Home-School ConnectionHome-School Connection

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Dear Family Member:In class, we’re reading the nonfi ction article Making

a Splash about Rudy Garcia-Tolson. The main idea for this nonfi ction article is that Rudy is an amazing athlete who never let physical challenges get in the way of his dreams. As I read, I learn details that support the main idea. Rudy has no legs but learned to walk, swim, and run. He has broken world records for swimming, running, and biking. As I keep reading, I will learn more details about Rudy that help support the main idea.

This Week’s Skills

Comprehension: main idea and details

Vocabulary: idioms

Spelling/Phonics: words with the letters shr, thr, spr, scr, str, and spl

Name

Word WorkoutWORDS TO KNOW

similar challenges designed

achieved varied

Try, Try Again Tell me what each word means. Then we’ll make up a sentence about an athlete using the words.

SPELLING WORDS

strand split splashing throne

straps shrink screw shred

sprout throb sprang sprawl

script through shriek straighten

thrill throat shrimp screech

Word Change I’ll give you a word that is missing a letter or two. See if you can change my word into a spelling word.

though raps slashing rang stand

rill crew spit rob stain

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Slithery SnakesLet’s read about snakes. Then we can complete each sentence to solve the puzzle.

Snakes are reptiles. They have long bodies and no legs. On land they move by sliding along on their bellies. Some snakes kill their prey with poison. Constrictors squeeze their prey to death. Snakes can’t chew their prey.

Biggest, longest, and strongest are words used to describe pythons. This snake can swallow a small deer or goat. The longest python found was 33 feet long. It was discovered in a jungle in Thailand.

Across

1. Snakes do not have _____.

4. Snakes are called __________.

6. Biggest is a word that describes a _____.

9. Constrictors _______ their prey to death.

Down

2. A python can swallow a whole ____.

3. Snakes cannot _____.

5. Snakes must swallow their ____.

6. Some snakes kill their prey with ____.

7. The longest snake was found in a _____.

8. A snake moves along on its _____.

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Conexión con el hogarConexión con el hogar

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Queridos familiares:En clase estamos leyendo un artículo do no-

ficción titulado Making a Splash, acerca de Rudy Garcia-Tolson. La idea principal de este artículo de no-ficción es que Rudy es un gran atleta que nunca dejó que sus limitaciones físicas se interpusieran en sus sueños. Mientras leo, conozco detalles que apoyan la idea principal. Rudy no tiene piernas, pero aprendió a caminar, a nadar y a correr. Él ha roto récords mundiales nadando, corriendo y en bicicleta. Conforme siga leyendo, aprenderé más detalles sobre Rudy que apoyen la idea principal.

Destrezas de la semanaComprensión: idea principal y detalles

Vocabulario: expresiones idiomáticas

Ortografía/Fonética: palabras con las letras shr, thr, spr, scr, str y spl

Nombre

Ejercicio de palabrasPALABRAS DE VOCABULARIO

similar challenges designed

achieved varied

Inténtalo de nuevo Dime qué significa cada palabra. Luego haremos una oración con estas plabras acerca de un atleta.

PALABRAS DE ORTOGRAFÍA

strand split splashing throne

straps shrink screw shred

sprout throb sprang sprawl

script through shriek straighten

thrill throat shrimp screech

Cambio de palabra Te voy a decir una palabra a la que le falta una letra o dos. Veamos si puedes cambiar esa palabra para que sea una de las palabras de ortografía.

though raps slashing rang stand

rill crew spit rob stain

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Serpientes resbaladizasVamos a leer acerca de las serpientes. Luego, vamos a completar cada oración para resolver el crucigrama.

Snakes are reptiles. They have long bodies and no legs. On land they move by sliding along on their bellies. Some snakes kill their prey with poison. Constrictors squeeze their prey to death. Snakes can’t chew their prey.

Biggest, longest, and strongest are words used to describe pythons. This snake can swallow a small deer or goat. The longest python found was 33 feet long. It was discovered in a jungle in Thailand.

Across

1. Snakes do not have _____.

4. Snakes are called __________.

6. Biggest is a word that describes a _____.

9. Constrictors _______ their prey to death.

Down

2. A python can swallow a whole ____.

3. Snakes cannot _____.

5. Snakes must swallow their ____.

6. Some snakes kill their prey with ____.

7. The longest snake was found in a _____.

8. A snake moves along on its _____.

1 2

3

4 5

6

7 8

9

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Detail

Detail

Detail

Main Idea

SummarizeUse the chart to list main

ideas and details about one of

the people in the book. Then

summarize the information.

Think and Compare 1. Reread page 9. What sentence tells the main

idea? Give two details from the text that

support the main idea. (Main Idea and Details)

2. Which person you read about in this book

do you admire the most? Tell why. (Apply)

3. Leaders such as Al Gore make a difference by

speaking out. Why is speaking out a good way

to bring about change? Explain. (Evaluate)

Comprehension Check

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by Lois Grippo

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Chapter 1Working in Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 2Working in the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Glossary/Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Comprehension Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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Introduction

A community is a group of people living together

in the same place and sharing the same government.

