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STUDENT

Name __________________________________________

EDITION Level 5

Unit 12 Selection

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Read the next two selections. Then choose the best answer to each question. For many years, the Greek army suffered defeat at the hands of the Trojan army. The Greeks devised a plan to trick the Trojans and punish them for the suffering they had brought to the Greek people.

The Gift of the Trojan Horse 1

A gigantic wooden horse stood outside the gates of the ancient city of Troy. The best of Odysseus’s mighty warriors were hidden inside the horse and remained silent among the shouts coming from the walled fortress. They were hopeful their plan to trick the Trojans would work. The worthy warriors whispered to one another, “We must be patient for a few more hours. When the people of Troy fall for our trap, we will attack.” Attack they would.

2

After battling the Trojans for ten years, the Greeks wanted to punish them. Many Greek soldiers had perished trying to defeat the people of Troy. Achilles, one of the greatest Greeks of all, had fallen dead when an arrow pierced his heel. For many days, the Greek soldiers had worked to build a massive wooden structure that would later become known as the Trojan horse. The Greeks considered the horse their best weapon.

3

Odysseus was the leader of the Greek army. He asked Ares, the Greek god of war, to reveal a plan. Ares advised Odysseus of the best way to enter the city and trick the Trojans. Because the people of Troy thought of horses as sacred, Odysseus planned to offer them the mighty wooden horse as a gift. The Trojans would view this gift as a symbol

Name __________________________________________

of surrender.

Unit 12 Selection 5

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Meanwhile, the people of Troy were suspicious. “What if this is a trick?” they asked high 4 theThe priest.

6

horse was completed and rolled to the city

gates of Troy. The Greeks continued their ploy by

He responded, “Do not trust the Greeks. I know this gift is a trick.” As a test, the high priest to sailing

a nearby island, in hopes the Trojans

hurled a spear toward the wooden structure. It struck the side of the horse. Since nothing

would believe they were no longer a threat. The

happened, the people were convinced it was safe to accept the gift. The Trojans celebrated

victory as they rolled the horse into the city. The citizens were unaware of the dangerGreeks the horse patiently contained. The Greek soldiers uttered no sounds as they waited inside the horse for the next stepobject colossal

waited for the Trojans to roll the

inside the walls of their city.

of their plan. They smelled victory. 7

Later that night, the Greeks returned from the island to the city of Troy. As the Trojans slept, a spy inside the city released the Greek warriors from the horse. Gathering their weapons, they raced to open the heavy gates for their fellow Greeks. The Greek army began the destruction of the city and Troy was defeated. The punishment of Troy and its people was complete because the

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plan of the Trojan horse was successful.

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student sample pages Name __________________________________________

Unit 12 Selection

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Home

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Oh No! January 20 1

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You get both...

students can work in the book and online!

Technology

Good morning. Eric has given me permission to share a story of something that happened to him last weekend. When he checked his e-mail, Eric noticed the subject line of a new message in his inbox. The e-mail was from one of his favorite stores, Game-N-Jam. The message informed Eric that he had been chosen as the lucky winner of a $100 gift card.

2

Although his parents had warned him about opening strange e-mail attachments, Eric clicked on it anyway. He wanted to print the gift card. Eric was confident the e-mail was legitimate since it had come from a well-known store. Besides, he was excited about spending every cent of the $100 on himself.

3

Now, this is where Eric’s troubles began. As soon as he opened the e-mail attachment, Eric realized there was a problem with his computer. The mouse pointer danced around the screen like a magic jumping bean. His computer suddenly froze. Eric pressed every button on the keyboard without a response. He tried to shut down his computer, but again nothing happened. Eventually, Eric’s computer screen looked like a solid sea of blue. He finally understood why it was so important to be careful when opening e-mail attachments. At that point, Eric also realized the only free thing he had received from the Game-N-Jam e-mail was a nasty computer virus.

