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Make Your Point, Jr. > Menu of Lessons > Level A > Picking Apples



Picking Apples

Day 1:
Read & Study



   Read this book:
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  • Follow along with the whole book on YouTube. You can read the book yourself by playing the video without the sound.
  • Or, find a print or digital copy to borrow from a library on WorldCat.
  • Or, preview the book and see where to purchase a copy on Google Books.



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  Study the word REFUSE:
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When someone asks you for something and you say NO, you're refusing. To refuse is to say "No." You could refuse by saying "No, I won't do that," or "No, I don't want to do that," or "No, you can't have that."

If I ask, "Would you like some spinach?" and you say "No, none for me," then you've refused the spinach, and you've refused my offer of spinach.


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Refusing is a very strong, very firm action. Still, it can be nice and polite. If I tell you, "Please eat some spinach," and you say, "No, thank you; I have plenty of other things on my plate to enjoy," then you've refused politely. You gave a polite refusal. But if I tell you to eat the spinach and you say, "Absolutely not. I will never eat it. You can't make me! Get that vile vegetable away from me!" then you've refused quite rudely. You gave a rude refusal. Chill out!


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It's usually people who refuse, but animals can refuse, too. Your dog might refuse to drop his ball.

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Even things seem to refuse to do what you want. Your computer might refuse to work properly. On a rainy day, the sun refuses to shine. And very sticky stickers might refuse to come all the way off your desk.


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At school, some kids refuse to be quiet, or refuse to sit down, or refuse to work, or refuse to share.

You can refuse an invitation to a party, or refuse a job, or refuse a gift that someone is trying to give you. You can even refuse a person who wants to marry you!


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Refusing can be rude, but it can also be an excellent idea and a wise, brave move. If a friend wants you to help him steal something and you refuse, good for you! If a classmate says you're stupid and you refuse to believe her, good for you! If a neighbor asks you a rude question and you refuse to answer it, good for you! If a boss tells you to work extra hours for no pay and you refuse, good for you! Stand up for yourself, and refuse whatever needs refusing.


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One more thing! Take a close look at the word "refuse." The re part means "back," and the fuse part more or less means "give," which makes sense because refusing things can mean to give them back: to say, no, take this back, I don't want it. Keep that in mind when you notice that there's also a noun, "refuse," spelled the same but pronounced differently. Refuse is trash, or garbage: it's stuff that you throw away. For example, when you go camping, don't leave any refuse behind: take all your trash with you. And for another example, a refuse company hauls away your trash: all the stuff you want to throw away.


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  Study the word METHOD:
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When you have a method, you have a specific way of doing something, or a certain plan or process for getting something done. Your method of doing something might be different from somebody else's, but your method is a way that works well for you that you've thought about carefully and practiced many times.

I follow this method for serving an avocado: slice it in half with a knife, then use a spoon to scoop out all the deliciousness. That's not the only method, but it's a good one.


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Here's one method for starting a campfire.


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And here's another. This method looks harder, doesn't it?


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Here are three different methods for slicing a pizza. I'm not so sure about that last method. What do you think?


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One of the most important methods you'll ever learn about is the scientific method. That's the step-by-step way in which we figure out what's true or how reality works.


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As you can see, methods often go step by step. They're very orderly. First this, then that. When you're following a method, taking each step at a time, you're being methodical. You're doing things methodically.

For example, Hermione is a methodical student, and she studies methodically. Here's one of her methods for learning so well and achieving so much: she reads her textbooks before she goes to class.


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  Study the word WITHDRAW:
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To withdraw something is to pull it out, pull it back, or pull it away. And to withdraw yourself is to pull yourself away. In the word "withdraw," with means "away," and draw means "pull or take." So, to withdraw something is to take it away.

If you withdraw money from your bank, that means you take it out so you can use it. This person withdrew a big stack of bills.


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Dumbledore and Harry carry their magic wands in their pockets or their sleeves, and when they withdraw their wands, that means they take the wands out, getting ready to use them.


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When Olaf reaches for the fire and gets burned, he quickly withdraws his hand. That means he pulls his hand away.