A community can be a neighborhood, a state, or a

country. Government’s job is to keep communities

running smoothly and safely. The job of all citizens,

public and private, is to contribute to the good of

the community.

How do public citizens do this? They are active

participants in the government. They work to improve

the community. They make hard decisions. When

they face challenges they do the right thing.

Lines of people form as voters turn out for election day.

2

citizens (CIT uh zuhns) people who live in a city,

state, or nation (page 2)

democracy (di MOK ruh see) a government that is

run by the people (page 4)

environment (en VIE ruhn muhnt) the things that

make up an area, such as land, water, and air.

(page 16)

nation (NAY shuhn)) a country or community of

people who live in a certain place (page 4)

Index environment, 16–17

Gore, Albert (Al), 16–17

Government leaders, 4,

5–13, 16

Great Society, 9

Health Care, 14–15

Houston, Sam 5–6

Johnson, Lady Bird, 9

Johnson, Lyndon, 7–11

Jordan, Barbara 12–13

Locke, Bianca, 17

Marshall, Thurgood, 11

Navajo, 14–15

Wauneka, Annie Dodge,

14–15

Woodruff, Judy, 13

Glossary

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Conclusion

The people you have met in this book are public

figures. They are well-known. But every citizen can

participate. You are one of them.

There are many ways you can participate. Here

are some ideas. Remember to check with an adult

before you take any action.

Help keep your community clean. Make sure you

and your family recycle paper and bottles.

Write a letter in your school newspaper or to

a community paper. Share your ideas about an

important issue.

Start penny drives to raise money

for good causes.

If you have very long

hair, cut it. Donate it to

organizations that

make wigs for

people with cancer

or other diseases.

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You might not think that you do these

things too, but you do. You participate in

civic affairs. You volunteer to help others.

You pay attention to the news to know

what’s happening around you. You keep

your community clean by recycling.

In this book, you will read about some

outstanding citizens. They are public figures.

Their sense of responsibility inspired them

to work for the benefit of all.

These people are showing support for their government.

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CHAPTER 1

Working in Government

Our government leaders don’t always have

similar views. They often have different, or varied,

ideas. But they do agree on one very important

thing. They believe in our nation and our form of

government called democracy.

Countries need intelligent and caring leaders.

Leaders help to protect a nation so that it can

succeed and grow. Think of some great leaders

of our country’s past. Do George Washington and

Abraham Lincoln come to mind? Both worked for

the good of the country. Both made sacrifices to

keep their fellow citizens safe.

President Abraham

Lincoln led the country

through a critical time

in history.

4

Many people believe

that the planet

Earth needs to be

protected.

Gore wrote a book called Earth in the Balance.

People started to pay attention to what Gore

was saying and writing. His film, An Inconvenient

Truth, helped alert even more people to his

concerns. The film showed environmental dangers.

It showed how people could work together to

save Earth.

Bianca LockeBianca Locke is a young adult who lives in

Pasadena, Texas. She has volunteered her

time toward protecting the environment.

Bianca has written two books — one about

storm water and one about recycling. In

2007, she won the President’s Environmental

Youth Award.

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Al Gore

Al Gore is another American who cares

deeply about the health of the community.

He wants to keep the planet Earth healthy.

Al Gore studied government in college.

He has participated in government for many

years. He worked in Congress and was vice

president. Today, Al Gore’s main interest is

protecting the environment .

Al Gore began talking about

environmental issues in 1980. As vice

president he helped to create important

programs to protect the planet.

Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

for his work on the environment .

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Sam Houston

History has given America many hardworking

public leaders. One was Sam Houston. When Texas

was part of Mexico, Houston spoke out for its

independence. After a great loss at the Battle of

the Alamo, Houston led the Texas army to defeat

Mexican forces at San Jacinto. This defeat helped

Texas become independent. Sam Houston was

elected the first president of the Republic of Texas.

Later, when Texans agreed to become part of the

United States, Houston was both a senator and the

governor of Texas.

“Remember the Alamo” became the battle cry of Texans

fighting for freedom.

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Leaders face challenges. These tests show how

strong leaders are. Sam Houston faced one such

challenge as governor.

At the time of the Civil War, many Texans wanted

Texas to join with the Southern states to form the

Confederacy. Sam Houston disagreed. But, Texas did

join the other Southern states.

Houston refused to pledge loyalty to the

Confederate States. He knew this

move would not be popular,

but he also knew that it

was the right decision

for him to make.

He was voted

out of office.

The city of Houston,

Texas is named in honor

of the famous General

and statesman, Sam

Houston.

6

As a young child, Annie

Wauneka had seen firsthand

how disease affected her

community. When she

was only eight, the flu

killed thousands of Navajo.

