B.6.1_The Meaning

English Reading 2 1 It was my cousin Flamo’s first time in the United States, and therefore his first time attending an American school.. 4 If he was anything like me, I was pretty sur

English

Reading 2

1 It was my cousin Flamo’s first time in the United States, and therefore his first time attending an American school Because it was the middle of the school year, I thought he would be a bit nervous I knew it would be hard for him to make friends because he didn’t speak much English, and had

a strong accent I also figured most of the kids already knew each other, and it is hard to “break in” halfway through the

year

2 My family moved to America during my second-grade year I, too, knew little English, and making friends was quite

a challenge I felt very left out.

3 Because of my own experience, I thought I should help Flamo with any problems so he would not feel left out like

I did

4 If he was anything like me, I was pretty sure Flamo

would not sleep well the night before he started attending an American school He woke up early the morning school was

to start We ate breakfast, and off we went

figured believed, concluded break in get into a group pretty mostly, somewhat

The Meaning of Courage

by Sei Korti

Think to Connect

What is something

in your life that was

a challenge when

you did it for the first

time?

Reading

Strategy

5 When he came back from school, I asked him if he had a

good time He said, “Yes.”

6 Because that was not what I expected, I was surprised

to hear this answer I asked what happened He said, “All

we did was go over the rules and then I sat all by myself.” I

asked him if this was different for him than being a student in

Africa

7 He told me, “In Africa I was one of the smartest kids in my

class I always had a lot of fun in school.”

8 The next day he went back to school When he returned

home, I asked him the same questions that I had asked the

day before This time, however, Flamo responded with, “I had

a rough day.”

9 When I asked him why it was such a rough day, he said,

“When the teacher called my name, most of the kids started

laughing The teacher asked them what was so funny They

said, ‘We are laughing at his name.’

10 “Also when I raised my hand to give an answer, they all

started to laugh,” Flamo said

expected thought he would say

rough difficult, challenging

Think to Connect

What connection can you make between

Clara in What the

Moon Saw and Flamo

on his first day of school?

Reading Strategy

Reading Check ✓

1 Recall details

Who is Flamo?

2 Contrast How

are Flamo’s experiences

in America different from his experiences

in Africa?

11 I gave him this advice: “Act like you’re not hearing them,

because they are trying to make you not raise your hand and that will make you get a bad grade When you have the right answer, you should always raise your hand If they keep laughing, don’t give up, tell the teacher.”

12 Flamo asked, “You seem like you understand Did the same thing happen to you?”

13 I said, “Yes, in the second grade, and I did the same thing

I am telling you to do I never gave up and didn’t allow

anyone’s silly comments to keep me from participating and

learning.”

14 “Do you have any homework to do?” I asked

15 “Yes,” he said “I know what to do but don’t get what the question is asking.” He asked me to read it When I was doing reading and explaining, Flamo said, “Now I get it! You are the best cousin I have ever had!”

16 Hearing this, I felt so proud, knowing I was able to help

my cousin overcome this challenge.

17 A few weeks later my cousin told me, “Now I am making friends And I feel happy Thank you.”

Think to Connect

Think of a well known

person who showed

courage in the face

of challenges How

did the person show

courage?

Reading

Strategy