HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. 3-Lesson 26Jeremy’s babysitter gripped the phone and held her breath in suspense as
she dialed. Jeremy wondered, would the line work? Would his babysitter be able
to tell his mother to come home early because his sister, Lissy, had a terrible
stomachache? Beep. Beep. Beep. The phone lines were down. So despite his
fright, Jeremy had no choice. While the babysitter stayed with his sister, he
would have to bike down the street to his neighbor’s house to get his mother.
Jeremy lifted the curtain and peered warily out the window. Rain was
pouring down in sheets. He was tentative about going out into the downpour.
He thought of all the hazards he might face. Then he thought of how Mom
would help Lissy feel better, and he quickly got ready to go. He put on a rain
jacket and zipped it up. Then he put on his helmet. Soon, he was walking his
bike down the driveway.
Jeremy hesitated before riding down the sidewalk. Water was pouring into his
eyes. The wind was howling and blowing leaves in every direction. Jeremy felt
scared, and his courage faltered for a moment. But the thought of his sick sister
kept him moving.
Jeremy picked up his pace, not slowing until he saw something looming in
the rain. At the sight of the unknown danger, he balked. He came to a stop
and thought about giving up. But then he stomped on the pedals and rolled
forward. When he got near the looming thing, he found it was only a large
garbage can that had blown into the street!
Jeremy pedaled even faster. He had only two more blocks to go. Suddenly,
there was a bright fl ash that lit up the whole street. He braked to a stop, his
heart pounding. The lightning had shaken him. “Would it be best to just turn
around and go home?” Jeremy wondered aloud.
Then he heard a loud crack of thunder. He realized the thunder had come
about ten seconds after the lightning. That meant the lightning was at least
ten miles away. No longer fearful, Jeremy started pedaling again.
For the rest of the ride, the rain pounded, the wind blew, and lightning fl ashed.
But Jeremy never stopped. He had found his nerve and strength. He wouldn’t let
anything get in the way of reaching his mom and going home to Lissy.
COMPREHENSION What helps Jeremy keep biking even though he is
afraid of the storm? What words tell you how he feels at different times?
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Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820. A lot of things in the United States were
different back then. For example, people did not have equal rights. In fact, the
only people who were allowed to vote were white men who owned property.
Susan’s parents believed in equal rights for all people. They taught Susan to
share in this belief of tolerance for everyone. They also encouraged her to get a
good education.
Susan went to college and, in 1839, became a teacher. She was a talented
teacher, and within a few years she became an assistant principal. This was an
important position, but she was only allowed to be in charge of the female students.
Susan was paid much less money than the male teachers were paid. She had
reached a barrier in her profession. She could not gain a higher position because
she was a woman. She objected to the different treatment of men and women, so
she quit teaching in 1849. Her new job would be to fi ght for equal rights.
Susan joined a group of people who wanted to change the negative way
people thought and acted by using compromise and negotiation. This meant
that they would have to give something in order to get something in return. The
group talked about how to resolve problems. They wanted to change laws to
make things equal for all people.
Soon, Susan was writing articles and speaking at conferences. She began a
newspaper called The Revolution. Then, in 1872, she voted in the presidential
election. At that time, it was still illegal for women to vote, so she was arrested
and put on trial. At the trial, Susan argued that voting was the legal right of
all citizens of the United States. The judge found her guilty and ordered her to
pay one hundred dollars. Susan answered by saying, ”I will never pay a dollar
of your unjust penalty.” She then gave a powerful speech. It encouraged the
people fi ghting for women’s rights to keep working toward their goal.
In 1920, a law was passed that gave all women in the United States the
right to vote. This was fourteen years after Susan B. Anthony’s death. She is
now remembered for having coaxed the equal rights movement along and
for dedicating her life to it. Her courage to argue powerfully against her foes
inspired the people who continued her fi ght for equal rights.
COMPREHENSION What was Susan B. Anthony’s goal throughout her
life? What words about disagreements did you hear in this story?
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