Session 1
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
By Jeanne Zornes & Pam Harden
1.
Seven-year-old Katharine Barry, her hands clasped behind her, sadly stared out the
orphanage window at the sunset over New York City. As the clouds turned pink and orange,
she hardly noticed the short woman with wavy blond hair looking over the room full of
children.
2.
The year was 1854, and Katharine was among hundreds whose relatives had died
immigrating to America. Often visitors came looking for healthy orphans to raise to be
servants.
3.
Katharine remembered little of her parents or Ireland, where she had been born. Thin,
stooped-over, with dark, unruly hair, she had little hope of being adopted. Yet this visitor
was pointing at her!
4.
"You don't want that one," the orphanage's matron told the visitor. "She's well-behaved,
but plain, dull, and weak."
5.
"Look how she's enjoying that sunset!" the visitor remarked.
6.
"We have healthier children," the matron insisted.
7.
"No, I think I want this one," the visitor replied. "I think she needs me more than the
others."
8.
The visitor went to Katharine, looked at her kindly, and held her hand. "Would you like
to go home with me, dear, and be my little girl?" she asked.
9.
"Yes," Katharine replied quickly, "but could we please wait until the colors fade?"
10. The sad, sunset girl, soon nicknamed "Kitty," became sunshine in the life of her adoptive
mother, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, famous as the first woman doctor in America.
11. When she adopted Kitty, Elizabeth was already a true pioneer and had already made
history as the first woman to graduate from medical college in America. She'd taken more
training in England and France. Prejudice against women doctors was so strong that no
clinic or hospital would hire her. Dr. Blackwell started her own clinic in the slums of New
York City, working long hours for little pay. By now in her thirties, she'd never married and
felt lonely. That's when she visited the orphanage and chose Kitty.
12. While others regarded adopted orphans as "cheap maids," Elizabeth loved Kitty deeply,
calling her "my daughter-niece." Kitty's health improved and she went to school, becoming
a lively, happy child.
13. Kitty loved and honored Elizabeth, whom she called my "Doctor" rather than "Mother."
One day a man doctor visited them. When he left, Kitty said to Elizabeth, "Doctor, how very
odd it is to hear a man called Doctor!"
14. On Elizabeth's 35th birthday - February 3, 1856 - Kitty bought Elizabeth a candy basket
with a penny she had earned. As Kitty played nearby with her doll, Elizabeth wrote in her
diary how adopting Kitty had brightened her life. "It was a dark time," she wrote, "and she
did me good."
15.
In 1857, Elizabeth’s dream came true. Along with her sister Emily, she opened a large
hospital just for women and children, the first of its kind in America. Elizabeth crusaded for
improving health with cleanliness, fresh air, and exercise. These were new concepts in those
Session 1
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
days, but Elizabeth saw their timeless value as this would help so many others to see an
even greater number of sunsets.
1. According to the passage, pioneer most likely means
A
B
C
D
The first to embark
Main caretaker
Brave soldier
Early explorer
2. Which statement best reflects the central idea of the text?
A Elizabeth and Kitty brightened the lives of each other through their love as mother
and daughter
B Kitty helped Elizabeth achieve her dreams
C Elizabeth and Kitty did thoughtful things for each other
D Elizabeth and Kitty helped others to lead healthier lives
3. All of the following sentences support the main idea EXCEPT
A
B
C
D
Elizabeth wrote in her diary how adopting Kitty brightened her life
That’s when she visited the orphanage and chose Kitty
Kitty bought Elizabeth a candy basket with a penny she earned
Kitty’s health improved and she went to school, becoming a lively, happy child
Session 2
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
By Jeanne Zornes & Pam Harden
1. Seven-year-old Katharine Barry, her hands clasped behind her, sadly stared out the
orphanage window at the sunset over New York City. As the clouds turned pink and
orange, she hardly noticed the short woman with wavy blond hair looking over the
room full of children.
2.
The year was 1854, and Katharine was among hundreds whose relatives had died
immigrating to America. Often visitors came looking for healthy orphans to raise to be
servants.
3.
Katharine remembered little of her parents or Ireland, where she had been born. Thin,
stooped-over, with dark, unruly hair, she had little hope of being adopted. Yet this visitor
was pointing at her!
4.
"You don't want that one," the orphanage's matron told the visitor. "She's well-behaved,
but plain, dull, and weak."
5.
"Look how she's enjoying that sunset!" the visitor remarked.
6.
"We have healthier children," the matron insisted.
7.
"No, I think I want this one," the visitor replied. "I think she needs me more than the
others."
8.
The visitor went to Katharine, looked at her kindly, and held her hand. "Would you like
to go home with me, dear, and be my little girl?" she asked.
