"A Picnic in October" by Eve Bunting (Plot Analysis)

Last updated 3 months ago

9 questions

Instructions

10

5.8.D

10

5.6.F

10

5.6.F

10

5.3.B

10

5.6.F

10

5.7.C

10

5.10.D

10

5.8.C

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5.7.D

Library

"A Picnic in October" by Eve Bunting (Plot Analysis)

Last updated 3 months ago

9 questions

Instructions

This Formative is a student paced exit ticket containing questions over the class read aloud, "A Picnic in October" by Eve Bunting. The questions assesses 5th grade level TEKS over setting, context clues, figurative language, character conflict, and text evidence 
Objective - Readers closely analyze a realistic fiction text in order to better understand the author's choices in developing the plot. Readers use text evidence to support their claims.

10

5.8.D

10

5.6.F

10

5.6.F

10

5.3.B

10

5.6.F

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5.7.C

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5.10.D

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5.8.C

10

Fill in the blanks with the correct choice to create a summary of "A Picnic in October" by Eve Bunting
Tony wanted to understand why his family had a ___________  in October and questioned the ______________ . But his family, led by Grandma, valued the celebration of America, immigration, and the values _______________  by Lady Liberty, so they continued the tradition. Then they all gathered on Liberty Island to celebrate and express ______________ to Lady Liberty. Tony's encounter with a family of new _______________ helped him finally understand the importance of the celebration.

In the beginning, how does the setting of the cold and windy October day affect Tony, the narrator of "A Picnic in October"?

The cold weather and the October setting make Tony excited about the picnic and eager to celebrate with his family.

Tony's frustration with the cold weather and the idea of a picnic in October leads him to question why his family goes through with the celebration.

The setting of a cold, October day inspires Tony to plan and organize a more comfortable picnic for his family.

Tony's experience of the cold, October day leads him to separate from his family and explore the island on his own.

What does grandma mean about the Statue of Liberty when she says that "she understands all languages" in the following lines from the text?

"When I came from the old country," Grandma says, "I came out here and I said, 'Thank you Lady Liberty. Thank you for taking me in.' I spoke in Italian, of course, but she understands all languages. This is America! I am here and I am part of it.

Grandma believes that the Statue of Liberty has the supernatural ability to understand every language in the world, making it very unique.

Grandma's words highlight her desire to learn new languages and adopt the American way of life.

Grandma is critical of the fact that the Statue of Liberty's can't communicate with immigrants in their native languages, emphasizing the challenges the new immigrants face in America.

Grandma is grateful to the Statue of Liberty for welcoming her, and she believes Lady Liberty symbolizes America's acceptance of people from all backgrounds.

Based on the words that Grandma speaks to Lady Liberty in the story, what can you infer about her?

Grandma does not value tradition and prefers to visit Liberty Island only on special occasions.

Grandma's expressions of gratitude suggest she was born here in America and is thankful for this.

Grandma feels deep gratitude, has an emotional connection to Lady Liberty, values tradition, and has a sense of patriotism.

Grandma is a new immigrant who has just arrived in America.

What conclusion can you draw about the meaning of the word uppity in the following lines from the story? (see the lines from the text above)
Grandma begins to recite the famous words, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.." She recites these words here on Lady Liberty's birthday every single year, it's not much wonder she knows them by heart.

Rosa does too. She's very uppity about it.

humble/modest

proud/arrogant

rude/impolite

brilliant/knowledgeable

While their immigration stories come from different backgrounds and time periods, Grandma and the immigrants that Tony encounters have in common that:

They are all native-born Americans who value their shared heritage and history.

They have no connection due to their very different backgrounds.

They both have respect for the famous words written on the Statue of Liberty due to their immigration stories.

They share the immigrant experience, express gratitude for America's values, and connect with the symbolism of Lady Liberty despite their different backgrounds and ages.

What lines from the text support your answer from question 5- the question above?

"When I came from the old country, I came out here and I said thank you, Lady Liberty."

"I think she's worried because the boat's gone," I say to Mike.

I see the woman in her long bright skirt with a man and the little girl. I grin. "Look there she is! They made it!"

"I put my arm around grandma and hold my cup of ginger ale up to Lady Liberty. I think I'm seeing her for the first time."

In the line, "Lady Liberty gazes down on us with her calm, old eyes," how does the author use figurative language to describe Lady Liberty's eyes?

The author uses this language to compare Lady Liberty's eyes to calm, old trees, emphasizing their rootedness.

The author uses this language to describe Lady Liberty's eyes as calm and old, giving the statue human-like qualities and emphasizing her age and wisdom.

The author uses this language to exaggerate the size of Lady Liberty's eyes, creating a sense of awe.

The author uses this language to suggest that Lady Liberty's eyes have a calming effect on those who look at her.

