Friendship Across Boundaries: Return to Sender

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 5

5th Grade

Lesson 5 of 29

Objective


Defend if hope and fear play important roles in Mari's life.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez  pp. 23 – 36

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Read the statement below. 

Both hope and fear play important roles in Mari's life. 

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Defend why or why not using paraphrased details from the text.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • On page 25, Mari had to stop writing because she was too sad. Why was she sad? What other words could you use to describe her situation? Why? 

  • Mari explains that she doesn't think the paper can hold such "terrifying memories" (p. 28). What memories does Mari have? Why is she reflecting on them now? 

  • Mari's mother didn't tell the girls she was leaving. Why? Should she have told them she was leaving? 

  • Papá lives in a state of fear, whereas Mari lives in a state of hope. Defend. 

  • Read the sentences: "You guys are lifesavers!" and "She can sew like a barn on fire." (p. 33). What types of figurative language are the sentences? Why were Mari and her sisters confused by the sentences? 

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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

Explain what the events of the chapter suggest about Tyler. 

Lesson 6
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Lesson Map

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