Eleanor Roosevelt

By William Jay Jacobs

Before Reading: Connect to Your Life

What women who have made significant historical change do you know about? In your LNb, name at least two women and

describe the historical change that they contributed to.

Before Reading: Understand Vocabulary

The underlined words in the sentences below are your vocabulary words for this story. In your LNb, write a one-word synonym for the word based on the context clues in the sentences. Be prepared to share them.

We wondered about his brooding, or troubled, nature. My Uncle George is a prominent citizen– that is, everyone

in town knows who he is. That is a priority. It must receive your attention first. The soldier was an active combatant, or fighter. She visited migrant farm workers– that is, workers who

move form place to place.

Reading 1: Understand Text Structure

The biography of Eleanor Roosevelt is organized in chronological order. This means that events happen in order

through time. Signal words such as before, during, after,

first, next, while, and later indicate the order of events.

As you read, keep track of the key events in Eleanor Roosevelt’s life in your LNb. You may want to create a timeline.

Group Discussion Questions

What events in hear early life caused Eleanor to become withdrawn?

What happened at boarding school to help her gain self-confidence?

She learned early about doing her duty, or to do what others expected of her. When did she start doing things she herself thought were important? What did she do first?

How did Eleanor’s response to FDR after he was stricken with polio differ from others’ responses? How did her own life change because of her husband’s illness?

What important post did Eleanor accept following FDR’s death? What kids of activities was she involved with in her final years?

Reading 2: Understand Claims and Assertions

Claim: a statement made by a writer of nonfiction that gives a strong opinion about something he or she thinks is true

Claims are also called assertions. Claims are the main idea that a writer is

trying to convince his or her readers of. Claims need to be supported with evidence.

Claims and Assertions

“She practices very hard and has become an excellent competitive swimmer.” What are two claims made about the person in

this sentence?

As you read “Eleanor Roosevelt,” watch for examples of claims that the author makes about her.

Then decide if the author has done a sufficient job at supporting those claims throughout the text.

Reading 3: Characteristics of Biographies and Related

Readings Biographies: an account of a person’s life as told

by someone else. The writer, or biographer, usually tries to present

an accurate yet dramatic picture of the person. Often the account shows the subject’s strengths

and weaknesses and explains the significance of his or her life. A biographer’s research can include: •interviewing the person and others who knew him

or her •reading letters, diaries, and documents that refer

to the subject and his or her time

Reading 3: Characteristics of Biographies and Related

Readings As you read a biography, notice cause and

effect relationships that explain how people and events shaped the subject’s life. The following passage from William Jay Jacobs’s “Eleanor Roosevelt” includes cause-and-effect relationships. In your LNb, list at least 2 cause-effect

relationships from the passage on the next slide.

Reading 3: Characteristics of Biographies and Related

Readings Just before Eleanor turned fifteen, Grandmother Hall

decided to send her to boarding school in England. The school she chose was Allenswood, a private academy for girls located on the outskirts of London. It was at Allenswood that Eleanor, still thinking of herself as an “ugly duckling,” first dared to believe that one day she might be able to become a swan. At Allenswood she worked to toughen herself physically. Every day she did exercises in the morning and took a cold shower. Although she did not like competitive sports, as a matter of self-discipline she tried out for field hockey. Not only did she make the team but, because she played so hard, also won the respect of her teammates.

Reading 3: Characteristics of Biographies and Related

Readings Related Readings: On page 97 in your

literature book are two additional readings about Eleanor Roosevelt. Read them to yourself and look for differences in the presentation of the information.

Fill out the Characteristics of a Biography worksheet with your partner. Be prepared to share your information with the class and to defend your answers.