Prose and Poetry
Define 'Theme'
Theme is the underlying message of the story
What is the central idea of this passage:
Why Bees Matter”
Bees play a critical role in the environment by pollinating plants, which helps fruits, vegetables, and flowers grow. In fact, about one-third of the food we eat depends on pollinators like bees. However, bee populations have been declining due to pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change. Without bees, many crops would produce less food, which could lead to higher prices and food shortages. Protecting bees is essential for maintaining a healthy food supply and ecosystem.
Bees are essential for our food supply, but their populations are declining and need protection.
Define metaphor and give an example
A comparison without using 'like' or 'as'
Identify the POV
"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the sky turn green"
First person POV
How does the author's perspective shape the article?
Why Recess Should Be Longer”
Recess is more than just a break—it’s a necessity. Students spend most of their day sitting, listening, and focusing. A longer recess would give them time to release energy, reduce stress, and return to class more focused. Studies show that kids who get more physical activity during the day perform better academically. Short recess periods are not enough. If schools truly care about student success, they should make recess longer and more meaningful.
The author's perspective is that recess should be longer.
Identify the simile's in the passage:
The sun dipped below the horizon, and the sky turned orange like a glowing ember. Lily wrapped her sweater tighter, the wind brushing her face like a cool whisper. She smiled, feeling as calm as a still lake.
"orange like a glowing ember"
"wind brushing her face like a cool whisper"
"as calm as a still lake"
What is the theme of this poem:
"The Storm"
The clouds rolled in, the sky turned gray,
The trees all bent, then danced away.
But in the dark, I found my light-
I stood my ground, prepared to fight.
Finding strength through difficult times.
What text structure is used when comparing two ideas?
Compare and contrast
What type of figurative language language is used in this sentence?
"The wind whispered through the trees"
Personification
How does the characters perspective change throughout the passage:
Maya rolled her eyes when the new girl sat beside her. Great, she thought. Another weirdo who won’t last a week.
The girl stayed quiet, nervously tapping her pencil.
Then Maya noticed her shoes—muddy and worn. Her sweater was too big, like it wasn’t really hers. Maya remembered her first day last year—how nervous she’d been, how no one had talked to her. She sighed, turned, and whispered, “The science teacher gives pop quizzes. Want help later?”
The girl smiled. “Please.”
Maya smiled back. Maybe she’s not so weird after all.
Maya's perspective changes from being judgmental towards the new girl to being kind and understanding.
Identify two pieces of evidence that support the author's argument in this paragraph
Many schools are reducing recess time to focus more on academics, but this approach may be harmful. Research shows that students who get regular breaks throughout the day perform better on tests and have fewer behavior issues. In addition, physical activity during recess helps students stay healthy and reduces stress. Cutting recess might seem like a way to gain more instructional time, but it could actually make students less productive in the long run.
"research showing improved test scores and fewer behavior issues"
"physical activity reducing stress and promoting health"
Explain the meaning of the idiom
"break the ice"
means to initiate a conversation in a tense situation
Rewrite the figurative phrase into a literal language
"He exploded with anger"
He became extremely angry.