Content41 1

BLACKLINE MASTER 1
Moon Landing
1
Jackson, who was crazy about everything to do with space exploration,

had a hard time containing his excitement when he learned the
proposed dates of the Apollo 11 mission.
Dad! Theyre really going to do it! Theyre going to the moon!
The launch was scheduled for Wednesday morning, July 16. Jackson
and his father were glued to their black-and-white television, straining
to see through the static as the countdown commenced: Three,
two, one, zero, all engines running. Liftoff! We have a liftoff! With
astronauts Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong aboard,
Apollo 11 launched into space on its monumental mission. Jackson
wished he were going with them.
It seemed like an eternity before they made it to the moon. Jackson

eagerly watched the nightly news, hoping for any morsel of information
about the flight. On Saturday, the spacecraft finally inserted itself into
lunar orbit.
Sunday, Jackson and his father sat in front of the television nearly all
day.
Do you think they will make it, Dad? Jackson asked anxiously.
Theyve made it this far, havent they? Dad responded.
Finally, the magical moment happened.
Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.
10 Jackson, his father, and millions of others around the world watched
as the lunar module touched down that afternoon, and then the world
waited as the astronauts prepared for the first lunar walk.
11 Jackson would not leave the television set. The family ate dinner in
the living room so as not to miss a minute of the historical event. It
was almost ten at night when Neil Armstrong emerged from the lunar
module.
12 Jackson was on the edge of his seat as Armstrong descended the
ladder. With that fateful step and the pronouncement, Thats one small
step for man, one giant leap for mankind, history was made like never
before.
13 As Jackson and his family watched the astronauts walk around the
moons surface, their imaginations soared. If we could land on the
moon, what else was possible?
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Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5
Benchmark Education Company, LLC
BLACKLINE MASTER 2
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Moon Landing
Explain Quotations Chart
Explanation
Quotations
Jackson is really interested in space

exploration and is very excited about the
promise of the moon landing.
Jackson, who was crazy about everything

to do with space exploration, had a hard
time containing his excitement when he
learned the proposed dates of the Apollo 11
mission.
Jackson and his father were glued to their
black-and-white television . . .
Jackson wished he were going with them.
Jacksons father is interested in the space

program, just like his son.
Sunday, Jackson and his father sat in

front of the television nearly all day.
Theyve made it this far, havent they?
Dad responded.
Jackson, his father, and millions of others
. . . watched as the lunar module touched
down . . .
The moon landing was inspiring to people

around the world and proved what
human beings were able to do.
Jackson, his father, and millions of others

around the world watched as the lunar
module touched down that afternoon, and
then the world waited as the astronauts
prepared for the first lunar walk.
As Jackson and his family watched the
astronauts walk around the moons
surface, their imaginations soared. If we
could land on the moon, what else was
possible?
Home Connection: Ask your child to use the completed graphic organizer to
tell you about the skill he or she learned and to retell the passage.
91
BLACKLINE MASTER 3
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Moon Landing
Determine Meaning
Word or Phrase
Clues to Meaning
What It Means
scheduled
for Wednesday morning, July 16
planned for a certain

date and time
glued to their
black-and-white
television
Glued literally means stuck.

Jackson and his dad are straining
to see through the static on the
TV.
very interested in
watching something, so
much so that they will
not leave
lunar orbit
Orbit means the circular path

around a celestial body.
before they made it to the moon
the path around the

moon
touched down
the world waited as the

astronauts prepared for the first
lunar walk
landed
on the edge of his

seat
The most exciting moment is

comingArmstrong is about to
walk on the moon.
excited, filled with

anticipation
92
BLACKLINE MASTER 4
The Cake Crasher

1
The only holiday as much fun as Marinas birthday was the Fourth of
July, because Marina was born on July 4. As a young child, Marina
thought that all the aunties and uncles, friends and cousins gathered
at the park to celebrate her birth. She even thought the fireworks were
lit in her honor. She knew now that the primary reason for the huge
gathering was our nations birthday, but she still secretly liked to think
everyone came just for her.
Every year her mother went all out with Marinas birthday cake. Her
mother was an artist at heart. She wanted everything she made to be
beautiful, even if it were to be eaten. This year, Marina had requested a
coral reef with all the sea creatures imaginable.
As the family packed the cars for the picnic, Marinas mother heard
a shriek from the kitchen. She and Marinas father ran to see what
was wrong. There stood Marina over what had been her mothers
magnificent cake. It now resembled a war zone. The shark was
headless, the coral was on its side, and the counter was covered in blue
frosting.
Oh no! Marina wailed.
How could this have happened? her mother cried. She was so careful
to keep everything away from harm.
I bet it was that dog! Marinas dad accused. They all looked over to
see their sleeping pooch in his bed. No sign of frosting there.
The cat? But she was sitting outside sunning herself.
Marina noted the crumbs on the floor. She followed the trail to the door,
which had a small handprint of blue about three feet up.
Paulo! You didnt! she cried.
10 He did.
11 I sorry, Mari, her four-year-old brother declared. I was hungry.
12 Through her fury, Marina had to laugh. She smiled at the blue face,
hair, hands, and shirt of her kid brother.
13 Im hungry, too, sighed Marina. She picked up a spoon and dug in.
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BLACKLINE MASTER 5
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Cake Crasher

Make and Support Inferences
Details
Inference
Support
Marina thinks her birthday

is really fun, and that
everyone came to the park
for her birthday; she likes
thinking so even though
she knows they come for
the Fourth of July.
Marina likes feeling

important and special
on her birthday.
When Marina was little, she

believed everyone at the
Fourth of July party came to
celebrate her birthday and
she still secretly liked to think
everyone came just for her.
These details suggest that
Marina likes feeling important
and special on her birthday.
Marinas mother puts a

lot of work into Marinas
birthday cake.
Marina shrieks when she
finds the wrecked cake.
Marina is shocked
and devastated by her
discovery.
Marina is shocked and very

upset by the wrecked cake
that her mother went all out
to make. Marina shrieks and
wails, Oh no! when she finds
the disaster.
Marina cries Paulo! You

didnt!
Marina laughs and smiles
when she sees what a
mess her brother is.
Marina takes a bite of the
cake herself.
Marinas anger wanes

when she sees how
silly and innocent her
brother seems.
Marina is upset when she

discovers it was her brother
who had destroyed the cake,
crying Paulo! You didnt! But
she recovers from her fury
when she sees his blue face,
hair, hands, and shirt. She
even laughs and joins him in
eating the cake.
94
BLACKLINE MASTER 6
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Cake Crasher

Story Structure
Climax
Marina figures out it was her
brother Paulo who destroyed
the cake.
Rising Action
She is furious at first but finds

her sense of humor when she
sees him covered in icing and
he apologizes.
Someone has destroyed Marinas

cake.
Falling
Action and
Resolution
Marina reacts to the wrecked

cake. Her father blames the
dog and the cat, but they are
innocent.
Marina joins Paulo

and has a bite of cake,
too.
Marina finds blue handprints on

the door.
Exposition
We meet Marina, who is having a
birthday, and her mother.
We learn of a big party for the
Fourth of July and Marinas
birthday.
Marina will have a beautiful cake.
95
BLACKLINE MASTER 7
The History Exam

1
Mr. Suarez reminded students that they had one week until the
midterm exam next Thursday. Its going to challenge everything you
have learned! he warned.
The class, with the exception of Sam, emitted a low grumble. Sam
assumed that he would do just fine on the test. He loved history, and
he had an entire week to study for the exam.
Sam went to football practice after school and then raced home to grab
some dinner and start studying, but the next thing he knew, his mom
was waking him up to get ready for bed. Sam was a little discouraged
that he did not get to study, but he had a whole week left.
As the days passed, the history test somehow escaped Sams attention
despite Mr. Suarezs daily reminders of the impending challenge. Friday
was family movie night at Sams house; Saturday was the fundraiser
and the big game. On Sunday, his mother asked about his studies.
Ill study tonight, Sam promised.
By Monday, more events and excuses emerged. On Wednesday, Sam

began to panic. He had barely studied at all. Nothing I can do about it
now, Sam mumbled to himself as he went to sleep.
When Mr. Suarez handed out the test, Sam realized that his teacher
was serious about the challenge. Sam didnt know the first or second or
third answer.
He looked up from his paper for just a moment and realized he had a
birds-eye view of Carlas work. Perhaps, I could get a hint from her
answer, Sam thought. He immediately averted his eyes, feeling a rush
of shame.
He could not even imagine cheating. Besides, he thought, what does a

grade matter if you dont earn it? It cheats everyone when somebody
cheats.
10 With that, Sam read through the test and answered the questions he
could. He knew he did poorly. He also knew he had learned his lesson;
he would prepare properly for the next exam.
96
BLACKLINE MASTER 8
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The History Exam

