HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. 3-Lesson 3Wildfi res happen in many parts of California. When the weather is dry,
plants dry out. In the heat of the sun, these dry plants can catch fi re easily.
And once a wildfi re starts, it spreads very quickly. High winds can blow sparks
across roads and open areas. The sparks can start new wildfi res. Because
these fi res move so quickly, it is hard for fi refi ghters to put them out.
Some of the worst wildfi res in California history burned in the fall of 2007.
These wildfi res burned fi elds and forests. They also destroyed hundreds of
homes, while their owners, numb with sadness, were unable to put out the fi res.
Almost a million people had to leave their homes. The people felt desperation,
or loss of hope, because they had to leave most of their belongings behind.
People watching the news on television were impressed by the way
fi refi ghters worked to stop the wildfi res. What they were doing was very
brave. Meanwhile, the United States Armed Forces helped fi ght the fi res by
sending fi refi ghting airplanes. These airplanes dropped water on the wildfi res.
California’s neighboring states of Oregon and Nevada also sent crews and
equipment to help.
The fi refi ghters fought hard against the heat and force of the fi res. Some were
hurt. But still they fought on. Often, just when they thought they had put out a
wildfi re, it would start up again. This exasperated the fi refi ghters.
Then the weather took a turn for the better. The wind stopped blowing
so hard. It rained in some areas. Finally, the fi res went out. Television and
newspaper reporters told about what the land looked like after the wildfi res.
It was impossible for reporters to feel detached from what they saw. They
were astonished by the devastation. Even though the fi res were out, it was
impossible to feel serene or calm because so much had been lost.
The courage, hard work, and cooperation of the fi refi ghters saved many
houses and lives. Their quick response and their fearlessness showed how a
diffi cult challenge can be overcome when people work together.
COMPREHENSION What makes wildfi res move so quickly? What words
about feelings do you hear in this passage?
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One afternoon, Alex was sorting through his baseball cards in his bedroom.
He heard a knock on the door, so he went to see who it was. There stood his
neighbor Mr. Chin, holding a box of painting supplies.
“Hi Alex,” Mr. Chin said. “Ready to help me paint the nursery?”
“Do you mean the baby’s room?” Alex asked. “I guess so.”
Alex’s mother was about to have a baby. Mr. Chin was an artist, and he had
offered to paint pictures on the walls of the nursery.
Alex led Mr. Chin through the house, but he didn’t feel much like helping.
The truth was that Alex liked being an only child, and he wasn’t very optimistic
about living with a baby brother. He tried to hide his doleful expression, but his
voice still sounded sad. “What are you going to paint, anyway?” Alex asked.
“I’m not going to paint. We’re going to paint,” corrected Mr. Chin. “What
do you think your new brother would like to see on the walls of his room?”
Alex suddenly felt bewilderment; he had no idea. He had never thought about
it. “Well,” he said, “if it was my room, I’d want to feel like I was sleeping outside.”
Mr. Chin smiled. “Great idea! We can start by painting stars and clouds on
the ceiling.”
Alex was skeptical that they could do such a thing, but Mr. Chin set up a
ladder and got to work. Before long, he had begun to paint a brilliant night
sky. Alex stared in envy at Mr. Chin’s skill. He hoped he would be able to paint
something half as well.
Then Alex chose two colors—blue and silver—and began to paint a river.
At fi rst, the paint dripped messily down the wall, and Alex felt a twinge of
frustration. But with some patience, he learned to use just the right amount of
color. Soon, he was painting trees and birds. He felt a rush of happy exhilaration
as the outdoor scene came to life. “Maybe,” Alex thought to himself, “my
brother and I could camp together in the real outdoors once we are old enough.”
When they had fi nished painting for the day, Alex showed the nursery to his
parents. They were jubilant! Then Alex gave Mr. Chin a hug. “I can tell, Alex,”
said Mr. Chin, “that you’ll make a great big brother.” Alex smiled and nodded.
He hoped that he would.
COMPREHENSION Which words from the story help you understand
Alex’s different emotions? How do Alex’s feelings change by the end of
the story?
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