Grace and the Time Machinefrom Starring Grace by Mary Hoffmanadapted for Story Theater by Donald Abramsonillustrated by Matthew Faulkner
SummaryGrace and her friends build a time machine powered by imagination. Using the memories of Graces grandmother and Mrs. Myerson, a neighbor, everyone has fun experiencing far-off places such as Gambia, Trinidad, and Heidelberg.
Study SkillsGenre: FictionComprehension Skill: Drawing ConclusionsComprehension Strategy: Answer QuestionsComprehension Review Skill: Compare ContrastVocabulary: Prefixes
Genre: PlayA play has all the elements of a story-characters, setting, plot, and theme- but it doesnt look like a story because its written to be performed. As you read, think about how this play might be different as a chapter in a book.
Comprehension Skill Tested Draw ConclusionsWhen you draw conclusions, you use details and what you already know to form opinions or make decisions about characters and events.The facts and details are small pieces of information in the story.
Comprehension Skill Tested Draw ConclusionsFacts and details add up to a conclusion.A flashback briefly pauses the present-time events of the story.A flashback helps explain something that is happening now in the story.
Comprehension Skill Review: Compare and ContrastA Comparison tells how two or more things are alike.A Contrast tells how they are differentClue words such as like or as show comparisonsClue words such as but or unlike show contrasts.
Compare and Contrast Practice PB 197
BrazilBoliviasizes
land featuresPeople
Word Structure Practice TE211c
WordAdd Prefix re-SentencethinkrethinkIll rethink that question.workreadvisitsetplay
Research/Study Skill AdvertisementAll advertisements sell a product or service. Advertisements want their product or service to appear the best.
Research/Study Skill AdvertisementThere are four parts to an advertisement:-photo or illustration-a headline in large type-information about the product-who makes the product or service
Question of the WeekWhat can we accomplish by using our imaginations?
What happens when Grace and her friends use their imaginations?
How did using her imagination affect Mrs. Myerson?
What do you think is the best way to spend a summer day with friends?
Review Questions
How did grace show she was capable of taking care of Nana?How were the trips to The Gambia and Trinidad alike?What does this story teach about inventions?How did Mrs. Myerson fell about the children?
Review Questions
Why do you think the author wrote this story?How might Mrs. Myersons imaginary trip affect her present life?Would you like to time travel? Why or why not?How were the imaginary trips to Trinidad and Heidelberg alike?
Vocabulary - Say Itaboardvehicleatlasreseats
awkwardmiraclemechanicalcapablechant
vehicledevice for carrying people or things, such as a car, bus, airplane, etc.
reseatssits again
miraclea wonderful happening that is contrary to, or independent of, the known laws of nature
mechanical
like a machine; automatic; without expression
chantto call over and over again
capablehaving fitness, power, or ability; able; efficient; competent
awkwardnot graceful or skillful in movement or shape; not easily managed
atlasbook of maps
aboardon board; in or on a ship, train, bus, airplane, etc.
contraptiondevice or gadget
pantomimeto express by gestures
excursiona short trip taken for interest or pleasure, often by a group of people together
inventionsomething made for the first time
researchthe act of hunting carefully for facts or truth
Each new invention seemed like a mechanical miracle.
Each new invention seemed like a mechanical miracle.
The train was capable of wild speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
The train was capable of wild speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
Each rider was thrilled when they heard, All aboard!
Each rider was thrilled when they heard, All aboard!
He was clumsy awkward as he walked across the ice.
He was clumsy awkward as he walked across the ice.
The conductor reseats us after the train started.
The conductor reseats us after the train started.
The click of the wheels sounds like a chant.
The click of the wheels sounds like a chant.
Now there is every kind of vehicle on the roads.
Now there is every kind of vehicle on the roads.
We will look in the atlas to see what country is the farthest away.
We will look in the atlas to see what country is the farthest away.
That is the most remarkable invention I have ever seen.
That is the most remarkable invention I have ever seen.
Sometimes we have to do research to find out more information.
Sometimes we have to do research to find out more information.
We took an unexpected excursion last week to the mountains.
We took an unexpected excursion last week to the mountains.
What do you call that unusual contraption?
What do you call that unusual contraption?
They arranged five chairs in the center of the stage and then pantomime adding things to them.
They arranged five chairs in the center of the stage and then pantomime adding things to them.