Reading Skills Through Literature
Cynthia Kadohata
Reproducible Activity Book
KIRA-KIRA
P O R T A L S T O R E A D I N G
The purchase of this book entitles an individual teacher to reproducepages for use in the classroom. This permitted use of copyrightedmaterial does not extend beyond the building level. Reproduction foruse in an entire school system or for commercial use is prohibited.Beyond the classroom use by an individual teacher, reproduction,transmittal, or retrieval of this work is prohibited without writtenpermission from the publisher.
© 2006 Perfection Learning® Corporation1000 North Second Avenue, P.O. Box 500, Logan, Iowa 51546-0500
Tel: 1-800-831-4190 • Fax: 1-800-543-2745ISBN 0-7891-6785-9
perfectionlearning.comPrinted in the U.S.A.
1 2 3 4 5 6 PP 10 09 08 07 06 05
The Portals to Reading series accompanies literaturethat should be an important part of every school’sreading program. The activities will reinforce a widevariety of language and reading skills that are generallypart of the curriculum at the reading level of the novel.However, the Portals pick-and-choose format gives youthe final decision about which activities will enhanceyour students’ personal learning.
The activities in this book are based on sentences andparagraphs especially written to support the teachingobjective of each lesson. Clearly, such literary matters asstyle and flavor may be experienced only by reading thebook itself. Thus, the words of the author have been leftwhere they belong—in their pure form in the pages ofthe novel.
Table of Contents
Author! Author! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Story in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Word Attack Skills
Using Short Vowels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Making Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Finding Base Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Adding Endings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Listening for Syllables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Comprehension Skills
Remembering Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Classifying Word Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Determining Fact and Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Classifying Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Matching Synonyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Determining Feelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Discovering Meaning Through Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using Cloze Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Determining Cause and Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Sequencing Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Evaluating What You Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Getting the Main Idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Matching Antonyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Study Skills
Determining Alphabetical Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using a Pronunciation Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Choosing Correct Meanings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Using Guide Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Creative Skills
Recalling an Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Writing a Journal Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Writing a Book Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Explaining Feelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Optional Spelling and Vocabulary Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Supplementary Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Response Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
7© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
KIRA-KIRA
Author! Author!
Cynthia KadohataCynthia Kadohata began writing soon after she
received her degree in journalism from the University ofSouthern California. She has had three adult novelspublished. K i ra -K i ra is her first novel for youngerreaders.
Ms. Kadohata grew up in Georgia and Arkansas. Shehad such a heavy Southern accent that when she movednorth, no one could understand her!
Ms. Kadohata loves animals and loves to travel. Shealso loves tacos, and her record is eating six tacos at onemeal. Ms. Kadohata lives in California with her dog,Shika Kojika.
8 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
The Story in BriefKIRA-KIRA
Katie Takeshima adores her older sister,Lynn. Living in Iowa in the 1950s, Katie andLynn learn to be each other’s best friendbecause no one else is very welcoming to theJapanese family.
When Lynn is around, Katie notices thateverything is kira-kira, or glittering. The sky,the sea, people’s eyes: Lynn finds thingsabout each of them that show they are kira-kira.
Lynn dreams of going to college, living inCalifornia by the ocean, and helping herparents buy a house of their own. Katiedreams of doing whatever will keep herclose to Lynn.
When the Oriental foods grocery store thatKatie’s parents own goes out of business, thefamily moves to Georgia because Katie’sUncle Katsuhisa can get Mr. and Mrs.Takeshima jobs at a poultry plant andhatchery.
Things are very different for Katie andLynn in Georgia. Besides the weather and thefood and the way people talk, there are evenfewer Japanese families in Georgia than inIowa. Plus, Katie and Lynn’s parents have towork long hours at their jobs to provide forthe family, especially with the arrival of Sam,a new baby brother for Katie and Lynn.
Katie starts school and realizes that no onewants to be her friend. She also realizes that,unlike Lynn, she is not a straight-A student.Despite their differences, though, theyremain best friends.
Katie notices that things start to changewhen she is ten years old. Lynn grows weakand has to stay home from school a lot. Katiedoesn’t understand what the problem is. At
school, Lynn becomes popular and makes anew best friend, Amber. As Amber and Lynngrow closer, Katie begins to feel left outsometimes.
Lynn starts to stay home from school moreand more. Katie’s parents tell her that Lynnhas anemia. To give Lynn time to rest, Katieand Sam start going to work some days withtheir mom. It is there that Katie meets hernew friend, Silly Kilgore.
One of Lynn’s dreams comes true whenthe Takeshimas buy a house of their own.This cheers Lynn up, but she continues togrow worse. The family discovers that Lynnhas lymphoma. Katie gets tired of Lynnbossing her around all the time and tells herthat she’s ruining everything.
Katie takes a break by going camping withher uncle and his family and Silly. When shegets back she is sorry for yelling at Lynn.
On New Year’s Eve, Lynn asks Katie topromise that she will go to college and takecare of their parents and Sam. Katie agreesand, early the next morning, goes outside towatch the sun rise on the New Year. Herfather comes to tell her that Lynn has died.
