Guiding Comprehension

Compare and Contrast

• Critical

Text to Text Suki is not afraid
to be different. What other characters have you read about who do things differently than others?

Responses will vary.

Summarize • Inferential

What have you learned so far about Suki's character?

Possible response: Suki is proud of herself and doesn't care what others think of her.

Predict • Critical

Based on what you know about Suki and the other students, make a prediction about what they might learn from each other later in the story.

Responses will vary, but may include that the characters will learn not to judge others by how they look. Suki may learn that she can be appreciated for who she really is.

STRATEGY SELF-CHECK

Predict

Ask students to identify the similarities and differences between Suki and the other students. Tell students to consider how and why the children in the story dress the way they do. Suggest that students use the compare and contrast chart (Graphic Organizer 18) to organize their thoughts. (Possible responses: Similarities: Everyone likes wearing something special on the first day of school. Everyone likes to feel special. Differences: Suki wears what she likes best. She doesn't care what others think of her. Everyone else dresses alike. They wear what they think everyone else expects. They are concerned with what others think of them.)

Students can use the similarities and differences to write a prediction about what Suki and her classmates might learn from each other later in the story.

SELF-CHECK

Students can ask themselves these questions to assess their abilities to use the skill and strategy.

Did I identify how Suki and the other children are similar?
Did I identify how they are different?
How did this information help me to predict what they might learn from each other later in the story?

then… revisit the skill lesson on pp. 146–147. Reteach as necessary.

If… students have difficulty comparing and contrasting or predicting,

Compare and Contrast

Predict 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.

"Suki's Kimono"
by Chieri Uegaki

Student Edition
Unit 5, pp. 150–163

Realistic fiction has characters and events that are like people and events in real life. Does Suki remind you of anyone you know?

It was Suki's first day of school. She put on her very favorite outfit. It was a blue cotton kimono. A kimono is like a long robe with wide sleeves. It has an obi, or belt, tied around the waist. On her feet Suki wore shiny red wooden shoes called geta.
Her sisters were not happy with Suki. "You cannot wear that to school. You must wear something cool. Others will laugh at you. You need to look cool like us."
Suki did not listen. She wanted to wear the kimono.
Grandmother had given it to Suki in the summer. She wore it to the festival Grandmother took her to. There they danced a circle dance. Grandmother was a graceful dancer. She moved to the rhythm of the music. Suki tried to copy her. Grandmother bought Suki a pale pink handkerchief at the festival. Grandmother said it would help Suki remember their day together.
Now Suki tucked the handkerchief in her snug obi. She was ready for school. Her sisters, Mari and Yumi, would not walk with her. They kept many paces ahead of her. They did not want people to think they knew her.
Suki did not care. She lifted her arms up, and the wind filled her wide sleeves. She felt like a butterfly spreading its wings.
At school Suki's sisters rushed to see their friends. They left Suki alone. Some children stared at Suki as others pointed and laughed at her. Suki sat down on the swings where she waited for the bell to ring. A girl wearing overalls came to the swings. Her name was Penny. She asked about Suki's clothes.
When the bell rang, Suki and Penny went to class. Some students laughed at Suki, which made her feel sad. Then the teacher called the class to order. Her name was Mrs. Paggio, and she asked the children to tell what they did in the summer. When her turn came, Suki talked about her kimono and told about the festival. She showed the children how she and Grandmother danced there. She danced and twirled. When she was finished, Mrs. Paggio started to clap. Penny clapped too. Soon everyone was clapping.
After school, Yumi and Mari walked home ahead of her. They were upset that no one had noticed their new clothes. Suki smiled and danced all the way home because she had been noticed.



	Close
	PRACTICE LESSON VOCABULARY Have students provide oral responses to each question. *1. Did Suki's grandmother take her to a festival* or a playground?** (Festival) *2. Is Suki's kimono made of cotton* or silk?** (Cotton) *3. Do you hold a handkerchief* in your hand or in your mouth?** (In your hand) 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.

"Suki's Kimono"by Chieri Uegaki

"Suki's Kimono"
by Chieri Uegaki