1. hobbies and interests
2. reading

Reading Wonders
Alignment
Grades 2-6
Grade 2
p. 2
Grade 3
5
Grade 4
8
Grade 5
11
Grade 6
14
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 2
Unit
1
2
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
Discussion Questions
1
Help! A Story of
Friendship
A Picture of
Friendship
Think about friendship. In the story “Help! A Story of Friendship,” Snake
helped his friend Mouse. What did Snake do? How did Anne Sullivan
help Helen Keller in “A Picture of Friendship”? What can you learn about
friendship from these two readings?
2
Maria Celebrates
Brazil
New Year, New
Country
In “Maria Celebrates Brazil” and “New Year, New Country,” you read
about families who enjoyed celebrating their native countries. What were
the two countries? How were the celebrations alike? How were they
different?
Pets and Their
People
In “Finding Cal” and “Pets and Their People,” you read about how some
people pick their pets. What were some similarities and differences
between the way that Jake picked Cal and the way that people in the
Article selected their pets? Select one of the pets you read about and
compare it with your pet or a pet you know. Explain how each pet is a
good friend.
3
Finding Cal
4
Taking Care of
Pepper
A Greyhound's Best
Friend
In “Taking Care of Pepper” and “A Greyhound's Best Friend,” you read
about people caring for animals. Compare the way that Jack cares
for Pepper with the way that Eileen McCaughern cares for the retired
greyhounds. What did you learn from the readings about taking care of
animals?
5
Families Working
Together
Father-Daughter
Team Writes Police
Book
In “Families Working Together” and “Father-Daughter Team Writes Police
Book,” you read about family members working together. How did each
family work together? How did the work the families did as a team help
others?
1
Cold Dog, Hot Fox
What the Toucan
Can Do
In “Cold Dog, Hot Fox” and “What the Toucan Can Do,” you read about
animals that live in extreme environments. Think about the Siberian husky
and the Toco toucan. How are these animals alike and different? How
have their bodies adapted to help them survive?
2
Cinderella and
Friends
What a Dog Can Do
Both “Cinderella and Friends” and “What a Dog Can Do” talk about
friendships between animals and people. What do the readings tell you
about how animals help people? How did animal friends help Cinderella?
How did they help people in the Article?
3
Turtle, Turtle, Watch
Out!
A New Deal for
Seals
“Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out!” talks about a sea turtle that faces serious
threats in the ocean. “A New Deal for Seals” talks about endangered
monk seals near Hawaii. What dangers do these animals face? How did
people get involved to help the animals in each reading?
The Bobcat Babies
“Baby Bears” and “The Bobcat Babies” talk about how mother animals
care for their babies. What do mother bears do to make sure their babies
survive? Which of these things could Zoe the cat do for her adopted
babies? Which of these things couldn’t she do? Why couldn’t she?
Sorry, Cats. More
People Like Dogs
In the poem “Cats and Kittens,” the author describes what she loves
about cats. The Article “Sorry, Cats. More People Like Dogs” explains
that not everyone is a cat lover. Based on both readings, what are some
things that people like about cats? What are some things they do not like
about cats?
4
5
Baby Bears
Cats and Kittens
2
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 2 (con’t)
Unit
3
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
Discussion Questions
In “Move It!” and the Dig Deeper section of “Mia Hamm: A Leader in
Women's Soccer,” you read about force and motion in a soccer game.
What forces are involved in soccer? What information in the readings
helped you to understand how force and motion affect the game?
1
Move It!
Mia Hamm: A
Leader in Women's
Soccer
2
Mr. Putter & Tabby
See the Stars
Eye on the (Whole)
Sky
The story “Mr. Putter & Tabby See the Stars” and the Article “Eye on the
(Whole) Sky” talk about people who like looking at the night sky. What do
Mr. Putter and Nick Risinger love about the sky at night? How can you tell
this from the readings?
3
Biblioburro: A
True Story From
Colombia
Books on Wheels
“Biblioburro: A True Story From Colombia” and “Books on Wheels” both
talk about book-sharing programs. How are these programs alike? How
are they different? How did these programs help in their communities?
4
Wild Weather
Joplin Students
Head Back to
School
What did “Wild Weather” teach you about a 2011 tornado in Joplin,
Missouri? What more did you learn about the tornado in “Joplin Students
Head Back to School”? How did this big weather event affect people long
after it was over?
5
Many Ways to Enjoy Let's Go See a
Music
Show!
1
Rain Forests
2
3
4
4
5
Volcanoes
In “Many Ways to Enjoy Music,” people who are deaf take in a music
concert. In “Let’s Go See a Show!” children with autism see a Broadway
show. What was done at each event to help these people enjoy it? Did the
people enjoy the shows? How can you tell from the readings?
A Strange World,
Right Here on Earth
In “Rain Forests,” you learned about tropical rain forests. In “A Strange
World, Right Here on Earth,” you learned about the deep ocean. What are
these places like? How are they similar? How are they different?
Hawaii's Fire Show
In “Volcanoes” and “Hawaii’s Fire Show,” you read about how volcano
eruptions can affect people and places nearby. What are some bad
things that can happen when a volcano erupts? What are some good
things? Give examples from both of the readings.
Dear Primo: A Letter Same Kids,
to My Cousin
Different Lives
In the story “Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin,” two cousins who live in
different countries get to know each other through letters. In “Same Kids,
Different Lives,” real-life kids in Alaska learn about one another through
an exchange program. What do these readings tell you about how kids
around the world are different from one another? What do they tell you
about how kids are the same?
How the Beetle Got
Her Colors
Animals Can
Dance!
In the folktale “How the Beetle Got Her Colors,” a beetle surprises its
animal friends. In “Animals Can Dance!” some parrots show off surprising
skills. What did the beetle do that was surprising? What did the parrots
in the Article do that was surprising? What did both readings teach you
about what animals can do?
