Lightning Bolt
— Joan Bransfield Graham
by Susan Dickson
He Madethe World Brighter
He Madethe World Brighter
Weekly Literature
Week At A Glance
Tested Skills for the Week
Read-Aloud AnthologyListening Comprehension
Readers’ Theater
•
•
Vocabulary/Comprehension
Whole Group
VOCABULARY
hilarious, convinced, mischief,
independence, (come in)
handy, dizzy, whirlwind,
nowadays
Dictionary/Idioms
COMPREHENSION
Strategy: Generate
Questions
Skill: Problem and Solution
WRITING
Book Review
Science LinkPhysical Science
Electricity and Magnetism
Small Group Options
Differentiated Instructionfor
Tested Skills
Weekly Theme: Bright Ideas
Science LinkMain Selection Genre Biography
Genre Concrete Poem
220A
A
UDIO CD
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
Resources for Differentiated Instruction
Leveled ReadersLeveled Readers
• Same Theme• Same Vocabulary• Same Comprehension Skills
LEVELED PRACTICE
CLASSROOM LIBRARY
Phonics and Decoding
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Also available Reading Triumphs,
Intervention Program
•
•
•
INTERVENTION ANTHOLOGY
Approaching On Level Beyond
On-Level Reader
sheltered for English
Language Learner
ELL Teacher’s Guide
also available
Beyond LevelApproaching Level
English Language Leveled Reader
On Level
ELL
HOME-SCHOOL CONNECTION
Family letters in
English and Spanish
Take-Home Stories
•
•
ONLINEINSTRUCTION
www.macmillanmh.com
AUDIO CD
Listening
Library
Fluency
Solutions
•
•
CD ROM
Vocabulary
PuzzleMaker
•
A
UDIO CD CD ROM
Also AvailableLEVELED READER PROGRAM
Genre Biography
Genre BiographyGR Levels O–T
O Q TApproaching On Level Beyond
Trade books to apply Comprehension Skills
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 220B
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning,
224–241
Leveled Readers
Student Book
by Susan Dickson
He Madethe World Brighter
He Madethe World Brighter
Student Book
ORAL LANGUAGE• Listening
• Speaking
• Viewing
Listening/Speaking/Viewing
Focus Question What’s happening in the picture on page 220? Would you put your head on that shiny ball? Why?
Build Background, 220
Read Aloud: “What REA Service Means to Our Farm Home,“ 221
Listening/Speaking
Focus Question What was it like to be Ben Franklin?
WORD STUDY• Vocabulary
• Phonics/Decoding
Vocabulary
hilarious, convinced, mischief, independence, (come in) handy, dizzy, whirlwind, nowadays, 222
Practice Book A-O-B, 59
Strategy: Dictionary/Idioms, 223
Vocabulary
Review Vocabulary, 224
Phonics
Decode Words with /är/ and /ôr/, 247E
Practice Book A-O-B, 65
READING• Develop
Comprehension
• Fluency
“He Made the World Brighter,” 222–223
Comprehension, 223A–223B
Strategy: Generate Questions
Skill: Problem and Solution
Practice Book A-O-B, 60
Model Fluency, 221
Partner Reading, 220I
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning, 224–241
Comprehension, 224–241
Strategy: Generate Questions
Skill: Problem and Solution
Practice Book A-O-B, 61
Partner Reading, 220I
LANGUAGE ARTS• Writing
• Grammar
• Spelling
Writing
Daily Writing Prompt: Think about a problem you would like an invention to solve. Create a solution and describe your invention.
Book Review, 246–247B
Grammar Daily Language Activities, 247I
Possessive Nouns, 247I
Grammar Practice Book, 51
Spelling Pretest Words with /ôr/ and /är/, 247G
Spelling Practice Book, 51–52
Writing
Daily Writing Prompt: Pick an invention, and describe what life would be like without it.