4

Name __________________________________________

Unit 12 Selection

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Eric asked his older brother, a computer genius, for help. John explained that viruses can be Eric’s story is a great reminder of the following tips. 5 attachments hidden in computer links. They can be programmed to attack when e-mail are Avoid questionable websites and links. opened or when free music or games are downloaded. When that occurs, the• viruses spread • Maintain anti-virus software. like wildfire. Many viruses damage or rearrange files. Others steal personal information • Ignore messages from unknown senders. or destroy entire computer systems. Fortunately for Eric, his brother knew how to rid e-mail the • Do not open pop-ups.

computer of the frustrating virus. 6

Eric learned a valuable lesson. One push of a button can crash your computer. Thanks to Eric and John for allowing me to post their story. I know the information you have learned from

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Eric and John’s experience will be helpful as you use your computers. 121

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student sample pages Name __________________________________________ The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

6 What is the meaning of the word legitimate as used in paragraph 2 of “Mr. G’s Class Blog”?

Total Motivation Reading improves student retention of targeted skills and concepts.

8 In “Mr. G’s Class Blog,” why does Eric believe the e-mail contains accurate information?

F Real

F He has made purchases from Game-N-Jam.

G Legal

G He trusts the source of the e-mail.

H Acceptable

H His brother forwards the e-mail.

J Free

J His computer is protected by software.

7 Read this sentence from paragraph 3 of the blog. The mouse pointer danced around the screen like a magic jumping bean.

9 Which sentence from “Mr. G’s Class Blog” does the author use to foreshadow the problem?

The figurative language in this sentence appeals to the reader’s sense of —

A Although his parents had warned him about opening strange e-mail attachments, Eric clicked on it anyway.

A smell

B Now, this is where Eric’s troubles began.

B taste

C Besides, he was excited about spending every cent of the $100 on himself.

C touch

D The message informed Eric that he had been chosen as the lucky winner of a $100 gift card.

D sight

Name __________________________________________

Unit 12 Assessment

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

1 Why does the author write “The Gift of the Trojan Horse”? A To show the characteristics of the Greek gods

4 Which word from “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” has the same meaning as ploy in paragraph 4? F gift G symbol

B To describe the actions of the Greek people

H surrender

C To explain the reasons for the Trojan War

J trick

D To teach the lesson that people can be tricked by appearances

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2 Which sentence from “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” provides an example of figurative language?

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Unit 12 Assessment

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5 Which sentence provides evidence that “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” is a myth? A Odysseus was the leader of the Greek army.

F Attack they would.

B He asked Ares, the Greek god of war, to reveal a plan.

G It struck the side of the horse. H They smelled victory.

C As a test, the high priest hurled a spear toward the wooden structure.

J Meanwhile, the people of Troy were suspicious.

D Because the people of Troy thought of horses as sacred, Odysseus planned to offer them the mighty wooden horse as a gift.

3 In the myth, why do the Greeks select a wooden horse as a weapon? A Ares always uses horses to defeat his enemies. B The Greeks are skilled at building wooden structures. C The horse is a sacred symbol to the Trojans. D The Greek army uses horses to celebrate victories.

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GRADE LEVEL 5 student edition

student sample pages Name __________________________________________

Unit 12 Assessment

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

10 Why does Mr. G share Eric’s story on the blog?

12 How is the computer virus in the blog similar to the Trojan horse in the myth?

F To teach students a lesson on blogging

F Their sources are trusted by the main characters.

G To provide Eric’s brother the opportunity to share his computer knowledge

G They are both presented as gifts from friends.

H To prevent Eric from repeating his mistake

H Their contents are used to bring about destruction.

J To make others aware of the importance of being cautious when using the computer

11 What theme is expressed in the myth and the blog? A Look before you leap.

J They are both symbols of winners.

13 How do the points of view differ in “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” and in “Mr. G’s Class Blog”? A “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” is written in third-person limited, while “Mr. G’s Class Blog” is written in third-person omniscient.

B Nothing in life is free. C Things are not always as they appear to be.

B “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” is written in third-person omniscient, while “Mr. G’s Class Blog” is written in third-person limited.

D Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.

C “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” is written in first-person, while “Mr. G’s Class Blog” is written in third-person.

