quizzed whipped called peeled drummed tasted