Book Review, 246–247B
Grammar Daily Language Activities, 247I
Possessive Nouns, 247I
Grammar Practice Book, 52
Spelling Word Sorts, 247G
Spelling Practice Book, 53
ASSESSMENT• Informal/Formal Vocabulary, 222
Comprehension, 223B
Comprehension, 233, 241
Phonics, 247E
Differentiated Instruction 247M-247VDifferentiated Instruction 247M-247VTurn the Page for
Small Group Lesson Plan
Suggested Lesson Plan Instructional NavigatorInteractive Lesson Planner
Student Book
by Susan Dickson
He Madethe World Brighter
He Madethe World Brighter
Student Book
220C220C
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Words
Dictionary/Idioms
Comprehension
Strategy: Generate Questions
Skill: Problem and Solution
Writing
Persuasive Writing
Listening/Speaking
Focus Question How was Thomas Alva Edison like Ben Franklin? Use details from both selections in your answer.
Summarize, 243
Listening/Speaking/Viewing
Focus Question How is the information presented in “Lightning Bolt” similar to the information in How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning? In what ways is it different?
Expand Vocabulary: Inventions and Effects, 247F
Listening/Speaking/Viewing
Focus Question What were some of the basic household problems that Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison solved that make our lives easier today?
Speaking and Listening Strategies, 247A
Vocabulary
Review Words in Context, 247C
Strategy: Dictionary/Idioms, 247D
Practice Book A-O-B, 64
Phonics
Decode Multisyllabic Words, 247E
Vocabulary
Building Inventions, 247F
Apply Vocabulary to Writing, 247F
Vocabulary
Spiral Review: Whirlwind Vocabulary, 247F
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning, 224–241
Comprehension
Comprehension Check, 243
Maintain Skill: Fact and Opinion, 243B
Repeated Reading, 243A
Partner Reading, 220I
Practice Book A-O-B, 62
“Light Bulb and Lightning Bolt,” 244–245
Comprehension
Concrete Poem: Poetry
Figurative Language and Alliteration, 244
Practice Book A-O-B, 63
Partner Reading, 220I
Self-Selected Reading,220I
Comprehension
Connect and Compare, 245
Practice, 243A
Partner Reading, 220I
Writing
Daily Writing Prompt: Write a dialogue between Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison or a modern-day inventor.
Writer’s Craft: A Strong Opening, 247A
Review, 246–247B
Grammar Daily Language Activities, 247I
Mechanics and Usage: Titles, 247J
Grammar Practice Book, 53
Spelling Word Meanings, 247H
Spelling Practice Book, 54
Writing
Daily Writing Prompt: Has the electricity ever gone off in your home? Write a journal entry about what it was like.
Writing Trait: Ideas and Content, 247B
Book Review, 246–247B
Grammar Daily Language Activities, 247I
Possessive Nouns, 247J
Grammar Practice Book, 54
Spelling Review and Proofread, 247H
Spelling Practice Book, 55
Writing
Daily Writing Prompt: Suppose you have the chance to interview the inventor of your favorite appliance. What would you ask?
Book Review, 246–247B
Grammar Daily Language Activities, 247I
Possessive Nouns, 247J
Grammar Practice Book, 55–56
Spelling Posttest, 247H
Spelling Practice Book, 56
Fluency, 243A Vocabulary, 247D
Student Book
Lightning Bolt
— Joan Bransfield Graham
Student Book Student Book
Differentiated Instruction 247M-247V Differentiated Instruction 247M-247VDifferentiated Instruction 247M-247V
Weekly Assessment, 109–116
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 220D
Suggested Lesson Plan
For intensive intervention see TriumphsR E A D I N G
Focus on Skills
Differentiated Instruction
What do I do in small groups?
Instructional Navigator Interactive Lesson Planner
Approaching Level
• Additional Instruction/Practice
• Tier 2 Instruction
Fluency, 247N
Vocabulary, 247N
Comprehension, 247OELL Drawing, 247O
Phonics, 247M
Vocabulary, 247O
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247P
• Vocabulary
• ComprehensionOn Level
• Practice Vocabulary, 247Q
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247R
• ComprehensionELL Leveled Reader,
247U–247V
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247R
• Comprehension
• Vocabulary
Beyond Level
• Extend Vocabulary, 247S
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247T
• Comprehension
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247T
• Comprehension
• Vocabulary
Use your observations to guide additional instruction and practice.
