LESSON

4 Story Time
Use the different sections of this letter to begin conversations with your child about what he or she is learning.

Big Idea:  Why do you enjoy stories?

Ask your child how this week’s reading selection helps him or her answer this question.
This week’s reading selection:  Cinderella Tales
Summary:  Different versions of the Cinderella story are told throughout the world. In the American and French
version, Cinderella wears glass slippers; in the Chinese version she wears golden slippers; and in the Zimbabwean
version she wears no slippers, but is rewarded for her bravery and kindness.
Essential Question:  Why do you think different cultures tell similar stories?

DISCUSS  with your child why Cinderella stories are popular and have been retold for centuries.

Vocabulary
Focus:  The words below appear in this week’s reading selection.
unfortunately adverb in a bad or unlucky manner
rivaled verb was able to be compared to something, but was better than it
transformed verb changed in shape, form, or appearance
grace noun beauty of movement; kindness and courtesy to others
opportunity noun a good chance; a favorable time
dismayed verb shocked or surprised in an unpleasant way
compelled adjective driven, urged, or caused with force
summoned verb stirred up; aroused
ASK  your child to use each vocabulary word in a sentence.

Spelling Language Arts

Focus:  This week your child will spell comparatives
and superlatives; words with the suffix -er, -or, or
-ness; and words with /͝/, /oo/, /ō/, or /ow/.
1. tighter 5. arrow 9. visitor
2. boot 6. deepest 10. weakness
3. took 7. worse
4. somehow 8. speaker
Challenge
1. driftwood 3. director 5. borrow
2. typhoon 4. downtown
HAVE  your child practice spelling these words.
Writing:  Your child will finish his or her ­persuasive
writing. Then your child will prewrite and draft a
thank-you note.
Grammar:  Your child will also review commas in
a series, colons, subject/verb agreement, adverbs,
and collective nouns.
ASK  your child to use adverbs to describe how,
when, or where he or she gets ready for school
(for example, sleepily, early, or upstairs).

  Home Connection UNIT 6  •  LESSON 4  |  34