Central Message and Key Details
Key Detail #1
Key Detail #2
Sam and his classmates must take a

midterm exam that will challenge
everything you have learned!
Everyone but Sam grumbles. He is

confident he will do well.
Central Message or Lesson

It is important to take responsibility
for ones actions and prepare for a
challenge.
Key Detail #3
Key Detail #4
Sam does not make time to study for the test.
Sam considers cheating when he

realizes he is doing poorly.
Key Detail #5
Sam abandons the idea of cheating and
answers the questions he can on the test,
accepting he did poorly.
97
BLACKLINE MASTER 9
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The History Exam

/ A Guaranteed Win
Compare and Contrast Story Elements and Themes
The History Exam
Story Element
A Guaranteed Win
a history class
Setting
Armstrong Elementary during

class elections
Sam
loves history
confident student
plans to be well prepared
for the test
puts off studying and
makes excuses
isnt prepared for the test
considers cheating but
doesnt
Characters
Clarisse
tall, outgoing,
athletic
active in
community
A difficult history test is the

challenge.
Conflict arises as Sam
chooses to forego studying
for other activities.
Sam panics when he gets
the test and considers
cheating.
Sam does not cheat and
realizes he will get the
grade he deserves.
Sam commits to being
better prepared next time.
Plot:
Conflict and
Resolution
Best friends are running

against each other for class
president.
Tasha is serious about the
election, but Clarisse thinks its
no big deal.
Tasha is prepared to give a
speech, while Clarisse isnt.
Clarisse contemplates
badmouthing Tasha to win,
but instead decides that she
will support her as the best
candidate.
It is important to be
properly prepared for
challenges.
Taking responsibility for
ones own actions makes
for a respectable person.
Theme
Friendship is more important

than winning.
It is important to take
responsibility for choices,
including those that leave a
person unprepared.
Tasha
smart, small,
uninterested
in sports
active in
community
98
BLACKLINE MASTER 10
The Empty Pot

A retelling of a Chinese folktale
99
Once upon a time in a land far to the East, an Emperor considered the
future of his realm. With no son to take his place, he determined to
adopt the most worthy specimen to rule the country.
The Emperor sent word throughout the empire that a contest was to be
held to determine the most worthy heir to the throne. Boys from near
and far responded to the call. Within a month, thousands of young men
had swarmed the city.
The contest began and the youth performed spectacularly. After

multiple tests, ten young men remained. To these finalists, the Emperor
distributed seven seeds each and declared, You must prove your
agricultural skills. Take home these seeds to plant and nurture. Bring
back your seedlings in six weeks for evaluation.
One boy in particular was confident of his success. Jun selected a

perfect pot and tucked the seeds in as he gently covered them with a
blanket of loamy soil. He watered them and waited.
Much to Juns surprise, nothing happened. Never before has this

happened, he told his parents. I should just buy replacements and try
again.
His parents responded, If the Emperor wanted you to grow any seeds,
he would have said so. So Jun replanted the same seeds with the
same results.
On the last day, Jun dug through the soil and breathed in the stench
of failure together with the rotting seeds. As the boys arrived at the
Emperors garden, Jun saw the others who were carrying healthy plants
scoff at his empty pot.
Shame crept up Juns neck and burned his cheeks. The Emperor
evaluated each boys efforts. When he came to Jun, he asked, What
happened?
Jun explained the care he took and how he loved to garden, but was at
a loss with these seeds. The Emperor took Jun's hand and announced,
You with the honest soul will be my son. Boiled seeds will not sprout.
BLACKLINE MASTER 11
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Empty Pot

Key Events
Key Event 1
A childless emperor sets up a contest to find a worthy heir to the throne.
Key Event 2
Tasks narrow down the competition to ten boys.
Key Event 3
The emperor gives boys seeds to grow for the final test.
Key Event 4
Jun cannot get the seeds to grow.
Key Event 5
Jun contemplates getting new seeds, but with his parents help decides not to.
Key Event 6
The other contestants arrive at the Emperors garden with their plants and Jun with his empty pot.
Key Event 7
Jun is declared heir to the throne because of his honesty.
100
BLACKLINE MASTER 12
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Empty Pot

Analyze Metaphors
Metaphor
What It Compares
What It Means
thousands of young
men had swarmed
the city
talks about young men as

a group of insects, especially
bees, by using the verb swarm
Young men came together as

a group and seemed to take
over the city.
Jun . . . tucked
the seeds in as
he gently covered
them with a blanket
of loamy soil.
The words tucked in and

blanket of loamy soil make
me think of putting a child to
bed.
Jun treated the seeds gently

and lovingly, like a father
would treat a child.
the stench of failure
The word stench describes

something that smells so
awful it makes a person
uncomfortable, but failure
has no actual smell.
Jun is repulsed by his failure

to grow plants from the
seeds.
Shame crept up
Juns neck and
burned his cheeks.
Shame is a feeling, so it
cannot really crawl up Juns
neck.
Jun is embarrassed by his

failure to grow plants from
the seeds.
101
BLACKLINE MASTER 13
The Legend of
Breakneck Brennan
102
The score was 20-14 and the Wildcats had the ball. It was third down
and fourteen. With less than a minute left, they would lose the game if
they punted. The plan was set to hand the ball off to Ty Robinson, the
teams new running back. After a moments hesitation, Ty agreed to
attempt the courageous run.
As the team took the field, Smitty slapped Ty on the back and said,
Dont worry! Just channel the power of Breakneck Brennan.
Ty took a deep breath, and for a brief moment he recalled the legend of
Breakneck Brennan.
It was 1973 and the Wildcats had not made the finals for more than a
decade, but that was soon to change. The savior of the offensive line
entered ninth grade; it was the first time in the Wildcats history that a
ninth grader made varsity. Bobby Brennan could catch a ball and hold
on for dear life, and he could run fast, eluding even the fleetest of foot.
The year he joined the team, the Wildcats won the state championship.
The crowd went wild as Bobby ran to make the final score with only
seconds left in the game. The announcer was elated as he shouted,
Did you see that breakneck speed? Thats what wins are made of!
Breakneck Brennan was born. After he graduated, the teams record
was spotty, and they had not seen such talent on the Wildcats team
since then.
Ready, set, hike! The quarterback snapped the ball to Smitty who
backhanded it to Robinson. With the legend of Breakneck Brennan and
the roar of the crowd fueling his dream of victory, Robinson ran faster
than ever before, zigging and zagging and hugging the ball with all his
might. When he reached the end zone, the crowd roared in approval
and his teammates pummeled him in glee.
We gotta think of a cool name for you, Robinson, Smitty said. Looks
like you might have the stuff of legend!
BLACKLINE MASTER 14
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Legend of
Breakneck Brennan
Descriptive Details
Setting
Specific Details
football field
The score was 20-14 and the Wildcats had the ball. It was
third down and fourteen.
if they punted
the teams new running back
took the field
Characters
Specific Details
Ty Robinson
After a moments hesitation, Ty agreed to attempt the

courageous run.
Ty took a deep breath . . .
With the legend of Breakneck Brennan and the roar of the
crowd fueling his dream of victory, Robinson ran faster than
ever before, zigging and zagging and hugging the ball with
all his might.
Smitty
Smitty slapped Ty on the back and said, Dont worry! Just

channel the power of Breakneck Brennan.
We gotta think of a cool name for you, Robinson, Smitty
said. Looks like you might have the stuff of legend!
Bobby Brennan
The savior of the offensive line entered ninth grade . . .

