Friendship Across Boundaries: Return to Sender

Lesson 18
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ELA

Alternate Unit 2

5th Grade

Lesson 18 of 29

Objective


Summarize the key events from Mari's letter.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez  pp. 227 – 246

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A Note for Teachers


In this lesson readers learn what happened to Mari's mother when she was kidnapped. This lesson contains graphic information that may be sensitive for some students. If needed, skip sections of the text that may be particularly challenging for students. Or, read sections of the text in small groups to support students who may need help processing some of the sensitive topics.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

Mari starts her letter with the following sentence: "But my heart is bursting with all the things that have happened since I left you." 

Summarize the key events from Mari's letter. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What description does the author include to show how Mari is feeling? Identify at least four examples and explain the effect they have on a reader. 

  • On page 246, Mari writes, "But unlike the names on that wall, she has come back to us." What is the significance of this quote? How is Mari feeling?

  • Tyler and Mari are true friends. Agree or disagree. 

Vocabulary


vigilant

adj.

carefully noticing problems or danger

apprehended

v.

to catch a criminal or a suspect

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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
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Lesson 17

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Lesson 19

Lesson Map

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