COMMONCORE

GRADES45
TEXTEXEMPLARS

AlicesAdventuresinWonderland
byLewisCarroll
Alicewasbeginningtogetverytiredofsittingbyhersisteronthebank,
andofhavingnothingtodo:onceortwiceshehadpeepedintothebookhersister
wasreading,butithadnopicturesorconversationsinit,andwhatistheuseofa
book,thoughtAlicewithoutpicturesorconversations?
Soshewasconsideringinherownmind(aswellasshecould,forthehot
daymadeherfeelverysleepyandstupid),whetherthepleasureofmakinga
daisychainwouldbeworththetroubleofgettingupandpickingthedaisies,
whensuddenlyaWhiteRabbitwithpinkeyesranclosebyher.
TherewasnothingsoVERYremarkableinthatnordidAlicethinkitso
VERYmuchoutofthewaytoheartheRabbitsaytoitself,Ohdear!Ohdear!I
shallbelate!(whenshethoughitoverafterwards,itoccurredtoherthatshe
oughttohavewonderedatthis,butatthetimeitallseemedquitenatural)but
whentheRabbitactuallyTOOKAWATCHOUTOFITS
WAISTCOATPOCKET,andlookedatit,andthenhurriedon,Alicestartedto
herfeet,foritflashedacrosshermindthatshehadneverbeforeseenarabbit
witheitherawaistcoatpocket,orawatchtotakeoutofit,andburningwith
curiosity,sheranacrossthefieldafterit,andfortunatelywasjustintimetoseeit
popdownalargerabbitholeunderthehedge.
InanothermomentdownwentAliceafterit,neveronceconsideringhow
intheworldshewastogetoutagain.

TheSecretGarden
byFrancesHodgsonBurnett
WhenMaryLennoxwassenttoMisselthwaiteManortolivewithher
uncleeverybodysaidshewasthemostdisagreeablelookingchildeverseen.It
wastrue,too.Shehadalittlethinkfaceandalittlethinbody,thinlighthairand
asourexpression.Herhairwasyellow,andherfacewasyellowbecauseshehad
beenborninIndiaandhadalwaysbeenillinonewayoranother.Herfatherhad
heldapositionundertheEnglishGovernmentandhadalwaysbeenbusyandill
himself,andhermotherhadbeenagreatbeautywhocaredonlytogotoparties
andamuseherselfwithgaypeople.Shehadnotwantedalittlegirlatall,and
whenMarywasbornshehandedherovertothecareofanAyah,whowasmade
tounderstandthatifshewishedtopleasetheMemSahibshemustkeepthechild
outofsightasmuchaspossible.Sowhenshewasasickly,fretful,uglylittle
babyshewaskeptoutoftheway,andwhenshebecauseasickly,fretfultoddling
thingshewaskeptoutofthewayalso.Sheneverrememberedseeingfamiliarly
anythingbutthedarkfacesofherAyahandtheothernativeservants,andasthey
alwaysobeyedherandgaveherherownwayineverything,becausetheMem
Sahibwouldbeangryifshewasdisturbedbyhercrying,bythetimeshewassix
yearsoldshewasatyrannicalandselfishalittlepigaseverlived.Theyoung
Englishgovernesswhocametoteachhertoreadandwritedislikedhersomuch
thatshegaveupherplaceinthreemonths,andwhenothergovernessescameto
trytofillittheyalwayswentawayinashortertimethanthefirstone.SoifMary
hadnotchosentoreallywanttoknowhowtoreadbooksshewouldneverhave
learnedherlettersatall.
Onefrightfullyhotmorning,whenshewasaboutnineyearsold,she
awakenedfeelingverycross,andshebecamecrosserstillwhenshesawthatthe
servantwhostoodbyherbedsidewasnotherAyah.
Whydidyoucome?shesaidtoastrangewoman.Iwillnotletyoustay.
SendmyAyahtome.

Thewomanlookedfrightened,butsheonlystammeredthattheAyahcould
notcomeandwhenMarythrewherselfintoapassionandbeatandkickedher,
shelookedonlymorefrightenedandrepeatedthatitwasnotpossiblyforthe
AyahtocometoMissisSahib.
Therewassomethingmysteriousintheairthatmorning.Nothingwas
doneinitsregularorderandseveralofthenativeservantsseemedmissing,while
thosewhoMarysawslunkorhurriedaboutwithashyandscaredfaces.Butno
onewouldtellheranythingandherAyahdidnotcome.Shewasactuallyleft
aloneasthemorningwenton,andatlastshewanderedoutintothegardenand
begantoplaybyherselfunderatreeneartheveranda.Shepretendedthatshe
wasmakingaflowerbed,andshestuckbigscarlethibiscusblossomsintolittle
heapsofearth,allthetimegrowingmoreandmoreangryandmutteringto
herselfthethingsshewouldsayandthenamesshewouldcallSaidiewhenshe
returned.

TheBlackStallion
byWalterFarley
Thetrampsteamer
Drake
plowedawayfromthecoastofIndiaandpushed
itsbluntprowintotheArabianSea,homewardbound.Slowlyitmadeitsway
westtowardtheGulfofAden.Itsholdwasloadedwithcoffee,rice,tea,oilseeds
andjute.Blacksmokepouredfromitsownstack,darkeningthehotcloudsky.
AlexanderRamsay,Jr.,knowntohisfriendsbackinNewYorkCityasAlec,
leanedovertherailandwatchedthewaterslideawayfromthesidesoftheboat.
Hisredhairblazedredderthaneverinthehotsun,histannedelbowsrested
heavilyontherailasheturnedhisfreckledfacebacktowardthe
fastdisappearingshore.

TuckEverlasting
byNatalieBabbitt
Theskywasaraggedblazeofredandpinkandorange,anditsdouble
trembledonthesurfaceofthepondlikecolorspilledfromapaintbox.Thesun
wasdroppingfastnow,asoftredslidingeggyolk,andalreadytotheeastthere
wasadarkeningpurple.Winnie,newlybravewithherthoughtsofbeingrescued,
climbedboldlyintotherowboat.Thehardheelsofherbuttonedbootsmadea
hollowbangingsoundagainstitswetboards,loudinthewarmandbreathless
quiet.Acrossthepondabullfrogspokeadeepnoteofwarning.Tuckclimbed
in,too,pushingoff,and,settlingtheoarsintotheirlocks,dippedthemintothe
siltybottominonestrongpull.Therowboatslippedfromthebankthen,silently,
andglidedout,tallwatergrasseswhisperingawayfromitssides,releasingit.
Hereandtherethestillsurfaceofthewaterdimpled,andbrightrings
spreadnoiselesslyandvanished.Feedingtime,saidTucksoftly.AndWinnie,
lookingdown,sawhostsoftinyinsectsskitteringandskatingonthesurface.
Besttimeofallforfishing,hesaid,whentheycomeupforfeed.
Hedraggedtheoars.Therowboatslowedandbegantodriftgentlytoward
thefarthestendofthepond.ItwassoquietthatWinniealmostjumpedwhenthe
bullfrogspokeagain.Andthen,fromthetallpinesandbirchesthatringedthe
pond,awoodthrushcaroled.Thesilvernoteswerepureandclearandlovely.