Vocabulary
Words: hilarious, dizzy, nowadays,
independence, convinced, handy,
whirlwind, mischief
Strategy: Dictionary/Idioms
Comprehension
Strategy: Generate Questions
Skill: Problem and Solution
Fluency
Phonics
Decode Words with /är/ and /ôr/
220E
Day 5
Focus on Leveled Readers
Leveled Reader DatabaseGo to www.macmillanmh.com
Search by
• Comprehension Skill
• Content Area
• Genre
• Text Feature
• Guided Reading Level
• Reading Recovery Level
• Lexile Score
• Benchmark Level
BeyondApproaching
ELL
Apply skills and strategies while reading
appropriate leveled books.
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
O Q T
On LevelSubscription also available.
Levels O-T
Small Group Options
Additional Leveled Reader Resources
Phonics, 247M
Fluency, 247N
Vocabulary, 247O
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247P
• Comprehension
Phonics, 247M
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247P
• Comprehension
Fluency, 247N
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247P
• Make Connections Across
Texts
Fluency, 247Q
Vocabulary, 247Q
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247R
• Comprehension
Literary Elements, 247Q
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247R
• Comprehension
Fluency, 247Q
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247R
• Make Connections Across
Texts
Fluency, 247S
Vocabulary, 247S
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247T
• Comprehension
Literary Elements, 247S
Leveled Reader Lesson, 247T
• ComprehensionELL Fluency, 247S
Fluency, 247S
Self-Selected Reading, 247T
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 220F
Teacher-Led Small Groups
Indepen
de
nt
Ac
tiv
itie
sLite
rac
yW
orkstations
© M
acm
illan
/McG
raw
-Hill
✔ Put a check next to the activities you complete.
Name Date
My To-Do ListMy To-Do List
Reading
Practice fluency
Read a biography
Writing
Write a book review
Write a moon poem
Social Studies
Research underground wiring
Write a persuasive paragraph
Technology
Vocabulary Puzzlemaker
Fluency Solutions
Listening Library
www.macmillanmh.com
Word Study
Give clues about words
Spell words with /är/ and /ôr/ sounds
Science
Research the light bulb
Make a time line
Leveled Readers
Write About It!
Content Connection
Independent Practice
Practice Book, 59–65
Grammar Practice Book, 51–56
Spelling Practice Book, 51–56
Contracts Unit 2 • How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 11
Isabella
Vincent
Jack Eliza
Dean
Maria
Green
Literacy Workstations
Independent Activities
Teacher-LedSmall Groups
Red
Blue
Orange
Green
What do I do with the rest of my class?
Managing the Class
Class Management Tools
Includes:
• How-To Guides • Rotation Chart • Weekly Contracts
Hands-on activities for reinforcing weekly skills.
Layered Book Foldable Pyramid Foldable
220G
A
UDIO CD
A GreatA Great
InventorInventorby Laurie Rozakis
Biography
Solve It!Edison invented things to solve problems
that he saw. Think about a problem that
you solved. With a partner, write three
sentences describing the problem and how
you solved it.
What Is Your Invention?With a partner, think of an invention of your
own. Describe what it is. Use the flow chart to
show how it works.
Independent Activities
Approaching On Level ELL Beyond
LEVELED PRACTICE
Approaching On Level ELLBeyond
ONLINE INSTRUCTION www.macmillanmh.com
Turn the page for Literacy Workstations.
VOCABULARY PUZZLEMAKER
Activities providing multiple exposures to vocabulary, spelling,and high-frequency words, including crossword puzzles, word searches, and word jumbles
CD ROMCD ROM
For Repeated Readings and Literacy Activities
Leveled ReadersLeveled Readers
Skills: Vocabulary (p. 59), Comprehension: Problem and Solution (p. 60), Graphic Organizer (p. 61), Fluency (p. 62),
Literary Elements: Figurative Language and Alliteration (p. 63), Vocabulary Strategy: Dictionary (p. 64), Phonics (p. 65)
• Meet the Author/Illustrator
• Oral Language Activities
• Computer Literacy Lessons
• Vocabulary and Spelling Activities
• Research and Inquiry Activities
• Leveled Reader Database
LISTENING LIBRARY
Recordings of selections
• Main Selections
• Leveled Readers
• ELL Readers
• Intervention Anthology
FLUENCY
SOLUTIONS
Recorded passages for modeling and practicing fluency
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 220H
Reading20 Minutes
• Select a paragraph from the Fluency passage on page 62 of your Practice Book.
