Friendship Across Boundaries: Return to Sender

Lesson 24
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ELA

Unit 5

5th Grade

Lesson 24 of 29

Objective


Defend if Stars and Swallows is the right name for the farm.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez  pp. 299 – 320

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Why does Mari propose naming the farm Stars and Swallows, Estrellas y Golondrinas

Is this the right name for the farm? Defend why or why not. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • On page 300, Tyler says, "Or just knowing what you and your family have gone through makes me feel like it could be a lot worse." Explain the significance of this quote and what it shows about Tyler.

  • What is the plan for the farm? How does Tyler feel about it? Why? 

  • Summarize Tyler's letter to Mari. 

  • Based on Mari's letter, how has the family adjusted to being back in Mexico? Do they all have the same point of view on being back? How do you know?

  • Think about the events in the story. What might the swallows represent in the text Return to Sender?

Vocabulary


astonished

adj.

greatly surprised or impressed

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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

Compare and contrast Mari and Tyler and the way their relationship impacts both of their lives by stating a theory and supporting it with evidence from the entire text.

Lesson 25
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Lesson Map

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