A School of Mud
and Leaves
The poem “Nature Walk” talks about a walk in the woods. “A School of
Mud and Leaves” talks about a school where the forest is a “classroom.”
What do the people in the poem experience during their nature walk?
How is this similar to what students at Cedarsong Nature School experience during their outdoor classes?
Nature Walk
3
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 2 (con’t)
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
Finders Keepers?
Not This Time
In the story “A Difficult Decision,” a boy named Wyatt finds a lost toy. In
the Article “Finders Keepers,” a man named Josh Ferrin found $40,000.
What did Wyatt and Josh Ferrin choose to do with their finds? How did
their actions show that they were good citizens?
Bully-Free Zone
Bye Bye, Bullies
What is bullying? In “Bully-Free Zone” and “Bye Bye, Bullies,” you read
about ways that kids can deal with bullies. What did you learn about
dealing with bullies? How can you use what you learned in the readings
at your school?
3
Brave Bessie
In “Brave Bessie,” you read about the first African-American woman to
earn her pilot's license. In “Three Great Women,” you read more about
Three Great Women Bessie Coleman and two other women who did great things. What did
each woman do that shows she was a hero? Which woman do you think
was more heroic? Why?
4
The Woodcutter’s
Gift
From Trash to
Treasure
In the story “The Woodcutter's Gift” and the Article “From Trash to
Treasure,” people turn unwanted items into art. Compare the woodcutter's
creations with the creations of Ken Marquis. How did these two artists
help the Earth with their art?
5
Setting the Rules
Freedom: How We
Got It
“Setting the Rules” and “Freedom: How We Got It” both talk about rules in
the U.S. Constitution. What are some rules set by the Constitution? What
do the readings tell you about how these rules protect people’s rights?
1
The Golden Flower:
A Taino Myth From
Puerto Rico
Hawaii's Early
Settlers
In "The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth From Puerto Rico" and "Hawaii's
Early Settlers," you read a myth and two legends. What does the Taino
myth tell about? What do the Hawaii legends tell about? What similarities
and differences can you find between these stories?
2
My Light
The Road to More
Energy
In “My Light,” you learned about different ways the Sun's energy is helpful
here on Earth. In “The Road to More Energy,” you read about a new way
to use the Sun's energy. What does each text tell you about how the Sun's
energy helps people?
3
Astronaut
Handbook
Live From Space
In “Astronaut Handbook” and “Live From Space,” you read about what
it takes to be an astronaut. Why must astronauts receive a lot of training
before they travel into space? Based on what you read, why do you think
teamwork is so important for astronauts?
4
Money Madness
Time Really Is
Money!
“Money Madness” and “Time Really Is Money!” both talk about bartering.
What is bartering? How was it used long ago? How is it used in the Time
Bank system? What are some benefits and drawbacks of bartering?
A Box of Crayons
What's Good for
Kids? Play!
The poem “A Box of Crayons” and the Article “What's Good for Kids?
Play!” both talk about people using their imagination. According to the
readings, what are some different ways to be creative? What do the
readings tell you about using your imagination?
1
2
5
6
Discussion Questions
5
A Difficult Decision
4
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 3
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
In “Jennie and the Wolf” and “March: The Story Comes to Life,” people
took action to help others. Why did the people in both of the readings
want to help others? How might the two readings inspire readers to do
good things?
1
Jennie and the Wolf
March: The Story
Comes to Life
2
Yoon and the Jade
Bracelet
Going Back Home
How did the traditions in “Yoon and the Jade Bracelet” and “Going Back
Home” help people connect with their heritage? How do cultures help
weave families together?
3
Gary the Dreamer
The Power of the
Music
In “Gary the Dreamer” and “The Power of the Music,” kids learned about
their cultures. What did Gary learn in the story? What did José learn in the
Article? What did each boy get out of his experience?
One Idea, Lots of
Hard Work
In “All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine,” you read about an
invention made by Elijah McCoy in the 1800s. In “One Idea, Lots of
Hard Work,” you read about some modern inventions. Pick one of these
modern inventions and compare it with McCoy’s. Be sure to write about
the problems these inventions were designed to solve and how they
improved things for people. How do you think these inventors were able
to make their ideas successful?
Closed for Repairs
“A Mountain of History” is about Mount Rushmore, which is a U.S.
landmark. “Closed for Repairs” is about the Statue of Liberty, another U.S.
landmark. What does each of these landmarks stand for? Why are the
landmarks important? How are they alike and different?
In “Deltona Is Going Batty,” the city of Deltona, Florida, had a big problem
with bugs. In “One City's Big Problem,” Mexico City, Mexico, had a big
problem with trash. How did each city deal with its problem? Do you think
that people in each city cooperated well to try and solve their problems?
Why or why not?
1
2
Discussion Questions
4
All Aboard! Elijah
McCoy's Steam
Engine
5
A Mountain of
History
1
Deltona Is Going
Batty
One City's Big
Problem
2
The Castle on
Hester Street
Think about “The Castle on Hester Street” and the Dig Deeper section
of “The Rush for Riches.” Compare the people in each reading. Why did
The Rush for Riches
these people leave their home countries? What did they expect life would
be like in the U.S.? Were their expectations met? Why or why not?
3
A Plan for the
People
Both “A Plan for the People” and “The Bill of Rights” talk about the
creation of the U.S. Constitution. Why did leaders create the Constitution?
Think about what you read in the Dig Deeper section of the Article. How
does it show the Constitution in action?
The Bill of Rights
4
Whooping Cranes in Here Today, Gone
Danger
Tomorrow?
