Adapting to Survive: Short Stories and Poems

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 6

5th Grade

Lesson 2 of 18

Objective


Describe what makes the tundra a unique habitat, why the author includes so much description about the tundra, and how it contributes to the overall structure of the story.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (pp. 5-25)  pp. 5 – 14

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Miyax is lost in the tundra. What makes the tundra a unique habitat? Make sure to include specific details about the weather, plant life, animal life, and the relationship between all three. 

Why does the author include so much description about the tundra? How does the description contribute to the overall structure of the story? 

Key Questions


  • What is a predicament? Why does the author use the phrase “desperate predicament” to describe Miyax’s situation? 
  • Read the sentence from p. 6. “She had been watching the wolves for two days, trying to discern which of their sounds and movements expressed goodwill and friendship.” What does the word “discern” mean? What is Miyax trying to discern? Why? 
  • Read the sentence from p. 8. “Patience with the ways of nature had been instilled in her by her father.” What does the word “instilled” mean? Explain the importance of this statement in connection with Miyax’s current predicament. 
  • What words can be used to describe how Miyax responds to her predicament? Why? 
  • How does the narrator’s point of view influence the way events are described? 

Vocabulary


predicament

n.

a difficult or unpleasant situation

instilled

v.

to slowly cause someone to have an attitude or feeling

discern

v.

seeing, hearing, or noticing something with difficulty or effort

monotony

n.

a lack of change that makes something boring

versatile

adj.

the ability to do many different things

Homework


Read the article Canine Communication. After reading the article, write a paragraph explaining how wolves communicate.

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Common Core Standards


  • 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).
  • RL.5.5 — Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.

Supporting Standards

L.5.4
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 Miyax’s actions with those of the wolves and analyze how Miyax was able to integrate herself into the pack.

Lesson 3
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