Knowwhatthisis,allaroundus,Winnie?saidTuck,hisvoicelow.
Life.Moving,growing,changing,neverthesametwominutestogether.This
water,youlookoutatiteverymorning,anditlooksthesame,butitaint.All
nightlongitsbeenmoving,cominginthroughthestreambacktheretothewest,
slippingoutthroughthestreamdowneasthere,alwaysquiet,alwaysnew,
movingon.Youcanthardlyseethecurrent,canyou?Andsometimesthewind
makesitlooklikeitsgoingtheotherway.Butitsalwaysthere,thewaters
alwaysmovingon,andsomeday,afteralongwhile,itcomestotheocean.

ZlatehtheGoat
ZlatehtheGoatandOtherStories
byIsaacBashevisSinger

Thesnowfellforthreedays,thoughafterthefirstdayitwasnotasthickandthe
windquieteddown.SometimesAaronfeltthattherecouldneverhavebeena
summer,thatthesnowhadalwaysfallen,eversincehecouldremember.He,
Aaron,neverhadafatherormotherorsisters.Hewasasnowchild,bornofthe
snow,andsowasZlateh.Itwassoquietinthehaythathisearsranginthe
stillness.AaronandZlatehsleptallnightandagoodpartoftheday.Asfor
Aaronsdreams,theywereallaboutwarmweather.Hedreamedofgreenfields,
treescoveredwithblossoms,clearbrooks,andsingingbirds.Bythethirdnight
thesnowhadstopped,butAarondidnotdaretofindhiswayhomeinthe
darkness.Theyskybecameclearandthemoonshone,castingsilverynetsonthe
snow.Aarondughiswayoutandlookedattheworld.Itwasallwhite,quiet,
dreamingdreamsofheavenlysplendor.Thestarswerelargeandclose.The
moonswamintheskyasinasea.

M.C.Higgins,theGreat
byVirginiaHamilton
MayoCorneliusHigginsraisedhisarmshightotheskyandspreadthem
wide.Heglancedfurtivelyaround.Itwasallright.Therewasnoonetoseehim
greetingthecomingsunrise.Butthemotionofhisarmscausedaflutterof
lettuceleaveshehadboundtohiswristswithrubberbands.Likebraceletsof
greenfeathers,theleavescommencedtowave.
M.C.,ashewascalled,feltwarm,moistairsurroundhim.Humidity
trappedinthehillsclungtothemountainsideasthenightpassedon.Inseconds,
hisskingrewclammy.Buthepaidnoattentiontotheoppressiveheatwithits
odorsofsummergrowthanddecay.Forhewasstaringoutoveragrandsweep
ofahill,whoserollingoutlinesgrewclearerbytheminute.Ashestoodonthe
galleryofhishome,theoutcroppingonwhichhelivedonthemountainside
seemedtofadeoutfromunderhim.
Imstandinginmidair,hethought.

Hesawdimlighttouchcloudsclusteredbehindtheeasternhills.
BouncethesunbesidemeifIwant.
Allothersofhisfamilywerestillasleepinthehouse.Tobebyhimselfin
theperfectquietwasreasonenoughforhimtowakeupwayearly.Aloneforhalf
anhour,hecouldbelievehehadbeenchosentoremainforeversuspended,facing
thehills.Hecouldpretendtherewasnothingterriblebehindhim,abovehishead.
Armsoutstretched,pictureframedbypineuprightssupportingthegalleryroof,
hewasM.C.Higgins,higherthaneverything.

TheBirchbarkHouse
byLouiseErdich
ShewasnamedOmakayas,orLittleFrog,becauseherfirststepwasahop.
Shegrewintoanimbleyounggirlofsevenwinters,athoughtfulgirlwithshining
browneyesandawidegrin,onlymissinghertwotopfrontteeth.Shetouched
herupperlip.Shewasntusedtothoseteethgone,andwasimpatientfornew,
grownupteethtocompletehersmile.Justlikehernamesake,Omakayasnow
staredlongatasilkypatchofbogbeforeshegatheredherselfandjumped.One
hummock.Safety.Omakayassprangwideagain.Thistimeshelandedonthe
verytiptopofapointedoldstump.Shebalancedthere,lookingallaround.The
lagoonwatermovedinsparklingcrescents.Thickswalesofswampgrass
rippled.Mudturtlesnappedinthesun.TheworldwassocalmthatOmakayas
couldhearherselfblink. Onlythesweetcallofasolitarywhitethroatedsparrow
piercedthecoolofthewoodsbeyond.
AllofasuddenGrandmayelled.

Ifoundit!
Startled,Omakayasslippedandspunherarmsinwheels.Sheteetered,but
somehowkeptherbalance.Twobig,skippinghops,anotherleap,andshewason
dryland.Shesteppedoverspongyleavesandmoss,intothewoodswherethe
sparrowssangnestingsongsindelicaterelays.
Whereareyou?Nokomisyelledagain.Ifoundthetree!
Imcoming,Omakayascalledbacktohergrandmother.
Itwasspring,timetocutBirchbark.

Bud,NotBuddy
byChristopherPaulCurtis
Herewegoagain.Wewereallstandinginlinewaitingforbreakfastwhen
oneofthecaseworkerscameinandtaptaptappeddowntheline.Uhoh,this
meantbadnews,eithertheydfoundafosterhomefromsomebodyorsomebody
wasabouttogetpaddled.Allthekidswatchedthewomanasshemovedalong
theline,herhighheeledshoessoundinglikelittlefirecrackersgoingoffonthe
woodenfloor.
Shoot!Shestoppedatmeandsaid,AreyouBuddyCaldwell?
IsaidItsBud,notBuddy,maam.
Sheputherhandonmyshoulderandtookmeoutoftheline.Thenshe
pulledJerry,oneofthelittlerboys,over.ArentyouJerryClark?Henodded.