In “Whooping Cranes in Danger,” what did scientists do to save the
whooping cranes? How does this compare with the work you read about
in “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?” How are these approaches alike? How
are they different? Based on what you read, why do you think scientists
go to great lengths to save endangered animals?
5
Ornithopter
In “Ornithopter” and “A Car That Swims,” you read about two inventions.
What does each invention do? What makes it unusual? What features
allow each invention to function the way it does?
A Car That Swims
5
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 3 (con’t)
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
New Spot for New
Species
In “Get a Backbone!” and “New Spot for New Species,” you read about
different vertebrates and their unique traits. Pick one animal from each
reading. Compare the two animals and their traits. How are the animals
alike? How are they different? How do each animal’s unique traits help it
to survive?
Jane’s Discovery
Mandela Day
Think about Abraham Lincoln in “Jane's Discovery” and Nelson Mandela
in “Mandela Day.” What did each of these men do to change the minds of
others? What connections can you make between Abraham Lincoln and
Nelson Mandela?
3
Earth
Greetings From
Mars
In “Earth,” you learned facts about our planet and nearby planets. In
“Greetings From Mars,” you read about a recent mission to Mars. Based
on the readings, how is Mars like Earth? How is it different from Earth?
Why do scientists think Mars might be able to support life?
4
Big Ideas from
Nature
Hummingbird, Are
You For Real?
“Big Ideas from Nature” and “Hummingbird, Are You For Real?” talk about
“biomimicry.” What is biomimicry? Pick one example of biomimicry from
each reading. How are these inventions alike? How are they different? Be
sure to discuss how people use them.
On the Go
In “Riding the Rails West!” you read about the creation of railroads. In
“On the Go,” you read about other big developments in transportation.
Choose one of these big developments and compare it with the creation
of railroads. How did each of these developments change life in the U.S.?
Why were they important for the country?
What's on MyPlate?
In “The Real Story of Stone Soup,” you read about a magical dish called
“stone soup.” How do the ingredients in stone soup compare with the
MyPlate guidelines? Would stone soup be considered a healthy meal?
Why or why not?
1
2
3
Discussion Questions
Get a Backbone!
5
Riding the Rails
West!
1
The Real Story of
Stone Soup
2
The Talented
Clementine
Bike Shop Gives
Kids a Break
In “The Talented Clementine,” you read about Clementine, a fictional
character who discovers she has a hidden talent. In “Bike Shop Gives
Kids a Break,” you read about Reggie Graham, a real-life boy who also
has a special talent. Compare the experiences of Clementine and Reggie.
In what ways do you think their special talents could help them? In what
ways could their talents help others?
3
Amazing Animals of
the Mojave
One Smart
Octopus!
In “Amazing Animals of the Mojave” and “One Smart Octopus!” you
read about how animals adapt to changes in their environment. Pick one
animal from each reading. How did each animal adapt to its environment?
How do these adaptations help the animals?
4
Hot Air Balloons
Boeing's Dream
Takes Off
In “Hot Air Balloons” and “Boeing's Dream Takes Off,” you read about
different ways to fly. Compare a hot air balloon with the Boeing 787
Dreamliner. How are they alike? How are they different? How has each
one helped people?
5
The Brave Ones
Superman?
No—Mailman!
Think about the firefighters in “The Brave Ones” and Keith McVey in
“Superman? No—Mailman!” How did the firefighters and McVey show
courage and bravery? Would you say they are heroes? Why or why not?
4
6
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 3 (con’t)
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
1
The Clothing Trade
In “When Corn Was Cash” and “The Clothing Trade,” you read about
bartering. Compare how bartering was used long ago with how it has
been used in recent years. Be sure to talk about why people bartered and
what goods they bartered for. Do you think bartering is a good way to get
what you need? Explain using examples from the readings.
Everything Old Is
New Again
In “Bravo, Tavo!” a person helped bring new life to Tavo's very old
shoes. In “Everything Old Is New Again,” the Freecycle program found
new homes for old and unwanted items. Choose one of the principles of
the Freecycle program. Explain how it applies to Tavo’s story. How did
reusing old items benefit Tavo and the Freecyclers?
2
Bravo, Tavo!
3
Windy Gale and the
Great Hurricane
Second Chances
Both “Windy Gale and the Great Hurricane” and “Second Chances” talk
about teamwork between people and animals. What role does teamwork
play in each reading? Be sure to talk about how the teamwork benefits
both the people and animals involved.
4
Susan B. Anthony
Takes Action!
Saying Goodbye to
a Pioneer
Susan B. Anthony and Geraldine Ferraro were two important women in
U.S. history. Think about their lives. In what ways were they good citizens? How can you tell this from their work?
Slimy, but Smart
In “It’s All in the Wind,” you read about wind power. In “Slimy, but Smart,”
you learned about fuel made from algae. How are these two energy
sources alike? How are they different? Why do scientists want to use wind
and algae as long-term sources of power?
Carlos's Gift
A Kid on a Cow
In “Carlos’s Gift” and “A Kid on a Cow,” you read about two young people
who came to appreciate something that was different from what they had
expected. Compare the experiences of Carlos and Regina. Why did the
two of them change their minds about what they wanted? What can you
learn from their experiences?
2
Nora's Ark
The Prom Must
Go On
In “Nora’s Ark” and “The Prom Must Go On,” serious weather events
affected life in two small towns. What was the weather event in each
reading? How did people in each reading react to the event? Based on
their actions, what words might you use to describe these people? Why?
3
Out of this World!
The Ellen Ochoa
Story
Seeing Things in a
New Way
Think about Ellen Ochoa and Deanna Jones. Compare their experiences.
What challenges did each woman overcome to achieve her dream? What
can you tell about these women from their actions?
Catch a Wave,
Crocodile!
