Mother To Son

When you use details or evidence in a text to draw a conclusion, you _____.

• summarize

• identify the main idea

• problem solve

• make an inference

Inferencing means-

• understanding exactly what the text says

• determining what's fact and what's opinion

• Using logic to read between the lines

• using clues to decode an unknown words

When you "read between the lines" you ______.

• make a conclusion or educated guess about things that aren't directly said

• look for the very small print in between the lines of a book

• read two things at once

• stop and think about each line before you read on

The boy looked at the cover and read the title. He looked at the pictures and some of the words. He went back to the beginning and began.

WHAT IS THE BOY DOING?

• looking at a photo album

• reading a book

• playing a video game

• singing karaoke

James is standing near the corner when a large vehicle roars by. James yelps and runs after it, waving his arms frantically. The BEST inference you can make is that James ________.

• is going on a field trip

• is training to run a race

• wanted to ride that bus

• recognized someone in the vehicle

1. The Mother in the poem mainly compares life to:

• 1. a straight path to the stars

• 1. a hazardous staircase

• 1. a turbulent boat

• 1. a teenaged boy

1. Which line from the poem best shows the Mother’s determination to persevere?

• 1. “Well, son, I’ll tell you:”

• 1. “And boards torn up,”

• 1. “I’se been a-climbin’ on,”

• 1. “Cause you find it’s kinder hard.”

1. With which of the following statements would the speaker of the poem most likely agree?

• 1. If I can continue to try, then so can you.

• 1. If you want nice things, you have to work hard.

• 1. If your home is in disrepair, start with the interior.

• If life becomes difficult, walk away from the struggle.

1. Which quote from the poem most strongly supports the answer to Question 8?

   (Which quote could be used as text evidence to prove your answer?)

• 1. “Well, son, I’ll tell you: / Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”

• 1. “And places with no carpet on the floor— / Bare.”

• 1. “And sometimes goin’ in the dark / Where there ain’t no light.”

• 1. “Don’t you fall now— / For I’se still goin’, honey,”

Sort the phrases into the categories to show what the Mother says of herself and what the Mother says to her son:

Groups:

(a) What Mother says to herself

,

(b) What Mother says to her son

• “And sometimes goin’ in the dark”

• “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”

• “Don’t you set down on the steps”

• “Don’t you fall now—”