PASSAGE PICKER

 

Passage 1:

 

1.Page and Paragraph Number of my passage:  p.9 par. 1

2. The first two words and last two words: “They heard…long sleep”

3. The passage I chose is a great example of personification.

4. This passage is a personification type of passage because it describes the earth waking up after its long sleep, which is a human characteristic.

5. What smells do you imagine when you think of spring?: I imagine the smell of freshly cut green grass and blooming flowers.

6. Why did the author include this passage?: He was describing the setting of the story.  Spring was just coming and he wanted to describe what the earth was doing.

 

Passage 2:

 

1. Page and Paragraph Number of my passage: p. 14 par. 1

2. The first two words and the last two: “A male…a cob.”

3. The passage I chose is a great example of an informative type of passage.

4. This passage is an informative type of passage because it informs the reader what a male cob is called as well as what males of other types of animals are called.

5. Do you think Sam knew that a male trumpet swan was called a cob?: Yes, Sam was very smart and he had a bird book that he read so he knew a lot about birds.  He also knew that it took about 35 days for the trumpet swan eggs to hatch.

6. Why did the author include this passage in the story?: He wanted to inform us of what a male trumpet swan was called, but he also was giving the swan another name to be called in the story instead of just calling him the male swan.

 

Passage 3:

 

1. Page and Paragraph Number of my passage: p.25-26 par.3

2. The first two words and the last two words: “While the…fresh swan.”

3. The passage I chose is a great example of an important passage.

4. This passage is an important passage because as Sam decides to save the swan from the fox and he begins to establish a relationship with the swans.

5. What do you think will happen now that Sam has saved the swan?: The swans will feel that they can trust Sam and they will feel better about him being around.

6.  Why did the author include this passage?: This passage showed how Sam loves animals and cares for their safety.  It also established the friendship between Sam and the Trumpet Swans.

 

Passage 4:

 

1. Page and Paragraph Number of my passage: p.27-28 par.3

2. The first two words and the last two words: “I don’t…little swan.”

3. The passage I chose is a great example of a thematic passage.

4. This passage is a thematic type of passage because it describes the amazing gift of life and how special it is to Sam.  Life is more important than any material possession. 

5. Do you think Sam feels this way about all creatures or just about the trumpet swan eggs?: I think Sam is a very caring and loving person and he thinks all creation and life is special.  He just really likes the eggs now because he has witnessed them being laid and is a part of their life.

6. Why do you think the author included this passage?: I think the author wanted to reveal how much Sam really cares for the swans and their eggs.  This passage adds to Sam’s character as well as to the theme of the book.  Life is precious.