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You can withdraw from a club or a class, meaning you leave it: you take yourself away from it. And if you feel sad or moody, you might withdraw from your friends or withdraw from your family. That means you separate yourself: you take yourself away, apart from the others. A withdrawn person might be shy, or scared. Or, someone can be withdrawn by nature. Sometimes I can seem withdrawn, but it's just because I enjoy spending time alone.


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When an army has withdrawn, or when a group of animals has withdrawn, that means they've all left together.


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Just like you withdraw objects, or withdraw yourself from a group or a situation, you can also withdraw things that you can't see or touch. For example, to withdraw a question after you ask it means that you take it back: you decide you don't want an answer.


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  Study the word COAX:
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To coax someone, or to coax someone into doing something, is to speak in a kind, gentle way to get them to do something.

For example, if your cat is scared, hiding under the bed, you could try coaxing her out by talking gently or holding out a treat.


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If it's your turn to talk in front of the whole class, and you're feeling shy or nervous, your friends might coax you. They might say, "You can do it! Get up there! You've got this!" With their smiles and their words, your friends can coax you into speaking clearly and confidently to the entire class.


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Typically, we coax people into doing things that they kind of don't want to do, but we really want them to try. For example, you could coax your little sibling into trying a bite of a new vegetable. She doesn't want to, but you'd really like her to, so you use gentle words, and you're patient: you say, "Please? Just try a little bite?" That's what coaxing sounds like. It's gentle.

When Gru has no interest in reading the girls a bedtime story, Agnes coaxes him into it, saying "Pretty please?" Gru gives in to her coaxing. He reads them the story.


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  Study the word PARTICIPATE:
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You can see the word "part" inside the word "participate." To participate in something is to take part in it. In other words, participation is doing something with other people. It's getting involved, and playing or working or somehow taking part in what the other people are doing.

When you participate in a game with your friends, you're playing the game with them. When you participate in a project with your family, you're helping them with the project. And when you participate in a conversation, you're one of the people who's listening and talking.


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You may not always want to participate. This kid has no interest in participating in this activity. The other kids are participants: that means, they're the people who are doing the activity. But this kid does not want to be a participant.


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Would you participate in this game? If so, you'd take a seat, grab a stick, and start whacking at the balloons. But if you think this game is stupid or boring, you might not participate.


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You can participate in class by raising your hand a lot. You can participate in a contest or a debate by joining in and doing your best. But if your siblings are fighting with each other, or if your friends are starting a food fight, you might choose not to participate. You could say, "Nope. Leave me out of this!"


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Now, I'll say the meaning, and you say the word!
Listen as I describe each word.
Try to say the word, nice and loud, as quick as you can.



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1. The word that means "to talk gently to someone, so they do what you want them to" is...

... coax.


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2. The word that means "a set of steps to take to help you do something" is...
... method.

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3. The word that means "to join in and do what other people are doing" is...
... participate.

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4. The word that means "to say 'no' because you DON'T want something" is...
... refuse.

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5. The word that means "to pull yourself out of (or away from) something" is...
... withdraw.

Picking Apples

Day 2:
Understand

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Let's understand how these words connect to our book!

Listen to each question, and decide which answer choice is correct. You can check your answer by clicking "Show Answer." If you make a mistake, don't worry! Just listen to the question again, then try again.


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1. Remember: when you refuse to do something, people want you to do it, but you're saying you will NOT do it.


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In our book, Michael refuses to pick apples. What does this mean?


B) It means that Michael says he's not going to pick any apples.


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2. Remember: a method is a special step-by-step way of doing a task.


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In our book, different kids come up with different methods for picking apples. What does this mean?


A) It means that some of the kids climb ladders, other kids shake the trees, and other kids jump up to the branches—and they all get apples.




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3. Remember: when you withdraw from a group, you don't want to be there, so you move away from the group.


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In our book, Michael withdraws from his classmates. What does this mean?


B) It means that Michael wanders off from the group, uninterested in helping them pick apples.




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4. Remember: to coax someone is to use gentle words to help them want to do something.


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In our book, Mrs. Connor coaxes Michael into picking some apples. What does this mean?


