White Umbrella Adapted Packet
IEP Guided Support Unit 1: Community & Belonging • Lesson 3
Multi-Modal Reading Access
The White Umbrella
By Gish Jen • Adapted Guided Reading & Analysis Packet
Name:
Date:
My Support Choices:
Read-Aloud / Audio Partner Turn & Talk Sentence Starters Extra Think Time
Lesson Road Map (Check each stop as you finish) 5 Structured Steps
Step 1 Vocab Warm-Up
Ready
Step 2 Story Part 1
¶ 1–33
Step 3 Story Part 2
¶ 34–138
Step 4 Practice Qs
5 MC Qs
Step 5 CER Writing
Final
Key Vocabulary Preview (Use during reading)
4 Essential Words
audible adjective
Definition: Loud enough to be heard clearly.
In Story: Father spoke in a "barely audible voice" so nobody heard.
discreet adjective
Definition: Careful not to attract unwanted attention; secretive.
In Story: Mona tried to be discreet about their mother working.
pang noun
Definition: A sudden sharp pain or deep painful feeling of envy/sadness.
In Story: The narrator felt a "particular pang" when seeing Eugenie's umbrella.
conform verb
Definition: Changing how you act or look to fit in with a group.
Key Idea: The narrator tries to conform so kids won't view her as different.
Vocabulary Quick Check
Fill in the blank using one of the four vocabulary words above:
When the narrator saw Eugenie's shiny white umbrella, she felt a sudden of envy because she wanted to fit in and with the other girls.
CommonLit 360: "The White Umbrella" • Adapted Student Edition Page 1 of 5
Step 2: Guided Reading Paragraphs 1 – 33
Modality: Whole Class / Partner Read
Part 1: The Secret Job & The White Umbrella
Chunk 1: The Working Mother (¶ 1–8) Read & Stop
Summary: The narrator’s mother starts working a job outside the home. The narrator feels ashamed and tells her younger sister Mona to keep it a secret. Being one of only two Chinese-American families in town, the narrator is afraid people will look down on them.
Question 1: Why does the narrator want to hide her mother's job from others?
She is afraid people will think her family is poor and different from other town families. She wants her mother to spend all her time cooking dinner at home.
Finish this sentence starter in your own words:
The narrator feels ashamed because she thinks having a working mother means her family does not .
Chunk 2: Eugenie & The Umbrella (¶ 15–33) Read & Stop
Summary: The sisters walk in the rain to their piano teacher Miss Crosman’s house. The narrator lies that their convertible roof broke. She watches Eugenie Roberts play piano and admires Eugenie’s beautiful, clean white folding umbrella.
Question 2: What does the white umbrella symbolize (represent) to the narrator?
Symbol 1 Fitting in with American kids
Symbol 2 Being wealthy & respected
Symbol 3 Having a "perfect" family
Complete the sentence:
To the narrator, holding the white umbrella represents belonging because she thinks having nice things will make her .
2-Minute Brain & Body Reset
Stand up, reach both arms up like opening an umbrella, take 3 deep breaths, and give your partner a thumbs up!
Check: [ ] Done
CommonLit 360: "The White Umbrella" • Adapted Student Edition Page 2 of 5
Step 3: Guided Reading Paragraphs 34 – 138
Modality: Guided Partner / Independent
Part 2: The Lies, The Gift & The Sewer
Chunk 3: Desperate to Belong (¶ 43–106) Read & Stop
Summary: Desperate to impress Miss Crosman, the narrator lies that her mother is a "concert pianist." When waiting outside in the pouring rain, she refuses to go in because she wants to hide her mom's lateness. Miss Crosman gives her the white umbrella as a gift. Overjoyed, the narrator says, "I wish you were my mother," but instantly feels terrible.
Question 3: How does the narrator's desire for belonging influence her actions here?
Use the word bank to complete the explanation:
lies freezing rain fit in ashamed
1. The narrator tells lies about her mom being a famous pianist so she will seem special.
2. She waits outside in the freezing rain because she is ashamed to admit her mom works late.
3. This shows she will do almost anything just to fit in with her community.
Chunk 4: The Car Accident & Letting Go (¶ 112–138) Read & Stop
Summary: In the car, Mom explains she works at the grocery store to help support their family ("one beam cannot hold the roof up"). When a car bumps them, the narrator fears her mother died and cries uncontrollably. Relieved her mother is alive, she realizes what truly matters and secretly throws the white umbrella down a sewer.
