Unit 5 week 3 & 4 Wonders assessment

A Hug in a Box

The Herrera family was having a discussion. Cousin Flora

was a soldier serving overseas. The family wanted to let her know

they were thinking of her. They already send a weekly email that

updated Flora on family news, but they wanted to do more.

Dorinda asked if Flora could receive regular mail. “I love to

get cards and packages in the mail. I bet Flora would love to get

mail, too!” Dorinda said excitedly.

Mrs. Herrera answered that they could mail things to

Flora. “In fact, we could put together a box of things that would

remind Flora of home. Boxes like that are called care packages,”

Mrs. Herrera added.

“What kinds of things could we put in the box?” asked

Matias. “We should put in things that she can’t get over there. We

want to fill the box with great things so she knows that we care.”

Mr. Herrera suggested they look online for ideas. They

found a Web site that listed items often included in care packages

for soldiers.

“When Flora gets this package, she will be as happy as a

lark!” Dorinda exclaimed. “I can’t wait

to buy things to send.”

Matias was quiet for a minute.

Then he said, “I think that other soldiers

would enjoy care packages, too. Could

we send packages to lots of soldiers?”

Mrs. Herrera told Matias that she liked the idea, but sending

many care packages would be expensive. Matias wilted in defeat.

Then after a few minutes he became excited again. He suggested

they tell other families in the neighborhood about their idea.

Maybe other families would be able to send a care package to a

soldier. Then lots of soldiers would know people care about them.

Mr. Herrera hugged his son and praised his idea. Just then

Dorinda had a concern that struck like a bolt of lightning. How

would they get the names and addresses of other soldiers? They

decided to ask Flora for the names of some other soldiers serving

with her.

The family spent the rest of the afternoon working on the

plan. Mr. Herrera and Dorinda made fliers explaining their project.

They printed the fliers and handed them to their neighbors. Mrs.

Herrera and Matias made a list of the items they wanted to put in

Flora’s care package. Then they emailed her to ask for the names

of the soldiers serving with her. The next day, the family went

shopping for items. When they got home, they put Flora’s package

together and mailed it.

A few weeks went by. One afternoon, Mr. Herrera opened

an email from Flora. She had received the care package. “Thanks

so much for the hug in a box,” wrote Flora. “I cannot thank you

enough for your affection. These reminders of home really

brightened my day. Some of my fellow soldiers have received

packages from your kind neighbors as well. Thank you for all that

you have done!”

A Neighbor’s Helping Hand

A strong wind blew as I trudged

down the sidewalk to Mrs. Goodman’s

house. She just had knee surgery. Mom told

her that I would do her yard work until she

was able to again. I had been going to her

house every Saturday for a month. I liked

helping Mrs. Goodman because she was

very kind.

The wind blew as cold as ice across

my face as I knocked on Mrs. Goodman’s

door. A few moments later, the door opened

and Mrs. Goodman smiled down at me.

“Hi, Rodney,” she said. “Sorry it took me

so long to answer the door. I move like a

snail with this knee brace! Today, I need

you to clean out my flowerbeds and rake the yard. Do you have

any questions?”

I paused before answering because I was unsure of how to

do either task. I didn’t know how to clean out a flowerbed, and the

last time I raked leaves my dad helped me. Mrs. Goodman was

kind and patient, and I knew I could ask my questions.

“Mrs. Goodman, could you tell me how to clean out a

flowerbed? I know how to rake leaves, but I’m not sure how to

do it by myself.” I blushed and said, “I’m sorry I have so many

questions!”

Mrs. Goodman smiled warmly. “Rodney, you never have to

apologize for asking questions.” She explained how to complete

each task and soon, I was ready to get started.

First I cleaned out the flowerbeds, and then I started raking

the leaves. As the wind blew, the leaves twirled around the yard.

While I worked, I thought about a problem I was having at school.

I did not understand my math homework and we were having a

test soon. I remembered my mom saying that Mrs. Goodman was

a retired teacher. I wondered if she might help me with my math.

Even though she was kind when answering my yard work

questions, I was nervous to ask her for math help.

A little while later, Mrs. Goodman opened the door and

called, “Would you like to come inside and warm up?”

Inside, she handed me a mug of steamy hot chocolate. She

sighed and said, “You have done a great job these past few weeks,

Rodney. It was hard for me to admit that I needed help with my

yard work. Have you ever had a hard time asking for help?”

Now I knew that I didn’t have to keep my math troubles

bottled up inside. “I sure have, Mrs. Goodman,” I answered.

“I wanted to ask you a question. Is it true that you used to be

a teacher?”

“Yes, Rodney,” Mrs. Goodman replied. “I taught high

school math for many years.”

I could not believe my ears! She was the perfect person to

help me with my math homework! I explained my problem and

asked if she would help me. She replied, “You have done so much

to help me. I would be happy to help you!” I knew that I would

help Mrs. Goodman again whenever she needed me.