In “Alligators and Crocodiles,” you learned about American alligators.
In “Catch a Wave, Crocodile!” you learned about saltwater crocodiles.
What are some similarities and differences between these two animals?
What do the readings tell you about why people find these animals so
interesting?
The Art of Funny
Both “Ollie’s Escape” and “The Art of Funny” involve humor. How can
you tell that “Ollie’s Escape” is meant to be humorous? What did Zach
Rosenfeld learn about humor, and how did he make people laugh? Based
on what you read, which do you think is a better way to make people
laugh? Why?
5
5
1
6
When Corn Was
Cash
Discussion Questions
4
5
It's All in the Wind
Alligators and
Crocodiles
Ollie's Escape
7
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 4
Unit
1
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
Discussion Questions
1
The Princess and
the Pizza
PupLight's Just
Right
In “The Princess and the Pizza” and “PupLight’s Just Right,” you read
about solutions to unusual problems. What were these problems? How
was each problem solved? Which solution do you think was most interesting? Why?
2
Experts,
Incorporated
The Real Bat-Man
Think about the story “Experts, Incorporated” and the Article “The Real
Bat-Man.” Compare Rodney's future career idea with Jack Marucci's
career. What real-world problems were solved by each career?
3
Earthquakes
Getting Ready for
Earthquakes
In “Earthquakes” and “Getting Ready for Earthquakes,” you learned that
scientists can't yet predict when and where earthquakes occur, but they
can help people prepare for them. What are scientists doing to help
people before a big earthquake hits? What are they doing to help people
during and after an earthquake?
4
A Crash Course in
Forces and Motion
with Max Axiom,
Super Scientist
The Ice Slide
In the story, Max Axiom talks about motion and the forces that move us.
What forces are at work in the sport of bobsledding? How does knowing
about these forces help you understand the motion of a bobsled?
Good Ideas
How do the young entrepreneurs spotlighted in “Kids in Business”
compare with the students who work with Stephen Sundarrao's Rehab
Ideas? How are these businesses making a difference in the lives of
others?
China and Japan:
Helping Japan
Smile
You read a folktale by Mina Javaherbin called “The Secret Message.”
You also read an article about Sanyutei Kyoraku, a master of rakugo, an
ancient Japanese art of storytelling. Think about Javaherbin’s purpose for
writing her folktale and Kyoraku’s purpose for telling stories using rakugo.
How are their purposes similar and different? How are their methods of
telling stories similar and different?
5
1
Kids in Business
The Secret
Message
2
The Ant and the
Grasshopper
Bird Brains? Not
These Birds!
“The Ant and the Grasshopper” is based on one of Aesop’s Fables.
(Aesop was an ancient Greek storyteller.) In the Article “Bird Brains?
Not These Birds!” you read about another one of Aesop’s fables called
“The Crow and the Pitcher.” How are these stories alike? How are they
different? Why are these particular animals important in telling each story?
3
The Buffalo Are
Back
To Help or Not To
Help
In “The Buffalo Are Back” and “To Help or Not To Help,” you learned
how human activity affected two ecosystems. How did human activity
change the Great Plains in the mid-1800s? How has it changed the Juan
Fernández archipelago over the past four centuries?
2
4
Spiders
A Real Cold Fish
“Spiders” and “A Real Cold Fish” both describe adaptations that help
animals survive. Compare the animals discussed in the readings and
their different adaptations. How are these animals alike? How are they
different? How do their adaptations help them to survive?
5
The Sandpiper
Tasha Tudor Dies
You read a poem called “The Sandpiper” by Frances Frost. In “Tasha
Tudor Dies,” you read about the life of Tasha Tudor. What inspired Frost
and Tudor as writers? How can you tell this from the readings?
8
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 4 (con’t)
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
The Cricket in Times Not Only Soccer—
Square
Smiles, Too
In “The Cricket in Times Square,” Tucker and Harry welcomed Chester to
a new place. In “Not Only Soccer—Smiles, Too,” U.S. families welcomed
teens from Haiti. What was done in each reading to make the newcomers
feel at home? Why do you think these actions were helpful to the
newcomers?
2
Partaking in Public
Service
Scientists Needed!
In “Partaking in Public Service” and “Scientists Needed!” you read about
teens who are passionate about public service. Compare what teens in
both readings are doing. One of the teen volunteers said, “You don’t have
to be an adult to make a difference.” Based on what you read, do you
agree with the volunteer? Why or why not?
3
Delivering Justice:
W.W. Law and the
Fight for Civil Rights
Goodbye, Nelson
Mandela
Think about Westley Wallace Law in “Delivering Justice: W.W. Law and
the Fight for Civil Rights” and Nelson Mandela in “Goodbye, Nelson
Mandela.” What did each of these men do to make a difference in the
world? What connections can you make between them?
4
Abe's Honest
Words: The Life of
Abraham Lincoln
Happy Birthday, Dr.
King
In “Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln” and “Happy
Birthday, Dr. King,” you read about two leaders who believed in the
power of words. How did Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.
use words to bring about change? Based on the readings, which do you
think proved to be more powerful—their words or their actions? Why?
A New Kind of Corn
Can GM Foods End
World Hunger?
In “A New Kind of Corn” and “Can GM Foods End World Hunger?” you
read about the debate over genetically modified (GM) foods. What are
some advantages of growing GM crops? What are some disadvantages?
Which side of the debate do you think is right? Why?
Teens Change the
World
In “See How They Run” and “Teens Change the World,” you read about
ways that young people can make their voices heard in government. Pick
one group of young people from each reading. How are they alike? How
are they different? What do the readings tell you about how young people
are shaping politics?