Question 4: Why does the narrator throw the umbrella down the sewer at the end?
She realized love and family are far more important than owning things or trying to look popular. The umbrella got broken and dirty during the car accident.
Key Realization: Throwing away the umbrella shows she is letting go of her .
The Narrator's Change in Motivation
Beginning of Story
Motivated by fear of being different and craving a white umbrella to fit in with American girls.
End of Story
Motivated by love and gratitude for her mother, realizing family matters more than community approval.
CommonLit 360: "The White Umbrella" • Adapted Student Edition Page 3 of 5
Step 4: Independent Practice Comprehension & Standards Check
Multiple Choice Scaffolds
Adapted Multiple Choice Practice
IEP Test Strategy: Read each question carefully. Use the Reading Clue to eliminate wrong answers!
5 Questions
- What does the white umbrella symbolize (represent) to the narrator? [RL.7.3]
Clue: ¶ 18, 32
A. Fitting in and being accepted like the popular American girls B. Staying completely dry when walking through bad storms C. Getting admitted into an elite piano academy
- In paragraphs 32–33, what does the narrator’s reaction to the umbrella reveal? [RL.7.3]
Clue: Desires
A. She believes holding the umbrella will make others admire and accept her. B. She is terrified that Eugenie will accuse her of stealing. C. She wants to sell it to buy new clothes for her mother.
- Which statement best expresses the central theme (lesson) of the story? [RL.7.2]
Clue: Big Lesson
A. Having a loving family is far more valuable than trying to impress others. B. Owning fancy luxury goods is necessary to have real friends. C. Children should be ashamed when their parents work difficult jobs.
- How does the author use the character of Eugenie Roberts to develop the theme? [RL.7.2]
Clue: Eugenie's Role
A. Eugenie represents the perfect, wealthy life that the narrator envies. B. Eugenie gives advice to the narrator on how to practice piano better. C. Eugenie demonstrates that having an umbrella prevents car accidents.
- Vocabulary in Context: Read this sentence from paragraph 16: [RL.7.4]
Clue: Word Meaning
"I pronounced this last word carefully, as if the credibility of my lie depended on its middle syllable."
A. Believability (how convincing and believable something seems) B. Loudness (how loudly something is spoken out loud) C. Speed (how fast the narrator spoke the sentence)
CommonLit 360: "The White Umbrella" • Adapted Student Edition Page 4 of 5
Step 5: Writing & Speaking Independent Practice Scaffolds
RL.7.3 Character Analysis
Character Analysis Graphic Organizer
Writing Prompt:
How does the narrator’s desire for belonging influence her behavior in "The White Umbrella"?
1 CLAIM (Your Main Answer) Select one or fill in the blank
In "The White Umbrella," the narrator's desire to belong causes her to tell lies and reject her family's reality just to fit in.
Or write your own: In "The White Umbrella," the desire to belong makes the narrator .
2 EVIDENCE (Pick 2 pieces of proof from the text) Check two [✓]
Evidence A: She lies to Miss Crosman that their convertible car roof was broken so she wouldn't look poor (¶ 16). Evidence B: She falsely claims, "My mother is a concert pianist," to make her family seem impressive and wealthy (¶ 43). Evidence C: She stands outside in the pouring rain freezing rather than go inside where Miss Crosman might discover her mom is working late (¶ 78).
3 REASONING (Explain how evidence proves your claim) Complete the frame
This evidence proves that the narrator was so desperate to avoid feeling [different / poor] that she acted dishonestly. However, by the end of the story, she learns that
Multi-Modal Partner Discussion Menu Choose 1 way to share your thinking:
Option A: Verbal Talk
Read your Claim and 1 piece of Evidence aloud to your partner.
Option B: Visual Sketch
Sketch a quick drawing of the umbrella falling down the sewer drain.
Option C: Written Frame
Exchange packets and read each other's completed Reasoning sentences.
Self-Rating: 😊 I understand fully 🤔 I needed a little help
Partner Signature:
CommonLit 360: "The White Umbrella" • Adapted Student Edition Page 5 of 5
