Friendship Across Boundaries: Return to Sender

Develop a sense of place and explore how place shapes identity.

“Where I'm From”

Standards

RI.5.1SL.5.1

Explain how farmers and migrant workers are connected to Vermont dairy farms using multiple texts.

“Russo Family Farm, Vermont”
“A Day-in-the-Life on an Organic Dairy Farm in Cornwall, Vermont”
“The Golden Cage”

Standards

SL.5.1SL.5.2W.5.1

Explain what happens in the chapter that Tyler doesn't fully understand.

Return to Sender pp. 3–16

Standards

RL.5.3

Explain how the letter helps readers better understand Mari and her relationship with her family.

Return to Sender pp. 17–22

Standards

RL.5.3

Defend the claim that hope and fear affect Mari and her family in different ways.

Return to Sender pp. 31–36 — ("But I know..")

Standards

RL.5.2RL.5.3

Language

Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.

Time Detectives Handout (G5, U5, L6)

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.d

Explain what the events of the chapter suggest about Tyler.

Return to Sender pp. 39–57

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRL.5.3

Describe how Tyler and Mari each respond to the event on the bus and what it reveals about their perspectives.

Return to Sender pp. 58–72

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRL.5.2RL.5.3

Describe how different characters respond to a conflict and what that reveals about them as characters.

Return to Sender pp. 92–106

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRL.5.2RL.5.3

Explore emerging themes for the story and explain how key details and characters' actions support the development of those themes.

Return to Sender pp. 1–106

Standards

RL.5.2SL.5.1

Writing

Explore emerging themes for the story and explain how key details and characters' actions support the development of those themes.

Single Paragraph Outline
Determining Theme Note Taker (G5, U5) — Completed in Lesson 10

Standards

RL.5.2W.5.9.a

Explain what happens to Tío Felipe and how Mari and her family respond.

Return to Sender pp. 121–136

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRL.5.2RL.5.3

Compare and contrast Mari and Tyler by analyzing their actions, thoughts, and responses in the text.

Return to Sender pp. 1–136

Standards

L.5.1.eRL.5.2RL.5.3RL.5.6SL.5.1

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

Return to Sender pp. 139–158

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRL.5.2RL.5.3

Determine what traditions are important in Mexican culture and explain how they help bring the Cruzes and the Paquettes together.

Return to Sender pp. 1–178
“When Is Three Kings' Day and How Is It Celebrated?”
“El Día de Los Tres Reyes: Epiphany in Mexico”
“Top 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead”
“A Day to Remember Family”
“What is Day of the Dead?”
“Mexico's Independence Day marks the beginning of a decade-long revolution”
“What is El Grito and Why is it Celebrated in México?”
“Massive Mexico Independence Day Celebrations”

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRI.5.1RL.5.2SL.5.3SL.5.4SL.5.5

Describe what motion is proposed at the town meeting and analyze how different members in the community respond and why.

Return to Sender — pp. 181–194, pp. 202–205

Standards

L.5.1.cL.5.1.dRL.5.2RL.5.3

Language

Expand, combine, or reduce sentences using proper punctuation to clearly convey meaning and reflect the writer's intended voice.

Dairy Farm Visual (G5, U5, L17)

Standards

L.5.2L.5.3L.5.3.aRL.5.6

Explain how Tyler changes throughout the story.

Return to Sender pp. 213–226

Standards

L.5.3.aRL.5.2RL.5.3

Summarize the key events from Mari's letter.

Return to Sender pp. 227–246

Standards

L.5.3.aRL.5.2RL.5.3

Explain how Tyler has changed and if he truly understands Mari.

Return to Sender pp. 249–263

Standards

L.5.3.aRL.5.2RL.5.3

Explore emerging themes for the story and explain how key details and characters' actions support the development of those themes.

Return to Sender pp. 1–263

Standards

RL.5.2SL.5.1

Writing

Explore emerging themes for the story and explain how key details and characters' actions support the development of those themes.

Exemplar Paragraphs (G5, U5, L22)
Single Paragraph Outline

Standards

RL.5.2W.5.9.a

Describe how the author develops theme through how characters respond to challenges.

Return to Sender pp. 264–280

Standards

L.5.3.aRL.5.2RL.5.3

Analyze Mari's decision to visit Homeland Security and what it reveals about her character.

Return to Sender pp. 281–296

Standards

L.5.3.aRL.5.2RL.5.3

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

Return to Sender pp. 299–320

Standards

L.5.3.aRL.5.2RL.5.3

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.