Name __________________________________________

D “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” is written Unit 12 “Mr. Assessment in third-person objective, while G’s Class Blog” is written in third-person omniscient. 14 Eric can best be compared to which character in “The Gift of the Trojan Horse”?

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

15 Read the sentence from “The Gift of the Trojan Horse.”

F Odysseus

Since nothing happened, the people

G Achilles

were convinced it was safe to accept

H The spy

the gift.

J A Greek soldier

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Which sentence from “Mr. G’s Class Blog” expresses a similar idea? A Eric was confident the e-mail was legitimate since it had come from a well-known store.

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B Now, this is where Eric’s troubles began. C As soon as he opened the e-mail attachment, Eric realized there was a problem with his computer. D He finally understood why it was so important to be careful when opening e-mail attachments.

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student sample pages Name __________________________________________ The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Analysis

Use the Venn diagram to compare and contrast “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” and “Mr. G’s Class Blog.” Analyze

“The Gift of the Trojan Horse”

“Mr. G’s Class Blog”

aluation Ev

Which story teaches the lesson more effectively? Eva

luate

Circle your answer.

“The Gift of the Trojan Horse”

“Mr. G’s Class Blog”

Support your response. ___________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

nthesis Sy

Name __________________________________________

Write a new ending for either the myth or the blog.

Unit 12 Critical Thinking

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

C re a t e

____________________________________________________________________

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and ______________________________________________________________________________ Mr. G’s Class Blog ______________________________________________________________________________

owledge Kn

______________________________________________________________________________

Complete the sentence. Re

m e mber

______________________________________________________________________________ The Trojan horse is made of _____________________________ . ______________________________________________________________________________

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prehensi om

on

C

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GRADE LEVEL 5 student edition

Unit 12 Critical Thinking

List four details that could be used to summarize “Mr. G’s Class Blog.” Un

derstand

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______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

plication Ap

Write about a time you received a gift that was not what it appeared to be. Apply

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______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

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student sample page

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Unit 12 Creative Thinking

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Motivation Station

Motivation Molly says, “Point of view is the position or perspective from which an author tells a story.”

Write a blog post about a recent experience.

Blogger’s Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________________

Journal Write about a time you learned a lesson. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

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student sample page

Unit 12 Homework

The Gift of the Trojan Horse and Mr. G’s Class Blog

Achilles was the son of King Peleus and a grandson of Zeus. Achilles’ mother was Thetius, a goddess of the sea. When Achilles was a baby, his mother held him by the heel and dipped him into a river of magic water. She hoped the water would shield Achilles from harm. Because she held him by the heel, this part of his body was not protected. While he was young, Achilles was given the choice by the gods to live a long life without fame or to die at a young age and be remembered forever. He chose to be famous. Achilles became one of the most courageous warriors who fought in the Trojan War. Although he showed great skill on the battlefield, Achilles was proud and hot-tempered. He often ignored the advice of others. Achilles thought he was unbeatable. However, an arrow thrown by Apollo pierced Achilles in the heel, causing him to die. Achilles’ death proved that even great heroes are imperfect. Since that time, when a person is strong but has one weakness, that character flaw is considered his “Achilles’ heel.”

1

What do Achilles and the Trojans in “The Gift of the Trojan Horse” have in common?

3

What common theme can the reader understand from the myth of Achilles and “The Gift of the Trojan Horse”?

A They think their enemies are strong.

A Caution can result in good fortune.

B They believe they cannot be tricked.

B Pride can result in poor decisions.

C They ignore the advice of others.

C Selfishness can result in misery.

D They listen to the wisdom of the gods.

2

What is the purpose of this myth? F To explain the origin of magic water

D Doubt can result in defeat.

4

GRADE LEVEL 5 student edition

Name __________________________________________

Identify and describe your “Achilles’ heel.” __________________________________

G To explain events in nature

__________________________________

H To explain the beliefs of people

__________________________________

J To explain why people act as they do

__________________________________ __________________________________

✁ Parent Activities 1. Use the Internet to locate information about heroes in Greek mythology. 2. Help your child research common terms or advertising slogans that originated in mythology. 3. Have your child learn ways to protect your home computer and share that information with other family members. 130

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