1. What obstacles do we face in our daily lives?
Get Ready to Read
What obstacles do we face in our daily lives?
Turn to pages
David was feeling a sense of bewilderment as his dad and Uncle Gil raced around the apartment. How can a sense of bewilderment be an obstacle in daily life?
To Uncle Gil, being a chess prodigy was a catastrophe that robbed him of his childhood. Do you think it was really a catastrophe? Why or why not?

2. Amazing Words Miscellaneous – not all of the same kind
Get Ready to Read
Amazing Words
Miscellaneous – not all of the same kind
David’s dad, Gabe, looked through cabinets and miscellaneous papers while searching for his lost concert ticket.
Would you expect a stack of miscellaneous papers to address the same topic?
If someone had a set of miscellaneous dishes, how would you expect the dishes to look?
Which of these groups would be described as miscellaneous: items in a junk drawer or a set of encyclopedias? A box of baseballs or a box of toys?
Speculate – to think carefully, meditate, consider, or guess
Sara can only speculate about what will happen if she is late to class.
What does it mean to speculate in the stock market?

3. Why is Gabe glad to learn that Karen had gone to work?
Get Ready to Read
What text features does Morning Traffic have that are typical of a drama?
Why is Gabe glad to learn that Karen had gone to work?
Summarize the plot of the story so far. What is the conflict? What is the rising action?
Does Uncle Gil resume or stop his cell phone conversation when his phone loses reception? What antonym in that question is a clue to the meaning of resume?
How are the challenges and obstacles to David’s plans like ones that you have faced?

4. As we read pages 462-463, think about:
Read and Comprehend
As we read pages , think about:
Which event happens first: Joanna plays chess against her computer, or Joanna plays against David? How can you tell?
Why does Gil think that the chess game will be a disaster?
How has Gil’s behavior changed since Joanna arrived?
Do you think David’s plan to impress Joanna by playing chess with her is a good one?

5. As we read pages 464-465, think about:
Read and Comprehend
As we read pages , think about:
To whom do the flowers belong? How did you come to that conclusion?
Why does the author include the arrival of additional characters at this point?
What happens because Gil puts the flowers on the chessboard?

6. As we read pages 466-467, think about:
Read and Comprehend
As we read pages , think about:
Why does Gabe ask Alison and her children to look for the ticket?
What can you infer from Alison’s response when Christine activates the model airplane?
To whom is Gil speaking when he says, “Hello…?” How do you know?

7. As we read pages 468-469, think about:
Read and Comprehend
As we read pages , think about:
Briefly describe the rising action that leads to the plot’s climax.
What conclusion can you draw about Joanna based on her response to David’s outburst?
What do David’s actions throughout the play tell you about him?

8. As we read pages 470-471, think about:
Read and Comprehend
As we read pages , think about:
List in sequence the four main events of this play.
Why do David, Gil and Gabe give each other a quick glance as the play ends?
What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this play? Does he accomplish his purpose?
How does the setting of the play contribute to the conflict?
Answer the critical thinking questions on page 472.

9. Read and Comprehend
Fluency Practice
Turn to page Read this page out loud with me. Use plenty of expression.

10. Research and Study Skills
Read and Comprehend
Research and Study Skills
Print Sources/Media
Print resources: almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, nonfiction books, reference books
Media resources: computer and non-computer. CD-ROMs, the internet, software, audiotapes, CDs, DVDs, films and videotapes

11. A prepositional phrase can modify a noun, a pronoun, or a verb.
Language Arts
Prepositions
A preposition shows a relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence.
A prepositional phrase can modify a noun, a pronoun, or a verb.
Add a prepositional phrase to finish the sentences:
Gil held the cell phone _______________________________________________
The boy came to visit ______________________________________________
David dropped the cell phone _____________________________________________

12. Language Arts
Spelling practice
Quiz your partner with the spelling words. Be sure to give a sentence for each word.

13. Writing – Personal Narrative
Language Arts
Writing – Personal Narrative
Read the sample on page Think about what makes this a good example of a personal narrative.
Write your rough draft. Be sure to include plenty of sensory details to help the reader understand what is happening.