Katie struggles to deal with Lynn’s deathand has a hard time talking at Lynn’s funeral.Katie begins to move on once she realizesthat Lynn would regret nothing from her full,but short, life.
Katie tries harder in school and startsgetting better grades. At the end ofDecember, the Takeshima family fulfillsLynn’s dream of going to California to see theocean. Katie recognizes her sister in the kira-kira waves.
9© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 1–4
Using Short VowelsRead the words in the word box. Each
word contains a short vowel sound. Saythe words to yourself and listen for theshort vowel sounds. Then read eachsentence. Choose a word from the wordbox to complete each sentence. Write youranswer on the blank line.
Example: Lynn into the corn as she followed the dog.
1. Katie saved Lynn’s life when the dog her.
2. Katie tried to think of silly, words in her head as her mother stared at her.
3. There were reasons that the family got a late start to Georgia.
4. In the truck, Lynn sat next to the window.
5. Katie and Lynn pretended that they had mustaches on their faces.
6. Uncle Katsuhisa liked to Lynn to a game of chess.
7. As they drove down the street, Katie and Lynn glimpsed a dead
.
8. Lynn Katie to accept money from people who wanted to hear her talk.
9. Katie was sure that her classmate was just curious and wasn’t trying to
her.
10. Lynn used the table to study.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
insult several attackednonsense encouraged challengekitchen disappeared tattoopassenger chicken
disappeared
10 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 1–4
Making CompoundsTwo words combined form a compound. Each word in
Box A forms the first part of a compound. Each word inBox B forms the second part. In the blank in eachsentence below, write the compound that best completesthe sentence. Use a word from each box to make yourcompounds.
Example: Katie and Lynn’s mother worked most days after herregular shift.
1. Katie peered into the to see if she could find Lynn.
2. Katie’s father would rather read the than talk.
3. Lynn told Katie that Uncle Katsuhisa was a , for sure.
4. Uncle Katsuhisa bought a marble chess set at a .
5. Katie wouldn’t be able to make many angels and in Georgiabecause it hardly snowed.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Box A
cry news
mad corn
snow school
bed over
pawn floor
dodge
Box B
paper time
yard man
stalks baby
shop ball
time boards
men
overtime
(continued)
6. Lynn organized the apartment kids for a game of .
7. Katie and Lynn liked the idea of hiding gold inside the house under
the .
8. Katie’s mother thought Katie was a , but Lynn didn’t thinkKatie was.
9. Every day after school, Katie would play with Lynn until .
10. Katie spent all of recess in the middle of the by herself.
Name Making Compounds
Chapters 1–4
11© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
12 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 1–4
Finding Base WordsEach word below has been made by adding an ending
such as -ly, -ed, or - ing to a base word. On the blankbeside each word, write the base word.
Example: earliest
1. officially 11. femininity
2. processing 12. annoyance
3. hugged 13. candies
4. committed 14. curvy
5. moodily 15. embarrassed
6. accidentally 16. practiced
7. naturally 17. obviously
8. delightful 18. cried
9. rumbling 19. amazing
10. quietly 20. feverishly
Name
KIRA-KIRA
early
13© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 1–4
Adding EndingsRead each sentence. Then look at the word shown in
parentheses at the end of the sentence. Add an endingsuch as -ed, -ing, -s, or -er to the word to make it fit inthe sentence. Remember, you may need to change theword when you add the ending. Write the new word inthe blank.
Example: Kira-kira means in Japanese. (glitter)
1. The dog scared the girls by and snarling at them. (growl)
2. Katie’s father and her uncle were different in many . (way)
3. Katie and Lynn’s mother thought any kind of fun playing was .(danger)
4. Uncle Katsuhisa looked at the girls as he told them his tricky plan. (sly)
5. It was the building Katie had ever seen. (high)
6. Uncle Katsuhisa looked as he realized Lynn had beat him again. (stun)
7. Mrs. Chan grew in her yard every year. (tomato)
8. People would pay a few to listen to Katie talk. (penny)
9. Katie’s father told her that she looked cute on the first day of school. (awful)
10. The girls grew from all the exercise and went inside.(sleep)
Name
KIRA-KIRA
glittering
14 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 1–4
Listening for SyllablesSay each of the words below to yourself. The number
of vowel sounds you hear in each word will be the sameas the number of syllables. Decide how many syllablesare in each word. Then write the number on the blankline after each word.
Example: special
1. tongue 16. southern
2. Oriental 17. chipped
3. stomach 18. cousins
4. envelope 19. immediately
5. board 20. already
6. rare 21. refrigerator
7. stuffed 22. kindergarten
8. spit 23. doughnut
9. satisfaction 24. serious
10. ugly 25. Japanese
11. Indians 26. genius
12. tangerine 27. mussed
13. ancestors 28. tapped
14. pawn 29. fascinated
15. intervals 30. never
Name
KIRA-KIRA
2
15© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 1–4
Remembering DetailsThe following questions are about the main character
and some of the events in the book. Write the answers onthe lines below the questions. Be sure to use completesentences.
