Home-School Connection

Dear Family Member:

This week our class will be focusing on energy. We’ll learn about how
we use different forms of energy in our lives.

Here are some activities you can do with

your child to help reinforce the skills we’ll
be practicing.

Word Workout (see page 134)

• Words to Know: paragraph clues
You and your child will make up a story
about creating a place to live on a new planet, using list words in
each sentence. Your child can illustrate the completed story.
• Spelling/Phonics: consonant-vowel-consonant with silent e
You will work with your child to find the hidden spelling words in a
word puzzle.

Comprehension: author’s purpose (see page 135)

Together, you and your child will read three passages and determine
the author’s purpose for each.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Unit 6 • Week 2 131

 Word Workout
Words to Know
Let’s make up a story about building a place for people and plants to
survive on a new planet. What kinds of energy would we need? How
would we provide water? We will take turns making up sentences using
one of the vocabulary words. When we’ve completed the story, you can
illustrate it.

energy silent haul flows

underground electricity solar power

Spelling Words
Let’s try to find the spelling words hidden in the puzzle. Look at the first
word on the list. Say the word aloud. Study the letters in the word. Then
look for that word in the puzzle. It could go across or down. Circle each
word when you find it. Challenge: There are three words from the list that
are shown two times in the puzzle. Can you find them?

state outside nine face sidewalk

side ninety replace these tadpole

N I N E T Y F P O

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

R S I D E W A L K
E I N J F A C E T
P D E S I D E O H

L E V A S T A T E

A T A D P O L E S
C O U T S I D E E
E M K T H E S E G

Review: letter magnet

134 Unit 6 • Week 2

 Comprehension: Author’s Purpose

What’s the Purpose?

Let’s read each passage and decide the author’s purpose in writing it.
Then you circle the answer.

1. A newspaper article tells about two French

brothers who invented the first hot-air balloon. They
knew that hot air was lighter than cool air. Their
balloon was made of cloth, and a fire heated the air
that filled it. The balloon rose and flew until the air
inside the balloon cooled. Then it came back down.

The author’s purpose is to:

persuade the reader entertain the reader inform the reader

2. A book tells about a man who travels with his

dog across the country. Smokey the dog has many
adventures with his owner. In one city, the man
takes him to a concert. When Smokey hears the
singers, he barks and howls to add to the concert.
The audience laughs and claps for Smokey.

The author’s purpose is to:

persuade the reader entertain the reader inform the reader

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

3. A newspaper editorial talks about an

upcoming election. The writer wants people
to vote to replace the fatty foods in the local
schools. She says the schools should serve
more healthful foods, such as fresh fruit and
vegetables. She wants people to vote to
protect children’s health.

The author’s purpose is to:

persuade the reader entertain the reader inform the reader

Unit 6 • Week 2 135