• With a partner, take turns reading the sentences aloud.
• Pause when you come to commas and end punctuation.
FluencyExtension
• Read the sentences again, pretending that they all end with exclamation points.
• Discuss how the passage sounds different.
• Time Your Reading: Listen to the Audio CD.
Fluency SolutionsListening Library
Things you need:
• Practice Book
17
In
dep
en
de
nt
Ac
tiv
itie
s
Teacher-Led Small Groups
Lite
rac
yW
ork
statio
ns
Objectives• Read with expression. Time reading.
• Read to identify a problem and its solution.
• Read enthusiastically and for enjoyment every day.
• Keep a personal reading list.
Objectives• Use a dictionary to find definitions of words.
• Sort words with the /är/ and /ôr/ sounds.
Literacy ActivitiesCollaborative Learning Activities
Managing the Class
220I
ReadingWORKSTATION FLIP CHART
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
WORKSTATION FLIP CHART
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
Word StudyWORKSTATION FLIP CHART
Writing
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
WORKSTATION FLIP CHART
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
Science/Social Studies
Objectives• Write a review of a book of poems.
• Write a poem about the moon.
• Write to develop a personal style.
Objectives• Research facts about light bulbs.
• Write the pros and cons of putting telephone and streetlight
wires underground.
Literacy Workstations
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 220J
220
ORAL LANGUAGE• Build Background
• Read Aloud
• Expand Vocabulary
VOCABULARY• Teach Words in Context
• Idioms
COMPREHENSION• Strategy: Generate Questions
• Skill: Problem and Solution
SMALL GROUP OPTIONS
• Differentiated Instruction, pp. 247M–247V
Oral LanguageBuild Background
ACCESS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Share the following information.
Some famous electrical inventions are
the telephone (1876), the light bulb
(1879), and the television (1924).
TALK ABOUT BRIGHT IDEAS
Discuss the weekly theme.
■ What electrical appliances do you
use nearly every day?
■ If you had to give up one electrical
appliance, what would it be? Why?
FOCUS QUESTION Ask a volunteer to
read “Talk About It” on Student Book
page 221 and to describe the photo.
■ What is the first thing you notice in
this picture?
■ How is this girl feeling?
Beginning Build Background Help students describe the
picture in simple phrases and sentences. Have students repeat.
Introduce the word electricity. Point to items in the classroom that
use electricity and make statements: The lights use electricity. Have
students repeat.
Intermediate Partner Work Pair students and ask them to
think of things that use electricity. Remind them to think about
machines in the classroom and in their homes. Write the list on
the board. Have students use the list to discuss how they and their
families use electricity.
Advanced Discussion Complete the Intermediate task except
encourage more complex sentences: I use electricity when I do
homework at night and take a bath. My mom uses electricity when she
cooks dinner.
220
For an extended lesson plan and Web site activities for oral
language development, go to www.macmillanmh.com
Picture Prompt
Look at the picture. Write about what you see. You can write a poem,
a story, or a description, or use any other type of writing you like.
Talk About ItWhat’s happening here?
Would you put your hand
on that shiny ball? Why?
Find out more about
electricity at
www.macmillanmh.com
221
Read Aloud Read “What REA Service Means to Our Farm Home”
GENRE: Primary
Sources
Remind students
that a primary
source is a real
way to learn about
history. Explain that
this primary source
is in text form, but
artifacts, places,
sounds, or pictures can also be primary
sources.
LISTENING FOR A PURPOSE
Ask students to listen for problems and
solutions as you read “What REA Service
Means to Our Farm Home” in the Read-
Aloud Anthology. Choose from among
the teaching suggestions.
Fluency Ask students to listen
carefully as you read aloud. Tell
students to listen to your phrasing,
expression, and tone of voice.
RESPOND TO THE SELECTION
Ask students to describe what life
would be like without electricity. Have
them give examples of how life would
be different.
Expand VocabularyAsk students to identify three more
words that relate to this week’s theme
of Bright Ideas. Students can write the
words in a word journal and create new
sentences using each of the words.
