Check Point: Why does Dad refuse each chore Ivy and Bean volunteer to do?
Arizona ELA Standards: 3.RL.1 & 3.RL.4 Page 1 of 3 (Continue to Page 2)
Case File #302 • Close Reading Passage (Continued)
Paragraphs 25–40 • The Newspaper Idea
Student:
25“No, no. That’s just what it was called,” her dad said. He leaned back in his chair and stared into space. “It was about all the stuff that happened in my neighborhood. You know, who’d gotten a dog, who’d fallen off their bike, that kind of news.” He started to look dreamy. “It was great. Everyone wanted it. I charged a quarter a copy. Which was a lot of money back then. I went to all the houses in my neighborhood. I remember exactly what I said, too. I said, ‘Hello, I’m David. Do you want to know what’s going on in the world around you? Subscribe to The Explosion and you’ll learn about all the thrilling events that happen on Aspen Avenue. Plus, you’ll be helping to keep a neighborhood child off the streets.’”
26“What’s subscribe mean?” asked Ivy.
27“That means they gave me the money.” Bean’s dad still looked dreamy. “And then I brought them the newspaper when it was done.”
28Bean sat up straight. “They gave you the money first?”
29“Yup.”
30“How much money did you make?” asked Bean.
31“Lots,” he said. “I don’t remember.”
32“More than ten dollars?”
33“I guess,” he said. “Everyone bought it.”
34“Dad,” said Bean. “Let me get this straight: You went around your neighborhood asking for money, and people just gave it to you? You didn’t have to give them The Explosion first?”
35Her dad shook his head. “No. They gave me the money, and then I made the newspaper.”
36Ivy looked at Bean. It sounded too good to be true.
37“Are you sure, Dad?”
38“Sure I’m sure,” he said. “That’s what subscribing is.”
39Bean looked at Ivy and shrugged. Dads don’t lie. Both girls stood up. “Thanks for making such a great snack, Dad! See ya!” said Bean.
40“Wait. Don’t you want to hear about what I wrote?” asked Bean’s dad. But Ivy and Bean were already gone.
Reporter Notes
Record what Ivy and Bean realize about Dad's business model.
¶ 25 Dad's Pitch to Neighbors:
¶ 26–35 Meaning of Subscribing:
¶ 36–40 The Big Realization:
Quick Check: Why did Ivy and Bean leave the kitchen so quickly at the end?
Arizona ELA Standards: 3.RL.1 & 3.RL.4 Page 2 of 3 (Proceed to Assessment on Page 3)
Assessment • Arizona Standards 3.RL.1 & 3.RL.4
Read each prompt carefully and follow the specific marking directions.
Name:
Score: / 5
AZ.3.RL.1: Explicit text questions & evidence AZ.3.RL.4: Literal vs. nonliteral meaning of words/phrases
1 HOT TEXT: Read the sentence from paragraph 36. Select the ONE phrase that uses nonliteral language meaning something seemed so wonderful that it was hard to believe.
3.RL.4
Directions: Shade or circle the box around the correct hot text phrase.
[ Ivy looked at Bean. ] It sounded [ too good to be true. ]
2 This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
3.RL.1 & 4
Part A: Based on paragraphs 26–27 and 38, what does the word “subscribe” mean?
A. Writing funny stories about neighbors
B. Paying money in advance to receive future issues
C. Asking parents for an increased allowance
D. Reading old comic books for free
Part B (HOT TEXT): Which sentence from paragraphs 34–35 provides evidence showing that Bean was surprised customers paid before receiving the newspaper? (Shade the box.)
[ “Dad,” said Bean. “Let me get this straight: You went around your neighborhood asking for money, and people just gave it to you?” ]
[ Her dad shook his head. “No. They gave me the money, and then I made the newspaper.” ]
3 HOT TEXT: Select TWO sentences from paragraphs 17–21 that explain why Bean’s dad refused to let the girls wash the car or vacuum the house.
3.RL.1
Directions: Shade the brackets around exactly two sentences.
[ “Hello? Do you remember the time you washed the house? Do you remember what happened in the basement?” he said. “No water.” ]
[ Bean rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay. Lawn.” ]
[ “Ha!” Her father snorted. “You think I’m going to let you drive a lawn mower? Think again.” ]
[ “Excuse me?” he said. “Aren’t you the ones who vacuumed up the tuna salad?” ]
4 CONSTRUCTED EVIDENCE RESPONSE: Based on paragraph 10, what rule did Bean’s dad have when he was a child if he wanted something extra like a comic book? Quote or refer explicitly to the text.