Bobby Brennan could catch a ball and hold on for dear life,
and he could run fast, eluding even the fleetest of foot.
The year he joined the team, the Wildcats won the state
championship.
103
BLACKLINE MASTER 15
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Legend of
Breakneck Brennan
Compare and Contrast Events
Present-Day Wildcats Game
1970s Wildcats Game
last seconds of a football game

Wildcats down by 6 points
plan to give ball to new running back
counting on him to make winning score
Robinson is given the ball and runs
faster than ever before
crowd is ecstatic and so are his
teammates
Wildcats win
Smitty compares Robinson to Breakneck
Brennan and suggests they need to
come up with a cool name for him
state championship football game

takes place in 1973
seconds left in the game
Bobby Brennan makes winning score
announcer is elated
Wildcats win
Bobby Brennan becomes known as
Breakneck Brennan
104
BLACKLINE MASTER 16
A Guaranteed Win
1
Class elections were so popular at Armstrong Elementary that the

school had instituted primary elections for class president. The two
candidates who received the most votes went on to campaign for the
position.
This year, the top contenders were best friends Clarisse and Tasha.
When the primary winners were announced, the girls hugged each
other.
An unlikely pair, Clarisse was tall, athletic, and outgoing, while Tasha
was the smallest and smartest girl in the class. She was a serious
bookworm, never interested in sports. Despite their differences, the
girls both took active roles in their community.
Clarisse and Tasha walked home that afternoon and discussed their
campaign plans. Maybe we should campaign together. Vote for Clarisse
or Tashaeither way you win! Clarisse joked.
Tasha, who was more serious about the election, responded, Clarisse,
we really need to work on this. But Clarisse was already running
toward the basketball court.
Over the weekend, Clarisse invited Tasha to the movies; however,

Tasha declined because she was working on her campaign speech.
Relax, my friend, advised Clarisse. Its no big deal!
Tasha disagreed and worked hard all weekend to present her best
leadership qualities in her speech.
Monday arrived and the class gathered in the auditorium. As Tasha

delivered her speech, Clarisse was jotting down notes for her own
speech, but Tasha was taking all her ideas.
10 Then a plan hatched in Clarisses mind. She would tell the class how
boring Tasha was and claim they would have no fun activities if Tasha
were elected. Before she could even finish her thought, she felt terrible.
When she heard Tasha conclude with, Vote for me or Clarisseeither
way you win, Clarisse couldnt have felt worse.
11 Clarisse took the microphone and said, Though Tasha and I are best
friends, I disagree with her last statement. The only way for our class
to win is to elect . . . Tasha. She is smart, prepared, loyal, and a
perfect candidate to lead our class!
105
BLACKLINE MASTER 17
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
A Guaranteed Win
Compare and Contrast Characters
Clarisse
Both
Tasha
tall, athletic, and

outgoing
jokes about the
campaign
goes to play basketball
instead of working on
the campaign
invites Tasha to the
movies
tells Tasha to relax and
claims the election is no
big deal
jots down notes as
Tasha delivers speech (is
unprepared)
considers criticizing
Tasha to save face
but immediately felt
terrible
ends by encouraging
students to vote for
Tasha instead of her
primary winners
took active roles in the
community
best friends
respect and admire each
other
smallest and smartest

girl in the class
serious bookworm
never interested in
sports
more serious about the
election
suggests they should
work on campaign
decides to work on
her speech instead of
going to the movies with
Clarisse
delivers a speech that
presents her leadership
qualities
ends speech with, Vote
for me or Clarisseeither
way you win!
106
BLACKLINE MASTER 18
Summer Camp
107
I will not go! I vehemently declared as I stomped out of the room,

ran to my bedroom, and slammed the door. I was so upset, I simply
lay down on the bed and wailed. The mere thought of summer camp
makes my skin crawl. To spend a whole week with strangers doing
stupid activities and sleeping in nasty cots has zero appeal. But Mom
and Dad already enrolled me without even consulting me first.
My bedroom is my favorite place to be. I have filled my bookshelves,

which line an entire wall, with my favorite books, pictures of my
grandmother, and my sweetest doll. I love watching the birds in
between chapters of my book as I am perched on my window seat.
Next week, instead of being in my lovely room, I will be in some dingy
cabin with five other girls.
Today as my parents drove me to camp, I refused to talk to them

except to ask one last time if they were sure they wanted to put me
through this. The camp is just about what I expected. It is in the
middle of nowhere, which is supposed to be a good thing. It has a lake,
a community shower, and a big community hall. I was wrong about six
girls sharing the dingy cabin; in fact, there will be eight.
After three days, I can confidently say the camp is as bad as I

imagined. The only saving grace is the free time. Talk about watching
birds! Today as I walked through the woods, I saw wild turkeys in the
distance, and then I saw an eagle fly overhead. Though the land is
incredibly beautiful and peaceful, I wish I didnt have to run races and
make crafts all day.
Today, my parents will bring me home, and I will never be so happy

to see my lovely bedroom. Though camp isnt for me, it certainly has
made me appreciate my own space and the comforts of home.
BLACKLINE MASTER 19
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Summer Camp
Compare and Contrast Settings
Bedroom
Camp
favorite place to be
bookshelves line an entire wall are
filled with favorite and precious
things: favorite books, pictures of my
grandmother, and my sweetest doll
has window seat where she loves
watching birds
in the middle of nowhere

has a lake, a community shower, and a
big community hall
cabin is shared by eight girls
lots of wildlife
enjoys watching birds there
land is incredibly beautiful and peaceful
108
BLACKLINE MASTER 20
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Summer Camp
Analyze Impact of Point of View
Text Evidence
Narrators Point
of View
Impact of Point
of View
v ehemently, stomped, slammed

the door, upset, wailed
The mere thought of summer
camp makes my skin crawl.
stupid activities, nasty cots
has zero appeal
But Mom and Dad already
enrolled me without even
consulting me first.
The narrator is angry

with her parents
about being enrolled
in camp without even
being asked about her
opinion. She thinks
that camp is gross and
stupid.
Makes camp seem

unappealing and no
fun. Makes parents
actions seem mean
and thoughtless.
My bedroom is my favorite

place to be.
favorite, sweetest
love watching the birds
Instead of being in my lovely
room, I will be in some dingy
cabin
The narrator loves her

bedroom and dreads
leaving it for some
dingy cabin.
Makes readers relate

to the comforts of
home and experience
the dread the narrator
feels at leaving
middle of nowhere, which is

supposed to be a good thing
dingy cabin
as bad as I imagined
The narrator reinforces

her first opinion of the
camp as being dingy
and unappealing.
Makes readers feel

even sorrier for the
narrator having to go
to a place she really
doesnt like
saving grace
Talk about watching birds!
beautiful and peaceful
The narrator
appreciates the beauty
of nature and being
able to participate in a
familiar and fun activity.
Makes the location

of the camp seem
appealing in contrast
to the activities. Shows
the narrator is openminded.
109
BLACKLINE MASTER 21
The Village Blacksmith

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A blacksmith makes and repairs iron goods, such as horseshoes, in a forge,
or extremely hot furnace, where metal is heated. Long ago, blacksmiths were
common in towns and cities, as their services were in high demand.
1
Underaspreadingchestnut-tree
Thevillagesmithystands;
Thesmith,amightymanishe,
Withlargeandsinewyhands;
Andthemusclesofhisbrawnyarms
Arestrongasironbands.
Hishairiscrisp,andblack,andlong,
Hisfaceislikethetan1;
Hisbrowiswetwithhonestsweat,
10 Heearnswhateerhecan,
11 Andlooksthewholeworldintheface,
12 Forheowesnotanyman.
13 Weekin,weekout,frommorntillnight,
14 Youcanhearhisbellowsblow;
15 Youcanhearhimswinghisheavysledge,
16 Withmeasuredbeatandslow,
17 Likeasexton2ringingthevillagebell,
18 Whentheeveningsunislow.
19
20 Andchildrencominghomefromschool
21 Lookinattheopendoor;
22 Theylovetoseetheflamingforge,
23 Andhearthebellowsroar,
24 Andcatchtheburningsparksthatfly
25 Likechaff3fromathreshing-floor4.
26
27
110
1
2
3
4
tan tanned leather

sexton person who tends a church property
chaff seed coverings and waste material resulting from processing grain
threshing-floor the floor of the area in which grain is processed
BLACKLINE MASTER 22
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
The Village Blacksmith

Analyze Similes
Simile
What It Compares
What It Means
And the muscles of

his brawny arms / Are
strong as iron bands.
the strength of the blacksmiths

muscles to iron bands, which
are made of one of the strongest
materials available at the time
The blacksmith
possesses incredible,
and seemingly
unbreakable, strength.
His face is like the tan
The blacksmiths face is like

tanned leather, which is dark
and thick and creased.
The blacksmiths skin

is dark, thick, and
worn with age and
hard work.
You can hear him swing

his heavy sledge, / With
measured beat and
slow, / Like a sexton
ringing the village bell, /
When the evening sun is
low.
It compares the blacksmith

swinging his sledge to a sexton
ringing a church bell to signal
the end of day. They both
share the measured beat,
are slow, and are heard
throughout the town.
The blacksmiths work

is as important as the
churchs in the town.
And catch the burning

sparks that fly / Like
chaff from a threshingfloor.
burning sparks from the forge

to the chaff, which is the waste
material that results from
processing grain
The comparison
suggests that the
blacksmiths work is
akin to processing
grain, which is a staple
of life.
111
BLACKLINE MASTER 23
The Lake Isle of Innisfree

by William Butler Yeats
1
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles1 made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnights all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnets2 wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
10 I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

