Guiding Comprehension

Author's Purpose • Inferential

Question the Author Think about how Ikarus was treated in the story. What point do you think the author was trying to make?

That being unique or different can make someone lonely.

Summarize • Critical

Text to World What does the story teach us about how to be better friends and citizens?

Responses will vary but might mention approaching people who are different from us with an open mind and not mistreating people who are different from us.

Summarize When students finish reading the selection, provide this prompt: Imagine that a friend has asked what Wings is about. In four or five sentences, explain its important points.

STRATEGY SELF-CHECK

Answer Questions

Have students think back over the selection and write questions they have. Then have them look back through the story for answers.
Students can use questions and answers to write a summary of the selection that contains at least two cause and effect analyses.

SELF-CHECK

Students can ask themselves questions to assess their ability with the skill and strategy.

Can the answers to my questions be found in the text, or do I need another source?
Do questions and answers help me understand?
To assess, use Practice
Book 3.2, p. 7.

then… use the Reteach lesson on
p. 35b.

If… students have difficulty finding causes and effects,

Cause and Effect

Practice Book 3.2 p. 7

with | without Answers

"Wings"
by Christopher Myers

Student Edition
Unit 4, pp. 16–27

A fantasy is a story in which unbelievable things happen. What happens to make this Selection Snapshot a fantasy?

Ikarus Jackson is a new boy on my block. He has wings and can fly. I have seen him swooping down toward the ground and soaring up into the sky. I have watched him looping in big circles above the rooftops. Ikarus Jackson is wonderful.
Yet the kids at school didn't think so. They talked about him because he was different. They made fun of his wings, and they laughed at his hair and shoes. I felt bad for Ikarus because I knew how it felt to be singled out by the other kids.
They talk about me because I am quiet. This has made me feel lonely and sad, and I could tell that Ikarus felt the same way.
Even our teacher complained about Ikarus. He once sent Ikarus out of the room, saying the other students couldn't pay attention with him and his wings around.
In the schoolyard, kids pointed at Ikarus and made fun of him. I heard a snicker from one kid and a giggle from another. Soon everyone was laughing at Ikarus. They said his wings were useless.
At first, Ikarus struggled to keep from crying. Then he just looked up, flapped his feathers, jumped into the air, and began flying up higher and higher.
I thought people would be amazed, but their glaring looks told me differently. They said that Ikarus was nothing but a show-off.
Then Ikarus began drifting down toward the top of a building. His wings drooped, and his head was down. He sat on the roof with the pigeons until a police officer called for him to come down.
When kids saw the officer yelling at him, they laughed even louder. Ikarus dropped to the ground, hanging his head low.
I had to do something, so I yelled for everyone to be quiet. To my surprise, they stopped laughing. Ikarus came toward me, and I told him that I liked watching him fly.
For the first time, he smiled. Then he soared up again and swirled through the sky. I told everyone to look up and see my amazing new friend fly.



	Close
	PRACTICE LESSON VOCABULARY Have students provide oral responses to each question. *1. The baby struggled up the stairs. What does struggled* mean?** (Made a big effort to do something difficult) 2. What is a giggle? (A little laugh) *3. The birds were swooping toward the cat crouched on the ground near the tree. What does swooping* mean?** (Rushing down) BUILD CONCEPT VOCABULARY Review previous concept words with students. Ask if students have met any words today in their reading or elsewhere that they would like to add to the Concept Web.

"Wings" by Christopher Myers

"Wings"
by Christopher Myers