Boys,goodnews!Nowthattheschoolyearhasended,youbothhave
beenacceptedinnewtemporarycarehomesstartingthisafternoon!
JerryaskedthesamethingIwasthinking,Together?
Shesaid,Whyno,Jerry,youllbyinafamilywiththreelittlegirls
Jerrylookedlikehedjustfoundouttheyweregoingtodiphiminapotof
boilingmilk.
andBudShelookedassomepapersshewasholding.Oh,yes,the
Amoses,youllbewithMr.andMrs.Amosandtheirson,whostwelveyears
old,thatmakeshimjusttwoyearsolderthanyou,doesntit,Bud?
Yes,maam.
Shesaid,Imsureyoullbothbeveryhappy.
MeandJerrylookedateachother.
Thewomansaid,Now,now,boys,noneedtolooksoglum.Iknowyou
dontunderstandwhatitmeans,buttheresadepressiongoingonalloverthis
county.Peoplecantfindjobsandtherearevery,verydifficulttimesfor
everybody.Wevebeenluckyenoughtofindtwowonderfulfamilieswhove
openedtheirdoorsforyou.Ithinkitsbestthatweshowournewfosterfamilies
thatwerevery
Shedraggedoutthewordvery,waitingforustofinishhersentencefor
her.
Jerrysaid,Cheerful,helpfulandgrateful.Imovedmylipsandmumbled.

WheretheMountainMeetstheMoon
byGraceLin
Farawayfromhere,followingtheJadeRiver,therewasonceablack
mountainthatcutintotheskylikeajaggedpieceofroughmetal.Thevillagers
calleditFruitlessMountainbecausenothinggrewonitandbirdsandanimalsdid
notrestthere.
CrowdedinthecornerofwhereFruitlessMountainandtheJadeRivermet
wasavillagethatwasashadeoffadedbrown.Thiswasbecausethelandaround
thevillagewashardandpoor.Tocoaxriceoutofthestubbornland,thefield

hadtobefloodedwithwater.Thevillagershadtotrampinthemud,bendingand
stoopingandplantingdayafterday.Workinginthemudsomuchmadeitspread
everywhereandthehotsundrieditontotheirclothesandhairandhomes.Over
time,everythinginthevillagehadbecomethedullcoloranddriedmud.
Oneofthehousesinthisvillagewassosmallthatitswoodboards,held
togetherbytheroof,madeonethinkofabunchofmatchestiedwithapieceof
twine.Inside,therewasbarelyenoughroomforthreepeopletositaroundthe
tablewhichwasluckybecauseonlythreepeoplelivedthere.Oneofthemwas
ayoundgirlcalledMinli.
Minliwasnotbrownanddullliketherestofthevillage.Shehadglossy
blackhairwithpinkcheeks,shiningeyesalwayseagerforadventure,andafast
smilethatflashedfromherface.Whenpeoplesawherlivelyandimpulsive
spirit,theythoughthername,whichmeantquickthinking,suitedherwell.Too
well,hermothersighed,asMinlihadahabitofquickactingaswell.

TheEchoingGreen
byWilliamBlake

Thesundoesarise,
AndMakehappytheskies
Themerrybellsring
TowelcometheSpring

Theskylarkandthrush,
Thebirdsandthebush,
Singlouderaround
Tothebellscheerfulsound
Whileoursportsshallbeseen
Ontheechoinggreen.

OldJohnwithwhitehair,
Doeslaughawaycare,
Sittingundertheoak,
Amongtheoldfolk.
Theylaughatourplay,
Andsoontheyallsay,
Such,suchwerethejoys
Whenweallgirlsandboys
Inouryouthtimewereseen
Ontheechoinggreen.

Tillthelittleones,weary,
Nomorecanbemerry
Thesundoesdescend,
Andoursportshaveanend.
Roundthelapsoftheirmothers
Manysistersandbrothers,
Likebirdsintheirnest,
Arereadyforrest,
Andsportnomoreseen
Onthedarkeninggreen.

TheNewColossus
byEmmaLazarus

NotlikethebrazengiantofGreekfame
Withconqueringlimbsastridefromlandtoland

Hereatourseawashed,sunsetgatesshallstand
Amightwomanwithatorch,whoseflame
Istheimprisonedlightning,andhername
MotherofExiles.Fromherbeaconhand
Glowsworldwidewelcomehermildeyescommand
Theairbridgedharborthattwincitiesframe.
Keep,ancientlands,yourstoriedpomp!criesshe
Withsilentlips.Givemeyourtired,yourpoor,
Yourhuddledmassesyearningtobreathefree,
Thewretchedrefuseofyourteemingshore.
Sendthese,thehomeless,tempesttossedtome,
Iliftmylampbesidethegoldendoor!

VirtualtourofStatueofLiberty(
www.nps.gov/stli/photosmultimedia/index/htm
)

CaseyattheBat
byErnestLawrenceThayer

TheoutlookwasntbrilliantfortheMudvilleninethatday:

Thescorestoodfourtotwo,withbutoneinningmoretoplay,
AndthenwhenCooneydiedatfirst,andBarrowsdidthesame,
Apalllikesilencefelluponthepatronsofthegame.

Astragglingfewgotuptogoindeepdespair.Therest
Clungtothehopewhichspringseternalinthehumanbreast
Theythought,IfonlyCaseycouldbutgetawhackatthat
Wedputupevenmoneynow,withCaseyatthebat.

ButFlynnprecededCasey,asdidalsoJimmyBlake,
Andtheformerwasahoodoo,whilethelatterwasacake
Souponthatstrickenmultitudegrimmelancholysat,
ForthereseemedbutlittlechanceofCaseygettingtothebat.

ButFlynnletdriveasingle,tothewondermentofall,
AndBlake,themuchdespisd,torethecoverofftheball
Andwhenthedusthadlifted,andmensawwhathadoccurred,
TherewasJimmysafeatsecondandFlynnahuggingthird.

Thenfromfivethousandthroatsandmorethererosealustyyell
Itrumbledthroughthevalley,itrattledinthedell
Itpoundedonthemountainandrecoiledupontheflat,
ForCasey,mightyCasey,wasadvancingtothebat.

TherewaseaseinCaseysmannerashesteppedintohisplace
TherewasprideinCaseysbearingandasmilelitCaseysface.
Andwhen,respondingtothecheers,helightlydoffedhishat,
NostrangerinthecrowdcoulddoubttwasCaseyatthebat.

Tenthousandeyeswereonhimasherubbedhishandswithdirt
Fivethousandtonguesapplaudedwhenhewipedthemonhisshirt
Thenwhilethewrithingpitchergroundtheballintohiship,
DefianceflashedinCaseyseye,asneercurledCaseyslip.


Andnowtheleathercoveredspherecamehurtlingthroughtheair,
AndCaseystoodawatchingitinhaughtygrandeurthere.
Closebythesturdybatsmantheballunheededsped
Thataintmystyle,"saidCasey.Strikeone!theumpiresaid.

Fromthebenches,blackwithpeople,therewentupamuffledroar,
Likethebeatingofthestormwavesonasternanddistantshore
Killhim!Killtheumpire!shoutedsomeoneonthestand
AnditslikelytheydhavekilledhimhadnotCaseyraisedhishand.

WithasmileofChristiancharitygreatCaseysvisageshone
Hestilledtherisingtumulthebadethegamegoon
Hesignaledtothepitcher,andoncemorethedunsphereflew
ButCaseystillignoreditandtheumpiresaid,Striketwo!