9.
"Yes," Katharine replied quickly, "but could we please wait until the colors fade?"
10. The sad, sunset girl, soon nicknamed "Kitty," became sunshine in the life of her adoptive
mother, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, famous as the first woman doctor in America.
11. When she adopted Kitty, Elizabeth was already a true pioneer and had already made
history as the first woman to graduate from medical college in America. She'd taken more
training in England and France. Prejudice against women doctors was so strong that no
clinic or hospital would hire her. Dr. Blackwell started her own clinic in the slums of New
York City, working long hours for little pay. By now in her thirties, she'd never married and
felt lonely. That's when she visited the orphanage and chose Kitty.
12. While others regarded adopted orphans as "cheap maids," Elizabeth loved Kitty deeply,
calling her "my daughter-niece." Kitty's health improved and she went to school, becoming
a lively, happy child.
13. Kitty loved and honored Elizabeth, whom she called my "Doctor" rather than "Mother."
One day a man doctor visited them. When he left, Kitty said to Elizabeth, "Doctor, how very
odd it is to hear a man called Doctor!"
14. On Elizabeth's 35th birthday - February 3, 1856 - Kitty bought Elizabeth a candy basket
with a penny she had earned. As Kitty played nearby with her doll, Elizabeth wrote in her
diary how adopting Kitty had brightened her life. "It was a dark time," she wrote, "and she
did me good."
15.
In 1857, Elizabeth’s dream came true. Along with her sister Emily, she opened a large
hospital just for women and children, the first of its kind in America. Elizabeth crusaded for
improving health with cleanliness, fresh air, and exercise. These were new concepts in those
Session 2
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
days, but Elizabeth saw their timeless value as this would help so many others to see an
even greater number of sunsets.
4. Read the sentence from the passage below
“Elizabeth crusaded for improving health with cleanliness, fresh air, and exercise.”
According to the text, the word crusaded most likely means
A
B
C
D
Create change for a valued cause
Use violent means to achieve a goal
Try to convince others to change
Educate others on various dangers
5. Read the sentences from the text below
“Prejudice against women doctors was so strong that no clinic or hospital would hire
her. Dr. Blackwell started her own clinic in the slums of New York City.”
Which statement best reflects the relationship between these two sentences?
A The first sentence is the cause for the second sentence
B The sentences are in sequential order of the events in time
C The second sentence is the theme and the first sentence supports it
D The sentences show a compare and contrast relationship
6. How does the final paragraph contribute to the reader’s understanding of the story?
A
B
C
D
It suggests that Elizabeth may not have achieved all of her goals
It indicates that Kitty was proud of Elizabeth’s accomplishments
It suggests that Elizabeth did not have enough time to devote to Kitty
It shows the lasting impact Elizabeth has on health care
7. Describe how Kitty changed throughout the text. Use two details from the text to
support your answer
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Session 1
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
Turn and talk to your partner and tell them what central/main idea is. Now turn and tell
your partner HOW you find central/main idea (they should have difficulty with this). That will be
our focus today, we are going to review HOW we find the central/main idea of a text.
We are going to take a look at this text, and I want you to pay close attention to the steps I follow
to determine central/main idea. Specifically, I am going to use repeated words and phrases to
determine the central idea. If the author keeps repeating it, then it must be important. I am also
going to look at and think about the title.
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
By Jeanne Zornes & Pam Harden
The title already tells me that there will probably be two main characters in this text. I
am also thinking that the reason she is called the sunshine girl might be because sunshine
usually represents a positive attitude and personality. But I need to read more to confirm or
revise my thinking. I am also going to be looking for repeated words and phrases and I think the
two characters from the title will be part of the central idea.
Seven-year-old Katharine Barry, her hands clasped behind her, sadly stared out the
orphanage window at the sunset over New York City. As the clouds turned pink and orange, she
hardly noticed the short woman with wavy blond hair looking over the room full of children.
The year was 1854, and Katharine was among hundreds whose relatives had died
immigrating to America. Often visitors came looking for healthy orphans to raise to be servants.
Katharine remembered little of her parents or Ireland, where she had been born. Thin, stoopedover, with dark, unruly hair, she had little hope of being adopted. Yet this visitor was pointing at
her!
"You don't want that one," the orphanage's matron told the visitor. "She's well-behaved,
but plain, dull, and weak."
"Look how she's enjoying that sunset!" the visitor remarked.
"We have healthier children," the matron insisted.
"No, I think I want this one," the visitor replied. "I think she needs me more than the
others."
The visitor went to Katharine, looked at her kindly, and held her hand. "Would you like
to go home with me, dear, and be my little girl?" she asked.