Talk About It Student pages 220–221
Read Aloudpages 40–43
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 221
Vocabularyhilarious dizzy
convinced whirlwind
mischief nowadays
independence
(come in) handy
DictionaryIdioms are phrases whose
meaning differs from the
meaning of each word.
come in handy = “ be useful”
Thomas Edison was a poor student. Hilarious? It is funny when you know how he turned out. Even if his grades didn’t show it, the mother of this future inventor was convinced he was smart. After a few disappointing months in school, she decided to teach Thomas herself at home.
Thomas’s ChildhoodThomas Alva Edison was born in 1847 in
Ohio. Always curious and prone to mischief, Thomas read whenever he could.
Thomas’s fi rst job, at thirteen, was selling newspapers. Back then, that’s when most boys started working. At sixteen he became a telegrapher. This gave Thomas independence and an opportunity to travel. Shortly after this, Edison decided to be an inventor.
14-year-old
Thomas Edison
He MadeHe Madethe Worldthe World BrighterBrighter
by Susan Dickson
He MadeHe Madethe Worldthe World BrighterBrighter
222
222
Vocabulary/Comprehension Student page 222
VocabularyTEACH WORDS IN CONTEXT
Use the following routine.
use computers nowadays instead of
typewriters. What is different nowadays
from when your parents were your age?
What is the same? COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Define: When a joke is hilarious , it
makes you laugh a lot.
Example: We laughed at the hilarious
antics of the pet monkey in the movie.
Ask: What is a synonym for hilarious?
SYNONYM
■ To be convinced is to have accepted
someone’s views. Sam convinced us
to recycle. What have you convinced
people of? EXAMPLE
■ Mischief is something amusing that
may cause trouble. My cat gets into
mischief in my closet. How can mischief
cause trouble? EXPLANATION
■ Countries seeking independence wish
to govern themselves. The American
colonies won independence. What is an
antonym for independence? ANTONYM
■ If something was handy , it was nearby.
I like to keep extra batteries handy.
What are some everyday items you like
to keep handy? EXAMPLE
■ A whirlwind is a storm with circular
wind. A whirlwind can also describe
rushed movement. Her three days in
the city were a whirlwind of activity.
What would happen to lightweight
objects in a whirlwind? EXPLANATION
■ Someone who feels dizzy finds it hard
to keep his or her balance. Angela felt
dizzy when she got off the ride at the
county fair. Tell about a time when you
felt dizzy. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
■ When something happens nowadays ,
it happens in the present time. People
During Small Group Instruction
If No Approaching Level
Vocabulary, p. 247N
If Yes On Level Options,
pp. 247Q–247R
Beyond Level Options,
pp. 247S–247T
Do students understand
word meanings?
Explain Vocabulary
Dramatize the actions
for dizzy and whirlwind
as you use each word in
a sentence. For handy,
explain that “came in
handy” it is an idiom that
means was useful. Ask, If
you went on a camping trip,
what items did you bring?
What items came in handy?
Help students answer in
full sentences.
Vocabulary and Comprehension
Reread for Comprehension
Generate QuestionsProblem and Solution Problems and solutions are important parts of most stories. Asking yourself questions as you read can help you understand problem and solution.
Reread the selection to find a problem and solution. Use a Problem and Solution Chart to help you.
The Young InventorNot everything Thomas invented
was a success. In fact, his first invention, an electric vote recorder, failed. Edison thought it would come in handy for counting votes. No one else found it useful, but that didn’t stop Edison.
Edison’s Greatest Challenge Back then, gas was the best lighting
source, but burning it was dirty and unhealthy. Gas could also be very dangerous. The idea of using electricity for lighting had been around for over 50 years. But nobody had developed anything practical or safe.
Edison set out to solve this problem. He improved upon what others had learned about electricity. He tested thousands of ideas in a whirlwind of activity. Several men helped Edison with his experiments.
By 1880, they had burned a light bulb for more than 1,500 hours. They must have felt dizzy with excitement!
This was just the beginning. Edison’s success led to the invention of an entire electric lighting system. Nowadays, many appliances and lights run on electricity. It is hard to imagine life without it. So, next time you turn on your computer, think of Thomas Edison—and say “Thanks.”
