The Real Pocahontas - Teacher Created Materials

3
Comprehension
Connection
Before Reading
1. How can you tell that this is a letter?
2. What kind of letter is it—personal,
business, or a letter to a newspaper?
How do you know?
3. Who was Pocahontas? What do you
know about her?
During Reading
1. What was Pocahontas’s real name?
Why was she given the nickname
Pocahontas?
2. How do you suppose the letter writer
knew that the story of Pocahontas was
not told until long after Pocahontas had
died?
3. Where did Pocahontas marry John
Rolfe? How do you know?
After Reading
1. Why do you think the real story of
Pocahontas is not as well known as the
untrue one?
2. Why do you think John Garcia wrote
this letter to the editor?
3. Has your understanding about
Pocahontas changed after reading this
letter? If so, in what way? If not, do
you agree that the letter writer knew
what he was talking about? Why?
Skill Focus
Letting Others’ Ideas Sharpen Your Own
One of the most popular parts of a newspaper is the editorial
page. Editorial pages have several features. They usually
include one or more editorials. They are essays about an issue
by an expert or by someone who works for the newspaper. They
also have letters to the editor. They are written by readers who
have something to say. People read the editorial page because
they are interested in reading about different ideas. Also, it helps
people decide whether they agree or disagree on something.
Do you have any opinions? Opinions are your ideas. They
are not facts. They cannot be proved right or wrong. But they
should be based on facts. And the ideas and facts should be
written in a way that makes sense.
Look at John Garcia’s letter on the other side of this card.
He is telling his thoughts about other things he has read in the
newspaper. He shows that his opinions are based on facts. You
do not have to agree with everything he writes. But you will
probably learn something by reading his letter. Also, it will help
you have a better idea about what you think. Reading other
people’s ideas will help you form clear opinions.
Writing Extension
Do you have an idea that you would like to share with
others? Write a short letter to your teacher about it. Make
your ideas clear. Be sure to include some facts along with
your opinions!
Vocabulary
1. recent
2. nickname
3. repeat
4. attract
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10773 (i1965) Exploring Nonfiction • Second Edition—Level 3 © Teacher Created Materials Publishing