HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. 2-Lesson 2Do you know someone who is a twin? Twins are two babies born at the same
time from the same mother. Triplets are three babies born at the same time
from the same mother. When more than one baby is born at the same time to
the same mother, it is called a multiple birth.
A newborn baby needs to eat every couple of hours. Also, a baby uses
about ten diapers a day. Now imagine trying to take care of seven newborn
babies!
Bobbi and Kenneth McCaughey did just that. On November 19, 1997, they
welcomed seven babies into the world at once. They had three girls: Alexis,
Natalie, and Kelsey. They also had four boys: Kenneth, Jr.; Nathan; Brandon;
and Joel.
The McCaugheys had a small house. Plus, they already had a daughter
named Mikayla. How could they take care of all the babies? The family got
lots of help. Companies donated diapers, baby food, and even a brand-new
van. The townspeople built them a bigger house. The new house has fi ve
bathrooms, two washing machines, two dryers, and two dishwashers.
In their fi rst years as babies, the McCaugheys used more than thirty
thousand diapers! These days, they eat six boxes of cereal in a week. They
drink more than fi ve gallons of milk. They eat twenty cans of vegetables and
fi ve loaves of bread. Their parents do fi fteen loads of laundry. Even though
they have an unusual story, in many ways the McCaugheys are like any other
big family.
Now the McCaughey kids are in school. Every afternoon is like a family
reunion when the septuplets come home. Despite having different hair color,
they resemble one another. They also enjoy one another. They have a strong
family bond. They share lots of memories from their hectic childhood!
Are there likely to be twins or triplets in your family? Look at your ancestors.
Multiple births can run in families. It’s a remarkable inheritance that is passed
down over time.
COMPREHENSION What words about families did you hear in this
passage? How are the McCaugheys like your family? How are they
different?
Many McCaugheys
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When Malia and Malcolm got home from school, they weren’t ready for what they
saw. Their parents were marching by the front door, holding signs and chanting.
“Less work!” they chanted. “More fun! Less work! More fun!”
“What’s going on?” Malia and Malcolm asked.
“We’re picketing the house,” Mom explained. “You can’t go inside until you
promise to do your chores.”
“Parents have rights, too,” Dad said. “We’re allowed to have some fun instead of
working all day and night.”
Malia and Malcolm traded puzzled looks. “We always do our chores,” Malcolm said.
“We think you need to help out more,” Mom replied. “We’re not backing down
from our cause.”
“OK, we will,” Malia said. “We promise.”
So Mom and Dad laid down their signs, and everyone went inside.
In no time, Malia and Malcolm had made a mess of the family room. There were
games on the fl oor, crumbs on the coffee table, and shoes underneath it.
An hour later, the children went into the kitchen to fi nd Mom. “We’re hungry,” they
announced, rubbing their stomachs.
“Did you clean up the family room?” she asked. Malia and Malcolm frowned.
“Then you’re on your own,” Mom said. “We’re striking. We’re not doing any work
until you do, too.”
Later, Malia and Malcolm wandered into the dining room. They found Mom and
Dad reading the newspaper.
“Can you help us with our homework?” Malcolm asked.
“Sorry, we’re boycotting you kids,” Dad announced. “No more help with your
homework—or with anything else—until you start doing your chores.”
“This is an injustice!” Malcolm cried. “We’re being treated unfairly!”
“Is it fair,” Mom asked, “that we work so hard while you play?”
Malia and Malcolm realized their parents were right. So they set about cleaning
up the house. They picked up shoes, games, toys, and books. They made their beds.
When they had fi nished, Malia and Malcolm led their parents on a tour.
That night the family celebrated by making dinner together—and cleaning up
together, too.
COMPREHENSION What words help you understand why Mom and Dad stop
doing work around the house? How does this story show the importance of
families working together?
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