Yingtao’s New Friend

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Author’s Purpose: Entertain, Express

Skill: Compare and Contrast

By: Lensey Namioka

Compiled by Terry Sams, PES

Summary

    Starting a new school in the middle of the year is bad enough.  But imagine starting a new school in a new country, where it seems everything is different, and you don't know enough English to make friends.  Add to that the fact that your violin-playing is a family joke, and you have Yingtao's life.  With three strikes against him, how can Yingtao adjust to life in America. (ying dou)

Genre: Realistic Fiction TE 91i

In Realistic Fiction the characters speak and act like real people.

The story describes real-life problems and events.

The outcome, or problem resolution, seems to be reasonable.

Click on Genre to learn more about different genres and Realistic Fiction.

Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast

A Comparison tells how two or more things are alike.

A Contrast tells how they are different

Clue words such as like or as show comparisons

Clue words such as but or unlike show contrasts.

Compare and Contrast Practice TE91a

Yingtao’s Family Matthew’s Family

How they eat

Utensils they use

What they eat

Vocabulary Skill:Multiple-Meaning Words

Many words have more than one meaning. To decide which meaning of a word is being used, look for clues in the surrounding sentences or paragraph.

Use context clues, experience, and word order to decide on the correct meaning of a multiple-meaning word.

Click on the title to practice this skill.

Comprehension Skill Review –Sequence TE 91b

Sequence is the order of the events that occur in a story.

You can determine the order of events by clue words such as first and next.

Other clue words to indicate sequence might be in the beginning, then, later, following, after, and finally.

Weekly Fluency Check -Read with Expression TE 91d

Students should read with attention to expression, for example, changing voices to differentiate speakers and using pauses for emphasis.

Go to pages 75-76, beginning with “After the rehearsal. . .”

Matthew and Yingtao might each be timed and excited to be making a new friend. The text on these pages gives some clues to the way the characters speak.

1. What problem does Yingtao have in the orchestra?

2. Why doesn’t Yingtao accept the conductor’s offer to let him use the triangle?

3. Yingtao plays the violin poorly. How does he solve this problem?

4. What kind of person is Matthew?

Read to Find Out: Page 70 - 75

1. What does Matthew notice about Yingtao’s family that is different from his own?

2. Sequence – What has happened so far in the story?

3. Why is Eldest Brother happy with Matthew’s playing of the violin?

4. What does Matthew help Yingtao realize about himself?

Read to Find Out: Page 76 - 86

Make a Venn diagram to compare and contrast some of the Yang family’s customs with some that Matthew’s family may have had.

Compare/Contrast

Writing AssignmentChoose one of the following and write a paragraph:

Write a note that Matthew might send to Eldest Brother to thank him for the violin lesson.

Write an article for the school newspaper featuring the new family in the neighborhood, Yingtao’s family.

Skills Practice: Compare and Contrast

More Compare and contrast

Reading Compare and contrast practice

Reading Test Spelling Test

Other Good Stuff Game with words Comprehension quiz Vocabulary on-line quiz Play music Scotts Foresman

Say It! instruments

rehearsal triangle

orchestra

measures

More Words to Know

apologeticallyaudition

conductorsheepishlytempted

measures

– bars of music

instruments

– devices for producing musical sounds

rehearsal

– practice to

prepare for

public performance

orchestra

– a group of musicians playing at a concert, opera, or play

triangle

– a musical instrument

audition

– a hearing to test ability of a performer

apologetically

– making an excuse; expressing

regret

conductor

– a person

who leads

an orchestra

tempted

– appealed strongly to; attracted

sheepishly

– in a bashful or embarrassed way

The band got their instruments ready to play.

The band got their instruments ready to play.

The instructor stopped me after playing only four measures.

The instructor stopped me after playing only four measures.

She missed the final rehearsal before opening night.

She missed the final rehearsal before opening night.

Melinda chose to play the triangle.

Melinda chose to play the triangle.

My dream is to play in a big city orchestra.

My dream is to play in a big city orchestra.

“I’ve never used chopsticks before,” he said sheepishly.

“I’ve never used chopsticks before,” he said sheepishly.

“I’m not used to eating someone I saw swimming just a little while ago,” he said apologetically.

“I’m not used to eating someone I saw swimming just a little while ago,” he said apologetically.

Did the conductor listen to you play at the audition?

Did the conductor listen to you play at the audition?

I felt tempted to use the fork and not the chopsticks.

I felt tempted to use the fork and not the chopsticks.

Spelling Words Short Vowels a, i, o, u

toughcouplecousinyoungtrouble

chopclosetforgotblockpond

Spelling Words Short Vowels a, i, o, u

windowquiltbuildfingerriver

backpackblanketJanuarycashband

This Week’s Word Wall WordsThis Week’s Word Wall Words

Click and type your own words for this week:

Let’s review our words.

Watch carefully because they will flash on the screen for just a moment. We will clap as we spell the word.

band

backpack

finger

build

guilt

January

blanket

window

pond

block

forgot

closet

chop

trouble

young

cousin

couple

tough

GREAT JOB!