Selection 4: A Very Important Day

Written by Maggie Rugg Herold

Illustrated by Catherine Stock

Selection Summary

Many different families, who have come from many countries, are all heading to one place on a snowy New York City morning. They all meet at the courthouse to participate in the ceremony that makes them citizens of the United States.

Key Concept:

Becoming a United States citizen

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Realistic characters and events come to life in a fictional plot.

Key Vocabulary

• Allegiance

• Chamber

• Citizens

• Citizenship

• Enrich

• Examiner

• Oath

• Petitioners

Allegiance: loyalty to one’s country or a person

Everyone rose and joined the judge in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chamber: a meeting room used by lawmakers

The families entered the chamber to receive their certificates.

Citizens: official members of a country

Many people from other countries become United States citizens.

Citizenship: the status of a citizen with accompanying rights, duties, and privileges

The judge hopes that their new citizenship will make their lives better.

Enrich: to improve the quality of

The people hoped to enrich their lives by becoming citizens of the United States.

Examiner: an official who inspects or asks questions

The examiner handed out certificates to the families who wished to become United States citizens.

Oath: a pledge or promise to act a certain way

The judge led the people in reciting the oath of citizenship.

Petitioners: people who ask for something in writing

The petitioners were brought before the judge, because they qualified for citizenship.

Strategy Focus: Question

In this selection, many different families prepare for one very important day. As you read, think of questions to ask about how each family reacts to this day.

Comprehension Skill Focus: Categorize and Classify

Use a Who/What chart to categorize and classify details about the characters and events in a story. For example, you could divide the characters in the story among different categories based on various characteristics.

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