Fraud!criedthemaddenedthousands,andechoanswered,Fraud!
ButonescornfullookfromCaseyandtheaudiencewasawed.
Theysawhisfacegrowsternandcold,theysawhismusclesstrain,
AndtheyknewthatCaseywouldntletthatballgobyagain.

ThesneerisgonefromCaseyslip,histeethareclenchedinhate,
Hepoundswithcruelviolencehisbatupontheplate
Andnowthepitcherholdstheball,andnowheletsitgo,
AndnowtheairisshatteredbytheforceofCaseysblow.

Oh,somewhereinthisfavouredlandthesunisshiningbright,
Thebandisplayingsomewhere,andsomewhereheartsarelight
Andsomewheremenarelaughing,andsomewherechildrenshout,
ButthereisnojoyinMudvillemightyCaseyhasstruckout.


ABirdCameDowntheWalk
byEmilyDickinson

ABirdcamedownthewalk

HedidnotknowIsaw
Hebitanangleworminhalves
Andatethefellow,raw.

Andthenhedrankadew
Fromaconvenientgrass,
Andthenhoppedsidewisetothewall
Toletabeetlepass.

Heglancedwithrapideyes
Thehurriedallabroad
Theylookedlikefrightenedbeads,Ithought
Hestirredhisvelvethead

Likeoneindanger,cautious,
Iofferedhimacrumb,
Andheunrolledhisfeathers

Androwedhimsofterhome

Thanoarsdividetheocean,
Toosilverforaseam,
Orbutterflies,offbanksofnoon,

Leap,plashless,astheyswim.

Fog
byCarlSandburg

Thefogcomes
onlittlecatfeet.

Itsitslookingoverharborandcity
onsilenthaunches
andthenmoveson.

DustofSnow
byRobertFrost
Thewayacrow

Shookdownonme
Thedustofsnow
Fromahemlocktree

Hasgivenmyheart
Achangeofmood
Andsavedsomepart
OfadayIhadrued.

LittleRedRidingHoodandtheWolf
byRoaldDahl

AssoonasWolfbegantofeel
Thathewouldlikeadecentmeal,
HewentandknockedonGrandma'sdoor.
WhenGrandmaopenedit,shesaw
Thesharpwhiteteeth,thehorridgrin,
AndWolfiesaid,'MayIcomein?'
PoorGrandmammawasterrified,
'He'sgoingtoeatmeup!'shecried.
Andshewasabsolutelyright.
Heateherupinonebigbite.
ButGrandmammawassmallandtough,
AndWolfiewailed,'That'snotenough!
Ihaven'tyetbeguntofeel
ThatIhavehadadecentmeal!'
Heranaroundthekitchenyelping,
'I'vegottohaveasecondhelping!'

Thenaddedwithafrightfulleer,
'I'mthereforegoingtowaitrighthere
TillLittleMissRedRidingHood
Comeshomefromwalkinginthewood.'

HequicklyputonGrandma'sclothes,
(Ofcoursehehadn'teatenthose).

Hedressedhimselfincoatandhat.
Heputonshoes,andafterthat,
Heevenbrushedandcurledhishair,
ThensathimselfinGrandma'schair.

Incamethelittlegirlinred.
Shestopped.Shestared.Andthenshesaid,
'Whatgreatbigearsyouhave,Grandma.'
'Allthebettertohearyouwith,'
theWolfreplied.
'Whatgreatbigeyesyouhave,Grandma.'
saidLittleRedRidingHood.
'Allthebettertoseeyouwith,'
theWolfreplied.
Hesattherewatchingherandsmiled.
Hethought,I'mgoingtoeatthischild.
ComparedwithheroldGrandmamma,
She'sgoingtotastelikecaviar.

ThenLittleRedRidingHoodsaid,'
ButGrandma,whatalovelygreatbig
furrycoatyouhaveon.'

'That'swrong!'criedWolf.
'Haveyouforgot
TotellmewhatBIGTEETHI'vegot?
Ahwell,nomatterwhatyousay,
I'mgoingtoeatyouanyway.'

Thesmallgirlsmiles.Oneeyelidflickers.
Shewhipsapistolfromherknickers.
Sheaimsitatthecreature'shead,
Andbangbangbang,sheshootshimdead.


Afewweekslater,inthewood,
IcameacrossMissRidingHood.
Butwhatachange!Nocloakofred,
Nosillyhooduponherhead.
Shesaid,'Hello,anddopleasenote
Mylovelyfurrywolfskincoat.'

TheyWereMyPeople
byGraceNichols

Theywerethosewhocutcane
totherhythmofthesunbeat

Theywerethosewhocarriedcane
totherhythmofthesunbeat

Theywerethosewhocrushedcane
totherhythmofthesunbeat

Theywerewomenweddingcarryingbabies
totherhythmofthesunbeat

Theyweremypeople,workingsohard
totherhythmofthesunbeatlongago
totherhythmofthesunbeat.

WordsFreeAsConfetti
byPatMora

Come,words,comeinyoureverycolor.
Illtossyouinstormorbreeze.
Illsay,say,sayyou,
Tasteyousweetasplumpplums,
bitterasoldlemons,
Illsniffyou,words,warm
asalmondsortartasapplered,
feelyougreen
andsoftasnewgrass,
lightweightasdandelionplumes,
orthorngrayascactus,
heavyasblackcement,
coldblueasicicles,
warmas
abuelita
syellowlap.
Illhearyou,words,loudassearoars
Purplecrash,hushed
as
gatitos
curledinsleep,
asthelastgoldlullaby.
Illseeyoulonganddarkastunnels,
brightasrainbows,
playfulaschestnutwind.
Illwatchyou,words,riseanddanceandspin.
Illsay,say,sayyou
inEnglish,

inSpanish,
Illfindyou.
Holdyou.
Tossyou.
Imfreetoo.
Isay
yosoylibre
,
Iamfree
free,free,
freeasconfetti.