Edison with lamps he created
dd
223
Vocabulary/Comprehension Student page 223
VocabularySTRATEGYDICTIONARY
Idioms Tell students that idioms
are groups of words which have a
collective meaning different from that
of each individual word. Dictionaries
often provide the meanings of idioms.
An entry for a single word may
include idioms containing that word.
Sometimes other idioms are separate
entries. Explain that if the common,
usual meaning of words in a phrase is
not making sense in context, checking
a dictionary might help to find the
meaning of the idiom.
Have students look up the idiom
came in handy by scanning dictionary
entries that follow the entries for
come and handy. Remind them to use
alphabetical order. Explain that came is
the past tense of the verb come.
Read “He Made the World
Brighter”
As you read “He Made the World
Brighter” with students, ask them to
identify clues that reveal the meanings
of the highlighted words. Tell students
they will read these words again in
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning.
hilarious dizzy nowadays independencehandy whirlwind mischief convinced
Fill in the sentences below with words from the box. Then use the words in the blanks to complete the puzzle.
1. I never get into when I’m inventing something!
2. But when success goes to my head, I feel !
3. Ideas come to me suddenly. They blow in like a .
4. My next invention will come in for people who hate waiting.
5. I am that I will make millions!
mischief
convinced
whirlwind
handy
dizzy
On Level Practice Book 0, page 59
Approaching Practice Book A, page 59
Beyond Practice Book B, page 59 How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 223
Vocabulary/Comprehension
Objectives• Generate questions
• Identify the problem and its
solution
• Use academic language:
generate, problem, solution.
Materials
• Comprehension
Transparencies 9a and 9b
• Graphic Organizer
Transparency 9
• Leveled Practice Books, p. 60
Reread for
ComprehensionSTRATEGYGENERATE QUESTIONS
Tell students that, as they read a biography, they can ask themselves
questions to help them identify the kind of information being
presented. If they have difficulty finding the answers, they can ask
questions about particular details. These will help them identify
the reason why the author has chosen to organize facts about the
subject in a particular way.
SKILLPROBLEM AND SOLUTION
■ Tell students that authors of biographies organize their texts in
different ways. By focusing on a particular trait, such as the ability
of the subject to identify problems and find solutions to them,
a biographer can share important information about the subject
while keeping the biography brief.
Use Academic Language
Write Problem and Solution
on the board. Underneath,
write the Spanish words
problema and solución.
Point out how similar they
are. Say, In this selection we
will identify the problems
the subject of the biography
faces and the actions he
takes to find solutions. Help
students understand that
the word solution means
the answer to a problem.
Problem and Solution
Introduce 19A–B
Practice /Apply
20–37; Leveled Practice Books, 2–3
Reteach / Review
43M–T, 223A–B, 224–243, 247M–T; Leveled Practice Books, 60–61
Assess Weekly Tests; Unit 1, 2 Tests; Benchmark Tests A, B
Maintain 37B, 585B
Student Book pages 222–223 available on Comprehension Transparencies 9a and 9b
Vocabulary and Comprehension
Reread for Comprehension
Generate QuestionsProblem and Solution Problems and solutions are important parts of most stories. Asking yourself questions as you read can help you understand problem and solution.
Reread the selection to find a problem and solution. Use a Problem and Solution Chart to help you.
The Young InventorNot everything Thomas invented
was a success. In fact, his first invention, an electric vote recorder, failed. Edison thought it would come in handy for counting votes. No one else found it useful, but that didn’t stop Edison.
Edison’s Greatest Challenge Back then, gas was the best lighting
source, but burning it was dirty and unhealthy. Gas could also be very dangerous. The idea of using electricity for lighting had been around for over 50 years. But nobody had developed anything practical or safe.
Edison set out to solve this problem. He improved upon what others had learned about electricity. He tested thousands of ideas in a whirlwind of activity. Several men helped Edison with his experiments.
By 1880, they had burned a light bulb for more than 1,500 hours. They must have felt dizzy with excitement!
This was just the beginning. Edison’s success led to the invention of an entire electric lighting system. Nowadays, many appliances and lights run on electricity. It is hard to imagine life without it. So, next time you turn on your computer, think of Thomas Edison—and say “Thanks.”
