Guiding Comprehension

Setting • Literal

Where does the story take place?

In New England in 1637.

Ask Questions • Literal

What materials does William use to build his house?

Wood from the trees in the forest around the house.

Draw Conclusions

• Inferential

William's new house is
made entirely of things
found in nature. Why do
you think that is?

Those were the only materials available.

then… use the skill and strategy instruction on p. 257.

If… students are unable
to draw
conclusions,

Draw Conclusions

Use the key words New England and life in colonial New England to learn more about the area William and his family moved to and the difficulties they faced.

SKILLS

STRATEGIES IN CONTEXT

Draw Conclusions Ask Questions

TEACH

Explain that when we draw a conclusion, we look at the facts and details and think about what we already know to make a decision or opinion about something. Point out that to draw, as it is used here, means "to figure out."
Tell students that asking questions as you read helps you understand what you are reading so you can draw conclusions about it.
Model asking questions to draw a conclusion about the facts and details on pp. 256–257.

MODEL I wonder why William used only natural materials to build his house. He didn't even have metal nails or glass! I guess I have to remember that the story takes place in 1637. In New England, they didn't have stores that sell everything you need to build a house. William probably had to use what he had available, which was trees and rocks.

PRACTICE AND ASSESS

Have students reread p. 257, paragraph 2, and draw a conclusion about how many clothes William and his family owned. (Possible response: They didn't have many clothes.)

Author's Language

Point out the word clapboards on
p. 256. Tell students that this is
an old word, dating from colonial times. Clapboards are wooden
boards used as siding for a house.
Discuss with students why the
author may have used such a word. Remind them to consider the genre
in their discussion. Have them note other old words as they read.

"William's House"
by Ginger Howard

Student Edition
Unit 2, pp. 254–265

Historical fiction is a story that takes place in the past. What can you learn about when this story takes place?

William grew up in England, but in 1637 he and his family were living in New England. William needed to build a house for his wife and two sons. He wanted it to be like his father's house in England.
William cut trees and used the wood to make the frame and sides of the house. He used wooden pegs as nails. He built a small stone fireplace in the corner of the house's one room. He then added a thatched roof. Since he didn't have glass for a window, he used scraped animal horn and placed it between slits in the boards.
He made a few pieces of furniture for the home too. He made a table from a packing crate and mattresses from sacks filled with corn husks. He looked at his home and smiled. It did indeed look just like his father's house in England.
That summer was very hot, much hotter than summers in England. The family's food began to spoil. Elizabeth, William's wife, warned that the family had to do something or else they would lose all their food. William dug a cellar and stored their vegetables and barrels of food in the cool underground room.
In late summer, strong winds blew, toppling a tree near the house. Elizabeth warned that the family had to do something or a tree would fall and crush them. William cut down trees to make a clearing around the house.
Fall came, and everything was dry, much drier than in England. Sparks from the fireplace went up the chimney and fell on the dry thatched roof. Elizabeth warned that the family had to do something or the house would burn down. William tore off the thatched roof and put up cedar shingles instead. They would not burn as easily as thatch.
Winter brought a lot of snow, much more snow than in England. The heavy snow weighed down the roof. Elizabeth warned that the family had to do something or the roof would collapse. William and his friends built a steep, peaked roof so snow would slide off.
Winter was also much colder than in England. Elizabeth warned that the family had to do something or they would freeze. William built a bigger fireplace in the center of one wall. It kept them cozy and warm in their new house.
Spring came, and so did a ship from England. On it were William's cousins. When they looked at his house, they asked what kind of house it was.
William looked at it and said, "This is like my father's house-reshaped for New England."
Then he turned to his cousins. "Welcome!" he said, and they all went inside.



	Close
	Access Content Direct students' attention to the historical details on p. 256, such as saplings, rafters, the thatch roof, the clapboards, and the wood pegs. Define the terms and discuss how William had to use what was available because there were no stores where he could get supplies. Have students work in pairs to identify more historical details on p. 257. Housing The first houses built by the early settlers in New England were much like William's house—one large room that served as living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom for the whole family. As more people arrived and the settlements began to look like villages and small towns, people added to their homes. First, lofts were added under the rafters, serving as bedrooms. Later, houses were built with two stories, the bedrooms upstairs and living space downstairs. The wealthier citizens had large homes with many bedrooms and lots of living space. Many of these homes are still standing today, and a popular design for new houses built today is called Colonial.

"William's House" by Ginger Howard

"William's House"
by Ginger Howard