11 While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
12 I hear it in the deep hearts core.
112
13
clay and wattles a structure made by interweaving poles and branches and covering them with
hard dirt
14
linnet a common small brownish bird
BLACKLINE MASTER 24
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Analyze Visual Elements
Stanza 1
Stanza 2
Stanza 3
Key Idea
Key Idea
Key Idea
Return to nature
Living a simple life in tune
with nature
Find peace within a natural

setting
Though the speaker lives

in the city, the thought of
Innisfree gives him a sense
of peace
Contribution of
Illustration
Contribution of
Illustration
Contribution of
Illustration
Shows isolation of
Innisfree
Highlights natural
surrounding
Rowboat emphasizes
simplicity
Elicits a sense of peace

looking at it
Depicts the nature that
brings the peace
Creates a feeling of
solitude, especially in
contrast to the image of
the roadway, or on the
pavements grey
113
BLACKLINE MASTER 25
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Analyze the Contribution of Multimedia
Text
Multimedia
Meaning
Meaning
Person from the city dreams of escaping

the fast pace of urban life to live alone on a
peaceful island.
Sound of the words lulls the listener into a

peaceful mood.
Visuals extend meaning of how natural
setting will look.
Tone
Tone
The word choice creates a feeling of hope

and comfort as the speaker describes
Innisfree and its impact on him.
The visuals add to the feeling of beauty and

peace the speaker seeks.
The sound of the words imitates the
lapping of the water the speaker finds so
dear to his heart.
Beauty
Beauty
The imagery, tone, and sound devices work

together to create a feeling of yearning and
love of nature. The poet creates a word
picture of a paradise away from the bustle
of the city.
The photos/video create a sense of peace

and depict a beautiful nature setting. The
background music lulls the listener and
extends/supports the sound devices in the
poem.
114
BLACKLINE MASTER 26
How to Train Your Brain

1
Scientific research shows that those who regularly meditate are calmer,
sleep better, learn more, and are more creative. They are also happier
and more compassionate, or friendly. Meditation can strengthen the
bodys immune system, to help fight off sickness. It can also decrease
how much pain a person feels.
I know what youre probably thinking: With so many benefits,

meditation must be really complicated and expensive. Fortunately, its
free, and anyone can do it. Here are the step-by-step instructions for
how to start.
1. S
it comfortably in a chair, or sit cross-legged on the floor. Dont be
rigid like youre carved out of stone, but try not to slump, either. Be
careful not to lie down, because you could become too relaxed and
fall asleep.
2. L
ay your hands in your lap. You can close your eyes if you want, but
you dont have to.
3. B
reathe in through your nose. As you breathe in, pay close attention
to how your stomach feels as its rising. Try not to think about it with
your words. Just feel it and let it be.
4. B
reathe out. And as you breathe out, pay close attention to how
your stomach feels as its falling.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for as long, or as little, as you want.
6. W
hen you become distracted, and you will, calmly bring your
attention back to the rising and falling of your breath.
The point of meditation is to focus on your breath without ever losing

your attention. Sounds easy, right? If you give it a try, youll quickly
learn that its not as easy at it sounds. Within a few breaths youll start
thinking about movies, your friends, the weekend, or homework. But
if you keep practicing, you will improve your ability to stay calm and
focused.
10 Meditation is not just sitting back and relaxing. Its exercise for your
mind.
115
BLACKLINE MASTER 27
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Accurate Quotations
Questions
Answers
Why is meditation good for us?
The text says that people who regularly meditate

are calmer, sleep better, learn more, and are
more creative.
How does someone meditate?
The text says to sit comfortably, breathe

in through your nose, and breathe out.
You should continuously repeat these actions,
focusing on the rising and falling of your breath.
How is meditation a challenge?
The text says that focusing on the breath is not

as easy as it sounds. It states that within a few
breaths youll start thinking about movies, your
friends, the weekend, or homework.
116
BLACKLINE MASTER 28
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Compare and Contrast
Informational
Text Section
What meditation does
Calmer, better
sleep, happier, more
compassionate, better
immune system
Follow Steps 16 to learn
to meditate.
How meditation is done

The point of meditation
How-to
Text Section
Focus on your breath

without ever losing your
attention.
117
BLACKLINE MASTER 29
Vaqueros: The Original Cowboys
118
Have you ever heard of a cowboy being called a buckaroo? The word
buckaroo comes from the word vaquero. Thats the name given to the
cowboys from Mexico who herded cattle in what is now the western
United States. Vaquero means cow man in Spanish. These cow men
were the first true cowboys to roam across the wild plains of America.
Their traditions are the foundation for the cowboys we see in movies.
Horses and cows are not native to North America. The Spanish brought
them from Europe in the sixteenth century. In Spain, grass does not
grow very thick, so instead of keeping cows on small farms, they
allowed them to wander around the countryside, followed by a herder.
Mexicans learned this method from the Spanish colonizers.
Some Mexican horse riders, called charros, wore flashy suits and
learned fancy horse tricks. Vaqueros were not like charros. Many of
these strong, rugged workers were poor Native Americans. They rode
with their cattle into the harsh wilderness, and they were not doing it
to show off.
Early vaqueros entered California as early as 1687, about ninety years

before the United States was a country. In the nineteenth century the
Mexican-American War broke out, and the United States took California
from Mexico. As a result, more Americans moved to California. The
new American cowboys copied the vaquero style and language. For
example, you have probably heard of a cowboy wearing a ten-gallon
hat. This is actually a ten-galn hat. A galn is the braid that goes
around the crown of a sombrero.
But even as the American cowboy became well known, the vaquero did
not disappear. As cowboys spread all across the West, a third of them
were still vaqueros.
Though some still call themselves vaqueros, the era of the cowboy
ended when barbed wire was invented. Barbed wire provided a cheap
and easy way to prevent cowboys and vaqueros from letting their cows
roam free, and the wide-open range was closed shut.
BLACKLINE MASTER 30
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Draw Inferences
Inference
Quote from Text
Vaqueros helped form the

American cowboy culture.
Their traditions are the

foundation for the cowboys we
see in movies.
Horses survived well in North

America and became an
important part of the cowboy
culture, even to today.
Horses and cows are not

native to North America.
The Spanish brought them
from Europe in the sixteenth
century.
The cowboy style became

American because the area
where many vaqueros lived
became part of the United
States.
In the nineteenth century the

Mexican-American War broke
out, and the United States
took California from Mexico.
As a result, more Americans
moved to California. The new
American cowboys copied the
vaquero style and language.
119
BLACKLINE MASTER 31
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Compare and Contrast
History of Mexico
History of United
States
Influence of Spanish
colonizers
Vaquero means cow

man in Spanish.
The American word

buckaroo comes from the
word vaquero.
Traditions of horse riders
Charros wore flashy

suits and learned horse
tricks. Vaqueros were
rugged workers. Both
were Mexican, but very
different.
Charros did not influence

American cowboys, but
vaqueros did.
Spread of vaqueros
influence
Mexican borders changed

and vaqueros became part
of the United States, too.
American cowboys
copied vaquero style and
language.
120
BLACKLINE MASTER 32
Yaaas, Internet Slang

Is Not All Bad
121
The Internet changed our language, and out of it has come a long list
of new acronyms and words. LOL, or laughing out loud. IMHO, or in
my humble opinion. Eye-catching articles are clickbait. Interrupting a
photograph as it is being taken is photobombing. We text emojis. We
google facts.
Thanks to being added to the dictionary, these words are all officially
part of the English language.
Flooded with strange, young words, people assume that English is

declining and they fight it. But this anger is as old as the hills. When
printing was invented in the fifteenth century, people thought it would
destroy language by allowing ideas from common people to spread.
When the telephone was invented, people thought conversations would
become short and robotic. In the end, these new technologies actually
expanded our ability to express ourselves.
These changes to our language should not be feared; they should be

celebrated because they prove that our language is free. It is not given
to us by a king or a professor. It is created by all of usyour sister,
your teacher, you, me, and some plumber living halfway across the
country. Every word we say is a vote for that word. English is a piece of
art, and we are the artist.
As long as kids learn not to use it in formal settings, like in interviews

or on tests, Internet slang can help them learn. If the kids are picking
up new words and new meanings, then that means that they are
playing with the language, says Katherine Barber, of the Canadian
Oxford Dictionary. Playing with language is a key to fully understanding
it, and by using slang, kids discover how English works.
English changes, but it always survives. Trying to stop the growth of

language is like trying to stop the sun from rising. We should not fight
it, because Internet slang is not the decline of the English language, it
is a rich, new twist.
BLACKLINE MASTER 33
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Is Not All Bad
Main Ideas
Topic:
Internet Slang
Main Idea
Main Idea
People are often afraid of new

things, but it is natural for
language to change over time.
It is healthy for young people

to experiment with language
because it helps them learn to
communicate better.
Main Idea
Changes in language should be
celebrated because they show
that people are free to express
themselves.
122
BLACKLINE MASTER 34
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Is Not All Bad
Using Reasons to Support Points
Major Points
Supporting Reasons
People should not be afraid of new

