Friendship Across Boundaries: Return to Sender

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 5

5th Grade

Lesson 14 of 29

Objective


Analyze and defend if Tyler and Mari are developing a true friendship. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez  pp. 139 – 158

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Tyler and Mari are developing a true friendship. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your answer using specific details from the text. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What does it mean to be "on pins and needles"? Why are the Cruzes "on pins and needles"? 

  • What is a "silver lining"? Why is Grandma Tyler's silver lining?

  • Read the quote from page 145: "Mari pauses to catch her breath, as if she might drown in a torrent of words tumbling out of her mouth." Explain the significance of this description. 

  • Compare and contrast Mari and Tyler's feelings about Christmas. In what ways do their feelings highlight the differences between the two? 

  • Summarize what happens when Tyler goes to the jail. 

Vocabulary


ballistic

adj.

very angry

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.5.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
  • RL.5.3 — Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).

Supporting Standards

L.5.4
L.5.5
RF.5.3
RF.5.4
RL.5.1
RL.5.4
RL.5.10
SL.5.1
W.5.10

Next

Close-read a text to determine what traditions are important in Mexican culture and explain how they help bring the Cruzes and the Paquettes together. 

Lesson 15
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Lesson Map

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