1
3
5
1
4
Discussion Questions
See How They Run
2
Bringing Government Home
School Honors
Helene Hale
“Bringing Government Home” describes the achievements of several
state and local government leaders. “School Honors Helene Hale”
spotlights a Hawaii state leader. Choose one of the leaders from “Bringing
Government Home.” Compare his or her achievements with those of
Helene Hale. Which leader did you think was more successful? Why?
3
3...2...1 We Have
Spin-Off!
Space-Age Help for
Grandma
“3...2...1 We Have Spin-Off!” and “Space-Age Help for Grandma” talk
about “spin-offs.” What are spin-offs? Pick one example from each
reading and compare the two. How are they alike? How are they
different? In what ways have these items been helpful here on Earth?
4
Age of Revolution:
Why Does the Moon
Scared of the Dark?
Change Shape?
Not These People!
5
Winner
The Word Is
“Winner”
In “Why Does the Moon Change Shape?” you read that people have
studied the night sky for thousands of years. In “Scared of the Dark? Not
These People!” you read about stargazers who were looking for the best
view of the night sky. What are some objects in the night sky that fascinate people? How can you tell this from the readings?
The poem “Winner” and the Article “The Word Is ‘Winner’” talk about two
young people who succeeded at something after many tries. Compare
what the boy in the poem did with what Kavya Shivashankar did in real
life. How did each person achieve success? What lessons can you learn
from their actions?
9
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 4 (con’t)
Unit
5
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
1
What If It Happened
How Can I Help?
to You?
In “What If It Happened to You?” you read about Jana, a fictional character
who helps a classmate's family after a disaster. In “How Can I Help?” you read
about people who volunteered after a disaster in real life. Compare what Jana
did with the work the volunteers did. What do you think both Jana and the
volunteers gained from their experiences?
2
Westward Bound:
Settling the American West
Saying Goodbye
to Ireland
In “Westward Bound: Settling the American West,” you read about pioneers in
the 1800s. In “Saying Goodbye to Ireland,” you read about people today who
are moving away from their home country. Think about the reasons people in
both readings had for leaving their homes. How are these reasons alike? How
are they different? What challenges did each group of people face?
3
How Ben Franklin
Stole the Lightning
Now Playing:
Sounds From the
Past
In “How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning” and “Now Playing: Sounds From the
Past,” you read about inventors and their creations. What kinds of problems
was each inventor trying to solve? Compare their inventions. How are these
inventions still important today?
4
Your World Up
Close
Telescopes-Bigger and
Better Than Ever
In “Your World Up Close,” you read about microscopes. In “Telescopes-Bigger and Better Than Ever,” you read about two new powerful telescopes.
What are these tools able to do? In what ways are they helping scientists with
their work?
5
Rediscovering Our
Spanish Beginnings
Colonial Era:
America Looks
Back
In “Rediscovering Our Spanish Beginnings” and “America Looks Back,” you
read about two of the oldest towns in the United States: St. Augustine and
Jamestown. Based on information in the readings, how do we know that these
two settlements existed? What can we tell about what life was like for people in
these settlements?
1
Native Americans:
Yesterday and
Today
Keeping the Past
Alive
In “Native Americans: Yesterday and Today” and “Keeping the Past Alive,”
you read about the Hopi people. What was life like for the Hopi long ago? How
do the Hopi people today try to honor their past? How do Rex Pooyouma and
his work demonstrate this?
Valley of the Moon
Dear Diary
In “Valley of the Moon” and “Dear Diary,” you read about people who keep
diaries. How did writing in a diary help María Rosalia? How is this similar to the
way that diaries help the astronauts in real life? Why might a person’s diary be
an important resource for people reading it years later?
Energy Island
Small City Sets
Big Example
In “Energy Island” and “Small City Sets Big Example,” you read about
towns that made small changes to help the planet in a big way. Compare
the changes made in these towns. How were they similar? How were they
different? How have these changes affected other cities around the world?
The Big Picture of
Economics
In “The Big Picture of Economics,” you read about the laws of supply and
demand. In “For Sale: Smaller, Cheaper Homes,” you read about the housing
For Sale: Smaller,
market in 2007. How did the laws of supply and demand affect the 2007
Cheaper Homes
housing market? How did they apply to what KB Home did in order to sell
houses?
Climbing Blue Hill
Young People
Learn Old Ways
2
6
Discussion Questions
3
4
5
The poem “Climbing Blue Hill” and the Article “Young People Learn Old Ways”
talk about family members sharing experiences. What experience did the
family in the poem share? What experiences do families in the Article share?
How are traditions and shared experiences important to these families?
10
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 5
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
2
The story “One Hen” and the Article “A Little Help Goes a Long Way” talk
about people helping one another get the things they need. How do the
people in each reading work together to help meet the needs of their communities? In what ways are their methods similar? How are they different?
One Hen
A Little Help
Goes a Long
Way
2
Lost in the Museum
Wings
In “Lost in the Museum Wings” and “These Lights Are Too Cool!” people
tried to find solutions to problems. These solutions didn’t quite work out as
These Lights Are planned. In the story, what did Mrs. Roberts and the group do when their plan
to meet up with the class failed? How is that different from what authorities
Too Cool!
in the Article did when their plan to use LED traffic lights had unexpected
drawbacks? What can be learned from these two examples?
3
Camping with the
President
Happy 100
Years, Muir
Woods!
In “Camping with the President,” President Theodore Roosevelt goes on
a camping trip with preservationist John Muir. How did this trip affect the
president’s view of nature? How is this viewpoint reflected in “Happy 100
Years, Muir Woods!”?
1
1
Discussion Questions
4
The Boy Who
Invented TV
The Dean of
Invention
In “The Boy Who Invented TV,” you read about 20th-century inventor Philo
Farnsworth. In “The Dean of Invention,” you read about modern inventor Dean
Kamen. Compare Farnsworth’s invention with one of the inventions mentioned
in the Article. Be sure to note how each invention relied on previously existing
technology. What do Farnsworth and Kamen think about technology? How
are their viewpoints similar and different?
