Introducing the Story Literary Skills Focus: Character Traits Reading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer Feature Menu

American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer What are the consequences of judging other people?

American History Introducing the Story Click on the title to start the video.

All loss, all pain, is particular; the universe remains to the heart unhurt. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1841 American History Introducing the Story [End of Section]

When characters tell you their stories, they also tell you a lot about character traits. American History Literary Skills Focus: Character Traits Character traits include personalities, values, likes, and dislikes. hot-temperedhonestlikes science

Round characters have many sides to them. To many of her teachers, Lucy was best known as the star pupil. To her coach she was the perfect team player. To her boss she was the employee of the month. What Lucy really wanted to be, though, was an astronaut, soaring through the galaxy and exploring the stars. They show a variety of character traits. To many of her teachers, Lucy was best known as the star pupil. To her coach, she was the perfect team player. To her boss, she was the employee of the month. What Lucy really wanted to be, though, was an astronaut, soaring through the galaxy and exploring the stars. American History Literary Skills Focus: Character Traits

Lucy’s various traits make her a round character. She is studious. She is responsible. She is hardworking. She is daring. If Lucy displayed just one or two of these traits, however, she’d be considered a flat character. American History Literary Skills Focus: Character Traits

Mary was envious. She’d do anything to be the top salesperson in her department, but she still hadn’t made it. Mary’s jealousy over Joe’s sales record filled her with rage. Day and night, it was all she could think of. She would do anything to steal Joe’s top spot. You can determine more about a character’s traits based on what he or she says or does. Based on these traits, how would you sum up Mary’s character? Mary was envious. She’d do anything to be the top salesperson in her department, but she still hadn’t made it. Mary’s jealousy over Joe’s sales record filled her with rage. Day and night, it was all she could think of. She would do anything to steal Joe’s top spot. American History Literary Skills Focus: Character Traits [End of Section]

American History Reading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters An inference is an educated guess. When you make inferences about a character’s personality, you base your inferences on the character’s words, thoughts and actions

Characters’ words can give you clues about their personalities. I know it’s your birthday, Grandma, but if I don’t stay at the office until I finish my reports, I’ll never get a raise. It sounds as though he’s more concerned about work and money than his family. American History Reading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters

Characters’ thoughts can help you see what kinds of people they are. He’s pretty hard on himself. He doesn’t seem to have very strong self-esteem. There’s no point in asking her to the dance. She’s way too good for me. I don’t have a chance with her. American History Reading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters

Characters’ actions can help you make educated guesses about their personalities. She seems fun-loving and perhaps full of mischief. She smiles and sticks her tongue out at the camera.

American History Reading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters Pg # Narrator’s Words, Thoughts, Actions, and Interactions My Inferences 146“The narrator’s cheeks burn.” 146 “I was miserable, since I had forgotten my gloves... ” The narrator doesn’t like the cold. Into Action: To help you understand her personality, take notes on the thoughts and actions of the main character. Into Action: Character Inference Chart [End of Section]

American History Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer Although the author uses dialogue sparingly in this story, she uses it to great effect to reveal information about her characters. Find It in Your Reading “Hey, Skinny Bones, pump it, girl. Ain’t you got no energy today?” Gail, the biggest of the black girls who had the other end of the rope yelled, “Didn’t you eat your rice and beans and pork chops for breakfast today?” As you read, comment in a notebook about the purpose of dialogue in the story. [End of Section]

Vocabulary

discreet adj.: careful; showing good judgment. American History Vocabulary infatuated adj.: carried away by shallow or foolish love. vigilant adj.: watchful. elation n.: great joy. solace n.: comfort; easing of grief.

American History Vocabulary Discreet is often used to describe someone who shows good judgment in dealing with a sensitive or embarrassing subject. If you are discreet about saying something, you don’t just blurt it out. What is a discreet way to let your friend know that she has something on her face?

American History Vocabulary What’s the best way to do this? a.donate all of his clothes to charity b.suggest a family shopping spree c.padlock his closet Your aunt has asked you to find a discreet way to get your uncle to update his wardrobe.

American History Vocabulary What’s the best way to do this? a.donate all of his clothes to charity b.suggest a family shopping spree c.padlock his closet Your aunt has asked you to find a discreet way to get your uncle to update his wardrobe.

American History Vocabulary People often say that those who are infatuated with each other do not have a relationship based on true love. What is the difference between being in love with someone and being infatuated with someone? Being infatuated is like having a crush; you are swept up in powerful, but often foolish, feelings.

American History Vocabulary Jennifer is infatuated with her favorite band’s lead guitarist. Which word would best describe how she feels about him? a. interested b. disgusted c. obsessed

American History Vocabulary Jennifer is infatuated with her favorite band’s lead guitarist. Which word would best describe how she feels about him? a. interested b. disgusted c. obsessed

American History Vocabulary Vigilant means watchful, alert, and on the lookout for danger. David is vigilant about his health: He visits his doctor often. What other habits might someone who is vigilant about his or her health have?

American History Vocabulary a.install security cameras b.punish shoplifters severely c.hire more employees The store’s owner has warned the manager that she must be more vigilant about catching shoplifters. Which of these steps might she take in order to do that?

American History Vocabulary a.install security cameras b.punish shoplifters severely c.hire more employees The store’s owner has warned the manager that she must be more vigilant about catching shoplifters. Which of these steps might she take in order to do that?

American History Vocabulary Elation usually refers to the kind of joy that comes from a proud accomplishment. This graduate is clearly showing the elation he feels after reaching an important milestone. Can you think of a time when you felt elation?

American History Vocabulary Eva was filled with an overwhelming feeling of elation. Which of the following events seems most likely to have caused this feeling? a.She missed the winning shot at the buzzer. b.She was promoted to manager at work. c.She woke up late for the first day of school.

American History Vocabulary Eva was filled with an overwhelming feeling of elation. Which of the following events seems most likely to have caused this feeling? a.She missed the winning shot at the buzzer. b.She was promoted to manager at work. c.She woke up late for the first day of school.

Someone who provides solace gives you consolation, a shoulder to lean on in difficult times. American History Vocabulary When they need comforting, young children often look to their parents for solace. Where do you turn for solace when times get tough?

American History Vocabulary Kevin wished for someone who could offer him solace after he learned of his friend’s accident. What is he wishing for? a. someone to talk to b. some time alone c. a way to help his friend

American History Vocabulary Kevin wished for someone who could offer him solace after he learned of his friend’s accident. What is he wishing for? a. someone to talk to b. some time alone c. a way to help his friend

The End

QuickWrite

American History QuickWrite [End of Section] On a daily basis, we make judgments about people, and we are judged in turn. List the factors we use to evaluate people. When are such judgments helpful? When are they harmful? Write down your thoughts.

Meet the Writer

Judith Ortiz Cofer was born in Puerto Rico, but her family moved to the United States when she was a toddler. When the family moved to Paterson, New Jersey, they lived in a large building known as “El Building” (like Elena’s home in “American History”). In her new home, learning English was a challenge for Cofer, but she eventually became an English professor and award-winning author. More About the Writer American History Meet the Writer [End of Section]

Build Background

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. American History [End of Section] Kennedy had worked to eliminate prejudice and establish equal rights for all Americans. Even today, people share stories about where they were when Kennedy was killed. Build Background

Preview the Selection

American History Preview the Selection Elena, the story’s narrator and main character, is a fourteen-year-old Puerto Rican girl whose mother worries about her future. Eugene, the object of Elena’s affection, is a blond-haired boy from Georgia who comes from a very different world. [End of Section]