Home/School Connections: - Benchmark Resources

BLM 1
Name
Date
Home/School Connections:
Analyze Character
1. Make Text-to-World Strategy Connections
Choose two members of your family to describe. What are two character
traits of each person? Write them down on a sheet of paper. Then list
some details that show these traits. Bring your ideas to school to share with
your class.
2. Make Text-to-Text Strategy Connections
Think of a real or fictional character you have especially enjoyed reading
about. Write down some traits of the character. Then write some clues
from the text that show each trait. Bring your example(s) to school to
share with the class.
3. Make a Strategy Connection to Social Studies
What person from history do you especially admire? List some character
traits of the person. Then list some details that demonstrate these traits.
4. Make a Strategy Connection to Science
Think about some great discoveries in science. Identify three character
traits a scientist must have to make a great discovery. Explain why each
trait is important.
5. Make an Analyze Character Chart
Think of two traits and two feelings of one of your friends. Think of details,
or examples, that show each trait and feeling. Record your traits, feelings,
and examples on an Analyze Character chart. You can ask a family
member to help you. Sign your name and your family member’s name to
your chart. Bring your chart to class to share.
6. Think and Write About the Strategy
Think about how learning about analyzing character has helped you
become a more strategic reader. Write about how and when you use this
strategy to help you understand what you are reading.
Benchmark Literacy • Grade 3 • Unit 2/Week 1
©2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC

BLM 2
Name
Date
Selling Corn
Roy lived on a farm. He liked to help
his mom and dad with chores. Roy fed the
animals, and even had his own small patch
of corn to tend.
Roy’s best friend was Luis. “Let’s join the
football team this fall,” said Luis. “It costs
ten dollars to sign up.”
“I don’t have ten dollars,” said Roy.
Then he grinned. “I know! I can sell
some of my corn! I can make ten
dollars in no time at all.”
Roy told his mom and dad his plan.
They told Roy that his plan was a good idea.
Roy picked his corn. He set up a stand
in front of the farm. People stopped by and
bought corn.
The next day, Roy sent Luis an e-mail.
“I can join the team now!” he said.
Grade 3
B e n c h m a r k e d u c a t i o n c o m p a n y
Analyze Character
Fiction Poster 2
Trait:
hardworking
Clues:
• liked to help with chores
• fed animals
• had own patch of corn
to tend
Feelings:
Roy needs money for
football.
Clue:
It costs ten dollars to
join the football team.
Trait:
clever
Clue:
Roy figured out that he
could make ten dollars
by selling his corn.
Relationships:
Roy has supportive
parents.
Clue:
Roy’s parents say his idea
is good.
©2010 benchmark education company, LLc • CAP068
GR3_AnlChrctr.indd 2 3/12/10 4:51:10 PM
Benchmark Literacy • Grade 3 • Unit 2/Week 1
©2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC

BLM 3
Name
Date
Grandma Moses
Anna Mary Robertson Moses was born on
September 7, 1860. She grew up on a farm
in New York. As a child, Anna Mary did
many chores. She helped with the smaller
children. Anna Mary took care of the
animals, made candles and soap, and hung
clothes out to dry. Life on the farm was
fun, too! Friends and family had picnics
together, rode on big sleds, and played in
the snow.
As an adult, Anna Mary painted things
she remembered about life on the farm.
She became famous for her paintings. By
using paint and color, Grandma Moses
shows us how much fun it can be when
families and friends live and work together.
Grandma Moses lived to be 101 years old!
Grade 3
B e n c h m a r k e d u c a t i o n c o m p a n y
Analyze Character
Nonfiction Poster 3
Trait:
Relationships:
Motivation:
Clues:
Clues:
Clues:
Photo credits: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
©2010 benchmark education company, LLc • CAP069
GR3_AnlChrctr.indd 3 3/12/10 4:51:19 PM
Benchmark Literacy • Grade 3 • Unit 2/Week 1
©2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC

BLM 4
Name
Date
Senator Kidd
The TV reporter smiled into the camera.
“I’m standing on the steps of the Capitol
Building with Senator B.A. Kidd. Senator
Kidd is the first ten year old ever elected
to Congress. What new bills do you hope
to introduce, Senator Kidd?”
Senator Kidd adjusted his tie. “I want
to make sure we still have a country when
I grow up,” he said. “I want to make laws
that are tough on polluters. I want to
make laws that encourage world peace.”
“Admirable!” said the reporter. “What
else do you hope to accomplish?”
“I plan to form a committee to
investigate a big injustice in our country,”
replied Senator Kidd. “The amount of
homework some teachers give is a crime!
Teachers used to be kids. They
should know we need more
time for fun!”
Grade 3
B e n c h m a r k e d u c a t i o n c o m p a n y
Analyze Character
Fiction Poster 4
©2010 benchmark education company, LLc • CAP069
GR3_AnlChrctr.indd 4 3/12/10 4:51:21 PM
Benchmark Literacy • Grade 3 • Unit 2/Week 1
©2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC

BLM 5
Name
Date
Senator Kidd:
Comprehension Questions
Directions: Use information from the poster to answer questions 1–4.
1. Why does the TV reporter want to talk to B.A. Kidd?
A B.A. is on a school trip to Washington.
B B.A. is the first ten-year-old elected to Congress.
B.A. is leading a protest against too much homework.
C
2. Which clues show that B.A. Kidd is intelligent?
A B.A. wants to make laws about pollution and world peace.
B B.A. doesn’t like too much homework and wants kids to
have fun.
B.A. wears a tie and talks to a TV reporter.
C
3. What motivation does B.A. Kidd have to be a senator?
A B.A. wants to be famous.
B B.A. wants to help Americans get richer.
B.A. wants to make laws to encourage world peace.
C
4. What can you conclude about B.A. Kidd?
A B.A. is so smart that he doesn’t understand being a kid.
B B.A. is joking about making laws to help the world.
B.A. understands important issues, but he is still a kid.
C
Benchmark Literacy • Grade 3 • Unit 2/Week 1
©2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC

BLM 6
Name
Date
Constructed Written Response:
Analyze Character
Trait
Clues
Analyze Character Writing Checklist
I identified a person.
I identified at least two traits of the person.
I described clues that show each trait of the person.
Benchmark Literacy • Grade 3 • Unit 2/Week 1
©2011 Benchmark Education Company, LLC