5
Are Electronic
Devices Good for
Us?
Higher Screen
Time, Lower
Grades
Think about the technologies discussed in “Are Electronic Devices Good
for Us?” and “Higher Screen Time, Lower Grades.” What are some positive
effects of these new technologies? What are some negative effects? Based
on what you read, what argument would you make for or against the use of
these new technologies by kids?
1
Who Wrote the U.S.
Constitution?
Westward
Expansion: New
States, New
Troubles
In “Who Wrote the U.S. Constitution?” and “Westward Expansion: New States,
New Troubles,” you read about difficult times in American history. What are
some problems the Founding Fathers faced in 1787? What are some problems leaders faced in the mid-1800s? What did leaders do in each case to
solve these problems? How were their actions similar and different?
2
Where the Mountain
Meets the Moon
The Lost and
Found Camera
In the story “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” and the Article “The Lost
and Found Camera,” people search for answers to questions. Compare how
the characters in the story and the people in the Article find the answers they
seek. How were their methods similar? How were they different?
3
The Boy Who Drew
Birds
Surprise!
Songbirds Are
Speedy
Compare the way John James Audubon studied bird migration in “The Boy
Who Drew Birds” with the way scientists studied bird migration in “Surprise!
Songbirds Are Speedy.” What similarities and differences did you find? How
has technology changed the way people study migratory birds?
From Tale to Table
As Good as Ice
Cream?
In “From Tale to Table,” you learned about baking bread. In the Dig Deeper
section of “As Good as Ice Cream?” you read about preparing cake batter.
What are some things that these two processes have in common? What
do both readings tell you about the importance of following a plan when
cooking? What could happen if you don't follow the plan?
Stage Fright
On Top of the
World
In “Stage Fright” and “On Top of the World,” you read about two young
people who each accomplished a goal. Compare what each person did to
achieve his or her goal. How do you think reading about their accomplishments might affect other people?
4
5
11
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 5 (con’t)
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
1
They Don’t Mean It!
Baseball Goes to
China
“They Don’t Mean It!” and “Baseball Goes to China” talk about the differences between Chinese and American cultures. What cultural challenges
are described in the story? What cultural challenges are described in
the Article? In both readings, what did people do to try to connect with
people from different cultures?
In “Plants with a Purpose” and “Wanted: Unknown Plants and Animals,”
you learned ways in which plant and animal species can be useful to
people. What did the readings tell you about the ways people can benefit
from plants and animals? Based on what you read, why is it vital that
people work to preserve the natural world?
2
Plants with a
Purpose
Wanted: Unknown
Plants and Animals
3
Patterns of Change
In “Patterns of Change” and “Goodbye Sunspots?” you read about
Goodbye Sunspots? patterns, or cycles, found in nature. Compare the rock cycle with the solar
cycle. In what ways are the two cycles similar? How are they different?
4
Winter's Tail
For the Turtles
In “Winter’s Tail” and “For the Turtles,” you read about groups that worked
together to save animals in danger. What did these groups do? In each
case, how did the groups help the animals that were in trouble?
5
Dig This
Technology!
A Titanic Task
In “Dig This Technology!” and “A Titanic Task,” you read about projects
in which researchers used new tools to study the past. What were the
tools in each project, and how were they used? How were these tools an
improvement over the old methods that were used?
1
How Grandmother
Hawaii's Fire Show
Spider Stole the Sun
In “How Grandmother Spider Stole the Sun,” you read a Native American
legend. In “Hawaii’s Fire Show,” you read about two Hawaiian legends.
What were some similarities and differences between the legends? What
can the legends tell readers about nature?
2
A Window Into
History: The Mystery Surprise! There's
Life Here After All!
of the Cellar
Window
In the story, you read about a family who learns something surprising
about its home. In the Article, you read about scientists who learn
something about the deep waters beneath Antarctic ice. How were these
discoveries made? How did these unexpected discoveries affect people’s
plans?
3
Rosa
3
4
Discussion Questions
4
5
One Well
Words, Free as
Confetti
Teen Takes Her
Place in History
Think about Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin. What did each woman do
to bring about change in the U.S.? Based on what you read, what can you
tell about these women from their actions?
Water Worries
In “One Well” and “Water Worries,” you learned that water is an important
natural resource. What information from each selection supports the idea
that water is precious and should be conserved? What did you learn from
the readings about using water wisely?
The Man Who
Loved Words
In “Words, Free as Confetti,” you read a poem about words. In “The Man
Who Loved Words,” you read about writer Christopher Nolan. Compare
how the author of the poem and Christopher Nolan expressed what was
important to them. What are some examples in the readings that helped
you understand what was meaningful to each writer?
12
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 5 (con’t)
Unit
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
Discussion Questions
1
Ida B… and Her
Plans to Maximize
Teen Sails
Fun, Avoid Disaster,
Around World!
and (Possibly) Save
the World
Bud, Not Buddy
After Quake,
Kids Settle in
Florida
In “Bud, Not Buddy,” you read about how Bud's new friends helped him adjust
to a new life. In “After Quake, Kids Settle in Florida,” you read about how children from Haiti had to adjust to a new life after an earthquake. What similarities
can you see in the experiences of Bud and the Haitian children? What did their
new friends do to help them to adjust to their new homes?
3
Global Warming
What Will
Happen to the
Corals?
In “Global Warming” and “What Will Happen to the Corals?” you read about
some effects of Earth’s rising temperatures. How is this global warming
affecting corals in Hawaii? How is it affecting wildlife in other locations? What do
both readings tell you about ways leaders are trying to slow global warming?