SamplePerformanceTasksforStoriesandPoetry

StudentsmakeconnectionsbetweenthevisualpresentationofJohnTennielsillustrationsin
LewisCarrollsAlicesAdventuresinWonderlandandthetextofthestorytoidentifyhowthe
picturesofAlicereflectspecificdescriptionsofherinthetext.[RL.4.7]
StudentsexplaintheselfishbehaviorbyMaryandmakeinferencesregardingtheimpactofthe
choleraoutbreakinFrancesHodgsonBurnettsTheSecretGardenbyexplicitlyreferringto
detailsandexamplesfromthetext.[RL.4.1]
StudentsdescribehowthenarratorspointofviewinWalterFarleysTheBlackStallion
influenceshoweventsaredescribedandhowthereaderperceivesthecharacterofAlexander
Ramsay,Jr.[RL.5.6]
StudentssummarizetheplotofAntoinedeSaintExuprysTheLittlePrinceandthenreflect
onthechallengesfacingthecharactersinthestorywhileemployingthoseandotherdetailsinthe
texttodiscussthevalueofinquisitivenessandexplorationasathemeofthestory.[RL.5.2]
StudentsreadNatalieBabbittsTuckEverlastinganddescribeindepththeidyllicsettingofthe
story,drawingonspecificdetailsinthetext,fromthecoloroftheskytothesoundsofthepond,
todescribethescene.[RL.4.3]
StudentscompareandcontrastcomingofagestoriesbyChristopherPaulCurtis(Bud,Not
Buddy)andLouiseErdrich(TheBirchbarkHouse)byidentifyingsimilarthemesandexamining
thestoriesapproachtothetopicofgrowingup.[RL.5.9]

Studentsrefertothestructuralelements(e.g.,verse,rhythm,meter)ofErnestLawrence
ThayersCaseyattheBatwhenanalyzingthepoemandcontrastingtheimpactanddifferences
ofthoseelementstoaprosesummaryofthepoem.[RL.4.5]
StudentsdeterminethemeaningofthemetaphorofacatinCarlSandburgspoemFogand
contrastthatfigurativelanguagetothemeaningofthesimileinWilliamBlakesTheEchoing
Green.[RL.5.4]

DiscoveringMars:TheAmazingStoryoftheRedPlanet
ByMelivinBerger
Marsisverycoldandverydry.Scatteredacrossthesurfacearemanygiant
volcanoes.Lavacoversmuchoftheland.

InMarsnorthernhalf,orhemisphere,isahugeraisedarea.Itisabout2,500
mileswide.AstronomerscallthistheGreatTharsisBulge.

TherearefourmammothvolcanoesontheGreatTharsisBulge.Thelargestone
isMountOlympus,orOlympusMons.ItisthebiggestmountainonMars.Some
thinkitmaybethelargestmountainintheentiresolarsystem.

MountOlympusis15mileshigh.Atitspeakisa50milewidebasin.Itsbaseis
375milesacross.ThatsnearlyasbigasthestateofTexas!

MaunaLoa,inHawaii,isthelargestvolcanoonearth.Yet,comparedtoMount
Olympus,MaunaLoalookslikealittlehill.TheHawaiianvolcanoisonly5
mileshigh.Itsbase,onthebottomofthePacificOcean,isjust124mileswide.

EachofthethreeothervolcanoesintheGreatTharsisBulgeareover10miles
high.TheyarenamedArsiaMons,PavonisMons,andAscraeusMons

Berger,Melvin.DiscoveringMars:TheAmazingStoryoftheRedPlanet.New
York:Scholastic,1992.(1992)

MediaTextNASAsillustratedfactsheetonMars:
http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/mars_worldbook.html

Carlisle,MadelynWood.LetsInvestigateMarvelouslyMeaningfulMaps.
Hauppauge,NewYork:Barrons,1992.(1992)

Hurricanes:EarthsMightiestStorms
By:PatriciaLauber

Greatwhirlingstormsroaroutoftheoceansinmanypartsoftheworld.Theyare
calledbyseveralnameshurricane,typhoon,andcyclonearethethreemost
familiarones.Butnomatterwhattheyarecalled,theyareallthesamesortof
storm.Theyareborninthesameway,intropicalwaters.Theydevelopthesame
way,feedingonwarm,moistair.Andtheydothesamekindofdamage,both
ashoreandatsea.Otherstormsmaycoverabiggerareaorhavehigherwinds,but
nonecanmatchboththesizeandthefuryofhurricanes.Theyareearths
mightieststorms.

Likeallstorms,theytakeplaceintheatmosphere,theenvelopeofairthat
surroundstheearthandpressesonitssurface.Thepressureatanyoneplaceis
alwayschanging.Therearedayswhenairissinkingandtheatmospherepresses

harderonthesurface.Thesearethetimesofhighpressure.Therearedayswhen
alotofairisrisingandtheatmospheredoesnotpressdownashard.Theseare
timesoflowpressure.Lowpressureareasoverwarmoceansgivebirthto
hurricanes.

Lauber,Patricia.Hurricanes:EarthsMightiestStorms.NewYork:Scholastic,
1996.(1996)FromTheMakingofaHurricane

From:HURRICANES:EARTHSMIGHTIESTSTORMSbyPatriciaLauber.
Copyright1996byPatriciaLauber.UsedbypermissionofScholastic,Inc.

Otfinoski,Steve.TheKidsGuidetoMoney:EarningIt,SavingIt,SpendingIt,
GrowingIt,SharingIt.NewYork:Scholastic,1996.(1996)

Wulffson,Don.Toys!:AmazingStoriesBehindSomeGreatInventions.New
York:HenryHolt,2000.(2000)

Schleichert,Elizabeth.GoodPet,BadPet.RangerRickJune2002.(2002)

Kavash,E.Barrie.AncientMoundBuilders.CobblestoneOctober2003.(2003)

AFirstLookatTimeandClocks
By:BruceKoscielniak

Sometimearound1440,thespringpoweredclockwasinvented.Insteadof
dependingonthepullofweightsforpower,thistypeofclockusedaflatmetal
springwoundtightlyintoacoil.Theescapementallowedthespringtounwindby
turningonegeartoothatatime.Withtheuseofaspring,smaller,trulyportable
clockscouldbemade.

Thefirstwellknownwatches,madeinGermanyaround1510byPeterHenlein,
weresonamedbecauseguardsorwatchmencarriedsmallclockstokeeptrack
ofhowlongtostayataparticulardutypost.

Manydifferentskillswentintomakingaclock,andnewtoolsandmethodswere
constantlybeinginventedtomakeeversmaller,morecomplicatedmechanisms
thatworkedwithgreaterprecision.

Foundersmeltedandpouredmetalintoamoldtomakeclockparts.Spring
makershandforged(heatedandpoundedintoshape)andpolishedsteelclock
springs.

Screwmakerscutscrewsusedtofastenclockstogetherbyusingasmalllathe
devisedbyaGermanclockmakerin1480.Earlier,onlywedgesorpegswere
used.

Geartoothcuttinghadbeendonebyhanduntilthemid1500s,whenGiannelo
TorrianoofCremona,Italy,inventedamachinethatcouldcutperfectgearteeth.
Brassreplacedironforclockmaking.

Engravers,gilders,andenamellersdecoratedclockcasesanddials.

Glassmakingshopsmadeandcutglass.

Woodworkersmadeclockcases.

Koscielniak,Bruce.AboutTime:AFirstLookatTimeandClocks.Orlando:
HoughtonMifflin,2004.(2004)
ExcerptfromABOUTTIME:AFirstLookatTimeandClocksbyBruce
Koscielniak.Copyright2004byBruceKoscielniak.Usedbypermissionof
HoughtonMifflinHarcourtPublishingCompany.Allrightsreserved.

