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Fact and Opinion

• Statements of opinion are someone’s beliefs or way of thinking about something. The
statement Cars are the best way to travel is a statement of opinion.
• Statements of fact can be proved true or false. Statements of opinion cannot be proved,
but can be shown to be valid or faulty. Valid statements of opinion are supported by facts or
experts. Faulty statements are not supported by facts.

Directions Read the following passage and complete the diagram.

E veryone knows that Cesar Chavez was

a major figure in American history.
He was dedicated to an important struggle:
used marches and boycotts to protest
unfair working conditions. In addition,
he fasted to call attention to injustices.
the cause of migrant workers. His union However, Chavez believed a protest should
drew attention to problems experienced never become violent. At Cesar Chavez’s
by farm workers. A 1965 strike protested funeral, President Bill Clinton spoke of
low wages for grape pickers, and a boycott him as “an authentic hero.”
of grapes started soon afterward. Chavez

Statement of Opinion Support Valid or Faulty?

Everyone knows that Cesar 1. 2.

Chavez was a major figure in
American history.

However, Chavez believed a 3. 4.

protest should never become
violent.
© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

5. Is the statement of opinion in the final sentence valid? Why do you think so?

Home Activity Your child identified valid and faulty statements of opinion in a nonfiction passage. Work
with your child to identify the facts and opinions in a magazine article about a social issue. Discuss how well
supported the opinions are.

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Writing • Letter to the Editor

Key Features of a Letter to the Editor
• is sent to the editor of a newspaper or magazine
• is written in response to a story, event, or issue
• usually aims to persuade others by supporting claims with clear reasons
and relevant evidence
• establishes and maintains correct formal letter format

April 9, 2010

To the Editor:
I am writing to you about the dangerous landfill recently proposed by some members of our
city council. The proposal is to use vacant land between the river and the railroad tracks on the
west side of the city as a landfill site. If the proposal is approved, the consequences will be
unpleasant for the surrounding neighborhoods and also harmful to our environment and
our wildlife.
Since prevailing winds are westerly, and the proposed site is on the western edge of the
city limits, the putrid smell from the landfill will blow across the city constantly. Our city
home, of which we are proud, will be a less desirable location for residents and a less desirable
destination for visitors. Fewer residents and visitors will translate into trouble for our businesses.
Furthermore, because the proposed site is so close to the river, harmful pollutants will easily
leach through the ground and into the river. The pollutants will make the water unlivable for
fish, ducks, and other wildlife that are appreciated and treasured by residents and visitors alike.
For the reasons outlined above, I urge the city council to vote no on the proposed landfill
location and to find a place that is better suited for it.
Sincerely,

Amy Rabideaux
© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

1. List five persuasive adjectives in the letter.

2. Write two facts used by the author to support her opinion.

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Vocabulary
Directions Choose the word from the box that best matches each clue. Write the word on the line.

1. very great pain

Check the Words
You Know
2. something that prevents or stops
progress access
authority
3. right to approach, enter, or use lush
obstacle
4. to become limp and bend toll
down; wither torment
wilt
5. power to enforce obedience

Directions Choose the word from the box that best completes each sentence. Write the word on the
line shown to the left.

6. The fields of southern California are with growing fruits and

vegetables.

7. To harvest the crops, farm owners need to a large supply

of labor.

8. One for farm owners is the difficulty of finding a large labor

supply.

9. After many months, grueling farm labor can take a on

the workers.

10. They may not have the to change their working conditions.

Write a Newspaper Article

© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

On a separate sheet of paper, write a newspaper article about a civic event you observed. Be sure to
tell why, when, where, and how it occurred. Use as many vocabulary words as you can.

Home Activity Your child identified and used vocabulary words from Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar
Chavez. Read a biography with your child. Have him or her point out unfamiliar words. Work together to try
to figure out the meaning of each word by using other words that appear near it.

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Adjectives and Articles

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun. It tells what kind, how many, or which one.
We stood in the crisp air. The girls were eager. (what kind)
Several people came. Four women worked. (how many)
What was that noise? These ideas are good. (which ones)
The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles. They appear before nouns and
other adjectives. Use a before a word that begins with a consonant sound. Use an before a word
that begins with a vowel sound. Use the before words beginning with any letter.
The boy grew up in a home in Arizona. An old friend called me.
A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun. Proper adjectives are capitalized.
They raised the Mexican flag.

Directions  Underline the adjectives in the sentences once. Underline the articles twice.

1. Those eager supporters talked to leaders of the march.

2. A peaceful march was the goal.
3. Workers were welcomed into an inviting shelter.
4. A black eagle adorned the flag.
5. Tired workers hunched over the grapevines.