1. Who came to help Katie and her family move to Georgia? _________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. What game did Lynn always play with Uncle Katsuhisa during the trip? ______________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. What item was Katie upset that her parents packed away for their move? ____________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. What did Uncle Katsuhisa teach Lynn and Katie to do in the truck? _________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Name
KIRA-KIRA
(continued)
16 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Remembering Details
Chapters 1–4
Name
5. Where did Katie and her family live once they got to Chesterfield, Georgia? __________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6. What did Lynn and Katie decide to do with the nickels their dad gave them? _________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. What words did Lynn and Katie say for their friendship chant? _____________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
17© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Chapters 5–8
Classifying Word GroupsRead the following sentences. Decide if the italicized
part of the sentence tells you where, when, or how.Underline the correct choice.
Example: Every now and then, Lynn and Katie’s uncle took them on camping trips. where when how
1. Lynn wanted to live in the sea. where when how
2. That’s the way the days went, with no surprises. where when how
3. The next day, Lynn was too sick to go to school. where when how
4. At dinner that night Lynn tried to eat something. where when how
5. Lynn dreamed that she was swimming happily in the ocean. where when how
6. Lynn had started to wear her hair straight and long. where when how
7. Amber became Lynn’s best friend that winter. where when how
8. Amber and Lynn practiced their posture in the living room. where when how
9. The boys Amber and Lynn liked were camping near the family’s campground. where when how
10. Auntie stared worriedly at the sky while they drove to the campground. where when how
(continued)
18 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Classifying Word Groups
Chapters 5–8
Name
11. The match landed on a sleeping bag. where when how
12. When her uncle stormed out of the tent, Katie tried to look like she was innocent. where when how
13. Auntie promised that Katie would be quiet next time. where when how
14. Just as she let go of the arrow Amber tripped. where when how
15. Uncle touched his head in wonder. where when how
16. Everyone sat around the campfire while Uncle talked. where when how
17. Auntie nodded as if Uncle were telling fascinating stories. where when how
18. Katie imagined that she and her future boyfriend would talk until midnight. where when how
19. Sitting in the front of the truck made Katie feel like a grown-up. where when how
20. Katie would hate to wander in a swamp for the rest of eternity. where when how
19© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 5–8
Determining Fact and OpinionSome of the following sentences are statements of
fact. Some are statements of opinion. In the blank beforeeach sentence, write the letter F if that sentence is astatement of fact. Write O if that sentence is a statementof opinion.
Example: Uncle Katsuhisa took Lynn and Katie on camping trips.
1. Katie got straight C’s in school.
2. Aunt Fumi hated camping.
3. Camping is the greatest activity in the world.
4. Katie felt queasy when Uncle Katsuhisa was hunting rabbits with his bow and arrow.
5. Amber and Lynn laughed when Katie told them about Joe-JohnAbondondalarama.
6. Girls that dream about boys are silly.
7. Going to work with your parents is boring.
8. When Katie and Sam went with their mom to work, they had to stay inside the car while she worked.
9. Silly Kilgore’s first name is short for Sylvia.
10. The name Katarina is better than Katherine.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
F
20 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 5–8
Classifying WordsIn each group of words below, one word does not
belong with the others. Draw a line through the wordthat does not belong. Then decide what the other threewords have in common. Write your answer on the blankline after the words.
Example: sister brother Amber mother
They are all .
1. read chew gum add write
They are all .
2. tent fire sleeping bag swamp
They are all .
3. bird rabbit dandelion chicken
They are all .
4. leg eyes lips tongue
They are all .
5. black yellow brown pinkie
They are all .
Name
KIRA-KIRA
people in a family
(continued)
6. home windshield mansion house
They are all .
7. aluminum steel vegetation wood
They are all .
8. breakfast laundry lunch dinner
They are all .
9. factory kitchen living room bedroom
They are all .
10. rice balls seaweed sandwiches gourmet
They are all .
Name Classifying Words
Chapters 5–8
21© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
22 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 5–8
Matching SynonymsA synonym is a word having the same or
nearly the same meaning as another word.Read each sentence. Choose a synonymfrom the word box to replace the italicizedword. Write your answer on the blank line.
Example: Lynn, Katie, and Sammy spent all their spare timewith one another.
1. Because she was a better student, Lynn tried to help Katiewith her homework.
2. Katie thought that Amber was making Lynn weird.
3. The last thing Katie remembered before she fainted was thearrow flying toward the rabbit.
4. The window was stuck.
5. Poultry and other industries supported Georgia’s economy.
6. There was sweat on Sam’s face because it was so hot insidethe car.
7. Katie thought Lynn looked gross.
8. Katie always told people that Lynn was tired when she wasreally sick.
9. Mrs. Takeshima started crying.
10. Katie did manage to clean up after herself a little.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
sobbing jammed strangeexhausted tidy perspirationassist disgusting businessesextra recalled
extra
23© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 5–8
Determining Feelings
Name
KIRA-KIRA
A person does not always expressfeelings directly in words. Sometimesfeelings are shown through other clues aswell. Each of the sentences below providesclues to a character’s feelings in Kira-Kira.
