How does growing up change us?

Reading 3: Later, Gator – Vocabulary & Word Study

Literary Words: plot, point of view & narrator

______is what ______in a story. Most plots include a ______, the events that lead to solving the problem and the ______to the problem. Usually, plots move forward in time. They have a ______,

______and ______.

______is the position from which a story is told. Some stories are told from the point of view of one of the ______. The character tells the events as if they are happening to him or her. This is called ______. The person telling the story uses the pronouns ______. Other stories are told from the ______. The ______or person telling the story, uses the pronouns ______. The narrator can be one of the characters in the story, or just someone telling the story from the outside. Read the examples below and notice the pronouns.

Answer the following questions about Becoming Naomi Leon or Later, Gator.

  1. What is the plot of the story? Describe the problem, events that lead to a solution, and the solution.
  1. Is the story told from the first-person point of view or the third-person point of view? How can you tell?
  1. How would the story be different if it had been told from a different point of view? For BNL, think about Santiago’s point of view. For LG, think of Teddy’s point of view.

Academic Words: understanding text

These words are useful when talking and writing about literature and informational texts. After you read Later, Gator, try to use these words to respond to the text.

1. affect2. author3. effect4. perspective

1. affect (verb) / MCU: 1 2 3 4
SYN/PIC:
DEF: do something that produces a change in someone or something; influence / Jealousy can affect the way people act. Sometimes ______
______
______.
Sentence:
2. author (noun) / MCU: 1 2 3 4
SYN/PIC:
DEF: someone who writes a book, story, article or play / Laurence Yep is the author of ______
______. ______is my favorite author. He/She wrote ______
______.
Sentence:
3. effect (noun) / MCU: 1 2 3 4
SYN/PIC:
DEF: a result, or a reaction to something or someone / Owning a pet can have a good effect on a person. It helps people ______
______.
Sentence:
4. perspective (noun) / MCU: 1 2 3 4
SYN/PIC:
DEF: a way of thinking about something that is influenced by the type of person you are or what you do. / From my perspective, dogs are better pets than ______because ______
______. However, my ______disagrees with me.
Sentence:

Answer the following questions with complete sentences. Use the underlined word in your answer.

1. How does a lack of sleep affect you? ______

______

2. Who is your favorite author? Why? ______

______

3. What effect would a new pet have on your family? ______

______

______

4. What is your perspective on having a snake as a pet? ______

______

______
Word Study : Animal Verbs and Idioms

Writers often use colorful verbs and idioms to make their writing more lively. Some of the most vivid English verbs and idioms involve animals and animal comparisons. Read the sentences and definitions below. Think about why these words and phrases have these meanings.

Write a sentence of your own for each of the animal verbs and idioms above.

  1. ______

______

  1. ______

______

  1. ______

______

  1. ______

______

If you want to learn more about animal verbs and idioms, check out

or

How does growing up change us?

Reading 3: Later, Gator - Comprehension Questions & Discussion

Right There

1. What gift did Teddy buy his little brother Bobby for Christmas? ______

______

2. What is on sale at the department store? ______

______

Think and Search

3. What effect does Teddy’s Christmas gift have on Bobby? ______

______

4. Why does Mother tell Teddy what to buy Bobby for his birthday? ______

______

Author and You

5. From whose point of view is this story told? How can you tell? ______

______

______

6. How does Teddy’s jealousy of Bobby affect his actions? ______

______

______

On Your Own

7. “Sibling rivalry” is a term used to describe the competition between brothers and sisters. What do you think causes sibling rivalry? What are some ways to avoid it? ______
______

______

8. When were you jealous of someone? Describe the experience. ______

______

______

______

Discussion

Read the following questions. Jot down a few ideas to prepare your answer to share with your

discussion group. Remember our discussion protocol:

Use complete sentences to answer.

Don’t blurt out or raise your hand.

Use a public speaking voice.

Give credit to classmates when they have a good idea.

After your classmates share, jot down anything that was said that you didn’t think of.

Q1. Why do you think Teddy called the pet store to make sure that he can return pets? What does this tell you about Teddy?

My thoughts: / My classmates’ ideas:

Q2. What do you predict will happen when Teddy brings home the alligator? What will Bobby do? What will Teddy’s parents do?

My thoughts: / My classmates’ ideas:

Q3. Do you think that wild animals such as alligators should be sold as pets? Why or why not?

My thoughts: / My classmates’ ideas:

*Imagine that you have a younger brother who gets all the attention. What things might you do so that you could get some positive attention?

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