6. An irate landowner worried about that vineyard.

7. A ripe grape must be picked or it will rot.
8. Many people gathered at the ranch for friendly barbecues.

Directions  Write a, an, or the to complete each sentence.

9. We planted interesting garden last year. © Pearson Education, Inc., 6

10. Maria picked artichoke from the garden.

11. He knew he was most stubborn boy in class.

12. Cesar Chavez did not believe he was strong fighter.

13. To help migrant workers, people boycotted certain crops.

14. Did you know that raisin comes from a grape?

Home Activity  Your child learned about adjectives and articles. Have your child underline three sentences
in the newspaper and then circle the articles and other adjectives in the sentences.

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Words from Many Cultures

Spelling Words
ivory cocoa lilac gorilla pretzel
safari kayak crocodile fiesta dandelion
monsoon slalom amateur boutique suede
poncho hammock bungalow sequin burrito

Definitions  Write a list word that fits each definition.

1. tortilla rolled around a seasoned filling 1. _____________
2. seasonal wind that causes heavy rainfall when blowing from the southwest 2. _____________
3. a small disc of shining metal used to decorate clothing 3. _____________
4. to ski in a zigzag course 4. _____________
5. a small one-story house 5. _____________
6. a person who does things for fun rather than for money 6. _____________
7. a hanging couch made of canvas or woven cords 7. _____________
8. a small, fashionable shop 8. _____________
9. a large piece of cloth with a hole for the head 9. _____________
10. leather with a velvety surface 10. _____________

Words in Context  Write a list word to finish each sentence below.

11. Did you know you can use ___ leaves in salad? 11. _____________
12. Tusks of elephants and walruses are made of ___. 12. _____________
13. Another name for a party is a ___. 13. _____________
14. Hot ___ hits the spot on a cold winter day. 14. _____________
© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

15. There are important differences between an alligator and a ___. 15. _____________
16. A ___ is a type of flower. 16. _____________
17. I rushed through the rapids without tipping my ___. 17. _____________
18. The ___ is the largest primate in the zoo. 18. _____________
19. My uncle brought back some great photos from his ___ in Africa. 19. _____________
20. Some folks like chips, but I prefer a good ___. 20. _____________

Home Activity  Your child wrote words from many cultures. Ask your child to identify each food item in the
list, spell the word, and use it in a sentence.

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Main Idea Chart

Supporting Details
Main Idea

© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

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Vocabulary • Homonyms
• Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings.
• When you see a homonym in your reading, use context clues around the word to figure out its
meaning. Decide which meaning makes sense in the sentence.

Directions Read the following passage. Then answer the questions below.

T he signing of the Declaration of

Independance was like the toll of
a funeral bell for British control of the
Constitution wanted to avoid any obstacle
to expressing these rights. As a result,
today citizens can take part in protest
American colonies. The United States was marches and access articles that are
founded on principles including the right critical of the government. While resulting
to free speech and freedom of assembly. disagreements can take a toll, there are
The U.S. Constitution guarantees access many advantages to giving authority to
to these rights. The framers of the the people.

1. Toll can mean “to announce by sounding a bell” or “something paid, lost, or suffered.” Which
meaning of the homonym is used in the first sentence?

2. How do context clues help you determine the meaning of the homonym toll in the last sentence?
What does it mean there?

3. Access can mean “to make information available” or “right to approach, enter, or use.” What does
it mean in the fifth sentence? What helps you to determine the meaning?

4. How does the meaning of access help determine the meaning of obstacle in the fourth sentence?
© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

5. Authority can mean “power to enforce obedience,” “person who has such power,” or “an expert on
some subject.” What does authority mean in the last sentence? How can you use context clues to
determine the meaning?

Home Activity Your child identified and used context to understand homonyms and other new words in a
passage. Challenge your child to find a homonym in an article. Then ask him or her to use context clues to
help with the understanding of the homonym. Confirm the meanings with your child.

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Newsletter
• A newsletter is a short publication containing news of interest to a particular group’s members.
• Newsletters include news articles, features, and opinion pieces such as editorials. A news story,
which has a headline and sometimes a byline giving the writer’s name, tells who, what, when,
where, why, and how something happened. Features, which are more informal, are written to
inform in an entertaining way. Although news stories are intended to provide only facts, opinions
can be expressed by leaving out certain facts.

Directions Use this article from a farmworkers’ newsletter to answer the questions.

Farmworkers March in Protest

by Ana Ortega spokesman told the crowd. Many workers
More than 400 people marched through carried signs or waved flags with the UFW
Davis County on March 11 in support of local emblem. Workers, who earn 80 cents per
mushroom farmworkers. Several film actors basket, are requesting a raise of 5 cents per
were among the group. basket. This would increase their wages to
The march ended with a rally at Arojo approximately $7.50 per hour.
Arena, where speakers demanded that local Mushroom company officials did not
mushroom growers provide increased wages comment.
and benefits. “Immigrant workers deserve “We need to give the farmworkers our
better treatment,” a United Farm Workers support,” said actor Tim Bond, a marcher.