EnglandtheLand
By:ErinnBanting

Lowfences,someofwhicharethousandsofyearsold,dividemuchofEnglands
countryside.Thesefences,calledhedgerows,werefistbuildbythe
AngloSaxons,agroupofwarriorsfromGermanyandScandinaviawhoarrived
inEnglandaround410A.D.Astheygainedcontrolofsectionsofland,they
protectedtheirpropertywithwallsmadefromwoodenstakesandspinyplants.
Deadhedgerows,asthesefenceswerecalled,wereeventuallyreplacedbyfences
madefromlivebushesandtrees.

Recently,peoplebuildinglargefarmsandhomesinthecountrysidehave
destroyedmanylivehedgerows.Otherpeopleareworkingtosavethehedgerows,
whicharehometoavarietyofwildlife,includingbirds,butterflies,hedgehogs,
andhares.

Banting,Erinn.EnglandtheLand.NewYork:Crabtree,2004.(2004)From
LivingFences


AHistoryofUSChapter7:TheShowOffs
By:JoyHakim

Incaseyouforgot,yourestillinthattimeandspacecapsule,butyourenota
babyanymore.Youre10yearsoldandabletoworkthecontrolsyourself.Soget
goingwewanttoheadnorthwest,totheveryedgeoftheland,totheregionthat
willbethestatesofWashingtonandOregon.Thetime?Wewereinthe13th
centuryletstrythe14thcenturyforthisvisit.

LifeiseasyfortheIndianshereintheNorthwestnearthegreatocean.Theyare
affluent(AFflewentitmeanswealthy)Americans.Forthemtheworldis
bountiful:theriversholdsalmonandsturgeontheoceanisfullofseals,whales,
fish,andshellfishthewoodsareswarmingwithgameanimals.Andthereare
berriesandnutsandwildrootstobegathered.Theyarenotfarmers.Theydont
needtofarm.

ThoseAmericansgotoseaingiantcanoessomeare60feetlong.(Howlongis
yourbedroom?Yourschoolroom?)Usingstonetoolsandfire,Indiansofthe
Northwestcutdowngiganticfirtreesandhollowoutthelogstomaketheirboats.

Thetreestower200feetandare10feetacrossatthebase.Therearesomanyof
them,soclosetogether,withatangleofundergrowth,thatitissometimeshard
forhunterstogetthroughtheforest.Tallasthesetreesare,therearenotasbigas
theredwoodsthatgrowinavastforesttothesouth(inthelandthatwillbecome
California).

Hakim,Joy.AHistoryofUS.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,2005.(2005)
FromBook1:TheFirstAmericans,Prehistoryto1600Chapter7:The
ShowOffs

MediaTextAmericanIndiansofthePacificNorthwestCollection,adigital
archiveofimagesanddocumentshostedbytheUniversityofWashington:
http://content.lib.washington.edu/aipnw/

MyLibrarianisaCamel:HowBooksareBroughttoChildren
By:MargrietRuurs

ChildreninPerucanreceivetheirbookinseveraldifferent,innovativeways.
CEDILIIBBYPeruisaninstitutionthatdeliversbooksinbagstofamiliesin
Lima.Eachbagcontainstwentybooks,whichfamiliescankeepforamonth.The
bookscomeinfourdifferentreadinglevelssothatchildrenreallylearnhowto
read.ThisprojectinSpanishiscalledElLibroCompartidoenFamiliaand
enablesparentstosharethejoyofbookswiththeirchildren.

Insmall,ruralcommunities,booksaredeliveredinwoodensuitcasesandplastic
bags.Thesesuitcasesandbagscontainbooksthatthecommunitycankeepand
shareforthenextthreemonths.Thenumberofbooksineachsuitcasedependson
thesizeofthecommunity.Therearenolibrarybuildingsinthesesmalltowns,
andpeoplegatheroutside,intheplaza,toseebookstheycancheckout.Inthe
coastalregions,booksaresometimesdeliveredbydonkeycart.Thebooksare
storedinthereadingpromotershome.

IntheancientcityofCajamarca,readingpromotersfromvariousruralareas
selectandreceivealargecollectionofbooksfortheirarea.Theprogramiscalled
Aspaderuc.Thereadingpromoterlendsthesebookstohisorherneighbors,and
afterthreemonths,anewselectionofbooksgoesouttoeacharea.Booksinthis
systemareforchildrenandadults.

Andlastbutnotleast,FeYAlegriabringsacollectionofchildrensbooksto
ruralschools.Thebooksarebroughtfromschooltoschoolbywagon.The

children,whoareexcitedaboutbrowsingthroughthebookswhentheyarrive,are
turningintoavidreaders.

Ruurs,Margriet.MyLibrarianIsaCamel:HowBooksAreBroughttoChildren
AroundtheWorld.Honesdale,Penn.:BoydsMillsPress,2005.(2005)From
Peru

Horses
By:SeymourSimon

Horsesmoveinfournaturalways,calledgaitsorpaces.Theywalk,trot,canter,
andgallop.Thewalkistheslowestgaitandthegallopisthefastest.

Whenahorsewalks,eachhoofleavesthegroundatadifferenttime.Itmoves
onehindlegfirst,andthenthefrontlegonthesamesidethentheotherhindleg
andtheotherfrontleg.Whenahorsewalks,itsbodyswingsgentlywitheach
stride.

Whenahorsetrots,itslegsmoveinpairs,leftfrontlegwithrighthindleg,and
rightfrontlegwithlefthindleg.Whenahorsecanters,thehindlegsandone
frontlegmovetogether,andthenthehindlegsandtheotherforelegmove
together.

Thegallopislikeamuchfasterwalk,whereeachhoofhitsthegroundoneafter
another.Whenahorsegallops,allfourofitshoovesmaybeflyingofftheground
atthesametime.

Horsesareusuallydescribedbytheircoatcolorsandbythewhitemarkingson
theirfaces,bodies,legs,andhooves.

Brownhorsesrangeincolorfromdarkbrownbaysandchestnutstogolden
browns,suchaspalominos,andlighterbrownssuchasroansandduns.

Partlycoloredhorsesarecalledpintosorpaints.Colorless,purewhite
horsesalbinosarerare.Mosthorsesthatlookwhiteareactuallygray.

Skewbaldshavebrownandwhitepatches.Piebaldshaveblackandwhite
patches.

Spottedshavedarkspotsonawhitecoatorwhitespotsonadarkcoat.

Simon,Seymour.Horses.NewYork:HarperCollins,2006.(2006)
UsedbypermissionofHarperCollinsPublishers.

