Captain's Adventures
What does Captain Arsenio want to invent?
A flying machine.
“I have told you a million times to check the wings!” Which craft tool uses this extreme exaggeration?
Hyperbole
What literary element names the people or animals in a story?
The characters
Complete the formula: Text clues + ______ = an inference.
Background knowledge/what you already know.
An inventor is passionate about flying. Does she feel strongly about it or have little interest in it?
She feels strongly about it.
What written object helps the narrator learn about Captain Arsenio’s inventions?
His diary, which contains notes and designs.
“The hallway grew dark. Something scratched behind the locked door.” What mood do these words create?
A scary, tense, or suspenseful mood.
What two things make up a story’s setting?
When and where the story takes place.
Captain Arsenio keeps working after unsuccessful experiments. What character trait can you infer?
He is determined, persistent, or committed.
“He had an impulse to try his invention immediately.” What does impulse mean?
An urge or sudden desire to do something.
What animals does Captain Arsenio use to help lift the Motocanary?
“Of course my invention will work! I am clearly the greatest inventor around!” What kind of voice does this writing show?
A confident, boastful, or overly confident voice.
What is Captain Arsenio’s main conflict?
He wants to fly, but his inventions do not work as he hopes.
Practice situation: A diary says a flight went wonderfully, but the picture shows a broken machine. What can you infer?
The flight was less successful than the writer claims. The writer may be exaggerating his success.
“Her new design made an important contribution to the team’s project.” What does contribution mean?
Something given or done to help a shared effort.
Why is the Motocanary experiment not a complete success, even though it leaves the ground?
It crashes into a tree.
An inventor briefly tells about a childhood experience that inspired her first invention. What is this short personal story called?
Anecdote
What is the difference between plot and theme?
Plot is what happens in a story. Theme is a message or lesson the reader can learn.
Captain Arsenio repeatedly expects his machines to succeed, even after earlier failures. What can you infer about how he sees his inventions?
He is very optimistic or overly confident. He expects success despite evidence that his designs have problems.
“The distinguished scientist received an award.” What does distinguished tell you about the scientist?
The scientist is respected or recognized for excellent work.
Captain Arsenio has little knowledge of physics or mechanics. Explain how this creates problems for his inventions.
He does not fully understand how flight or machines work, so his designs have problems and his experiments fail.
“The rusty gears screeched as the icy wind slapped his cheeks.” Identify two language choices and explain their effect.
Sensory details such as “screeched” and “icy” help readers hear and feel the scene. “Wind slapped” is personification that makes the wind seem forceful.
State a possible theme of Captain Arsenio and give a story detail that supports it.
Possible answer: Working toward a goal takes persistence. Arsenio keeps creating and testing inventions after failures. Accept other themes supported by accurate details.
A student says, “Captain Arsenio is determined.” Explain how to turn this statement into a supported inference.
Add a specific story clue and explain the connection: He keeps testing new inventions after failures; people who continue working toward a difficult goal show determination.
“His eccentric invention used kitchen tools as wings.” Explain what eccentric means and identify the context clue.
Eccentric means unusual or odd. Using kitchen tools as wings is the clue.