WISE OLD WOMAN
submitted by Katherine Richardson, Texas
Wise Old Woman
Info. you need to know-ho ho ho
As we read The Wise Old Woman, you will be doing a variety of activities related to this story. The quality and the quantity of work that you produce during the week will determine the grade that you will receive for this story. To get the best out of this please remember the following:
1. You cannot go to B Level without earning 65 points in C Level. You cannot go to A
Level without finishing B Level. Aim high! Don't settle. Reach for
the A Level. You can do it!!!!
2. Students may use classroom computer with teacher's permission. You may use
your own home computer to do assignments. Using a computer is not mandatory.
This is optional.
3. Special note on all written assignments: Spelling, capitalization, neatness, punctuation,
and grammar count!!! I expect you to edit your work.
4. Each assignment is due on the due date or there will be a serious reduction in points.
5. Plan ahead. Study each activity and tick off the ones you want to accomplish.
6. Use your time wisely. Do not waste any second.
7. When presenting an oral defense, be prepared to verbally tell me the information in a
well organized manner, justify your reasons, and speak clearly.
C - Level -- Maximum 65 points
1. [This assignment is required.] Read The Wise Old Woman or listen to taped reading of story.
If you listen to the taped reading you must be following along in your anthology. No
other class work or talking can be done while you are listening to the tape. Testing will
cover the major points of the story. 10pts.
2. Choose 1 of the theme books to read. After reading the story, make an appointment with the
teacher to answer 4 questions. You will receive 2 points for each correct answer. 8pts.
3. Make Vocabulary cards and write a definition of each word in your own words.
On a 3 X 5 card or paper write vocabulary words on the front and a simple definition in
your own words on the back. I will pull 5 cards out of your stack and you will get 5
points for each word you know. The definition must be in your own words [not copied
out of the glossary/dictionary]. 25pts.
4.Find the vocabulary words within the story and write the sentences where they are found. 10pts.
5. Find the latitude and longitude of Japan. 5pts.
6. Name the bodies of water that border Japan.5pts.
7. Using a world map, what is the shortest route from your state to the country of Japan. Write
in detail what direction you would travel and what states and bodies of water you would
have to cross to get to Japan. 15pts.
8. [Partners] Draw picture clues for each vocabulary word. Then have partners exchange pictures
and match each one with the correct vocabulary card. Make an appointment to show
your skill to the teacher. The picture clues and the vocabulary cards are to be the size
of half sheet of paper or 3X5 note cards. 15pts.
9. [Partners] Write context sentences: Have partners write context sentences, leaving a space for
each vocabulary word. Partners exchange papers to fill in the blanks or use vocabulary
cards to show the answer. Example of a context sentence: The _________ ran to catch
the ball, but he failed to catch it. (Boy would be the correct answer.) Make an
appointment to show the teacher your skill.15pts.
10. [Partners] Have partners write an article about how the elderly might help their school or
community. What problems could they help solve? What special things could they
share? 15pts.
11. Read: How the World Got Wisdom. 2pts.
12. Make a comic strip version of How the World Got Wisdom. Divide two sheets of paper
into 4 equal squares. The first frame is to set the scene for the action to follow in several
remaining frames. Describe the action in each frame focusing on the problem in the
selection and the way it is solved.15pts.
13. Design a piece of clothing that a person might wear for a holiday or special occasion that
would be celebrated. The illustration should be the size of half a sheet of writing paper
with a title of what holiday or special occasion is being illustrated on the clothing. 10pts.
14. This is required-You must listen and participate in the minilessons the teacher
presents in class. 5pts.
B - LEVEL Choose only one. 15 points
1. Prepare a monologue that describes what the farmer and his mother might be thinking in the
scene on page 25 in The Wise Old Woman. You are to be prepared to perform your
monologue for the class or teacher.
2. Research with a partner the recent volcanic eruptions in Japan. Then make a poster that
shows the cause of the volcanic eruption. Learn more about volcanoes from the
encyclopedia, books, and/ or the internet at www.mhschool.com/reading.
3. Retell one important scene in the story from the point of view of the son. Make an
appointment with the teacher to present your retelling of the scene. Use specific
examples from the story to back up why the son would have this point of view.
4. Make an illustration of one important setting from the story. Show your illustration and
explain to your teacher why this setting is important to the story.
5. Discuss the relationship between the son and his mother. Use specific examples from the
story to compare their relationship at the beginning of the story and then at the end of the
story. Make an appointment with the teacher to share you ideas.
6. Write a poem [7 lines or more in any style] expressing the feelings of one of the
characters or an event that has happened in the story.
A - LEVEL [pick only one] 20 points [You may choose to make an oral defense or write your answer down.]
1. Read a theme book and compare it to The Wise Old Woman. Decide which main character
you think made the best judgments and why? Use information in the story to defend
your stand.
2. Think of an impossible task and then explain how it could be solved.
3. If the wise old woman from The Wise Old Woman was to be asked, "What are the secrets to a
long and happy life?" what do you think she would answer?
4. In many stories, elderly characters use the wisdom of their years to help younger characters or
to help solve community problems. Select a story you have read in the past and compare
how the main character is like the wise old woman from Wise Old Woman. Use
information from both stories to support your reasons why they are alike.
LA5.2a-b;5.3b;5.5c;5.7a-f;5.8a,c;5.9b,c,e;5.10de,f,g,h,l;5.11d;5.12a,h,i,j;5.19a-i;5.13a,g,h;5.15a-c;5.17a-d;5.16a-b;5.18a-h;5.21c-f Art 5.2a-b; 5.3b Theater 5.2a-d; S.S. 5.6 a-b; 5.8a,c
WISE OLD WOMAN
SCORE SHEET
# ______Name ________________________
Activity Possible points. Points
Level C - 65 Points
1. Read The Wise Old Woman 10 _____
2. Choose 1 of the theme books to read 8 _____
3. Vocabulary cards 25 _____
4. Find the vocabulary words within the story 5 _____
5. Find the latitude and longitude of Japan. 5 _____
6. Name the bodies of water that border Japan. 5 _____
7. Shortest route from your state to Japan 15 _____
8. Draw picture clues for each vocabulary word. 15 _____
9. Write context sentences 15 _____
10. An article about how the elderly 15 _____
11. Read: How the World Got Wisdom. 2 _____
12. Comic strip of How the World Got Wisdom 15 _____
13. Design a piece of clothing 10 _____
14. Minilessons 5 _____
Level B - Pick one 15 points
1. Monologue _____
2. Research volcanic eruptions in Japan _____
3. Retell one important scene in the story _____
4. Make an illustration of one important setting from the story. _____
5. Discuss the relationship between the son and his mother. _____
6. Write a poem. _____
Level A - Pick one 20 points
1. Read a theme book and compare it to The Wise Old Woman. _____
2. Think of an impossible task and then explain how it could be solved. _____
3. "What are the secrets to a long and happy life?" _____
4. Comparing two stories _____