Edison with lamps he created
223
Transparency 9b
Vocabularyhilarious dizzy
convinced whirlwind
mischief nowadays
independence
(come in) handy
DictionaryIdioms are phrases whose
meaning differs from the
meaning of each word.
come in handy = “ be useful”
Thomas Edison was a poor student. Hilarious? It is funny when you know how he turned out. Even if his grades didn’t show it, the mother of this future inventor was convinced he was smart. After a few disappointing months in school, she decided to teach Thomas herself at home.
Thomas’s ChildhoodThomas Alva Edison was born in 1847 in
Ohio. Always curious and prone to mischief, Thomas read whenever he could.
Thomas’s fi rst job, at thirteen, was selling newspapers. Back then, that’s when most boys started working. At sixteen he became a telegrapher. This gave Thomas independence and an opportunity to travel. Shortly after this, Edison decided to be an inventor.
14-year-old
Thomas Edison
He Madethe World Brighter
by Susan Dickson
He Madethe World Brighter
222
Transparency 9a
223A
Vocabulary/Comprehension
In both fiction and nonfiction stories, someone may face a problem then find a solution, or a way to solve it.
Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Wangari Maathai is an African woman who wanted to help her people.
She knew that the land of her country, Kenya, needed more care. She also
knew that many Africans did not have enough food. She had an idea. She
got women to start planting trees. Since 1976 the Green Belt movement has
helped 80,000 women plant and care for more than 20 million trees! The
environment has improved, and people now eat the bananas, mangoes, and
papayas that grow on the trees.
Tree planting is not the only way Maathai has helped the environment.
When plans were made to build a skyscraper in Nairobi’s only park, she
organized demonstrations against it and wrote letters to stop it. She was
put in jail, but her letters and the public protests stopped the building from
being built. For her work Wangari has received many honors, including the
Nobel Peace Prize.
1. Who is this passage about?
2. What is one problem Maathai faced?
3. What other problem did Maathai face?
4. What solution did she come up with?
The land of her country needed better care.
Many of her people didn’t have enough to eat.
Wangari Maathai
She decided to get women to plant trees.
Possible responses provided.
On Level Practice Book 0, page 60
Approaching Practice Book A, page 60
Beyond Practice Book B, page 60
■ When students begin reading a biographical sketch, they should
ask themselves, “What problem does the subject face?” or “What
does the subject want or need to do?” These questions will help
them identify the problem. They can then look for actions that
the subject takes to solve the problem.
MODEL
Read the first three paragraphs of “He Made the World Brighter”
on Student Book page 222.
Think Aloud The author tells us that, even though Edison was
a curious child and read all the time, he was a poor student
and did not do well at school. His mother helped solve this
problem by teaching him at home. I wonder if Edison followed
his mother’s example and learned to look for unusual solutions
to other problems. I will keep reading to find out.
GUIDED PRACTICE
■ Have students read the next two paragraphs. Ask them to
explain whether or not the electric vote recorder solved a
problem. (No; apparently, there was no need for it.)
■ Have students tell what problem is described in the first
paragraph under the heading “Edison’s Greatest Challenge.”
(Burning gas for lighting was dirty, unhealthy, and dangerous.)
Have them begin filling out the Problem and Solution Chart by
writing this problem in the Problem box.
■ Help students identify the first action that Edison took in solving
the problem of developing electric lighting. Have them add this
information to the Problem and Solution Chart.
APPLY
Have students reread the remainder of “He Made the World
Brighter” and use the information to complete the Action and
Solution boxes of the Problem and Solution Chart.
During Small Group Instruction
If No Approaching Level Comprehension, p. 247O
If Yes On Level Options, pp. 247Q–247R
Beyond Level Options, pp. 247S–247T
Can students identify the problem, the actions taken, and the
solution?
Transparency 9
ProblemBurning gas for lighting was dirty and
unhealthy.
ActionEdison improved on what others
had learned.
ActionEdison tried thousands of ideas.
ActionEdison asked others to help him.
SolutionEdison invented a long-lasting light bulb
and an electric lighting system.
Problem and Solution Chart
Graphic Organizer Transparency 9
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning 223B