3.RL.1
Arizona English Language Arts Standards Assessment Page 3 of 3
¶ 5“Watch us, Nancy,” Bean declared, pressing her palm against their headline draft. “The Pancake Court Gazette is going to be the biggest hit in town!”
Text 2 Setting: Kitchen table & linoleum floor
Text 2 Goal: Publish scoops to earn money for cheese-in-a-can
Arizona English Language Arts Standards: 3.RL.9 & 3.RL.1 Page 1 of 2 (Proceed to CFU Assessment on Page 2)
CFU Assessment • Arizona Standard 3.RL.9
Compare and contrast themes, settings, and plots written by Annie Barrows.
Name:
Score: / 6
AZ.3.RL.9: Compare & contrast plots, settings, and themes across series books AZ.3.RL.1: Cite explicit text evidence
1 Which statement best describes how the plot is the same in both passages?
3.RL.9
A. The girls launch an ambitious neighborhood project to earn money and refuse to quit when Nancy doubts them.
B. The girls get trapped inside a clubhouse and have to decipher secret clues to escape before dinner.
C. The girls ask Nancy for advice and invite her to become the official leader of their new organization.
D. The girls search all throughout Pancake Court to help a neighbor find a lost pet dog.
2 This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
3.RL.9 & 1
Part A: How does Ivy and Bean's main plot goal in Text 1 contrast with their goal in Text 2?
A. In Text 1, they build a clubhouse; in Text 2, they cook a meal for their neighborhood friends.
B. In Text 1, they want to solve local crimes; in Text 2, they want to earn money to purchase cheese.
C. In Text 1, they plan to hide from Nancy; in Text 2, they invite Nancy to be their business partner.
D. In Text 1, they look for lost animals; in Text 2, they train Macaroni the dog to do tricks.
Part B (HOT TEXT): Which sentence from Text 2 provides explicit evidence of what the girls intend to buy with the money they earn? (Shade the box.)
[ “We need twenty dollars,” she said to Ivy. ]
[ Nancy walked past, grabbing an apple from the counter. ]
[ “Twenty dollars buys eight cans of Low-Fat Bel Gioso cheese-in-a-can.” ]
3 HOT TEXT: Select TWO sentences—one from Text 1 and one from Text 2—showing Bean refuses to let Nancy discourage their plans.
3.RL.9
From Text 1:
[ Ivy carefully dusted off the wooden table with a rag. ]
[ Bean crossed her arms and stared Nancy down: “We aren’t babies, Nancy.” ]
From Text 2:
[ Ivy sat at the kitchen table, smoothing out a blank sheet of paper. ]
[ “Watch us, Nancy,” Bean declared, pressing her palm against their headline draft. ]
4 This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
3.RL.9 & 1
Part A: Which statement best contrasts the settings in Text 1 and Text 2?
A. Text 1 is set in a school library, while Text 2 is set on an outdoor playground.
B. Text 1 is set inside a dark basement, while Text 2 is set on a moving school bus.
C. Text 1 is set in a backyard playhouse, while Text 2 is set at an indoor kitchen table.
D. Text 1 is set in Nancy’s bedroom, while Text 2 is set at a neighborhood grocery store.
Part B: Which pair of details from the texts best provides evidence for the answer in Part A?
A. The missing emerald ring (Text 1) and Macaroni the dog's toy (Text 2).
B. The twenty-five cent fee (Text 1) and the twenty dollars needed (Text 2).
C. Nancy looking in the window (Text 1) and Nancy grabbing an apple (Text 2).
D. The apple crate in the clubhouse (Text 1) and the kitchen linoleum floor (Text 2).
Arizona English Language Arts Standards CFU Assessment Page 2 of 2
4 Setting Contrast & Supporting Evidence (AZ Standards 3.RL.9 & 3.RL.1) Part A: C • Part B: D
2 Points (1 pt each)
Part A (Setting Contrast): Choice C
“Text 1 is set in a backyard playhouse, while Text 2 is set at an indoor kitchen table.” Identifies the physical locations where Ivy and Bean base their operations.
Part B (Concrete Evidence): Choice D
“The apple crate in the clubhouse (Text 1) and the kitchen linoleum floor (Text 2).” Provides the sensory setting markers from the text proving the locations.
Instructional Next Steps & Tier 2 Reteach:
If students miss Item 1 or 2, have them highlight character dialogue in two different colors (goals in green, Nancy's criticism in orange) to visualize the parallel story structures. If students struggle with Item 4 Part B, have them underline physical objects that could only exist in a backyard playhouse vs. an indoor kitchen.
Ivy & Bean Close Reading Series • Formative Assessment Key Teacher Guide • Single Page Reference