A) It means that Mrs. Connor speaks kindly to Michael, helping him get interested in apple-picking.




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5. Remember: participation is being an active part of a group or a team, doing what the other people are doing.


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At the end of our book, Michael finally participates in apple-picking. What does this mean?


B) It means that Michael decides to join his classmates and help them pick apples.


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Finally, let's understand how these words can connect to other situations!

Listen as I describe each situation, and shout out the vocabulary word that comes to mind. You can check your answer by clicking "Show Answer." Remember, if you make a mistake, don't worry! Just listen again, then try again.


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1. You're at the pool with your cousins, and your littlest cousin, a strong swimmer, has never jumped off the diving board. You know he'll love it if he just gives it a try! So you encourage him gently, saying "Just try it once! It's safe. It's fun. You'll feel like you're flying. Want to watch me do it first?"

There's a word that starts with C that describes what you're doing. What's the word?

coaxing




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2. You're feeding your cat, which requires opening up a can of stinky food and using a spoon to scrape it all out into the bowl. It takes so long! It's so stinky! Surely there's a better, faster way to do this task. Today, after you open the can, you try turning it upside-down and shaking the food into the bowl. Gloop! All the food slops right into the bowl, no scraping required. Easy-peasy. What a great new way to feed your cat faster.

There's a word that starts with M that describes what you've discovered. What's the word?

method



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3. Tomorrow night, five of your friends are coming over to play, and you'll all have dinner together. As a group, you'll cook a pizza and bake cookies. One of your friends can't eat gluten—and there's gluten in almost all pizza crusts and cookie mixes! You want to make sure your gluten-free friend gets to join in on the baking and the eating. You don't want to exclude your friend, or make him bring his own different food. You want him to take part in the fun! So, today, at the store, you make sure to pick a gluten-free pizza crust and a gluten-free cookie mix.

There's a word that starts with P that describes what your gluten-free friend can do now. What's the word?

participate



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4. You're with your family at the zoo, where all your cousins have rushed excitedly into the reptile house. They can't wait to admire the snakes, the turtles, and the crocodiles. But reptiles give you the creeps. You don't want to see them at all. So, you let your cousins go on without you, and you hang back, staying outside the reptile house, waiting patiently until your cousins come out.

There's a word that starts with W that describes what you're doing. What's the word?

withdrawing



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5. Your little sibling has accidentally spilled an entire box of cereal onto the kitchen floor. With a devilish look in her eye, she tells you, "Clean that up!"

You say, "What? No way. You made that mess; you can clean it. I'm not going to clean it for you."

There's a word that starts with R that describes what you're doing. What's the word?

refusing

Picking Apples

Day 3:
Illustrate

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Grab some index cards, or open Quizlet.com. It's time to illustrate some flash cards!

If you're using index cards, write your word on the front, and on the back, write the definition and draw a picture: something that'll help you understand what the word means. If you're using Quizlet, simply add your words and definitions to your set, and choose any picture you like.

You can copy my definitions below, or you can write your own. And, you can use the pictures I've suggested, or pick your own.

When you're done illustrating your words, be sure to scroll down and tell me about the pictures you picked!


TermDefinitionPicture
refuseto NOT do what someone has asked you to do
methodthe steps you take to get something done
withdrawto go away, or to pull something out or back
coaxto be nice and kind as you talk someone into doing something
participateto join in with other people and be a part of something

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Tell me about your pictures!

Take your pictures one at a time, and tell me: what's in the picture, and how does it connect to the word? For example, let's say I just studied the word "frantic." I could write: "Mickey is throwing clothes into his suitcase as fast as he can. He's frantic because he's worried he'll be late."



For another example, let's say I just studied the word "triumphant." I could write: "The girl just won a contest, and she's holding a big trophy. That's why she's triumphant."



Let's see one more example! Let's say I just studied the word "dumbfounded." I could write: "This girl is dumbfounded because she sees a gigantic birthday cake that's taller than she is; now, she's so shocked that she doesn't know what to say." Maybe that's not REALLY what's happening, but it's okay to use your imagination!