The name of the character is italicized.First study the clues. Then choose theword from the box that best describes thecharacter’s feelings. Write the word in theblank in front of the sentence.
annoyed amazed desperate generous gratefulconfused worried jealous determined surprised
1. Katie knew that without Lynn’s help she probably would havegotten some D’s in school.
2. Lynn and Amber begged Uncle to take everyone campingthat weekend.
3. Auntie Fumi kept staring into the forest, waiting forsomething bad to happen.
4. Katie shouted out as Uncle Katsuhisa prepared to shoot anddisturbed his concentration. He turned to her and opened hismouth.
5. Uncle Katsuhisa touched his head in wonder as he realizedthat could have been his head.
6. Lynn and Amber returned to the campground and whisperedsecrets away from Katie.
7. Mrs. Takeshima bought the cheapest car she could findbecause she was set on saving money for a house.
8. Katie stepped back, the angry words feeling like anunexpected blow to the face.
9. Katie’s mom started to cry, but Katie didn’t know why.
10. Whenever Katie used to get sick, Lynn would sneak in theroom to take care of her.
24 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 5–8
Discovering MeaningThrough Context
Read the following sentences. Three meanings aregiven for each italicized word. Use the context of thesentence to figure out which meaning is correct.Underline the correct meaning.
Example: In Lynn’s diary entries from those years she chronicled any details she could think of.
sang recorded built
1. Katie shunned Lynn for the first time, refusing to speak to her.
ignored loved met
2. Katie thought it was bizarre that Amber wanted to go camping, because she couldn’t picture Amber sleeping in a tent.
odd normal serious
3. Mr. Takeshima was exhausted from working ninety hours a week.
energetic playful tired
4. Katie thought she saw a certain yearning in Lynn’s eyes and knew that Lynn would rather be playing with Katie than sitting with Amber.
hatred longing shame
5. Amber glanced at the boys, who gazed admiringly back at her.
threw shot looked
Name
KIRA-KIRA
(continued)
Name Discovering MeaningThrough Context
Chapters 5–8
25© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
6. Katie felt pretty phony when she didn’t tell Amber and Katie that she wasn’t kidding about Joe-John Abondondalarama.
fake good talkative
7. Mr. Takeshima would have preferred to be the only one working, but Mrs. Takeshima wanted to make money for a new house.
hated chosen predicted
8. Katie thought it was dull playing cards with Sam because he was so young.
challenging fun boring
9. Katie thought one reason why she was so hardheaded was because Lynn always let her have her way.
muscular generous stubborn
10. Unlike the clean plant Katie’s mother worked at, some of the other poultry plants were supposed to be filthy.
dirty sparkling beautiful
26 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 9–12
Using Cloze ReadingRead the paragraph below. Use the
words in the word box to fill in the blanks.The first one is done for you.
Katie started looking in the area where (1) and antiseptic were
kept. Then she acted like she was (2) in the shoes a few aisles
over. Finally, she (3) the cosmetics and polish. No one else was
there. Katie thought it was going to be (4) ! She picked up a bottle
of (5) pink polish and stuck it in her pocket. Katie walked
(6) out the door, smiling. Earlier, it had rained, but now a
(7) hovered in the sky. All of a sudden, Katie felt a
(8) on her shoulder. Without looking, Katie pulled away and
(9) and ran. She was (10) for someone
to grab her again, but no one did. She (11) looked back.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
rainbow ran waitingbandages calmly handnever interested easybeautiful approached
bandages
27© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 9–12
Determining Cause and EffectTo determine a cause, ask “What is the reason?” To
determine an effect, ask “What is the result?” Match thecauses and effects below. Write the number of the causein front of its effect.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Cause
1. It was Katie’s birthday.
2. Lynn woke up and felt very tired.
3. Sam was worried that Lynn had to goto the hospital.
4. David and Katie saw David’s parentsdancing in the kitchen.
5. Lynn and Katie didn’t like banks.
1. When Katie was little, she told Lynntheir first house should be sky blue.
2. Katie’s dad and uncle painted thehouse before the family moved in.
3. Lynn felt better every day.
4. Mrs. Takeshima would sometimesspend all day and night at the hospitalwith Lynn.
5. Katie didn’t have any money to buyLynn the nail polish that she wanted.
Effect
David was happy andembarrassed at the same time.
Lynn didn’t get out of bed andslept all day.
Katie invited Silly over for aparty.
Lynn and Katie kept their moneyat home, hidden in the closet.
Sam’s forehead was all wrinkled.
Katie and Lynn smelled paint asthey lay in their new bedroom.
Lynn, Katie, and Sam went on apicnic to celebrate.
Katie stole some nail polish atthe five-and-ten store.
Lynn and Sam sometimes had tostay overnight at the hatchery.
Lynn picked out a sky bluehouse for their family.
28 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 9–12
Sequencing EventsThe two sets of events listed below are arranged in
incorrect sequence. Number each set of events in orderfrom 1 to 5 by writing a 1 in the blank before the eventthat happened first, a 2 before the event that happenednext, and so on.
