Vocabulary
When a test question has the word "Why" in it, what is one example of a phrase you can use to answer the question?
Because
Question: What is the theme of the story?
Student answer: “The story is about a girl and her dog.”
What's wrong with the student's answer?
Correct it: That is the summary, not the theme.
The reader uses clues from the text and their own thinking to figure out something the author does not say directly.
Inference
The fox was sly, sneaking quietly around the chickens so they would not notice him.
What does sly most likely mean?
sneaky / tricky
This is the main problem or struggle in a story.
Conflict
What is the definition of "annotate"?
Add notes
Question: What is the theme?
Student answer: Pitbulls are dangerous.
What's wrong with the student answer?
It's too specific to be a theme
The overall message or lesson about life that the author wants readers to understand.
Theme
The abandoned house looked dilapidated, with broken windows and peeling paint.
What does dilapidated most likely mean?
falling apart / in bad condition
When a character struggles against another character.
Character vs character, external conflict.
What is the definition of "emphasize"?
Highlight/to show
Question: What does the word “gloomy” mean?
Student answer: “It means sunny.”
What's wrong with the student's answer?
Correct it: gloomy means dark, sad, or depressing.
The feeling or atmosphere a reader gets while reading a text (for example: tense, cheerful, scary).
Mood
The athlete was exhausted after running three miles without stopping.
What does exhausted mean?
very tired
When a character struggles with their own thoughts or feelings.
Character vs. Self, internal conflict
What is the definition of "develop"?
To grow
Question: What is the conflict?
Student answer: “The story takes place in a forest.”
What's wrong with the student's answer?
Correct it: The conflict is the problem the character faces.
The author’s attitude toward the topic or characters, shown through word choice.
Tone
The desert was arid, and almost no plants could grow there.
What does arid most likely mean?
very dry
The most exciting or intense moment of a story when the main problem reaches its peak.
Climax
What is the definition of "support"?
Back up an idea.
Question: What is the theme?
Student answer: “Friendship.”
What's wrong with the student's answer?
Correct it: The theme should be a complete lesson, like Friendship helps people overcome challenges.
What are the three elements of a text we can use to make a prediction?
The title, text features (pictures, graphics), and topic sentences.
“The child felt reluctant to jump into the cold water.”
What does reluctant most likely mean?
unsure / unwilling
The events that happen after the climax when the problem begins to get solved.
Falling Action / Resolution