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Picking Apples

Day 4:
Apply
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Today, you'll apply the vocabulary words to your own life! I'll help you write a sentence using each word that expresses your own thoughts, ideas, wishes, and experiences.

For each word below, write your own sentence. You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can!



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  1. Write a sentence with the word REFUSE:
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Remember: when you refuse to do something that you're supposed to do, that means you will NOT do it.

Idea 1: "I'll try almost any (food, game, or sport), but I refuse to try (some specific terrible or scary food, game, or sport)."

Idea 2: "When (someone) (did something very rude, mean, or unfair), I refused to talk to (him or her) for (a certain amount of time)."




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  2. Write a sentence with the word METHOD:
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Remember: your method is how you do something.

Idea 1: "I need a new method for (doing something), because the way I do it right now (is messy, is too difficult, or takes too much time or money)."

Idea 2: "My favorite method for (doing something) is to start by (doing something)."





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  3. Write a sentence with the word WITHDRAW:
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Remember: if somebody withdrew, that means they left, they went away, or they went somewhere else, apart from the group. You could refer to that action as their withdrawal. And, when you've withdrawn something, you've taken it back. Finally, people who seem withdrawn are shy or tend to pull themselves back from other people.

Idea 1: "I dig around in my (pockets, backpack, drawer, or other container), eventually withdrawing (an item of some kind)."

Idea 2: "(Somebody) seems withdrawn (in class, at home, or at a sport or other activity), so I'll try (doing something friendly to help them be part of the group)."





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  4. Write a sentence with the word COAX:
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Remember: if you coax someone, you use a soft, kind voice to ask them to do something or try something.

Idea 1: "(Someone) was (shy, scared, or nervous) at first, but I coaxed (him or her) into (doing something new)."

Idea 2: "No matter what you say, you'll never coax me into (doing something very scary, dangerous, or adventurous)."




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  5. Write a sentence with the word PARTICIPATE:
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Remember: if you participate in something, you join in, or you go along with it.

Idea 1: "Instead of participating right away in (some game or activity), I just watch for a while, so I can learn how to (do some part of that game or activity)."

Idea 2: "I (would or wouldn't) participate in (a talent show, a swimming race, a singing contest, a food fight, or any other unusual event or activity) because (of some reason)."




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When you're ready, paste your sentences into the form below. Now is a good time to read your sentences out loud, and think, "Do I like my sentence? Does it sound good? Do I need to fix anything? Could I add any more details?"


Picking Apples

Day 5:
Free-Write

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You've studied hard! Today, before you write, please take a few minutes to play with your flash cards.

Try looking at your pictures and recalling your words. Be sure to say them out loud! If your flash cards are in Quizlet, play the Match game.

When you feel comfortable with all your words, you're ready to write!


Pick one topic below:

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Look through your flash card deck of all the words you've studied recently. First, which word in your deck best connects to the book Picking Apples? How does it connect? Next, which word connects second-best, and how? Finally, which word totally does NOT connect to Picking Apples, and why?




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In our book, the kids use many different methods to get apples. They jump up, they climb ladders, they shake the trees, they pluck apples from the ground, and they sit and wait for apples to plop into their laps. Tell me about a new, different method for picking apples. Maybe you invent a machine or a tool to help you, or maybe you find a way to fly into the air. Your method can be real or imaginary, serious or crazy. When you're done with your draft, look through your flash card deck of all the words you’ve studied recently, and pick one word that could fit into your paragraph. Add it in.




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Look through your flash card deck of all the words you've studied recently, and pick three words that seem fun or challenging. Then, use those three words as you tell me a story that explains why Michael hates apples and refuses to pick them. Maybe Michael got sick at an apple-eating contest. Maybe he had a nightmare about a giant evil apple with teeth that chomped up his school. Maybe he ate an apple once, and it turned his skin purple and scaly. Your story can be as silly or as realistic as you like.




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When you're all done, it's a good idea to take a little break! Come back later, and paste your first draft (above) into the box below.

Read your work out loud, and think, "Do I like this? Does it sound good? Do I need to fix anything? Could I add any more details?" Please try for three or more sentences.

When you're happy with your second draft below, click the Submit button.




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