things.
People thought the printing press would

destroy language, but it did not.
People thought the telephone would
destroy conversations, but it did not.
Changes in language should be

celebrated.
Average people can change language, not

just kings or professors. We are all artists
and creators of our language.
Using Internet slang can help young

people learn.
Playing with language is the key to fully

understanding it. By using slang, kids
discover how English works.
123
BLACKLINE MASTER 35
Are Humans All That Smart?
124
Aristotle, the ancient teacher, told us humans are the most intelligent
animal. But modern research calls this idea into question. For example,
one study shows that rats and pigeons can learn a simple game, stick
to the best plan, and beat humans. Amazingly, Clarks nutcracker birds
can remember the location of 30,000 different pine nuts. So are we
really the smartest animal?
Chimpanzees are a great place to start looking, because chimps are our
closest animal relatives. Studies show they beat us at memory contests
and simple strategy games. They have photographic memories. And
they are creative, too. One painting was put on display for art critics
without telling them that a chimp had painted it. They praised the
painting.
We can also look beyond our close relatives. Dolphins have individual
names and they know their own names. They use a long list of sounds
that some scientists think is a complicated language. When dolphins
were trained to pick up litter for treats, one would hide litter and tear it
into tiny pieces to get more treats. India has recently declared dolphins
to be nonhuman persons who cannot be kept in zoos.
So are some animals more intelligent than us? Dr. Arthur Saniotis of
the University of Adelaide says many animals can understand certain
things in a way that is superior to human beings. In the same way
we are better at playing piano, dogs are better at understanding scents
and the language hidden within those smells. In the end, we are stuck
comparing apples to oranges.
Professor Maciej Henneberg of the University of Adelaide put it best:

The fact that they may not understand us, while we do not understand
them, does not mean our intelligences are at different levels, they are
just of different kinds. When a foreigner tries to communicate with us
using an imperfect, broken, version of our language, our impression is
that they are not very intelligent. But the [truth] is quite different.
BLACKLINE MASTER 36
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Key Details
Main Idea:
Humans may not be the most
intelligent animal.
Key Detail
Key Detail
Key Detail
Modern research shows that

other animals, such as rats and
birds, are also very smart.
Chimpanzees can beat humans

at memory and strategy
games; dolphins have been
declared nonhuman persons
in India.
Dr. Saniotis says many animals

can understand certain things
in a way that is superior to
human beings.
How It Supports
Main Idea
How It Supports
Main Idea
How It Supports
Main Idea
Gives specific examples
Gives specific examples and

explains main idea in more
detail
Quotes experts in the field
Professor Henneberg says

that just because we dont
understand them doesnt
mean that animals are not
smart.
125
BLACKLINE MASTER 37
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Using Evidence to Support Points
Major Points
Supporting Evidence
Other animals have many of the same

qualities as humans and may be just as
smart.
. . . one study shows that rats and pigeons

can learn a simple game, stick to the best
plan, and beat humans.
People may not know the difference

between some human and animal
intelligence.
One painting was put on display for art

critics without telling them that a chimp
had painted it. They praised the painting.
Humans and other animals cannot be

compared in the same way.
The fact that they may not understand us,

while we do not understand them, does
not mean our intelligences are at different
levels, they are just of different kinds.
126
BLACKLINE MASTER 38
Using Dye to Save Rhinos
127
A rhinoceros is poached, or illegally hunted, once every 8 hours.

Because of poaching, Javan rhinos are now extinct in Vietnam. Although
some are kept in captivity, Northern white rhinos no longer live in the
wild. All over the world, rhinos are unable to live outside of protected
areas, such as national parks and reserves. Even within these areas,
poachers often break the law and hunt rhinos.
Poachers hunt rhinos in order to steal their valuable horns. Many

people in Asia believe that ground rhino horns can cure various medical
problems, although no scientific evidence supports this. As a result, rhino
horns are in high demand. Rhino horns are more valuable than gold. In
fact, they sell for $60,000 on the black market.
To stop the poachers, people who protect wildlife, called conservationists,

stepped in. They cut off rhino horns after putting the animals to sleep
with tranquilizers. They assumed that without horns, the rhinos would be
left alone. They had to leave a small nub for safety reasons. But these
horns are so rare that poachers hunted and killed rhinos for the nub
alone.
The Rhino Rescue Project takes the plan a step further. Instead of taking
the horn, they ruin it. They put rhinos to sleep, drill holes in their horns,
and pump bright pink dye inside. The dye serves a few purposes. First,
it ruins the horn for collectors. Second, the color makes ground rhino
horn easy for airport security to identify. This makes it hard for poachers
to transport it. Third, the dyed horn makes people sick when they eat it.
All of this makes these horns worthless to poachers. With dyed horns,
the rhinos are much safer. Of course, pink dye is not a permanent
solution. Because rhino horns grow, like hair or nails, the dye only lasts
for four years. But it does buy precious time for rhinos in danger of
going extinct.
BLACKLINE MASTER 39
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Summarize Text
Main Idea 1
Main Idea 2
Main Idea 3
Rhinos are in danger all over the

world because poachers hunt
them for their valuable horns.
Conservationists cut off

rhino horns so that poachers
would leave them alone, but
poachers continued to hunt
them.
Conservationists then added

pink dye to the rhinos horns
to make them useless and less
valuable.
Summary
Rhinos are in danger all over the world because poachers hunt them for their horns. To stop this practice,
conservationists took actions to make the horns useless to the poachers. They cut off the horns, which helped
but didnt solve the problem. They then dyed the horns pink, which made the horns worthless to poachers.
These efforts helped save many rhinos lives.
128
BLACKLINE MASTER 40
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Problem-and-Solution Text Structure
Problem
Solution
Poachers are hunting rhinos in order to

steal their valuable horns.
Conservationists want to help.
Conservationists cut off rhinos horns after

putting them to sleep with tranquilizers.
They had to leave a small nub for safety
reasons.
The horns are so rare that poachers still

killed the rhinos, just for the small nub.
Instead of cutting off the horn,

conservationists ruin it. They pump bright
pink dye inside the horns.
The dye only lasts a few years, so the

solution is not permanent.
A solution has not yet been found for this

problem.
129
BLACKLINE MASTER 41
The Everlasting Lightning of

Catatumbo
130
Catatumbo, a small town in Venezuela, is home to what ancient people

called the river of fire. Lightning crashes over Lake Maracaibo 180
days a year. These storms last ten hours at a time, with lightning
bursts every second. Since lightning is three times hotter than the
surface of the sun, a single storm is able to produce an immense
amount of energyenough to power all the lightbulbs in Latin America.
Lake Maracaibo is surrounded by tall, cold, Andean mountains. At the

mouth of the lake is the Caribbean Sea. Cold air comes down from
Andean mountains and settles on the lake. Then, warm air blows
in from the Caribbean and crashes into the cold Andean air. The
wind forces this air miles up into the sky. The process creates huge
thunderclouds. As humid air and ice rub against each other inside
these clouds, static electricity is created. The discharge of this static
electricity is called lightning.
During a storm you can see at night. Villagers throughout the region
of Catatumbo have to close their blinds in order to get any sleep. The
lightning can even be seen 400 kilometers (250 miles) away, where
it helps sailors navigate. Luckily, the lightning is usually over Lake
Maracaibo and jumping from cloud to cloud, so villagers are not in
danger. In fact, this lightning is useful.
Scientists found that Catatumbos lightning creates more ozone than

anything else on the planet. This ozone floats high in the sky and
contributes to the ozone layer. This layer protects us from the suns
harsh rays.
On top of helping protect us all, the lightning has saved the people of
Catatumbo from invaders twice. In 1595, the light of a storm lit up
English ships trying to sneak in and attack the region. Again in 1823, a
Spanish fleet was caught trying to sneak ashore. For this reason, and
also because of its natural beauty, Catatumbos lightning is beloved. It
is no surprise that a lightning bolt graces the regions flag.
BLACKLINE MASTER 42
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Catatumbo
Compare Aspects of a Scientific Text
Scientific Aspects
How the lightning of

Catatumbo forms
Lightning is three times

hotter than the surface of
the sun.
As humid air and ice rub
against each other inside
clouds, static electricity is
created.

Catatumbo affects the
environment
Catatumbos lightning
creates more ozone than
anything else on the
planet.
This ozone layer protects
us from the suns harsh
rays.

