Making Text Connections

Making Text Connections

Read the instructions for each section carefully and answer all questions to the best of your ability.

The New Kid

Maya watched as the new student, Leo, walked into the classroom. He had bright red sneakers and carried a backpack covered in space-themed patches. He looked a little nervous, clutching a book tightly in his hand. Mrs. Davis introduced him, and Leo gave a small wave to the class. During recess, Maya saw Leo sitting alone under the big oak tree, still reading his book. She remembered how she felt on her first day at this school, a knot of butterflies in her stomach. She decided to walk over and say hello.

1. Read the passage "The New Kid." Can you make a text-to-self connection with Maya or Leo? Describe a time you felt similar to one of the characters.

2. Have you ever read another book or story where a character was new to a school or faced a similar challenge as Leo? Describe the connection.

3. How does the situation in "The New Kid" relate to events or experiences you've seen or heard about in the real world (news, documentaries, personal experiences of others)?

Read the statements below and fill in the blank with the type of connection being made: Text-to-Self, Text-to-Text, or Text-to-World.

4. Reading about a character who loves to draw reminds me of my own hobby. This is a   connection.

5. This book about a magical kingdom is similar to another fantasy story I read last year. This is a   connection.

6. The story's description of pollution in the ocean makes me think about the environmental issues we see on the news. This is a   connection.

7. Which type of connection is being made when you think, "This character reminds me of my best friend"?