Adapting to Survive: Short Stories and Poems

Lesson 9
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 6

5th Grade

Lesson 9 of 18

Objective


Summarize the excerpt from Endangered by identifying a theme and explaining how the characters in the story respond to the main challenges. 

Compare and contrast the excerpts from Julie of the Wolves and Endangered by analyzing the way they both approach the theme and topic of survival. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (pp. 76–83, 90–95, 98–103)  — Close read pp. 76–83, 90–95, 98–103

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Summarize the excerpt. In your summary, be sure to describe how the characters in the story respond to the main challenges. Also, be sure to determine a main theme of the excerpt.

Compare and contrast the way Miyax from Julie of the Wolves and Sophie from Endangered approached survival. 

Sample Response

Create a free account or sign in to view Sample Response

Key Questions


  • Part 1: Summarize the excerpt. In your summary, be sure to describe how the characters in the story respond to the main challenges. Also, be sure to determine a main theme of the excerpt. 

  • Part 1: Did Sophie use more physical or mental strength to survive? Defend. 

  • Part 1: What key character traits enabled Sophie to survive her first few days in the enclosure? 

  • Part 1: Why does the author include the observations Sophie makes of the bonobos? How do these scenes contribute to the overall structure of the story?

  • Part 2: Compare and contrast the key traits of Miyax and Sophie. 

  • Part 2: Compare and contrast Sophie’s and Miyax’s actions. 

  • Part 2: Compare and contrast the biggest challenges Sophie and Miyax are facing in their quest for survival.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

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.5.9 — Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Supporting Standards

RF.5.3
RF.5.4
RL.5.1
RL.5.4
RL.5.10
SL.5.1
W.5.10
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 8

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 10

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free