Literary Elements
Events:
What does the word banished mean in this sentence?
Paragraph 13 “The theater was packed whenever she danced. The prima ballerina became jealous and banished the new girl to dance only on Thursdays, when people were too busy for ballet…”
What does the word banished mean in this sentence?
A) removed
B) invited
C) suggested
D) required
A) removed
What does the simile in paragraph 17 tell readers about the way Gisela felt on stage?
Her arms and legs knew what to do, and she felt as light as a bird among the flowers.
A) She thought she could fly like a bird
B) She was relaxed
C) She felt like she was shining brightly
D) She felt like she couldn’t focus
B) She was relaxed
How did Gisela’s family feel about her dream of becoming a great ballerina? And how do you know (use at least one detail from the story)?
A) concerned
B) surprised
C) supportive
D) curious
C) supportive
Example details
"You’ve practiced a lot. You dance beautifully. Let’s get you dressed."(paragraph 6)
“As she twirled during her solo, Gisela could hear Mami and Abuela cheering.” (paragraph 17)
Name one text feature used in the story and show where it was used?
Enlarged letters for title
Numbers to label paragraphs
Setting:
Name all the settings in the story “Gisela’s Dream Dance” and provide proof from the text.
House, car, and theater
Example proof
Paragraph 1: Gisela hopped out of bed
Paragraph 11: Sitting in the back of the car next to Abuela, Gisela asked…
Paragraph 16: The curtain rose and Gisela listened for the first notes.
What does the imagery in paragraph 16 suggest about dreams?
“Dreams are like flowers that bloom in your
heart,” the song said.
Dreams can get bigger and bigger
How is Abuela important to the story?
She helped Gisela relax
Considering the meaning of fully, what does the word beautifully mean below?
Paragraph 6: Mami assured Gisela that everyone feels butterflies before a performance. “You’ve practiced a lot. You dance beautifully. Let’s get you dressed.”
Beautifully: in a way that pleases the senses or mind aesthetically
Root word Beauty: a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight
Suffix fully: completely or entirely; to the furthest extent.
Beautifully: in a way that pleases the senses or mind aesthetically
Character:
Use at least two details from the passage show how Gisela feels she compares to other ballerinas?
“But when she looked in the mirror, she found her body too round, too short, too different from the pencil- thin ballerinas she had seen at the Miami City Ballet.” (paragraph 3)
“Gisela couldn’t bring herself to tell Mami what really troubled her heart.” (paragraph 7)
“Almost perfect, she thought when she looked in the mirror.” (paragraph 7)
What type of figurative language is used in paragraph 6? What does it mean?
-Mami assured Gisela that everyone feels butterflies before a performance.
Idiom- to feel nervous
What is one theme of the passage? Provide at least two details from the text that supports that theme.
A) Pay attention to others.
B) Grandparents have wisdom to share.
C) Meeting other people’s expectations is hard.
D) Learn to love who you are.
D) Learn to love who you are.
Example details
“Gisela danced with all her soul.” (paragraph 18)
“Being Gisela felt good.” (paragraph 20)
Why did the author use the title abuela rather than grandma in the story?
It helps readers to have a deeper understanding of the characters and their culture