FOCUS ON VOCABULARY canvasmusetrance

canvas The painter pulled out a large canvas and began to work. The painter pulled out a large canvas and began to work. canvas – a piece of cloth on which an artist paints. Where might you see artists’ canvases? Where might you see artists’ canvases?

muse Pedro relied upon his muse to guide his writing. Pedro relied upon his muse to guide his writing. muse – an imaginary person or thing that provides inspiration Why might an author find the idea of having a muse useful? Why might an author find the idea of having a muse useful?

trance Nellie was in a trance as soon as she saw the giant boulder. Nellie was in a trance as soon as she saw the giant boulder. trance – a sleeplike state occurring during intense concentration When might you be in a trance? When might you be in a trance?

skyscrapers The first skyscrapers were built in New York City and Chicago. skyscrapers– very tall buildings Are there any skyscrapers in your community? Are there any skyscrapers in your community?

collage We cut pictures from old greeting cards to make a holiday collage. collage– a picture made from many small pieces put together Tell about a time you put together a collage. Tell about a time you put together a collage.

barbecue We ate chicken and shrimp barbecue. – a meal that has been prepared on a grill. barbecue– a meal that has been prepared on a grill. What other ways can you use the word What other ways can you use the word barbecue?

glorious The maple leaves are glorious in the fall. glorious– full of beauty and wonder What is an antonym for the word glorious? What is an antonym for the word glorious?

strutting The rooster has been strutting around the chicken coop. strutting– walking proudly When have you seen people or animals strutting? When have you seen people or animals strutting?

swarms We ran from the swarms of bees that we had accidentally stirred up. swarms– many together in a group How are swarms similar to and different from herds? How are swarms similar to and different from herds?

Comprehension STRATEGY: MONITOR COMPREHENSION Monitoring Comprehension- pausing to check understanding. Strategies include asking questions about the text, rereading passages, and reading ahead. Strategies include asking questions about the text, rereading passages, and reading ahead. Monitoring comprehension can help you clarify text that you find confusing, and help you make sure you understand what you have read. Monitoring comprehension can help you clarify text that you find confusing, and help you make sure you understand what you have read.

Comprehension SKILL: CHARACTER, SETTING, PLOT Characters- people who are in the story Setting- When and where the story takes place Plot- What happens, or the sequence of events Sometimes, the setting of a story has a big impact on the plot. The conditions, time period, and environment affect what the characters say and do. Other times, the setting is less important, but the characters’ traits, or personalities, and the way they react to events matter more. Look at the characters’ dialogue and interactions with others to help understand the plot. Look for the characters’ motivations, or the reasons behind their actions.

Setting Flow Chart