SUMMER
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ARTS
PACKET
GRADE 4
1.4 a 1 II
ri
lvinv.k5learning.com
1
Objective
Concepts (comet, Quaker, telescope, astronomy, knowledge,
homophones-metal/medal, prefix "dis"- disagreed, "ly"-truly, contribution of
women in science); Sight words (served, trace, realized, demanded, disagreed,
refused, quote, truly)
Vocabulary
served
disagreed
trace
refused
realized
quote
demanded
truly
Miss Mitchell's Comet
By: Sue Peterson
Maria Mitchell was born in 1818 in Massachusetts. She was
raised as a Quaker. The Quaker religion values education
equally for boys and girls. So although many other young
girls could not attend school at this time, the Quaker families
sent their daughters to school.
In fact, Maria's father was her first principal. When Maria
was 11, her father built his own school and she was a
student in this school. Maria also served as a teaching
assistant. A teaching assistant is someone who is a
teacher's helper.
Because Maria showed an early interest in the stars,
Mr. Mitchell taught Maria about the telescope and astronomy.
Astronomy is the study of the universe beyond the earth
which includes stars, planets, comets, and galaxies.
Peterson 2(112—
Maria later opened her own school and then was offered a
job as a librarian. During this time she continued to study
astronomy.
In 1847, Maria discovered a comet by using her own
telescope. The King of Denmark had offered gold medal
prizes to anyone who discovered a comet with a telescope.
She won one of these prizes for her comet discovery and
this made her name very well-known throughout the world.
She became the first professional female astronomer in the
United States.
Maria was the first woman elected to the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences and also to the American Association
for the Advancement of Science. Later in her career, she
worked for the U.S. Nautical Almanac Office to trace how the
planet Venus yearly orbited.
Maria became professor of
astronomy at Vassar College
in 1865 and was named
Director of the observatory
there. Maria soon realized
that she was paid much less
as a woman professor. She
demanded that the college
pay her just as much as the
men professors. Guess what?
After asking for more money,
she eventually received the
same pay as the men
professors.
Early years of Vassar College
Vas3ar College today
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Maria believed in equality and disagreed with slavery so she
refused to wear any clothing made from cotton since the
slaves worked in the cotton fields in the South.
She helped start the American Association for the
Advancement of Women and served as its president for
three years. She was also one of the first women to be
elected to the American Philosophical Society.
Maria died in 1889 at the age of 70. The Maria Mitchell
Observatory in Nantucket, Massachusetts, is named in her
honor. She was given many honors after her death. She is
listed in the National Women's Hall of Fame, and both a
World War II liberty ship, and the crater "Mitchell" on the
Moon are named after her.
Maria Mitchell is well-known for her quote, "We have a
hunger of the mind. We ask for all of the knowledge around
us and the more we get, the more we desire." She truly
loved learning and she truly was a great astronomer.
A WWII liberty ship named in Miss Mitchell's honor
Sue Peterson 2012
The crater "Mitchell"
Practice
Multiple-Choice Questions (put an X in front of the correct answer)
1. The advantage of being a Quaker in 1818 helped Njlaria Mitchell
a.
b.
c.
d.
learn to sew
babysit children
work in a factory
attend school
2. Maria's father was instrumental in helping Maria develop an
interest in science. He taught her how to use a telescope and all
about
a. social studies
b. math
c. English
d. astronomy
and was awarded a gold medal prize
3. Maria discovered a
from the King of Denmark.
a.
b.
c.
d.
meteor
star
cloud
comet
Definitions (Write the meaning of each word as it is used in the text.)
1. trace
2. realized
3. truly
Siae Treterson 2012
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Extended Response (Answer in com
plete sentences.)
1. What it the main idea of this text? Wh
y
was the text written?
2. What are some important "firsts" tha
t Maria Mitchell is credited
with?
'rfi STie riateison 2617;
3. Maria is known for speaking up for what she believed in and taking
action. Several instances were explained in the story. Summarize
what she felt about equal pay for women. In addition, explain her
viewpoint on slavery. What action did she take?
Mitchell's Cornet
r)- Sae Peterson- 'Orr-
inviv.k5learning.com
Objective
sight words (pulses, intermittent, isotopes, chronicle, methane, tectonic
plates, volcanism, configurations, land-locked, erratic); concepts (geological evidence
and specific terminology related to landforms as a result of the ice age: moraine,
drumlin, boulder, till, esker, fjord, kettle lake, cirque, horn, etc.)