Set 1
Uncle Katsuhisa was frustrated when Katie finally put down “sog.”
Uncle Katsuhisa decided they would all play Scrabble.
Sam helped Katie find a real word, and then it was David’s turn.
Uncle Katsuhisa and Aunt Fumi came over to take care of Sam and Katie.
It was Katie’s turn first, but she couldn’t see a word in her letters.
Set 2
Amber called Katie a heathen.
Lynn told Katie that Amber dropped Lynn as her friend.
Katie told Amber that she was a heathen too.
The next day, Katie ran into Amber after summer school.
Amber and Katie fought until a passerby made them all go home.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
29© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Chapters 9–12
Evaluating What You ReadRead each of the story situations below. Decide
whether you agree or disagree with what the charactersaid, did, or thought about the situation. Then explainwhy you feel as you do.
1. When Silly’s mother, Mrs. Kilgore, picked Silly up at Katie’s house, Mrs. Kilgore invitedKatie’s mom, Mrs. Takeshima, to a union meeting. Katie knew that Mrs. Takeshima wasscared that the union supporters would get everyone fired. Mrs. Takeshima didn’tsupport the union because she wanted a house and would pay the price for it, even ifthat meant not being able to use the bathroom at work. Do you agree or disagree withMrs. Takeshima’s decision not to support the union?
I with Mrs. Takeshima because __________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Sometimes Katie played hooky to stay home with Lynn. She wrote fake excuse lettersfrom her mother to the teacher. If the teacher asked her what was wrong, Katie lied andsaid she had a fever. Do you agree or disagree with Katie’s decision to skip school sothat she could stay home with her sister?
I with Katie because ___________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Katie stole nail polish at the five-and-dime store because Lynn was very sick and wantedsome glittery pink polish. Katie got caught and her mother told the woman from thestore that Katie would be punished, in addition to apologizing to the manager and payingfor the polish. Do you agree or disagree with Katie’s mom that Katie should be punished?
I that Katie should be punished because __________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Chapters 9–12
Getting the Main IdeaRead each of the following paragraphs. Then read the
four sentences below each paragraph. Choose thesentence that best states the main idea of the paragraph.Then neatly copy that sentence on the line provided.
a. When Lynn laughed, Katie realized she must have saidsomething stupid. She felt like that was happening a lotmore often now. She tried to talk to Lynn like they used to,but Lynn made Katie feel like she was Sam’s age.
1. Lynn thought Katie was hilarious.2. Lynn and Katie never talked anymore.3. Lately, Lynn had been treating Katie like a little kid.4. Lynn was crabby and was being mean to Katie.
b. Katie thought Uncle and Auntie’s relationship was prettyconfusing. Last time they visited they were fighting. Thetime before that they were all silly and happy. She guessedthat was how their relationship was—in love one day andfighting the next.
1. Katie thought that her uncle and aunt went back andforth between being in love and fighting.
2. By watching her aunt and uncle, Katie realized that sheprobably never wanted to get married.
3. Katie’s uncle and aunt were unhappy.4. A perfect marriage means never fighting.
30 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
(continued)
c. Lynn continued to improve and her mother was sure itwas the house that was making Lynn better. Katie wasinclined to agree. She knew it wasn’t a magical house, butit seemed as if the house were healing her sister. And thatmade her love their new house even more.
1. Houses have magical healing powers.2. For once in her life, Katie agreed with her mother
about something.3. Katie only loved the house because Lynn did.4. Everyone was happy that Lynn was feeling better now
that she was living in the house.
d. When they could no longer carry Sam, Lynn told Katie toget help while she waited there with Sam. Katie pausedbecause she didn’t like doing things alone. Even when shewent to the mailbox less than a block away, she alwaystook Sam with her.
1. Katie was afraid of the mailbox.2. Katie didn’t like being told what to do.3. Katie didn’t like doing things by herself.4. Katie didn’t care if Lynn was tired, she wanted her to go
get help instead.
Name Getting the Main Idea
Chapters 9–12
31© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
32 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Chapters 13–16
Matching AntonymsAn antonym is a word that means the
opposite or nearly the opposite of anotherword. Read each sentence. Choose anantonym from the word box to replace theitalicized word. Write your answer on theblank line.
Example: Katie was completely exhausted from school andtaking care of Lynn.
1. Lynn couldn’t inhale deeply anymore, so her breathing wasquick and shallow.
2. Silly was like an animal, moving gracefully like the smoothmovements of a deer.
3. Katie didn’t know what the ancient Egyptians had said whenthey named the stars, but she doubted that they talked likeher uncle.
4. Katie hurried into the alcove and peeked out the frontwindow.
5. Lynn seemed to deflate when she realized the phone hadstopped ringing and it wasn’t for her.
6. Katie learned about the great Incan city of Cuzco, which wasransacked by foreigners.
7. Lynn was gone but all of her things were still in the room.
8. Katie worried that her mother might have missed Lynn’sfeeble breath.
9. The room grew dimmer as night approached.
10. Katie’s father started the car suddenly and they lurchedacross the field.
inflate exhale energizedglided present nativesbrighter modern awkwardlypowerful strolled
energized
33© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Chapters 13–16
DeterminingAlphabetical Order
Words are listed in a dictionary inalphabetical order. Number the six wordsin each list below to show the order in
which they would appear in the dictionary.Write a 1 in the blank before the word thatcomes first alphabetically, and so on.
