STORY ELEMENTS
The time and location in which a story takes place
Setting
Name the type of figurative language:
Her face is like a sunbeam.
Simile
Sandy sings in the church choir. She sings a solo every week. Everyone looks forward to hearing her sing. Last Sunday Mrs. Smith said, “Sandy has the voice of an angel.” We all agreed with her. I think she will be famous one day.
What is the main idea of this passage?
Sandy is a great singer.
I had finally gotten used to being weightless. It became a comfortable feeling. I especially liked floating by the window.
WHO AM I?
Astronaut
Unlike my parents, who love classical music, I detest it.
Define detest
dislike/hate
The angle from which the story is told
Point of view
Name the type of figurative language:
The fireworks went "BAM" as they exploded across the sky.
Onomatopoeia
Joy sat on the bench at the baseball field and waited. She didn’t like waiting alone. All of the other kids had been picked up by their parents. Where was her mother? Suddenly, her mother came running to her. “Oh Joy, I’m so sorry. Next time I will make myself a note.”
What is the main idea of the passage?
Joy's mother forgot to pick her up.
My father did not like to wear his crown. He said it was heavy and made his head hurt. While I did not have a crown, my parents made sure I had a silk dress with gold thread to wear for the coronation.
WHO AM I?
A princess
Timothy cleaned his room so thoroughly that not a single particle of dust remained. Nothing was out of place, nor was there even the smallest bit of dirt or grime on any surface.
Define particle
A small amount
The most exciting part of the story
Climax
Name the type of figurative language:
I had so much homework, I needed a pickup truck to carry all my books home.
Hyperbole
Although many people think a koala is a bear, it is not. The koala is a type of mammal called a marsupial. A kangaroo is also a marsupial. These mammals carry their babies in a pouch. The kangaroo’s pouch is on her stomach, but the koala’s pouch is on her back. Both feed their babies milk and keep them secure in their pouch until they are strong enough to survive on their own.
What is the main idea of the passage?
The kangaroo and koala are mostly alike but have some differences.
I often work in the early morning when the light is best. When I start, I make sure all of my brushes are clean.
WHO AM I?
Artist/Painter
Many people say I am very different from my twin sister. She is reticent, while I am very friendly and outgoing.
Define reticent
Shy
The opposition of forces, essential to the plot
Conflict
Name the type of figurative language:
The classroom was a zoo.
Metaphor
Lucy would never get her room clean. It looked like a tornado had hit it. She couldn’t believe how much damage her friends had done. They pull everything out and didn’t put anything back. Glue was spilled all over her rug, and fingernail polish was spilled on her new bedspread. They had even wiped their chocolate covered fingers on her curtains. Wow! What a mess.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Lucy's friends are messy.
I sat on the bench while Mother and Punch went into the room. I was a little worried about Punch, but I knew that he would get good care. As I waited I stared at a cat. The lady at the desk talked to a man with who was buying medicine.
WHERE AM I?
The vet's office
Margaret had ambivalent feelings about attending the concert. She knew she’d enjoy the music, but she didn’t really want to go out in the rainy weather.
Define ambivalent
mixed
The sequence of events involving characters and a central conflict
Plot
Name the type of figurative language:
The grass cheered as the rain came and chased the drought away
Personification
Have you ever seen a frog eat a fly? Have you ever watched a cat catch a mouse? While it might be hard to watch, all animals have to eat. Nature, and the survival of each different species of animal, rests on the links in the food web. Each plant and animal plays a part in the food web, and it is this web of connection between the different species that allows us all to survive.
The food web is made up of many different food chains. A food chain is a way to show how each living thing gets its food. Most food chains start with plants, which make their own food. So, one food chain could be grass, rabbit, cheetah. The rabbit eats the grass to get energy, and the cheetah eats the rabbit to get energy. Another food chain could be grass, cow, human. The cow eats the grass to get energy, and the cow is eaten by the human for energy.
Food chains are part of a circle of life. Eventually, the animal at the “top” of the chain dies, and its body is decomposed. Nutrients from the body return to the soil, and other plants use those nutrients. What is cool about the food chain is that the “energy” that is passed from each living thing never completely disappears.
The food web is made up of all of the food chains. So, in a given area, there may be plants that could be eaten by many different rodents. These rodents could be eaten by many different predators. We are all dependent on the chains and links in the food web because if there is trouble in one part of the food chain, it affects the rest of the web. For example, if there is a drought and plants die, the rodents cannot get enough to eat, and then there might not be enough food for the larger predators. Or, if something happens to large predators, there may be too many small rodents. It is all a very delicate balance.
What is the main idea of the passage?
The food web is important to the survival of all species.
I am full of holes but can still hold water. What am I?
A sponge
Tammy knew she should feel happy about the last day of school, but she actually felt quite lugubrious when she thought about the three months that were coming up.
define lugubrious
sad