QuestfortheTreeKangaroon:AnExpeditiontotheCloudForestofNew
Guinea
By:SyMontgomery

StuartLittle,thesmallmousewithbigparents,hadnothingonbabymarsupials.
Marsupials(marSOUPeeulz)arespecialkindsofmammals.Eventhebiggest
onesgivebirthtobabiesthatareincrediblysmall.Atwohundredpoundsixfoot
motherkangaroo,forinstance,givesbirthtoababyassmallasalimabean.
Thatswhatmakesmarsupialsmarsupials.Theirbabiesarebornsotinythatin
ordertosurvivetheymustliveinapouchonthemotherstummy.Thepouchis
calledamarsupium.(Dontyouwishyouhadone?)

Ababymarsupialliveshiddeninthemotherswarmmoistpouchformonths.
Thereitsucksmilkfromanipplelikeotherbabymammals.Onedayitsbig
enoughtopokeitsheadouttoseetheworld.TheEuropeanexplorerswhosaw
kangaroosforthefirsttimeinAustraliareportedtheyhaddiscovereda
twoheadedanimalwithoneheadontheneckandanotherinthebelly.

NorthAmericahasonlyonemarsupial.Youmayhaveseenit:TheVirginia
opossumactuallylivesinmostoftheUnitedStates,notjustVirginia.South
Americaalsohasmarsupials.ButmostmarsupialsliveinornearAustralia.They
includethekoala(whichisnotabear),twospeciesofwombat,thetoothyblack
Tasmaniadevil,fourspeciesofblackandwhitespottednativecats(though
theyrenotcatsatall),andmanyothers.

Themostfamousmarsupials,however,arethekangaroos.Allkangaroos
hopsomeofthemsixfeethighandfasterthanfortymilesanhour.Morethan
fiftydifferentspeciesofkangaroohoparoundonthegroundfromthebigred
kangarootothemuskyratkangaroo.

Montgomery,Sy.QuestfortheTreeKangaroo:AnExpeditiontotheCloud
ForestofNewGuinea.Orlando:HoughtonMifflin,2006.(2006)From
MarsupialMania
ExcerptfromQUESTFORTHETREEKANGAROO:AnExpeditiontothe
CloudForestofNewGuineabySyMontgomery.TextCopyright2006bySy
Montgomery.UsedbyPermissionofHoughtonMifflinHarcourtPublishing
Company.Allrightsreserved.

Volcanoes
By:SeymourSimon

Inearlytimes,nooneknewhowvolcanoesformedorwhytheyspoutedredhot
moltenrock.Inmoderntimes,scientistsbegantostudyvolcanoes.Theystill
dontknowalltheanswers,buttheyknowmuchabouthowavolcanoworks.

Ourplanetismadeupofmanylayersofrock.Thetoplayersofsolidrockare
calledthecrust.Deepbeneaththecrustisthemantle,whereitissohotthatsome
rockmelts.Themelted,ormolten,rockiscalledmagma.

Volcanoesareformedwhenmagmapushesitswayupthroughthecrackin
Earthscrust.Thisiscalledavolcaniceruption.Whenmagmapoursforthonthe
surface,itiscalledlava.


Simon,Seymour.Volcanoes.NewYork:HarperCollins,2006.(2006)
TextCopyright1998bySeymourSimon.UsedbypermissionofHarperCollins
Publishers.

WeAretheShip:TheStoryofNegroLeagueBaseball
By:KadirNelson

Mostoftheownersdidntmakemuchmoneyfromtheirteams.Baseballwasjust
ahobbyforthem,awaytomaketheirillegalmoneylookgood.Tosavemoney,
eachteamwouldonlycarryfifteenorsixteenplayers.Themajorleagueteams
eachcarriedabouttwentyfive.Averagesalaryforeachplayerstartedatroughly
$125permonthbackin34,andwentupto$500$800duringtheforties,though
thereweresomewhomademuchmorethanthat,likeSatchelPaigeandJosh
Gibson.Theaveragemajorleagueplayerssalarybackthenwas$7,000per
month.Wealsogotaroundfiftycentstoadollarperdayforfoodallowance.

Backthenyoucouldgetadecentmealforabouttwentyfivecentstoseventyfive
cents.
Someoftheownersdidnttreattheirplayersverywell.Didntpaythemenough
orontime.Thatswhywewouldjumpfromteamtoteam.Otherownerswould
offerusmoremoney,andwewouldleaveourteamsandgoplayforthem.We
weresomeofthefirstunrestrictedfreeagents.

Therewere,however,afewownerswhodidknowhowtotreattheirballplayers.
CumPoseywasoneofthem.Healwaystookcareofhisballplayers,putthemin
thebesthotels,andpaidthemwellandontime.BuckLeonardsaidPoseynever
missedapaydayintheseventeenyearsheplayedfortheGrays.

Nelson,Kadir.WeAretheShip:TheStoryofNegroLeagueBaseball.New
York:JumpattheSun,2008.(2008)From4thInning:RacketBall:Negro
LeagueOwners

Cutler,NellieGonzalez.KenyasLongDrySeason.TimeforKidsSeptember
25,2009.(2009)

SeeingEyetoEye
By:LeslieHall

AhungryfalconsoarshighaboveEarth.Itssharpeyesscantheground.
Suddenly,itspiessomethingmovinginthegrass.Thefalcondivestowardit.

Farbelow,agrayfieldmousescurriesthroughthegrass.Itsdark,beadyeyes
searchconstantlyfordanger.Witheyesoneithersideofitshead,themousecan
seealmosteverythingaroundit.

Willthemouseseethefalconintimetoescape?Or,willthespeedyfalconcatch
thepreyitspiedfromfarabove?Whateverhappens,onethingisclear:Without
eyes,neitheranimalhasagoodchance.

Why?Eyeshelpmanyanimalsmakesenseoftheworldaroundthemand
survive.Eyescanguidethefalcontodinnerorhelpthemouseseeaperfectplace
tohide.

Animaleyescomeinmanydifferentshapes,sizes,colors,andevennumbers.Yet
theydothesamejob.Theyallcatchlight.Withhelpfromthebrain,eyesturn
lightintosight.

Eyesworkinthesamewayforpeople.Lookatthispage.Youmaythinkyousee
wordsandpictures.Believeitornot,youdont.Allyouseeislightbouncingoff
thepage.Howisthispossible?Thesecretisintherulesoflight.

LightRules

Lightisaformofenergy,likeheatorsound.Itcancomefromanaturalsource,
likethesun,orartificialsources,likealamporaflashlight.

Lightisthefastestknownthing.Ittravelsinwavesandinnearlystraightlines.In
air,itcanspeed299,700kilometers(186,200miles)persecond.Itcanracefrom
thesuntoEarthinjustovereightminutes!Lightdoesntalwaystravelsofast.
Forexample,waterorglasscanslowlightdown,butjustabit.

Lightmayseemtobreakalldrivingspeedlaws.Yettherearecertainrulesit
alwaysfollows.Lightreflects,orbouncesoffobjects.Italsorefracts,orbends.

Anditcanbeabsorbed,orsoakedup,byobjects.Theserulesoflightaffectwhat,
andhow,wesee.