Example: A. B.canyon mournful exhaled
crazily months every
canteen mansion emotion
cried memory enveloped
cricket many exact
chirped magic examining
C. D. E.better guilty destination
break Georgia desperately
bribe groaned doorway
bedroom glittered doctor
billion gazing driveway
black giant drove
F. G. H.loose speed nuclear
leaned surveying next
lawn scientist neighbor
later stroked neither
light sunrise noodles
lungs surreal never
241653
34 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 13–16
Using a Pronunciation KeyUse the key at the bottom of the page to help
pronounce the respelled words. Write the word correctlyspelled on the line beside the Respelled Word. Use theWord List to help figure out the Respelled Word.
Respelled Word Word List
Example: (mE: di kul) sob
1. (kä´ fe) grave
2. (ki´ chEn) kitchen
3. (u di´ shEn) gather
4. (truk) indigestion
5. (ba´ lens) place
6. (ga´ thEr) few
7. (wat) addition
8. (in di jes´ chEn) Kleenex
9. (kle´ neks) truck
10. (trE´ bEl) wait
11. (säb) medical
12. (plas) trouble
13. (fyu) balance
14. (grav) coffee
Name
KIRA-KIRA
pat / cake/ cär/ pet / me/ it / nıce/ pot/ cold/ nôrth/
book/ fool/ boil / out/ cup/ mule/ burn/ sing/ thin/
this/ hw in white/ zh in pleasure/ E in about
The : mark indicates an accented syllable.
medical
35© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Chapters 13–16
Choosing Correct MeaningsThe italicized word in each of the sentences below has
several meanings. Some of the meanings are listed in theGlossary. Decide which meaning the word has in thesentence. Then write the number of your choice on theblank.
Glossaryback 1. the rear part 2. part of the body 3. into the past 4. to move backward
5. to where one came from mind 1. to obey 2. to care for 3. memory 4. part of the body responsible for thought
5. to object to, dislike miss 1. to fail to hit 2. to leave out 3. to feel the absence ofpoint 1. purpose 2. unit of scoring 3. to indicate with a finger 4. exact moment
Example: Katie got out of bed, went to the kitchen, and brought backa glass of milk.
1. Katie’s aunt and uncle were coming over to mind Katie and Sam while Lynnwas at the hospital.
2. If Katie had to be with Lynn every moment, she would lose her mind.
3. Silly and Katie got in the back of the truck.
4. At one point, while Katie was learning to drive, the truck jolted forward afew inches.
5. Uncle Katsuhisa had to reverse the truck and back it away from the ledge.
6. The next thing Katie knew, her back was scraping along rocks on theroadside.
Name
KIRA-KIRA
5
(continued)
36 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Choosing Correct Meanings
Chapters 13–16
Name
7. Katie saw Silly point at her excitedly, and the truck pulled over.
8. Katie saw an arc of water by her side and knew it was going to miss her byat least a foot.
9. Katie won the card game with Silly by only one point.
10. Most of the time, Katie didn’t mind having to take care of Lynn when shewas sick.
11. Katie wondered to herself about the point of Lynn’s sickness.
12. Whatever Katie told him to do, Sam would always mind what she said.
13. Mrs. Takeshima was crying because she knew she was going to miss Lynnso much.
14. Katie could easily bring her childhood with Lynn to mind.
15. Katie wished she could go back to the time when she and Lynn wereyounger and Lynn wasn’t sick.
37© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Chapter 13–16
Using Guide WordsAt the top of each dictionary page are guide words.
These words are the first and last words on a dictionarypage. The other words on the page fall in alphabeticalorder between the guide words.
Put the words in the word box in alphabetical orderunder the correct guide words. The first one has beendone for you.
completely better mine
merrily human felt
free finishes alligators
shining peaceful make
man grumpier crooned
services paralyzed drove
act—fin final—march mare—tongue
1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5.
6. 6. 6.
alligators
38 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Recalling an EventThink about what happened when Katie, Lynn, and
Sam went on a picnic on Mr. Lyndon’s property. Thendescribe this event to someone who has not read thebook. Remember to include details about the setting,why they ended up at the hospital, how each of thechildren felt, and so on.
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Name
KIRA-KIRA
39© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Writing a Journal SampleImagine that you are Lynn. In the sample journal
below, write about how you felt when your parents toldyou the family was moving from Iowa to Georgia.
KIRA-KIRA
Name
40 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Writing a Book RecommendationDo you think other students would enjoy reading
Kira-Kira? On the lines below, explain why you wouldrecommend reading the book. Mention specific thingsyou liked about the story. For example, did you think thestory seemed believable? Did you think the characterswere realistic? Did the book teach any valuable lessons?If you didn’t like the book, tell why you would notrecommend it.