4
When Is a Planet
Not a Planet?
Pluto Is
Changing!
In “When Is a Planet Not a Planet?” and “Pluto Is Changing,” you read that
astronomers continue to learn more about Pluto. What new information about
Pluto have they learned over time? According to the readings, how has technology helped the astronomers to discover these things?
5
The Case of the
Missing Bees
Bees: Don't
Buzz Off!
“The Case of the Missing Bees” and “Bees: Don't Buzz Off!” offer different theories about what caused honeybees to leave their hives. Compare the theories.
Based on what you read, which one do you agree with? Why?
2
5
6
In “Ida B… and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save
the World,” you read about a fictional character who faces a big challenge.
In “Teen Sails Around World!” you read about Jessica Watson, a real girl who
faces a big challenge. Compare Ida B’s experience with Jessica’s. How did the
girls feel about their challenges, before and after their attempts? What lessons
can be learned from these girls’ stories?
1
Allies in Action
Brothers
Forever
In “Allies in Action” and “Brothers Forever,” you read about different groups that
supported and served in the U.S. military during World War II. Select one group
mentioned in “Allies in Action.” Compare its actions with the actions of the
Japanese-American soldiers described in “Brothers Forever.” What did each
of the two groups do during the war? What sacrifices did these groups make in
order to do these things?
2
The Friend Who
Changed My Life
Remembering
Robinson
Compare and contrast the actions of Mary Lou in “The Friend Who Changed My
Life” and Pee Wee Reese in “Remembering Robinson.” How did each person
show support for someone who was being mocked or bullied? What was the
result of their actions?
3
A Strange
Survival at 40 Below World, Right
Here on Earth
“Survival at 40 Below” and “A Strange World, Right Here on Earth” both discuss
how some animals survive in harsh habitats. Select one animal from each of the
readings. What are some similarities and differences between them? How does
each animal adapt to survive in its environment?
Planting the Trees
of Kenya
A Tree's Tale
In “Planting the Trees of Kenya” and “A Tree's Tale,” you read about two people
who worked to restore the environment. Compare Wangari Maathai's efforts to
replant trees in Kenya with Jim Lord's efforts to restore the American chestnut
tree. How were their efforts and experiences alike and different? What goals did
they hope to achieve?
Going Places
The poem “To Travel!” and the Article “Going Places” talk about people
connecting with the world by traveling to new places. How do people in the
readings connect with the world? Does reading about their experiences make
you want to travel? Explain.
4
5
To Travel!
13
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 6
Unit
1
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
1
Little Blog on the
Prairie
A Camp for
Change
In the story “Little Blog on the Prairie” and the Article “A Camp for Change,”
you read about two groups of people who underwent new experiences.
Compare and contrast the two experiences and discuss how they transformed the way the groups look at the world.
2
The Mostly True
Adventures of
Homer P. Figg
Germany Says
Thank You to U.S.
Soldiers
In “The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg,” you read about an alliance between two brothers. In “Germany Says Thank You to U.S. Soldiers,”
you read about an alliance between two nations. How did forming alliances
help in each situation? What similarities can you see between the alliances
mentioned in the readings?
Journey Into the
Deep
Hidden in the
Forests
In “Journey Into the Deep,” you read about various marine animals. In
“Hidden in the Forests,” you read about newly discovered animals that live
on land. Choose one animal from each reading. Compare and contrast the
animals and their traits. How do these traits help each animal adapt to its
particular environment?
Into the Volcano
Did Weather
Change History?
In “Into the Volcano,” you read about a researcher who explored an active
volcano. In “Did Weather Change History?” you read about the possible
effects of weather on an explorer from the past. What role did natural forces
play in each person’s experience?
5
The Economic
Roller Coaster
In “The Economic Roller Coaster,” you read about various factors that can
affect an economy. How can emotions influence people’s spending habits?
Teens Saving, Not
How does this relate to what you read in “Teens Saving, Not Spending”?
Spending
What did you learn in the readings that might influence your own spending
habits?
1
The Technology of
Mesopotamia
Compare the development of writing in ancient Mesopotamia with the develAre These Words? opment of writing in ancient China. What did these developments have in
common? What do they tell us about life in those places at the time?
2
Who Created
Democracy?
In “Who Created Democracy?” you read about the American Revolution.
Age of Revolution:
In “Age of Revolution: Haiti's Fight To Be Free,” you read about the Haitian
Haiti's Fight To Be
Revolution. What events led up to each revolution? What are some ways the
Free
revolutions were alike? What are some ways they were different?
Roman Diary
RIP, Western
Roman Empire
How did the historical information in “RIP, Western Roman Empire” help you
better understand the life of Iliona of Mytilini in “Roman Diary”? Did you find
that you learned more about ancient Rome by reading Iliona’s fictional story,
or by reading the informative article “RIP, Western Roman Empire”? Use
examples from the readings to explain.
A Single Shard
Found: Oldest
Flute, Oldest
Carving
In “A Single Shard” and “Found: Oldest Flute, Oldest Carving,” you read
about objects created by artists long ago. How were the artists of Ch’ulp’o,
Korea, influenced by the natural world around them? How were the artists in
southern Germany influenced by the natural world around them? What did
all of the artists in the readings have in common?
Majestic
Voices From the
Past
In what ways do the poem “Majestic” and the “Lost Voices” project
described in the Article help to preserve the past? How do they honor past
people, places, and events? Based on what you read and your own background knowledge, why do you think it's important to remember the past?
3
4
2
Discussion Questions
3
4
5
14
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 6 (con’t)
Unit
3
4
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
1
The Music of Many
2
Confronting a
Challenge
Discussion Questions
Peace Owls
What happened when the musicians in “The Music of Many” worked
together and shared their music? What happened when the farmers in
“Peace Owls” worked together and shared their ideas for pest control?
