Unit 4

How Do Games Influence People?

Lesson 1

Reader's Notebook

Ready, Set...Flop!

Have you heard of the story called The Little Engine That Could?


It is about a small train that kept on trying to reach the top of a hill until it finally did. That small train had perseverance.  Although you do not have to read this story, it demonstrates the trait of perseverance, which plays a major role in the first selection and may help you understand the selection a little bit better.

Click each coloured row for information about the activity.

Perseverance is


  • staying with the task and not giving up
  • showing commitment, pride, and a positive attitude in completing tasks
  • trying again and again and again
  • being patient and willing to work hard


Some ways of showing perseverance are:

  1. Try a new sport or skill that is difficult and don’t quit.
  2. Study and work hard to improve your grades.
  3. Spend hours practising to play an instrument.
  4. Always finish what you start. Do not give up when things get tough.
  5. Try something again, even if you failed the first time. Remember you had to learn to walk before you could run!


Answer the question in the Before Reading section on the Reader's Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop page.




Document: Reader's Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop
Click here to download

Download PDF


  1. Download the document Reader's Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop.
  2. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens:
      • Click the "Open with" button.
      • Select "Adobe Reader".
      • Click "OK".
      • You will then be able to view the document Reader's Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop.

  3. Print the document.

Open Literacy in Action 5B to page 4 and read the pre-reading question in the orange circle.


This question helps you set a purpose for reading. It gives you clues to what the selection will be about.

Look over the entire selection, paying attention to the graphics. Make a prediction about what will happen in this selection. Write your prediction in the space for Question 1 in the During Reading section on the Reader’s Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop page.

Read pages 4 to 5 of the selection and then answer Questions 2 and 3 on the Reader’s Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop page.

Read the rest of the selection and then answer the remaining questions in the During Reading section on the Reader’s Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop page.

Web of Perseverance

Complete the Web of Perseverance by describing a time in your life when you worked especially hard to accomplish a goal.




Document: Web of Perseverance
Click here to download

Download PDF


  1. Download the document Web of Perseverance.
  2. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens:
      • Click the "Open with" button.
      • Select "Adobe Reader".
      • Click "OK".
      • You will then be able to view the document Web of Perseverance.

  3. Print the document.

Save

How to save a file:

  1. Scan the document to your computer.
  2. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  3. Name your Web of Perseverance file in this format: jsmith_perseveranceweb and save the file to your Documents folder.

Reader's Notebook

Answer the four question in the After Reading section on the Reader’s Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop page by writing a few sentences that explain why you agree or disagree with each of the given statements.

Save

How to save a file:

  1. Scan the document to your computer.
  2. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  3. Name your Reader’s Notebook: Ready, Set,…Flop file in this format: jsmith_rnreadysetflop and save the file to your Documents folder.

Remember to add information from this story to your Games Graphic Organizer.
Think About It

  • Why do you think some people always fail to accomplish their goals?
  • What statements can you make about the importance perseverance can have on a person’s life?
Other stories you might want to read about perseverance include:

  • Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
  • More than Anything Else by Marie Bradby
  • Addy Saves the Day by Connie Rose Porter
  • Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
  • Fly, Eagle, Fly by Desmond Tutu

Compare your responses with those in the Key by clicking here.