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KIRA-KIRA
Name
41© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Name
KIRA-KIRA
Explaining FeelingsThe questions below ask you to describe the feelings
you had as you read the book. Read each questioncarefully. Write your response on the lines provided.Explain why you felt the way you did. Be sure to usecomplete sentences.
1. How did you feel when Lynn and Katie were attacked by the dog in the cornfield?
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2. How did you feel when Katie and her family were treated badly by the woman at the hotel?
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3. How did you feel when it was Katie’s first day of school?
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(continued)
42 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
4. How did you feel when Amber and Lynn became friends?
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5. How did you feel when Katie was describing Joe-John Abondondalarama?
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6. How did you feel when Katie yelled at Lynn?
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7. How did you feel when the Takeshima family visited California and the ocean?
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Name Explaining Feelings
43© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Optional Spellingand Vocabulary Lists
Here are four word lists from the book. The words canbe used as spelling or vocabulary words.
Chapters 1–4 Chapters 5–8pronounced placid preening legendarybeautiful feminine consistent chasmgenius surrendered fatigue baskedsuspiciously geyser radiant tremblevariation envied ridiculous necessarydelicate humid authenticity perspirationperil sultry charred jealoushysterics capitalistic coiled contagioussquinted ravishing stealthily corrodedtrickle commotion concentrate convention
Chapters 9–12 Chapters 13–16disappointed jubilant mournful comprehenddefensively veered despair explodedstaggered vicious totter generousglumly profusely loping festivespecialty emanating refreshed angelicceremoniously insulted serenely inhaleplucked racket wistful smothermesmerized bizarre traditional regretshealing obsessed barren exquisitesprawling groaned swatch majestic
KIRA-KIRA
44 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
KIRA-KIRA
Supplementary ActivitiesBelow is a list of ideas that could be used as
supplementary or culminating activities.
I. Oral reading
A. To the entire class
B. To each other
C. To the teacher
D. To a tape recorder
II. Group discussions
A. Author’s writing style
B. Ideas gained from the book
C. Parts of the book
1. Most important
2. Most humorous
3. Most saddening
4. Most exciting
5. Most liked
D. Characters
1. Did the characters seem real?
2. What did you like best about each character?
3. What did you dislike most about each character?
4. Which character was your favorite? Why?
5. List questions to ask each character.
(continued)
III. Spelling bee using words from the book
IV. Role-play situations from the book
V. Artistic creations
A. Murals
B. Dioramas
C. Book jackets
D. Posters
E. Puppets
F. Poetry
G. Costumes
H. Portraits
I. Mobiles
J. Songs
K. Newspaper headlines, articles, and drawings
VI. Research
A. America in the 1950s
B. Japanese Americans
C. Georgia
D. anemia
E. lymphoma
F. camping
VII. Read other books by Cynthia Kadohata
45© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Supplementary Activities
46 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
KIRA-KIRA
Response Key
WORD ATTACK SKILLSUsing Short Vowels (page 9)1. attacked; 2. nonsense; 3. several; 4. passenger; 5. tattoo; 6. challenge; 7. chicken; 8. encouraged; 9. insult; 10. kitchen
Making Compounds (page 10)1. cornstalks; 2. newspaper; 3. madman; 4. pawnshop; 5. snowmen; 6. dodgeball; 7. floorboards; 8. crybaby; 9. bedtime; 10. schoolyard
Finding Base Words (page 12)1. official or office; 2. process; 3. hug; 4. commit; 5. moody or mood; 6. accident oraccidental; 7. natural or nature; 8. delight; 9. rumble; 10. quiet; 11. feminine; 12. annoy;13. candy; 14. curve; 15. embarrass; 16. practice; 17. obvious; 18. cry; 19. amaze; 20. fever or feverish
Adding Endings (page 13)1. growling; 2. ways; 3. dangerous; 4. slyly; 5. highest; 6. stunned; 7. tomatoes; 8. pennies; 9. awfully; 10. sleepy
Listening for Syllables (page 14)1. 1; 2. 4; 3. 2; 4. 3; 5. 1; 6. 1; 7. 1; 8. 1; 9. 4; 10. 2; 11. 3; 12. 3; 13. 3; 14. 1; 15. 3; 16. 2;17. 1; 18. 2; 19. 5; 20. 3; 21. 5; 22. 4; 23. 2; 24. 3; 25. 3; 26. 2; 27. 1; 28. 1; 29. 4; 30. 2
COMPREHENSION SKILLSRemembering Details (page 15)1. Uncle Katsuhisa came to help Katie and her family move to Georgia. 2. Lynn alwaysplayed chess with Uncle Katsuhisa. 3. Katie was upset that her parents packed Bera-Bera,her stuffed animal. 4. Uncle Katsuhisa taught Lynn and Katie how to spit. 5. Katie and herfamily lived in an apartment building where the other Japanese families lived inChesterfield. 6. Lynn and Katie decided to save their nickels to help their parents buy ahouse. 7. Lynn and Katie said “mind meld” for their friendship chant.