Many of her school friends

became ill. A year later, a

terrible eye infection spread

among the Navajo.

Tuberculosis was another

disease that killed many

Navajo. Tuberculosis is a

lung disease. It spreads

quickly.

For years, members of the Navajo community

had used tribal medicines to treat tuberculosis.

Wauneka convinced them to use modern health

methods. Through her work, tuberculosis was

defeated among the Navajo.

Wauneka earned a college degree in public

health. She served in government agencies

concerned with public health issues. In 1963,

Wauneka was the first Native American to be

awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In 1984, Annie Dodge

Wauneka was honored by

the Navajo Council.

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CHAPTER 2

Working in the Community

Many Americans serve as caregivers. They work

in hospitals as doctors and nurses. They work in

schools as teachers and aides. They care for our

parks. Like our government leaders, these citizens are

involved in civic affairs.

Annie Dodge Wauneka

Annie Dodge Wauneka was one such American.

She was born in Arizona in 1910. Her father was a

leader of the Navajo people. From him, Annie learned

the importance of working for her community. She

won a place for herself in the Navajo tribal council.

She was the first woman ever elected to this

position. As a member of the council, she worked

to help improve medical care in the Navajo nati on.

A doctor checks

up on a baby in a

Navajo Reservation

in Arizona.

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This photo shows Lyndon Johnson working on the

jobs-for-youth project in Texas.

Lyndon B. Johnson

President Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Texas in

1908. Even before he became president, Johnson was

an active participant in civic affairs.

After college, Johnson worked as a high school

teacher. He later worked as an assistant in a

government office. But in 1935, President Franklin D.

Roosevelt offered Johnson a new and important job.

Life was tough in the 1930s. Business was bad.

Millions of Americans were out of work. Young

people faced an uncertain future. Roosevelt asked

Johnson to head a jobs-for-youth program in Texas.

This program helped young Texans find jobs in their

communities. It gave others a chance to finish high

school and go to college.

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After serving as a U.S. congressman and

later a senator, Johnson became vice president

under John F. Kennedy.

On November 22, 1963, Johnson faced

the biggest challenge of his life. President

Kennedy was killed. It was a terrible day

for Johnson and for the entire country. As

president, Johnson knew he would face difficult

challenges. He got right to work.

Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President on

Air Force One.

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Meet TV journalist Judy Woodruff. Her

job is to tell viewers what is going on

in our country and the world. For over

thirty years she has served the public

by keeping us informed. Judy Woodruff

is from Oklahoma.

In Congress, Barbara Jordan worked to

extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to

apply to more people. That made it easier

for citizens whose first language was not

English to vote. Jordan’s service earned her

great respect. In 1994, she was awarded the

Presidential Medal of Freedom. This medal is

one of the nation’s highest honors.

Jordan spent many years in government.

President Jimmy Carter offered her the job of

Attorney General and U.N. Ambassador. She

refused in order to stay in the Congress. In

1979, she left Congress to return to her Texas

community. She taught at the University of

Texas for 17 years.

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He promised to improve the lives of all

Americans, especially those left behind in a

land of plenty. He proposed a program to fight

poverty, rebuild cities, and end racial injustice.

He called this program “The Great Society.” The

program was designed to help make American

society as great as its citizens.

The Great

Society program

helped educate

all children.

In her role as First Lady and later in her life,

Lady Bird Johnson devoted her energies to

making our land beautiful.

She achieved her goal.

In 1965, lawmakers

passed the Highway

Beautification Act. Thanks

to Lady Bird Johnson,

many of our roadsides

are planted with colorful

wildflowers.

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Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan was born in Houston, Texas.

She began her career as a lawyer, but she soon

became an active participant in government. She

was a volunteer who worked to help elect the

team of Kennedy and Johnson. In 1966, Jordan

was the elected to the Texas Senate.

In 1972, Jordan became the first African-

American woman from the South to be elected

to the U.S. Congress.

Barbara Jordan spoke at the Democratic National Convention

in 1976.

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Johnson created programs to help needy

families pay for medical care. And he created

Operation Head Start which provided education

for very young children. This program gave

teachers and others in the community the

opportunity to participate in the task of

preparing children for school.

This five-year old Head Start student is excited about

his lesson.

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President Johnson also

urged Congress to pass

the Civil Rights Act. He

hammered home the

purpose of the Act. It

was to make sure that

Americans of every race,

religion, color, or national

origin got fair and equal

treatment. Congress passed

the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A few hours later, President

Johnson signed it into law.

Johnson practiced what

he preached. He gave

important jobs to African

Americans. In 1967, he appointed the first

African American to the Supreme Court. That

man’s name was Thurgood Marshall. Marshall

was a civil rights lawyer who had helped win

the fight for racial equality in America’s schools.

President Lyndon Johnson had all the

qualities of a government leader and of a

responsible citizen.

Supreme Court Justice

Thurgood Marshall

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