Which sentence from the story best describes the main conflict (problem) in the text?

Why do we always have to do this?" I ask Mom. "A picnic in October! It's dumb!"

Grandma frowns, "She's not alive, if that's what you mean. But she's certainly real. And so is what she stands for."

Grandma blows Lady Liberty kisses, so we feel we have to. I sincerely hope no one is watching.

Grandma nods. "I bet they are new Americans. I know how they feel." 

Fill in the blanks with the correct choice to create a summary of "A Picnic in October" by Eve Bunting
Tony wanted to understand why his family had a ___________  in October and questioned the ______________ . But his family, led by Grandma, valued the celebration of America, immigration, and the values _______________  by Lady Liberty, so they continued the tradition. Then they all gathered on Liberty Island to celebrate and express ______________ to Lady Liberty. Tony's encounter with a family of new _______________ helped him finally understand the importance of the celebration.

Other Answer Choices:

immigrants

symbolized

tradition

picnic

gratitude

In the beginning, how does the setting of the cold and windy October day affect Tony, the narrator of "A Picnic in October"?

The cold weather and the October setting make Tony excited about the picnic and eager to celebrate with his family.

Tony's frustration with the cold weather and the idea of a picnic in October leads him to question why his family goes through with the celebration.

The setting of a cold, October day inspires Tony to plan and organize a more comfortable picnic for his family.

Tony's experience of the cold, October day leads him to separate from his family and explore the island on his own.

What does grandma mean about the Statue of Liberty when she says that "she understands all languages" in the following lines from the text? 

"When I came from the old country," Grandma says, "I came out here and I said, 'Thank you Lady Liberty. Thank you for taking me in.' I spoke in Italian, of course, but she understands all languages. This is America! I am here and I am part of it.

Grandma believes that the Statue of Liberty has the supernatural ability to understand every language in the world, making it very unique.

Grandma's words highlight her desire to learn new languages and adopt the American way of life.

Grandma is critical of the fact that the Statue of Liberty's can't communicate with immigrants in their native languages, emphasizing the challenges the new immigrants face in America.

Grandma is grateful to the Statue of Liberty for welcoming her, and she believes Lady Liberty symbolizes America's acceptance of people from all backgrounds.

Based on the words that Grandma speaks to Lady Liberty in the story, what can you infer about her?

Grandma does not value tradition and prefers to visit Liberty Island only on special occasions.

Grandma's expressions of gratitude suggest she was born here in America and is thankful for this.

Grandma feels deep gratitude, has an emotional connection to Lady Liberty, values tradition, and has a sense of patriotism.

Grandma is a new immigrant who has just arrived in America.

What conclusion can you draw about the meaning of the word uppity in the following lines from the story?  (see the lines from the text above)
Grandma begins to recite the famous words, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.."  She recites these words here on Lady Liberty's birthday every single year, it's not much wonder she knows them by heart. 

Rosa does too. She's very uppity about it.

humble/modest

proud/arrogant

rude/impolite

brilliant/knowledgeable

While their immigration stories come from different backgrounds and time periods, Grandma and the immigrants that Tony encounters have in common that:

They are all native-born Americans who value their shared heritage and history.

They have no connection due to their very different backgrounds.

They both have respect for the famous words written on the Statue of Liberty due to their immigration stories.

They share the immigrant experience, express gratitude for America's values, and connect with the symbolism of Lady Liberty despite their different backgrounds and ages.

What lines from the text support your answer from question 5- the question above?

"When I came from the old country, I came out here and I said thank you, Lady Liberty."

"I think she's worried because the boat's gone," I say to Mike.

I see the woman in her long bright skirt with a man and the little girl. I grin. "Look there she is! They made it!"

"I put my arm around grandma and hold my cup of ginger ale up to Lady Liberty. I think I'm seeing her for the first time."

In the line, "Lady Liberty gazes down on us with her calm, old eyes," how does the author use figurative language to describe Lady Liberty's eyes?

The author uses this language to compare Lady Liberty's eyes to calm, old trees, emphasizing their rootedness.

The author uses this language to describe Lady Liberty's eyes as calm and old, giving the statue human-like qualities and emphasizing her age and wisdom.

The author uses this language to exaggerate the size of Lady Liberty's eyes, creating a sense of awe.

The author uses this language to suggest that Lady Liberty's eyes have a calming effect on those who look at her.

Which sentence from the story best describes the main conflict (problem) in the text?

Why do we always have to do this?" I ask Mom. "A picnic in October! It's dumb!"

Grandma frowns, "She's not alive, if that's what you mean. But she's certainly real. And so is what she stands for."

Grandma blows Lady Liberty kisses, so we feel we have to. I sincerely hope no one is watching.

Grandma nods. "I bet they are new Americans. I know how they feel." 