Catatumbo affects people
Historic Aspects
Villagers have to close their

blinds in order to get any
sleep.
It helps sailors navigate.
It has saved the people of
Catatumbo from invaders
twice.
131
BLACKLINE MASTER 43
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Catatumbo
Context Clues
Word
Clues from Text
Meaning
energy
enough to power all

the lightbulbs in Latin
America.
the ability to provide power

such as heat or light
static electricity
As humid air and ice

rub against each other
inside these clouds, static
electricity is created.
the result of two objects

rubbing to create a particular
kind of energy
ozone
This ozone floats high in

the sky and contributes to
the ozone layer. This layer
protects us from the suns
harsh rays.
material in the atmosphere

that creates a protective layer
between Earth and the sun
132
BLACKLINE MASTER 44
Sequoyahs Syllabary
133
Many Native American traditions were lost because numerous tribes

had no written language to keep these traditions alive for future
generations. Although most tribes came to adopt the alphabet used
by European settlers, the only tribe to create its own syllabary
is Cherokee. Because of this, Cherokee is one of the most welldocumented Native American tribes.
A syllabary is like an alphabet, only the symbols represent syllables

instead of letters. The most amazing thing about the Cherokee
syllabary is that it was not invented by a professor, chief, or group of
people. It was created by a man who could not read or write. His name
was Sequoyah.
Early in his life, the settlers use of written language to communicate

inspired Sequoyah. He called written messages talking leaves, and
was fascinated by a set of spurs engraved with his name. He concluded
that his people should be able to communicate this way. He created
symbols for hours on end, and when he was crippled in a hunting
accident, he dedicated even more time to his work.
Sequoyah was widely mocked for his efforts. His wife even burned
down the shed where he worked. He left her, moved to a new
community, and continued on his path.
He overcame repeated failure to finally create the eighty-five symbols

that represented every sound in his language. He taught his daughter
how to read it and demonstrated it to the tribe. Though he was at
first accused of using magic, he proved that anyone could understand
the symbols. Amazed, his tribe quickly adopted the syllabary. Within
months, thousands of Cherokees learned how to read and write. They
produced newspapers and books. Deeply respected by his people,
Sequoyah received a silver medal.
Today, Cherokee is one of the strongest Native American languages.

Its literature is translated, the syllabary is taught at various colleges,
and many people still speak Cherokee. Thanks to Sequoyahs efforts,
we are all able to better understand the rich traditions and language of
his tribe.
BLACKLINE MASTER 45
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Sequoyahs Syllabary
Context Clues
Word
Clues from Text
Meaning
inspired
He called written
messages talking leaves,
and was fascinated by a set
of spurs engraved with his
name.
wanting to do something
because of something else
overcame
He overcame repeated
failure to finally create the
eighty-five symbols that
represented every sound in
his language.
to succeed despite difficult

challenges
efforts
Its literature is translated,

the syllabary is taught
at various colleges, and
many people still speak
Cherokee.
the things that someone

does to make something a
success
134
BLACKLINE MASTER 46
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Sequoyahs Syllabary
Cause-and-Effect Text Structure
Cause
Effect
Paragraph 1
Numerous tribes had no

written language to keep
their traditions alive for future
generations.
Many Native American traditions were

lost.
Paragraph 1
The only tribe to create its own

syllabary is Cherokee.
Cherokee is one of the most welldocumented Native American tribes.
Paragraph 3
Sequoyah was fascinated by the

settlers use of written language
and by a set of spurs engraved
with his name.
He concluded that his people should

be able to communicate this way.
Paragraph 3
Sequoyah was crippled in a

hunting accident.
He dedicated even more time to his

work.
Paragraph 5
Sequoyah created the eighty-five

symbols that represented every
sound in his language.
He taught his daughter how to read

it and demonstrated it to the tribe.
He created symbols for hours on

end.
Thousands of Cherokees learned

how to read and write, and they
produced newspapers and books.
Sequoyah received a silver medal.
135
BLACKLINE MASTER 47
Elizabeth Jenningss Fight
136
Many of us know the inspiring story of Rosa Parks, the African American
woman who challenged segregation by refusing to sit in the back of
a bus in 1955. But what many people do not know is that an equally
courageous event took place 101 years earlier.
In the mid 1800s, the buses in New York City were large railroad cars
pulled along tracks by horses. It was like the combination of a carriage
and a train. Whether or not black people were allowed to ride was up
to the conductor, and most of the time they were not. The conductors
carried whips and punished people who tried to ride the bus without
their permission. There were few buses for black people, and they were
irregular and hard to find.
In 1854, about seven years before the start of the Civil War, Elizabeth
Jennings tried to board a bus and go to church. The conductor refused.
He said the train car was full. After Jennings pointed out that it was
not, he informed her that she would make the white passengers
uncomfortable. She refused to leave, grabbing his coat and a window
frame as he tried to remove her. The conductor threw her off,
destroyed her bonnet, ruined her dress, and hurt her. Yet, she still
stood strong. She had to be held back by a policeman before the bus
could pull away.
A crowd had gathered to watch the abuse, and word of the event
spread. Jenningss church held a large meeting the next day. People in
the community were outraged.
Jennings hired a young lawyer, Chester Arthur, to fight the transit

company. In 1855, a judge ruled against the company and awarded
Jennings $250. The trial was a turning point. The ruling helped further
the fight against segregation, and New York City transportation was
totally desegregated by 1860. In 1881, the young lawyer who won the
trial became president of the United States.
BLACKLINE MASTER 48
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Context Clues
Word
Clues from Text
Meaning
segregation
. . . Rosa Parks, the African

American woman who
challenged segregation by
refusing to sit in the back of a
bus in 1955.
the separation of people by their

race
Civil War
In 1854, about seven years

before the start of the Civil War
. . .
a war in the United States that

started in 1861
abuse
The conductor threw her off,

destroyed her bonnet, ruined
her dress, and hurt her.
cruel and violent treatment of a

person by someone else
137
BLACKLINE MASTER 49
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Chronological Text Structure
FIRST
In 1854, Elizabeth Jennings tried to board a bus in New York City, but the conductor refused. They got
into a fight.
NEXT
Word spread about the event and the community was angry. They wanted change.
THEN
Jennings hired a lawyer who won her case. This helped change the laws about segregation in
New York City.
138
BLACKLINE MASTER 50
Myths, Science, and the

Will-o-the-Wisp
139
When ancient people saw a natural event they did not understand,
they created stories, or myths, to explain it. Egyptians thought the sun
rode in a boat, Greeks thought Zeus controlled lightning, and Tibetans
thought earthquakes were created by a giant frog. But science proved
that these creative stories were just thatstories. Unlike myths,
science gives an accurate, though sometimes unimaginative, reason for
natural events. The sun is a star, lightning is a discharge of electricity,
and earthquakes are tectonic plates shifting.
Will-o-the-wisps, or glowing balls that can appear around swamps at

night, show up in myths all over the world. In central Europe, they
were fairy spirits. In Denmark, their glow marked a buried treasure. In
England, they were small monsters that would lead travelers to their
doom. In Sweden and Japan, they were lost ghosts. In Brazil, they
were the eyes of a magical snake. But thanks to science, we now have
a better explanation for these strange lights.
Alessandro Volta discovered methane in 1776. Methane is a flammable

gas that is created when materials rot. Swamps are wet, and water
speeds up the decay of natural materials. Since swamps are full of
decaying materials, Volta thought will-o-the-wisps were created by
methane and lightning. Lightning seems unlikely. But then what was
lighting the methane?
Methane is often trapped underneath swamps. But another gas can also
be created by decaying materials: phosphine. Phosphine burns when it
comes in contact with oxygen. Since it is underground, the phosphine
does not immediately come in contact with oxygen. When these two
gases rise through the soil and water together, the phosphine lights the
methane, which is what creates these glowing balls.
There is a good reason that the old myths are still told, although they
are not completely accurate. Myths are imaginative and fun, and telling
these stories bonds people and communities together. Though science
is all about truth and progress, myths will always be a wonderful source
of art, culture, and entertainment.
BLACKLINE MASTER 51
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Will-o-the-Wisp
Compare/Contrast Text Structure
Myths
Science
Myths to Explain General

Natural Events
Science to Explain General

Natural Events
Myths were used to explain natural events

that ancient peoples did not understand:
The sun rode on a boat.
Zeus controlled lightning.
Earthquakes were caused by a frog.
Science gave accurate explanations of

natural events:
The sun is a star.
Lightning is a discharge of electricity.
Earthquakes are tectonic plates shifting.
Myths to Explain
Will-o-the-Wisps
Science to Explain
Will-o-the-Wisps
Central Europe: fairy spirits

Denmark: buried treasure
England: small monsters
Sweden/Japan: lost ghosts
Brazil: eyes of a magical snake
Methane gas is often trapped under

swamps.
Phosphine burns when in contact with
oxygen.
When both gases rise together, the
phosphine lights the methane, creating a
glowing ball.
140
BLACKLINE MASTER 52
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Will-o-the-Wisp
Analyze Multiple Accounts
Myths to Explain Will-o-the-Wisps
Central Europe: caused by fairy spirits