Light!Eyes!

Imaginethisscene:YoureatyourdeskhappilyreadingExplorermagazine.
Lightfromyourdesklampscattersinalldirections.

Lighthitsthepage.Somebouncesoffthepage,orreflects.Itchangesdirection.
Itsalittlelikehowsoundbouncesoffawall.Nowsomeofthisreflectedlightis
travelingrighttowardyourface.Dontduck!ForyoutoseeExplorer,someof
thislighthastoenteryoureyes.Objectsbecomevisiblewhenlightbouncesoff
them.

Youreyesarelightcatchers.Yetittakesmorethancatchinglighttoseean
image.Youreyesalsohavetobendlight.Hereshow.

First,lighthitsyourcornea.Thatstheclearcoveringonthefrontofyoureyeball.
Thecornearefracts,orbends,light.

AndAction!

Isyourcorneasuperstrong?No!Thinkabouthowlighttravelsmoreslowly
throughwater.Thesamethinghappensinyourcornea.Aslightpassesthrough
thecornea,itslowsdown.Thatmakesthelightchangedirection,orbend.

Next,lightentersyourpupil,thedarkcenterpartofyoureye.Itpassesthrough
yourlens.Thelensbendslight,too.Whatsthebigdealaboutbendinglight?
Thatshowyoureyesfocus,oraimthelighttomakeaclearimage.

Theimageappearsonyourretinaatthebackofyoureyeball.Itslikeamovie.
PlayingTodayataTheaterinYourEye:Explorermagazine!Theresonlyone

problem.Theimageisupsidedown.Luckily,yourbrainflipstheimagerightside
up.Thatsprettysmart!
Hall,Leslie.SeeingEyetoEye.NationalGeographicExplorerSeptember
2009.(2009)
Copyright2009NationalGeographic.Usedbypermission.

Telescopes
By:ColinARonan

Youcanseeplanets,stars,andotherobjectsinspacejustbylookinguponaclear
night.Buttoreallyseethemtoobservethecratersonthemoon,theringsaround
Saturn,andthecountlessotherwondersinourskyyoumustuseatelescope.
Atelescopeisaninstrumentusedtoproducemagnified(enlarged)imagesof
distantobjects.Itdoesthisbygatheringandfocusingthelightorotherformsof
electromagneticradiationemittedorreflectedbythoseobjects.Theword
telescopecomesfromtwoGreekwordsmeaningfarandsee.

KindsofTelescopes

Therearemanydifferenttypesoftelescopes,bothopticalandnonoptical.
Opticaltelescopesaredesignedtofocusvisiblelight.Nonopticaltelescopesare
designedtodetectkindsofelectromagneticradiationthatareinvisibletothe
humaneye.Theseincluderadiowaves,infraredradiation,Xrays,ultraviolet
radiation,andgammarays.Thewordopticalmeansmakinguseoflight.

Sometelescopesarelaunchedintospace.Thesetelescopesgainclearerviews.
Andtheycancollectformsofelectromagneticradiationthatareabsorbedbythe
Earthsatmosphereanddonotreachtheground.

OpticalTelescopes

Differenttypesofopticaltelescopesgatherandfocuslightindifferentways.
Refractingtelescopes,orrefractors,uselenses.Reflectingtelescopes,or
reflectors,

usemirrors.Andcatadioptrictelescopes,orcatadioptrics,useacombinationof
lensesandmirrors.Themainlensormirrorinanopticaltelescopeiscalledthe
objective.

RefractingTelescopes.Arefractingtelescopeistypicallyalong,tubeshaped
instrument.Theobjectiveisasystemoflensesatthefrontendofthetube(the
endfacingthesky).Whenlightstrikesthelenses,itisbentandbroughttoafocus
withinthetube.Thisformsanimageofadistantobject.Thisimagecanbe
magnifiedbytheeyepiece.Thisconsistsofagroupofsmalllensesatthebackof
thetube.Acameracanreplaceorbeaddedtotheeyepiece.Thenphotographs
canbetakenofcelestialobjects.Formanyyears,thesecamerasusedfilm.Today
mostareequippedwithchargecoupleddevices(CCDs).Thesedevicesuse
semiconductorchipstoelectronicallycaptureimages.CCDsaresimilartothe
devicesinhomedigitalcamerasandvideocamcorders.However,theCCDs
usedbyastronomersareusuallyextremelysensitivetolight.

Ronan,ColinA.Telescopes.TheNewBookofKnowledge.NewYork:
Scholastic,2010.(2010)
FromRonan,ColinA.Telescopes.ReviewedbyWilliamA.Gutsch.TheNew
BookofKnowledge.Copyright2010.GrolierOnline.Allrightsreserved.
ReprintedbypermissionofScholasticInc.

SamplePerformanceTasksforInformationalTexts
StudentsexplainhowMelvinBergerusesreasonsandevidenceinhisbook
DiscoveringMars:TheAmazingStoryoftheRedPlanettosupportparticular
pointsregardingthetopologyoftheplanet.[RI.4.8]
Studentsidentifytheoverallstructureofideas,concepts,andinformationin
SeymourSimonsHorses(basedonfactorssuchastheirspeedandcolor)and
compareandcontrastthatschemetotheoneemployedbyPatriciaLauberinher
bookHurricanes:EarthsMightiestStorms.[RI.5.5]
StudentsinterpretthevisualchartthataccompaniesSteveOtfinoskisTheKids
GuidetoMoney:EarningIt,SavingIt,SpendingIt,GrowingIt,SharingItand
explainhowtheinformationfoundwithinitcontributestoanunderstandingof
howtocreateabudget.[RI.4.7]
Studentsexplaintherelationshipbetweentimeandclocksusingspecific
informationdrawnfromBruceKoscielniaksAboutTime:AFirstLookatTime
andClocks.[RI.5.3]
Studentsdeterminethemeaningofdomainspecificwordsorphrases,suchas
crust,mantle,magma,andlava,andimportantgeneralacademicwordsand
phrasesthatappearinSeymourSimonsVolcanoes.[RI.4.4]
StudentscompareandcontrastafirsthandaccountofAfricanAmerican
ballplayersintheNegroLeaguestoasecondhandaccountoftheirtreatment

foundinbookssuchasKadirNelsonsWeAretheShip:TheStoryofNegro
LeagueBaseball,attendingtothefocusofeachaccountandtheinformation
providedbyeach.[RI.4.6]
StudentsquoteaccuratelyandexplicitlyfromLeslieHallsSeeingEyetoEye
toexplainstatementstheymakeandideastheyinferregardingsightandlight.
[RI.5.1]
StudentsdeterminethemainideaofColinA.RonansTelescopesandcreate
asummarybyexplaininghowkeydetailssupporthisdistinctionsregarding
differenttypesoftelescopes.[RI.4.2]

COMMONCORE
GRADES67
TEXTEXEMPLARS