Classifying Word Groups (page 17)1. where; 2. how; 3. when; 4. when; 5. where; 6. how; 7. when; 8. where; 9. where; 10. where; 11. where; 12. how; 13. when; 14. when; 15. how; 16. where; 17. how; 18. when; 19. how; 20. when
47© 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
Determining Fact and Opinion (page 19)1. F; 2. F; 3. O; 4. F; 5. F; 6. O; 7. O; 8. F; 9. F; 10. O
Classifying Words (page 20)1. chew gum/things you do at school; 2. swamp/things at a campground; 3. dandelion/animals; 4. leg/parts of a face; 5. pinkie/colors; 6. windshield/places you live;7. vegetation/building materials; 8. laundry/mealtimes; 9. factory/rooms in a house; 10. gourmet/things people eat.
Matching Synonyms (page 22)1. assist; 2. strange; 3. recalled; 4. jammed; 5. businesses; 6. perspiration; 7. disgusting;8. exhausted; 9. sobbing; 10. tidy
Determining Feelings (page 23)1. grateful; 2. desperate; 3. worried; 4. annoyed; 5. amazed; 6. jealous; 7. determined; 8. surprised; 9. confused; 10. generous
Discovering Meaning Through Context (page 24)1. ignored; 2. odd; 3. tired; 4. longing; 5. looked; 6. fake; 7. chosen; 8. boring; 9. stubborn; 10. dirty
Using Cloze Reading (page 26)1. bandages; 2. interested; 3. approached; 4. easy; 5. beautiful; 6. calmly; 7. rainbow; 8. hand; 9. ran; 10. waiting; 11. never
Determining Cause and Effect (page 27)Set 1: 4; 2; 1; 5; 3Set 2: 2; 3; 5; 4; 1
Sequencing Events (page 28)Set 1: 4; 2; 5; 1; 3Set 2: 3; 1; 4; 2; 5
Evaluating What You Read (page 29)Responses will vary.
Getting the Main Idea (page 30)a. Lately, Lynn had been treating Katie like a little kid. b. Katie thought that her uncle andaunt went back and forth between being in love and fighting. c. Everyone was happy thatLynn was feeling better now that she was living in the house. d. Katie didn’t like doingthings by herself.
Matching Antonyms (page 32)1. exhale; 2. awkwardly; 3. modern; 4. strolled; 5. inflate; 6. natives; 7. present; 8. powerful; 9. brighter; 10. glided
48 © 2006 Perfection Learning Corporation
STUDY SKILLSDetermining Alphabetical Order (page 33)A. 6; 5; 2; 4; 3; 1B. 6; 3; 1; 2; 4; 5C. 2; 5; 6; 1; 3; 4D. 6; 2; 5; 4; 1; 3E. 2; 1; 4; 3; 5; 6F. 5; 3; 2; 1; 4; 6G. 2; 6; 1; 3; 4; 5H. 6; 4; 1; 2; 5; 3
Using a Pronunciation Key (page 34)1. coffee; 2. kitchen; 3. addition; 4. truck; 5. balance; 6. gather; 7. wait; 8. indigestion; 9. Kleenex; 10. trouble; 11. sob; 12. place; 13. few; 14. grave
Choosing Correct Meanings (page 35)1. 2; 2. 4; 3. 1; 4. 4; 5. 4; 6. 2; 7. 3; 8. 1; 9. 2; 10. 5; 11. 1; 12. 1; 13. 3; 14. 3; 15. 3
Using Guide Words (page 37)act—fin final—march mare—tongue1. alligators 1. finishes 1. merrily2. better 2. free 2. mine3. completely 3. grumpier 3. paralyzed4. crooned 4. human 4. peaceful5. drove 5. make 5. services6. felt 6. man 6. shining
CREATIVE SKILLSRecalling an Event (page 38)Responses will vary.
Writing a Journal Sample (page 39)Responses will vary.
Writing a Book Recommendation (page 40)Responses will vary.
Explaining Feelings (page 41)Responses will vary.
KIRA-KIRA
#71310
Perfection Learning® Corporation1000 North Second Avenue, P.O. Box 500 Logan, Iowa 51546-0500perfectionlearning.comPrinted in the U.S.A.
WORD ATTACK SKILLS
Using Short VowelsMaking CompoundsFinding Base WordsAdding EndingsListening for Syllables
COMPREHENSION SKILLS
Remembering DetailsClassifying Word GroupsDetermining Fact and OpinionClassifying WordsMatching SynonymsDetermining FeelingsDiscovering Meaning
Through ContextUsing Cloze ReadingDetermining Cause and EffectSequencing EventsEvaluating What You ReadGetting the Main IdeaMatching Antonyms
STUDY SKILLS
Determining Alphabetical OrderUsing a Pronunciation KeyChoosing Correct MeaningsUsing Guide Words
CREATIVE SKILLS
Recalling an EventWriting a Journal SampleWriting a Book RecommendationExplaining FeelingsSupplementary Activities
SPELLING AND VOCABULARY
Optional Spelling and Vocabulary Lists