Denmark: indicates a buried treasure
England: indicates small monsters
Sweden: indicates lost ghosts
Japan: indicates lost ghosts
Brazil: caused by eyes of a magical snake
Science to Explain Will-o-the-Wisps
Methane: Methane discovered in 1776; flammable gas created when things rot
Lightning: Theory about lightning dismissed as unlikely
Phosphine: Burns when in contact with oxygen
Conclusion: Methane and phosphine rising together ignite and cause the glow.
Point of View About Each Account
Myths: They bring people together over stories and reflect the culture.
Science: The texts show how scientific knowledge developed and explain how science
affects our lives.
141
BLACKLINE MASTER 53
Overpopulation: An Overview
142
200 thousand years ago there were a handful of humans. 10 thousand

years ago there were a million humans. 200 years ago there were a
billion humans. 50 years ago there were 3 billion humans. Today, there
are over 7 billion humans on the planet. That number is growing by
80 million each year.
There are two major factors related to the increase of our global
population. The first is that more people are being born than ever
before. The second is that people are living longer thanks to medical
advances over the past few centuries. In 1800, human life expectancy
was 35 years. Today, it is more than double that at 77 years.
The most common concern linked to population growth is global

warming. Global warming is created by human consumption. Polluting,
cutting down forests, and burning fuel create global warming. This
change in climate can have a wide range of effects, from rising sea
levels to droughts and extreme weather. With an increase in human
population, global warming could become even more of an immediate
emergency.
Though the population is rising, it will not always rise. As countries

become more developed, or advanced, families have fewer children.
If not for immigrants moving into Europe, the population there would
drop. In Japan the population is currently falling. In the United States
population growth is slowing.
In the less advanced and undeveloped countries, people have more

children because they are a form of security. Having children means
having people to take care of you when you are sick or old. In
developed countries this is not a huge concern. People have more
money, as well as help from the government.
Large sections of the world are undeveloped, such as parts of Africa,

India, and Latin America. It is in these places that the populations are
rapidly rising. Perhaps one solution to overpopulation is to help these
undeveloped areas responsibly develop and increase peoples living
standards so that they have fewer children.
BLACKLINE MASTER 54
Derby Baby Foods Open Letter

on Population Growth
143
At Derby Baby Food, weve been making baby food for over a decade.
Population growth is helping our company grow, and weve created a
lot of jobs because of it. Yet we recently had the misfortune of reading
more than a few articles about the dangers of overpopulation. We
dont understand why so many of these journalists dislike babies, but
were here to tell them to pick on someone their own size. And really,
isnt it about time somebody with some sense weighed in?
People have been screaming about overpopulation forever. Thomas

Malthus, an old economist, claimed in 1798 that population growth
was about to create a worldwide food shortage. Over 200 years later,
here we are with seven times as many people on Earth, happy as ever.
Were in the factory right now, and we can assure all of you that there
is plenty of food. Yet, even though Malthus was wrong, the idea stuck
like gum on the bottom of a shoe.
These journalists all say the same thing, like broken records:
population growth will bring global warming. But lets take a second
to think that over. As more people are born, more genius scientists
are born. With more geniuses on our hands, well likely have more
solutions for climate change.
Instead of dwelling on the bad, lets look at the positive. Population

growth is good business. Populations are declining in Japan, and the
whole country is slowing down. For a long time, families in China
were allowed to have only one child. They changed the policy and are
now allowing families to have more children. Would they do this if
population growth was terrible? If you want to stay competitive, youve
got to grow. If you want your company to make a profit, dont start
firing people.
Here at Derby Baby Food, we believe that instead of slowing down, we

ought to be speeding up. We can only move forward if our populations
are moving upward.
BLACKLINE MASTER 55
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Overpopulation: An Overview/
Compare-and-Contrast Text Structure
Overpopulation: An Overview
Derby Baby Foods Open

Letter on Population Growth
Text Structure: Problem and Solution

Problem
Problem
The global population is increasing, and it

is a problem that must be solved.
The most common concern linked to
population growth is global warming.
The global population is increasing, and

people are complaining about it.
. . . we recently had the misfortune of
reading more than a few articles about
the dangers of overpopulation. We
dont understand why so many of these
journalists dislike babies . . .
Solution
Solution
Take Action:
Though the population is rising, it will
not always rise. As countries become
more developed, or advanced, families
have fewer children.
. . . help these undeveloped areas
responsibly develop and increase
peoples living standards so that they
have fewer children.
Do Nothing:
Population growth is helping our
company grow, and weve created a lot
of jobs because of it.
As more people are born, more genius
scientists are born. With more geniuses
on our hands, well likely have more
solutions for climate change.
144
BLACKLINE MASTER 56
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Overpopulation: An Overview/
Note-Taking
Overpopulation: An
Overview
Derby Baby Foods Open

Letter on Population
Growth
What problems
and concerns
are linked to
overpopulation?
With an increase in human

population, global warming
could become even more of
an immediate emergency.
Instead of dwelling on the bad,

lets look at the positive. Population
growth is good business.
How will the

effects of
population
growth change
in the future?
Though the population is

rising, it will not always rise.
As countries become more
developed, or advanced,
families have fewer children.
As more people are born, more

genius scientists are born. With more
geniuses on our hands, well likely
have more solutions for climate
change.
What is a
solution to the
problem?
. . . to help these undeveloped

areas responsibly develop
and increase peoples living
standards so that they have
fewer children.
Instead of dwelling on the bad,

lets look at the positive. Population
growth is good business. . . . we
believe that instead of slowing down,
we ought to be speeding up.
145
BLACKLINE MASTER 57
Stop That Man!

An excerpt of the firsthand account of Major Henry Rathbone
146
On the evening of the 14th of April, at about twenty minutes past 8

oclock, I left my residence. I joined the President and Mrs. Lincoln,
and went with them in their carriage to Fords Theater on Tenth Street.
When the presence of the President became known, the actors stopped
playing, the band struck up Hail to the Chief, and the audience rose
and received him with vociferous cheering. The party proceeded along
and entered the box that had been set apart for them. On entering the
box there was a large arm-chair that the President occupied during the
whole of the evening, with one exception. He got up to put on his coat,
and returned and sat down again.
When the second scene of the third act was being performed, I was
intently observing the stage with my back toward the door. I heard a
pistol shot behind me. Looking round, I saw through the smoke a man
between the door and the President. The distance from the door to
where the President sat was about four feet. At the same time I heard
the man shout some word, which I thought was Freedom! I instantly
sprang toward him and seized him. He pulled himself from my grasp,
and made a violent thrust at my chest with a large knife. I blocked the
blow and received a wound several inches deep in my left arm... As he
went over upon the stage, I cried out, Stop that man. I then turned
to the President. His position was not changed, his head was slightly
bent forward, and his eyes were closed.
BLACKLINE MASTER 58
Abraham Lincoln
147
Abraham Lincoln was born in a rural cabin in Kentucky. He taught

himself to read, and later, how to practice law. As a self-made lawyer,
his good character won him the nickname Honest Abe.
Lincoln went into politics, where he became well known in Illinois for
arguing against slavery. Despite being new to the Republican Party, he
was asked to run for president. He laughed, Just imagine, a sucker
such as me as president! Lincoln ran, and won, but his views caused
the pro-slavery South to leave the U.S. and start the Civil War.
While riding a train to Washington to accept the presidency, Lincoln

was told he was in danger. He disguised himself, switched trains, and
came to the White House under darkness. The newspapers called him a
coward. Embarrassed, he vowed to never again hide.
A handsome stage actor named John Wilkes Booth took sides with
the South. Booth came up with a peculiar plan. While the president
was watching a play, a team would turn down the lights, tie up the
president, and escape out the back. The North won the Civil War before
Booth tried his plan, but he was more furious and desperate than ever
because of the defeat.
Five days after the South surrendered, Booth discovered that Lincoln
would be going to Fords Theatre that evening. Lincoln ignored
warnings that he should not be in public.
Because Booth was a famous actor, no one questioned why he was

wandering the theater. Without any problem, he walked upstairs to a
private balcony and shot Lincoln. He cried out the Virginia state motto,
Sic Semper Tyrannis! This is the shortened form of a Latin phrase that
means, Thus always I bring death to tyrants. He jumped down onto
the stage, broke his leg, and escaped out of the back. Booth was found
hiding days later.
Unfortunately, Lincoln died. Tens of thousands of Americans lined a

railroad track to mourn as a train brought him back to Illinois.
BLACKLINE MASTER 59
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Stop That Man!/Abraham Lincoln