Vocabulary
pulses
tectonic
plates
intermittent
volcanism
isotopes
configurations
chronicle
land-locked
methane
erratic
The Ice Age
By: Sue Peterson
What is an ice age? An ice age is a time period when the
temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere is greatly
reduced so that there is a presence or expansion of continental
ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers in the southern
and northern hemispheres. Within this time period, individual
pulses of cold climate are considered "glacial periods" and warm
intermittent periods are called "interglacial periods". Using the
definition of glacial and interglacial periods, geologists classify the
present condition of the world as an ice age that began 2.6 million
years ago because the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets still
exist.
What is the basis of an ice age? There are three main types of
evidence to consider. These include geological, chemical and
Sue Peterson 2012
paleontological. Geological evidence includes rocks, glacial
moraines, drumlins, valley cutting, and the deposits of sediments.
The chemical evidence looks at the variations in the ratios of
isotopes in fossils found in sediments, sedimentary rocks and
ocean sediment cores. Paleontological evidence looks at the
changes in the geographical distribution of fossils. During cold
time periods, organisms spread into lower latitudes and
organisms that preferred warmer climates became extinct. These
types of evidence have shown there were glacial periods over the
past few million years.
What is the history of ice ages? There have been five major ice
ages that chronicle the Earth's past: Huronian (over 2 million
years ago), Cryogenian (about 850-630 million years ago),
Andean-Saharan (about 460-420 million years ago), Karoo (360260 million years ago), and the Quaternary Ice ages (the current
ice age starting about 2.58 million years ago).
What happens during glacial time periods? The climate is
cooler and dryer over most of the Earth. Large land and sea ice
masses extend outward from the poles. Mountain glaciers extend
to lower elevations due to a lower snow line. Sea levels drop
because large volumes of water above sea level are removed
from the ice caps. Ocean circulation patterns are also disrupted.
What theories are there to explain the ice ages? There are
many theories behind the ice ages.
One theory is that the increase of ice and snow causes the
earth to reflect more of the sun's energy and absorb less
energy. When air temperatures decrease, ice and snow
fields grow.
3 Another theory hypothesizes that an ice-free Arctic Ocean
leads to increased snowfall at high latitudes.
Yet, another theory surrounds the concentrations of carbon
Jioxicie and methane.
"I
i) Sue Peterson 2012
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• An additional theory deals with the changes in the Earth's
orbit around the sun and possibly the Sun's orbit around the
galaxy.
• Some scientists have noted that the motion of the tectonic
plates has resulted in changes in the relative location and
amount of continental and oceanic crust on the Earth's
surface, which in turn affects wind and ocean currents which
may also be a cause of the ice age.
• There is a theory about the impact of relatively large
meteorites and another theory that volcanism, eruptions of
super volcanoes, was a cause.
• It is noted that several of these factors may influence each
other. One example is when the atmospheric composition of
the earth changes, then climate is altered. This can change
the atmospheric composition which repeats the cycle.
Will the Earth continue to experience glacial periods? There
are two known configurations of the continents (in existence
today) that either block or reduce the warm water from the
equator to the poles. For example, the continent of Antarctica sits
on top of a pole and the polar Arctic Ocean is almost land-locked.
These physical conditions lead geologists to believe that the Earth
will continue to experience glacial periods in the near future.
What are some of the effects of the most recent glacial
period? The effects of the last glacial period are seen today.
The moving ice impacted the landscape of Canada, Greenland,
northern Eurasia and Antarctica. Typical features of erratic
boulders, till, drumlins, eskers, fjords, kettle lakes, moraines,
cirques, horns, etc. were left behind. The heavy weight of the ice
deformed the Earth's crust and mantle. Global sea levels
dropped over 330 feet (100 meters) to expose continental shelves
in some areas. This caused land bridges to be formed between
land masses and allowed animals to migrate. This type of rapidly
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changing land has been thought to have caused the Baltic and
Scandinavian regions, as well as much of the North American
coastlines.
it) Sue Peterson 2012
5
Practice
Language Work
A. Write the words.
volcanism
configurations
isotopes
tectonic plates
methane
B. Use each word in a
se
ntence. Underline the w
ord used.
pulses
intermittent
chronicle
land-locked
T--) Sue Peterson 201
2
6
erratic
C. Phonics work. The vocabulary word "chronicle" is spelled with the
Greek root "chron". What does "chron" mean in these words: chronicle,
chronic, chronological, synchronize?
Multiple-Choice Questions (Put an X in front of the correct answer.)