Think about the characters in the story and the farmers in the Article.
What did they help you learn about the importance of sharing ideas?
A Visit From Vonn
In what ways did the hockey player in “Confronting a Challenge”
and Lindsey Vonn both overcome tough challenges? How were they
influenced by role models? What do their actions tell us about them as
athletes and as individuals?
3
The Pot That Juan
Built
Artist Takes Her
Work to GuitarTown
In “The Pot That Juan Built” and “Artist Takes Her Work to GuitarTown,”
you read about two artists who worked with others to help people in their
communities. What did each of these artists create? How did these works
benefit communities? Based on what you read, what lessons can be
learned about working together to help a community?
4
Margaret BourkeWhite: Fearless
Photographer
A Woman Who Flew
High
Think about Margaret Bourke-White and Amelia Earhart. In what ways
did each of these pioneers influence the actions and opinions of others?
Based on what you read, what can you tell about both of them? In what
ways might they continue to influence people today?
5
Stewards of the
Environment
Cleaning Up a
Terrible Mess
How did the people spotlighted in “Stewards of the Environment” and the
volunteers in “Cleaning Up a Terrible Mess” work to promote a healthier
environment? What were some common goals of the volunteers in both
readings?
1
Years of Dust
Hot, Hot, Hot
In “Years of Dust,” you read about the Dust Bowl. In “Hot, Hot, Hot,” you
read about a recent heat wave. What are some similarities and differences between these environmental challenges?
2
Seeing Things His
Own Way
Climbing
Kilimanjaro
What were some of the personal challenges faced by the mountain
climbers in “Seeing Things His Own Way” and “Climbing Kilimanjaro”?
How did the climbers in both readings deal with these hardships?
3
The Case of the
Magic Marker
Mischief Maker:
A Mickey Rangel
Mystery
What Would You
Do?
“The Case of the Magic Marker Mischief Maker” and “What Would You
Do?” talk about the challenge of making big decisions. What big decisions did Mickey and the people in the Article have to make? On what did
they base their decisions? Do you think they did the right thing? Why or
why not?
4
Home of the Brave
New School, New
Country
“Home of the Brave” and “New School, New Country” talk about the
challenges of going to school in a new country. Compare the challenges
faced by the students in both readings. Which of these challenges do you
think would be most difficult to overcome?
5
This Is Just to Say;
to Mrs. Garcia,
in the office; to
Thomas
Do iPods Make
People Steal?
Think about the poems “This Is Just to Say,” “to Mrs. Garcia, in the office,”
“to Thomas,” and the Article “Do iPods Make People Steal?” What did
people steal, and what were their motivations? Do you think they should
be held responsible for the thefts? Why or why not?
15
Reading Wonders Alignment – Grade 6 (con’t)
Unit
5
Reading Wonders Achieve3000
Week Connection
Lesson
Just a Story...or
Is It?
“The Hero and the Minotaur” and “Just a Story...or Is It?” talk about famous
myths. Compare and contrast the myths discussed in the readings. Why do
you think people have been telling these stories for generations? What is it
about these stories that makes them important today?
1
The Hero and the
Minotaur
2
The People Could
Fly
Never Forgotten
In “The People Could Fly” and “Never Forgotten,” you read about people
who endured slavery. How did the people in these readings show inner
strength? Based on what you read, how might these people have been an
inspiration to others?
Before Columbus
Earliest Peoples:
A Better Way To
Farm?
“Before Columbus” and “Earliest Peoples: A Better Way To Farm?” talk
about different methods of farming. What are some differences and similarities between these methods? Be sure to talk about ways these different
methods have benefited people.
Planet Hunter
Is This the Only
Earth?
Compare and contrast the discoveries made by astronomers in “Planet
Hunter” and “Is This the Only Earth?” What do you think makes the astronomers’ work challenging? Do you think that their work has been important?
Why or why not?
A New Space Plan
In “Out of this World” and “A New Space Plan,” you read about tools
used by the U.S. space program. What are these tools, and how do they
compare? Which tool do you think might be most helpful in learning more
about space? Why?
Lobster Trouble
In “The Not-So-Golden Touch,” gold loses value. “Lobster Trouble” talks
about a time when the price of lobsters plummeted. Compare and contrast
what caused these natural resources to drop in value. How can changes
like these affect people in positive ways? How can they affect people in
negative ways?
3
4
5
1
6
Discussion Questions
Out of this World
The Not-So-Golden
Touch
2
The Great Fire
9/11: A Young Boy
Remembers
“The Great Fire” and “9/11: A Young Boy Remembers” include firsthand
accounts of two different catastrophic events. How do eyewitness accounts
in both readings help people better understand what happened during
these terrible events? What can people learn by reading the words of
someone who experienced an event firsthand?
3
Extreme Scientists
In the Deep, Dark
Sea
Compare and contrast the scientific investigations described in “Extreme
Scientists” and “In the Deep, Dark Sea.” Do you think the scientists' work
was important? Why or why not?
Pharaoh's Boat
Earliest Peoples:
Treasures, Back
Together
In “Pharaoh’s Boat” and “Earliest Peoples: Treasures, Back Together,”
scientists worked to restore objects from the past. What did scientists in
each of these projects do? Based on what you read, how do you think
people today can benefit from restoring these items from history?
Drumbeat
Fewer People Are
Visiting the Woods
Think about the poem “Drumbeat” and the Article “Fewer People Are
Visiting the Woods.” How is nature an important theme in both readings?
What do you think is the main message readers can take from the readings?
Do you think this is an important message to spread? Why or why not?
4
5
McGraw Hill Reading Wonders is a registered trademark of McGraw Hill Education,
which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
16