Identify Similarities and Differences
Stop That Man!
Abraham Lincoln
Type of text
First person account of one

night
Third person biography, focusing

mainly on one night
Details given
personal experiences from

the event; specific details
describing the authors
observations of the
assassination
historical information
about Lincolns life and
accomplishments; details about
the Civil War and John Wilkes
Booth
Similarities between the accounts:
Both accounts focus on Lincolns assassination and give details about John Wilkes Booth.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Differences between the accounts:
The tones, genres, viewpoints, and moods of the accounts are different.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
148
BLACKLINE MASTER 60
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Stop That Man!/Abraham Lincoln

Draw on Information from Multiple Sources
Stop That Man!
Abraham Lincoln
What was the

scene like when
Lincoln was
killed?
I heard a pistol shot behind

me. . . . I saw through the
smoke a man between the
door and the President. . . .
At the same time I heard the
man shout some word, which
I thought was Freedom!
Without any problem, he walked

upstairs to a private balcony and
shot Lincoln. He cried out the
Virginia state motto, Sic Semper
Tyrannis! . . . He jumped down
onto the stage, broke his leg, and
escaped out of the back.
Why did Booth

kill President
Lincoln?
No details are given in the

text.
Booth took sides with the South

The North won the Civil War
. . . he was more furious and
desperate than ever . . .
What effect
did the
assassination
have on people?
As he went over upon the

stage, I cried out, Stop that
man.
Tens of thousands of Americans

lined a railroad track to mourn
as a train brought him back to
Illinois.
149
BLACKLINE MASTER 61
The Vegetable Encyclopedia
Search
Growing Corn
Origins
Growing Corn
Types of Corn
Art and Photos
Uses
Light and Soil

1
Light
and soil
Corn is planted in full sun because it cannot grow in shaded

areas. Corn, unlike tomatoes or bamboo, must be grown
in the correct type of soil. Corn only grows fast enough to
be successfully harvested when it is planted in rich soil.
Manure is often mixed into the soil in the fall and allowed
to sit over the winter. Manure helps enrich the soil.
Planting
Planting
2
Care
Harvesting
Corn seed is planted directly in the ground. It is planted

in spring, two weeks after the danger of frost has passed.
The soil must be 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If nighttime
temperatures are low, a plastic sheet is used to keep the
soil warm. Corn seed is planted 1 inch deep in a row with
6 inches between each seed. Rows are 30 inches apart.
Seeds are watered immediately after planting. Corn is
grown in large groups, or blocks, because corn pollinates
by wind pollination. Unlike plants whose pollen is carried by
bees and other bugs, corn pollen cannot travel very far.
Care
3
When corn is 4 inches tall it is thinned. Corn plants that

are growing close to other corn plants are plucked until
all the plants in a row are a foot away from each other. At
this point the corn has to be protected against pests, like
raccoons, crows, and beetles. Even when its protected,
some corn will be lost. As farmers say, One for the
blackbird, one for the crow, one for the soil, and one to
grow.
Harvesting
4
150
There are three signs that corn is ready to harvest in the

fall: the silk is turning brown, the corn is starting to swell,
and the kernels are large and tender. When it is ready, the
corn is pulled down and twisted off the stalk. Corn loses its
sweet flavor very quickly, but it will last for a long time if it
is frozen.
BLACKLINE MASTER 62
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Harvesting Corn/Growing Corn

Compare and Contrast Digital Sources
Harvesting Corn:
Cultivating Natural
Resources
Growing Corn
What do the
sources say
about growing
corn?
Less than 1% of the corn grown

in the United States is sweet
corn, which is a vegetable that
people eat. 99% of corn that
is grown is actually field corn,
which is eaten by farm animals
but has many other uses,
including as fuel for cars.
Corn seed is planted 2.5

centimeters (1 inch) deep in
a row with 15 centimeters (6
inches) between seeds. Rows
are 76 centimeters (30 inches)
apart. Seeds are watered
immediately after planting.
What do
the sources
say about
harvesting corn?
Short window of time to harvest:

End is rounded
Silks dry up
Plump kernels
Milky liquid inside
There are three signs that corn

is ready to harvest in the fall:
the silk is turning brown, the
corn is starting to swell, and the
kernels are large and tender.
When it is ready, the corn is
pulled down and twisted off the
stalk.
What do the
sources say
about types of
corn?
Sweet corn is a vegetable

(harvested in milk stage)
Brown, dry corn is a grain
(harvested at dent stage)
Information not shown. Must

go to another tab of the digital
encyclopedia.
151
BLACKLINE MASTER 63
Types of Corn
1
Did you know that corn was originally produced by Native American
farmers? Corn comes from a grass that grows in Mexico, called
teosinte. With only about six hard kernels, it has to be cooked like
popcorn in order to be consumed. The Native Americans in Mexico
started farming wild teosinte about 10,000 years ago. After thousands
of years spent choosing the best teosinte to take seeds from, corn was
born. Because it is not wild, corn depends on humans. Without human
farming, corn would go extinct. Today, there are multiple varieties of
corn.
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is the yellow corn that comes in cans or is bought at the
grocery store. This is the type of corn we usually eat. It is called
sweet corn because it is harvested before it is mature. Corn loses its
sweetness very quickly after it is harvested as the sugars in it turn into
starch. But if it is picked early, by the time it gets to your dinner plate
it should be at peak sweetness.
Popcorn
A lot of people do not know that popcorn is not made from sweet corn.
Popcorn is an entirely different variety of corn. It is harvested at a later
time, when the corn is dry and dented instead of plump and sweet.
Dent corn creates kernels that have a hard outer shell. If you tried to
put sweet corn in a microwave, it wouldnt pop. The shell is needed
in order to create popcorn. According to research, Americans eat 272
cups of popcorn a year. That is a lot of popcorn!
Field Corn
152
Unlike the corn listed above, field corn is not meant for our plates and
bowls. It is too tasteless. Instead, it is used as animal food, to help
create fuel for cars, and to make corn syrup. Corn syrup is a common
sweetener that is used in a lot of beverages and snacks. Ninety-nine
percent of the corn grown in the United States is field corn.
BLACKLINE MASTER 64
Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________
Harvesting Corn/Types of Corn

Compare and Contrast Digital Sources
Harvesting Corn:
Cultivating Natural
Resources
Types of Corn
How did
humans start
growing corn?
No information is given.
The Native Americans in

Mexico started farming wild
teosinte about 10,000 years
ago. After thousands of years
spent choosing the best
teosinte to take seeds from,
corn was born.
What is the
difference
between sweet
corn and
popcorn?
. . . the kernels used to make

popcorn are different . . . it is
harvested later than sweet corn,
during the dent stage, when the
cornstalks and husks are brown
and dry, and the kernels are
dented.
Sweet corn . . . called sweet

corn because it is harvested
before it is mature.
Popcorn is an entirely
different variety of corn. It
is harvested at a later time,
when the corn is dry and
dented instead of plump and
sweet.
How is field
corn used?
99% of corn that is grown is

actually field corn, which is
eaten by farm animals but has
many other uses, including as
fuel for cars. Field corn can even
be found in carpets!
. . . field corn is not meant for

our plates and bowls. It is too
tasteless. Instead, it is used as
animal food, to help create
fuel for cars, and to make corn
syrup.
153

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BLACKLINE MASTER 1

Jackson, who was crazy about everything to do with space exploration,

Dad! Theyre really going to do it! Theyre going to the moon!

It seemed like an eternity before they made it to the moon. Jackson

Theyve made it this far, havent they? Dad responded.

Finally, the magical moment happened.

Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.

Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5

Benchmark Education Company, LLC

Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

Jackson is really interested in space

Jackson, who was crazy about everything

Jacksons father is interested in the space

Sunday, Jackson and his father sat in

The moon landing was inspiring to people

Jackson, his father, and millions of others

Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5

Benchmark Education Company, LLC

Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

for Wednesday morning, July 16

planned for a certain

Glued literally means stuck.

Orbit means the circular path

the path around the

the world waited as the

on the edge of his

The most exciting moment is

excited, filled with

Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5

Benchmark Education Company, LLC

The Cake Crasher

Oh no! Marina wailed.

The cat? But she was sitting outside sunning herself.

Paulo! You didnt! she cried.

Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5

Benchmark Education Company, LLC

Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

The Cake Crasher

Marina thinks her birthday

Marina likes feeling

When Marina was little, she

Marinas mother puts a

Marina is shocked and very

Marina cries Paulo! You

Marinas anger wanes

Marina is upset when she

Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5

Benchmark Education Company, LLC

Name _______________________________________ Date ________________________________

The Cake Crasher

She is furious at first but finds

Someone has destroyed Marinas

Marina reacts to the wrecked

Marina joins Paulo

Marina finds blue handprints on

Benchmark Advance Intervention Reading Grade 5

Benchmark Education Company, LLC

The History Exam

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Armstrong Elementary during

A difficult history test is the

Best friends are running

Friendship is more important

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

Name _______ Date

tall, athletic, and

smallest and smartest