1. Which type of evidence for ice ages is described as "changes in the
geographical distribution of fossils"?
a. geological
b. chemical
c. paleontological
d. all of the above
2. The present ice age period is called which "period"?
a. Huronian
b. Cryogenian
c. Andrea-Saharan
d. Karoo
e. Quaternary
© Sue Peterson 2012
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Objective
sight words (refreshment, grab, groceries, continues, arranged,
apprentice, caramels, expand, convention, equipment, focused, afford); concepts
(Hershey, Pennsylvania; successful business, steps to make chocolate,
foundation)
Vocabulary
refreshment
caramels
grab
expand
groceries
convention
continues
equipment
arranged
focused
apprentice
afford
The History of Chocolate
By: Sue Peterson
People from all over the world like the taste of
chocolate. Chocolate is a refreshment that many people
enjoy as a dessert or snack. Did you ever grab a chocolate
bar at the store when you were checking out groceries with
your mom or dad? Did you ever buy a chocolate bar at the
gas station when your parents stopped to buy gas? Did you
ever get to pick out a chocolate candy bar at a basketball
game or a soccer game?
Sue Peterson 2012
Some people like dark chocolate and some people like
light chocolate. Some
people like plain chocolate
and others like nuts or
cream inside.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Maybe you have gone to a candy shop that made lots
of different kinds of chocolate. Or you might have taken a
trip out east and stopped at Hershey, Pennsylvania, where
Milton Hershey first made chocolate for Hershey's candy.
The name "Hershey" is known throughout the world. Milton
Hershey died in 1945, but the chocolate factory and
Hershey's chocolate continues to be made in Hersey,
Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Hershey thought it would be a good idea for her
son Milton to learn a business from someone who was a
successful businessman. So when Milton finished fourth
grade, she arranged for Milton to become a printer's
rJ Sue Peterson 2012
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apprentice where he would learn about print, newspapers,
and books.
However, Milton did not like this kind of work and soon
he was serving as an apprentice under his father who got a
new job in a candy factory where he helped to make candy.
After a few years, Milton knew that he was a good
candy maker and he wanted to
start his own candy business. He
tried to build several businesses
yr
in many different cities, and he did
Milton Hershey
not give up until his candy business was finally a success.
He learned to make caramels and to expand the kinds
of candy he made. When he was 29-years-old, he moved
back to Pennsylvania to start a caramel business, and in four
years his business was very successful.
After seeing how chocolate was made at a chocolate
convention, Milton purchased the equipment needed to
make similar chocolates. He got married and sold the
t) Sue Peterson 2012
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caramel company for $1,000,000 dollars and opened up a
chocolate factory.
Hershey built an entire town complete with houses,
schools, churches, and stores so the people who worked in
his factory could live nearby. The Hershey Chocolate
Company grew to make sweet chocolate and cocoa.
He focused his factory on the "nickel bar", a chocolate
bar that everyone could afford. He then added Hershey
Kisses and Hershey's with Almonds.
As success and profits rose, he
expanded his town to add a sports
arena, a stadium, and a school to learn
how to make chocolate. The school
I
was for orphaned children, and when
his wife died, Milton took all of his money ($60 million
dollars) and gave it to the school to help these children.
He also made a foundation which is an organization
that gives money to people who need it. His foundation is
designed to help people get an education.
Sue Peterson 2012
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Milton Hershey died in 1945, but the world remembers
him for not only making chocolate bars, but for his work to
help people through his foundation. A medical center for
The Pennsylvania State University was also founded.
Milton Hershey is remembered as someone who built
an entire city and helped people get jobs. He is remembered
for someone who made a school for children who did not
have families. He is someone who made a medical center
to help those who are sick and someone who made that
chocolate, that yummy chocolate that most of us throughout
the world enjoy.
Hershey's Chocolate Company
© Sue Peterson 2012
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Practice
Multiple-Choice Questions (Put an X in front of the correct answer.)
1. The word "apprentice' is described in the text. Who is most likely
an apprentice?
a. A teacher who teaches reading at school.
b. A parent who cooks dinner at your house.
c. A friend who bikes with you to the park.
d. Someone who learns a trade from someone who is
skilled.
2. Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a famous town. Which of these does
not describe the town of Hershey?
a. houses, schools, churches, and stores
b. sports arena
c. stadium
d. ice rink
3. According to the text, what was the town of Hershey designed to
d o?
a. offer a school and jobs for orphaned children
b. add a city to Pennsylvania
c. to make nutritional, low-calorie food
d. all of the above
4. Hershey's chocolates are eaten throughout the world. Which of
these describe the variety of chocolate that is made?
a. dark chocolate
b. light chocolate
c. plain chocolate
d. chocolate with nuts
e. chocolate with cream
f. all of the above
g. none of the above
0 Sue Peterson 2012
Definitions (Write the m
eaning of ea
ch word as it is used in th
1. continues
e text.)
2. apprentice
3. expands
Extended Response (A
nswer in complete se
ntences.)
1. Why do you think Milto
n Hershey gave funds to
the orphan school
and made a foundation wh
en his wife died?
7 Sue Peterson 2012
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2. How will Milton Hershey be remembered?
3. Who likes chocolate in your family? Wh
at kind is their favorite and
why?
Sue Peterson 2012