Guiding Comprehension

Draw Conclusions

• Inferential

How does William respond to the problems presented by the different climate? What does this tell you about William?

For every problem that comes up, William finds a solution. This shows that he is inventive, hard-working, and determined to make their lives work in the new land.

then… use
the skill and
strategy
lesson on
p. 261.

If… students have difficulty drawing conclusions,

Draw Conclusions

Cause and Effect • Critical

Text to World The climate and the environment of New England are forcing William to change how his home looks. Think of the ways in which the environment and the climate affect the kinds of buildings we build and how we live today. In what ways have we forced the environment and the climate to change to meet our needs?

Possible response: We use air conditioners and heating systems now.

SKILLS
STRATEGIES IN CONTEXT

Draw Conclusions

TEACH

Tell students that when we draw conclusions, we must think about the facts and details and decide what they add up to.
We also need to think about what we already know and use common sense to come up with information that is not stated.

MODEL For every problem that comes up, William finds a solution. When he realizes it is windier in New England than he is used to and the trees could blow over on his house, he cuts down all the trees around the house. That's a lot of work! It was a smart solution too. This tells me that William is hard-working and creative. Since he doesn't give up and go back to England, I think he is also willing to do what it takes to make life work in the New World.

PRACTICE AND ASSESS

Have students find another example that tells about William and draw a conclusion. To assess, check that students' conclusions can be supported by details from the story or their own ideas.

Check Predictions Provide the following prompt: Was your prediction accurate? Revise your old prediction or make a new prediction about the rest of the selection.

If you want to teach this selection in two sessions, stop here.

"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
	Climate In many ways, the climates of England and New England are similar. Both are described as temperate climate zones. However, New England gets both hotter in summer and colder in winter. The average summer temperature in New England is about 67°F, while in England it is closer to 60°F. The average temperature in winter in New England is 24°F, while it is warmer—about 42°F—in England. New England also gets more snow—as much as 74 inches per year—and spring is often quite windy and cool. England gets more rainfall, however, and it is typically damper.

"William's House" by Ginger Howard

"William's House"
by Ginger Howard