1. Is the article a news story, feature, or editorial? Why?

2. How does the article answer these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

3. What is the headline? the byline?

4. What is one fact presented in the article?

5. Explain if you think the article has been slanted by leaving out facts.

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Directions This is another article from the farmworkers’ newsletter about an event of interest to the
group’s members. Use it to answer the questions below.

Join the Celebration for Chavez!

The week of April 21 to 28 has been named include speeches and songs. The mayor will
Cesar Chavez Week in Oxnard, California, give a memorable talk at 10 a.m., followed by
and a special celebration on April 28 will cap a wonderful speech by a United Farm Workers
off the festivities. Everyone should join in representative. A Cesar Chavez scholarship
honoring the memory of Chavez, who did so will be presented. Dances, contests, songs,
much for the immigrant workers of California. and theatrical performances will fill the day
The day-long event will begin at 9 a.m. with fun.
with a procession from Central Plaza to This will be an event you will never forget.
Chavez Park. Afterward, a ceremony will Be sure to attend—and bring your family.

6. What is the headline?

7. Is this article a news story, feature, or editorial? How do you know?

8. How does the article answer these questions: What? When? Where? Why? How?

9. What are two opinions given in the article?

© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

10. Who is the audience for this newsletter? How is that audience reflected in the information this
article contains?

Home Activity Your child learned about reading newsletters and the types of articles they contain. With
your child, look at a newsletter for an organization. Ask him or her to locate news stories, features, and
editorials and point out the facts and opinions they contain.

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Words from Many Cultures

Proofread a Letter  Circle six misspelled words in the letter below. Write
them correctly. Find a sentence with a mistake in capitalization. Write it Spelling
Spelling
Words
Words
correctly.
ivory
cocoa
Dear Mark, lilac
gorilla
My family and I just got back from the greatest pretzel
vacation ever—a real African safarie. there’s a lot to tell safari
you. We saw a crocadile, a gorila, and dozens of other kayak
wild animals. One night we slept in a small bungalow crocodile
with no electricity. We each had our own hammuck and fiesta
listened to the night sounds echoing throgh the jungle. We dandelion
even took a kiyak trip down a remote river. Wait until
monsoon
you see the pictures!
slalom
See you soon, amateur
David boutique
suede
1. ________________ 2. _________________ poncho
hammock
3. ________________ 4. _________________ bungalow
5. ________________ 6. _________________ sequin
burrito
7. ___________________________________________

Frequently
Misspelled
Proofread Words  Circle the word that is spelled correctly. Write it on the line. Words
8. ivery ivory 8. ____________________
through
9. coco cocoa 9. ____________________ there’s
10. lilac lilack 10. ____________________ © Pearson Education, Inc., 6

11. suede seude 11. ____________________

12. pretzel pretsel 12. ____________________
13. saphari safari 13. ____________________
14. amiture amateur 14. ____________________
15. poncho ponchoe 15. ____________________

Home Activity  Your child identified misspelled words. Ask your child to spell the word crocodile and use it
in a sentence.

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Adjectives and Articles

Directions  Read the passage. Then read each question. Circle the letter of the correct answer.

Cesar Chavez
(1) In the 1960s, Cesar Chavez felt that farmworkers needed working
conditions and pay. (2) He organized twelve marches to fight for the
rights of the migrant workers. (3) He wanted lawmakers to vote for laws that
would improve lives of farmworkers. (4) In addition to the
marches, he planned boycott of grapes and lettuce. (5) Many bitter and
violent fights broke out between the police and the marchers. (6) When workers got
contracts for better pay and safer working conditions, Chavez ended the boycotts.
(7) Cesar Chavez received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his untiring efforts.

1 Which adjectives best complete sentence 1? 4 Which phrase best completes sentence 4?
A poor/disappointing A the final
B better/higher B an angry
C solid/surprising C the hungry
D disorganized/low D a nationwide

2 In sentence 2, the underlined word answers 5 In sentence 5, the underlined word answers
which questions about the workers? which question about the workers?
A What kind? A What kind?
B How many? B How many?
C Which one? C Which one?
D How much? D How much?

3 Which article could be used in the two

© Pearson Education, Inc., 6

places in sentence 3?
A a
B an
C the
D None of the above

Home Activity  Your child prepared for taking tests on adjectives and articles. Ask your child to explain what
articles and adjectives are and to point out examples of each in something he or she has written.

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