Grace and the Time Machine from Starring Grace by Mary Hoffman adapted for Story Theater by Donald Abramson illustrated by Matthew Faulkner

Summary Grace and her friends build a time machine powered by imagination. Using the memories of Grace’s grandmother and Mrs. Myerson, a neighbor, everyone has fun experiencing far-off places such as Gambia, Trinidad, and Heidelberg.

Study Skills Genre: Fiction Comprehension Skill: Drawing Conclusions Comprehension Strategy: Answer Questions Comprehension Review Skill: Compare Contrast Vocabulary: Prefixes

Genre: Play A play has all the elements of a story-characters, setting, plot, and theme- but it doesn’t look like a story because it’s written to be performed. As you read, think about how this play might be different as a chapter in a book.

Comprehension Skill Tested – Draw Conclusions TE 211a When you draw conclusions, you use details and what you already know to form opinions or make decisions about characters and events. The facts and details are small pieces of information in the story.

Comprehension Skill Tested – Draw Conclusions Facts and details “add up” to a conclusion. A flashback briefly “pauses” the present-time events of the story. A flashback helps explain something that is happening now in the story.

Comprehension Skill Review: Compare and Contrast A Comparison tells how two or more things are alike. A Contrast tells how they are different Clue words such as like or as show comparisons Clue words such as but or unlike show contrasts.

Compare and Contrast Practice PB 197 Brazil Bolivia sizes land features People

Vocabulary Strategy Prefixes - Prefixes are letters added to the beginning of a word that change its meaning. The prefix re- means “again.” If you retie a knot, you tie it again. The prefix a means “on, in or at”. If you are abed, you are in bed.

Word Structure Practice TE211c Add Prefix re- Sentence think rethink I’ll rethink that question. work read visit set play

Question of the Week TE 142 m What can we accomplish by using our imaginations?

Vocabulary - Say It awkward aboard miracle vehicle mechanical atlas capable chant aboard vehicle atlas reseats

vehicle device for carrying people or things, such as a car, bus, airplane, etc.

reseats sits again

miracle a wonderful happening that is contrary to, or independent of, the known laws of nature

mechanical like a machine; automatic; without expression

to call over and over again chant to call over and over again

having fitness, power, or ability; able; efficient; competent capable having fitness, power, or ability; able; efficient; competent

not graceful or skillful in movement or shape; not easily managed awkward not graceful or skillful in movement or shape; not easily managed

atlas book of maps

on board; in or on a ship, train, bus, airplane, etc. aboard on board; in or on a ship, train, bus, airplane, etc.

Each new invention seemed like a mechanical miracle.

Each new invention seemed like a mechanical miracle.

The train was capable of wild speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

The train was capable of wild speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

Each rider was thrilled when they heard, “All aboard!”

Each rider was thrilled when they heard, “All aboard!”

He was clumsy awkward as he walked across the ice.

He was clumsy awkward as he walked across the ice.

The conductor reseats us after the train started.

The conductor reseats us after the train started.

The click of the wheels sounds like a chant.

The click of the wheels sounds like a chant.

Now there is every kind of vehicle on the roads.

Now there is every kind of vehicle on the roads.

We will look in the atlas to see what country is the farthest away.

We will look in the atlas to see what country is the farthest away.

Day 2 - Question of the Day What happens when Grace and her friends use their imaginations?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 194-195 What is the setting for the opening scene in the play? What is Nana’s role in the household when Ava is at work?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 196-197 How are all the children’s invention ideas alike? Why do the children agree to make a time machine? Can you share a time when you played with your friends and did something similar to making a time machine?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 198-199 How can your knowledge of prefixes help you know the meaning of aboard? How would a world of robots compare to a world of humans? Why do you think Grace suddenly decides they should go?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 200-201 How does the art add to your understanding of the story? Why do the children make a quick getaway from the past? Is the answer to the previous question in the text or do you use information you already have to answer it? Explain.

Day 3 - Question of the Day How did using her imagination affect Mrs. Myerson?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 202-203 Why does Nana want to ride on the time machine? What part of this play is realistic and what part is fantasy?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 204-205 Which details help you imagine what Trinidad is like? Why doesn’t Mrs. Myerson leave her house? Why does Mrs. Myerson decide to try the time machine?

Grace and the Time Machine p. 206-207 What is the function of Actors 1 and 2 and Actresses 1 and 2 throughout the play? Do you think the time machine really took the children to different times and places? What details help you answer this question? What other book does Grace and the Time Machine remind you of?

Day 4 - Question of the Day - Review What do you think is the best way to spend a summer day with friends?

Review Questions Why do you think the author wrote this story? How might Mrs. Myerson’s imaginary trip affect her present life? Would you like to time travel? Why or why not? How were the imaginary trips to Trinidad and Heidelberg alike?

Review Questions How did grace show she was capable of taking care of Nana? How were the trips to The Gambia and Trinidad alike? What does this story teach about inventions? How did Mrs. Myerson feel about the children?

Writing Assignment TE 211h Think of a scene in which two characters are having a conversation. They might be arguing, making a decision, or trying to solve a problem. Visualize what they look like and where the scene is taking place. Write their exact words.

Writing Assignment Drafting Tips Make your characters’ speech – or dialogue – sound the way people really talk. Describe important actions occurring on stage using adverbs. Organize your writing carefully. always begin with a description of the scene.

Spelling Words adding ar and or Arkansas garden sharp forward force sport apartment Florida storm partner

Spelling Words Adding –s and -es alarm form garbage forest morning start backyard argue story corner

carnation margarine informative snorkel departure CHALLENGE carnation margarine informative snorkel departure

Weekly Fluency Check - Characterization/Dialogue TE 211a Read aloud “Journal of a Teenage Genius” on p. 188m. Explain how you use what you know about the characters to choose a voice for each one and make the dialogue more interesting.

Research/Study Skill – Advertisement All advertisements sell a product or service. Advertisements want their product or service to appear the best.

Research/Study Skill – Advertisement There are four parts to an advertisement: -photo or illustration -a headline in large type -information about the product -who makes the product or service