"Yes," Katharine replied quickly, "but could we please wait until the colors fade?"
The sad, sunset girl, soon nicknamed "Kitty," became sunshine in the life of her adoptive mother,
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, famous as the first woman doctor in America.
So far, I am seeing a few words that are repeated. Katherine is one. I am also seeing a
number of words that describe her personality such as sad and little hope. But yet, I keep seeing
the word sun, sunset, etc. I am thinking that maybe Elizabeth’s name is going to be repeated as
well and how Kitty changed perhaps from sad to joyful. Now I want you to notice that I didn’t
take the exact same word but a category of words (sad). As you continue to read the next
section, tell me what you notice in terms of repeats.
Session 1
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
When she adopted Kitty, Elizabeth was already a true pioneer and had already made
history as the first woman to graduate from medical college in America. She'd taken more
training in England and France. Prejudice against women doctors was so strong that no clinic or
hospital would hire her. Dr. Blackwell started her own clinic in the slums of New York City,
working long hours for little pay. By now in her thirties, she'd never married and felt lonely.
That's when she visited the orphanage and chose Kitty.
While others regarded adopted orphans as "cheap maids," Elizabeth loved Kitty deeply,
calling her "my daughter-niece." Kitty's health improved and she went to school, becoming a
lively, happy child.
Kitty loved and honored Elizabeth, whom she called my "Doctor" rather than "Mother."
One day a man doctor visited them. When he left, Kitty said to Elizabeth, "Doctor, how very odd
it is to hear a man called Doctor!"
On Elizabeth's 35th birthday - February 3, 1856 - Kitty bought Elizabeth a candy basket
with a penny she had earned. As Kitty played nearby with her doll, Elizabeth wrote in her diary
how adopting Kitty had brightened her life. "It was a dark time," she wrote, "and she did me
good."
In 1857, Elizabeth’s dream came true. Along with her sister Emily, she opened a large
hospital just for women and children, the first of its kind in America. Elizabeth crusaded for
improving health with cleanliness, fresh air, and exercise. These were new concepts in those
days, but Elizabeth saw their timeless value as this would help so many others to see an even
greater number of sunsets.
1. According to the passage, pioneer most likely means
A
B
C
D
The first to embark
Main caretaker
Brave soldier
Early explorer
2. Which statement best reflects the central idea of the text?
A Elizabeth and Kitty brightened the lives of each other through their love as mother
and daughter
B Kitty helped Elizabeth achieve her dreams
C Elizabeth and Kitty did thoughtful things for each other
D Elizabeth and Kitty helped others to lead healthier lives
Session 1
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
3. All of the following sentences support the main idea EXCEPT
A
B
C
D
Elizabeth wrote in her diary how adopting Kitty brightened her life
That’s when she visited the orphanage and chose Kitty
Kitty bought Elizabeth a candy basket with a penny she earned
Kitty’s health improved and she went to school, becoming a lively, happy child
Session 2
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
Today we are going to spend our time making inferences. When I hear the word inference, it
reminds me of the word information. We need information from the text and information from
our own schema. We put those together to make an inference. You will hear me say “Im
thinking… because…
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
By Jeanne Zornes & Pam Harden
Seven-year-old Katharine Barry, her hands clasped behind her, sadly stared out the
orphanage window at the sunset over New York City. As the clouds turned pink and orange, she
hardly noticed the short woman with wavy blond hair looking over the room full of children.
The year was 1854, and Katharine was among hundreds whose relatives had died
immigrating to America. Often visitors came looking for healthy orphans to raise to be servants.
Katharine remembered little of her parents or Ireland, where she had been born. Thin, stoopedover, with dark, unruly hair, she had little hope of being adopted. Yet this visitor was pointing at
her!
"You don't want that one," the orphanage's matron told the visitor. "She's well-behaved,
but plain, dull, and weak."
"Look how she's enjoying that sunset!" the visitor remarked.
"We have healthier children," the matron insisted.
"No, I think I want this one," the visitor replied. "I think she needs me more than the
others."
I am thinking what Elizabeth Blackwell meant by this. All orphans need someone to care
for her, so why could Kitty need her more than the others. I am thinking that Elizabeth knew that
she could give Kitty exactly what she needs. I am thinking that because it says that she was weak
and there were healthier children. Elizabeth could not only love her but also nurse her back to
good health with her medical background. Now I want you to read the next section of the text
and tell me something you are thinking and what is making you think that.
The visitor went to Katharine, looked at her kindly, and held her hand. "Would you like
to go home with me, dear, and be my little girl?" she asked.
"Yes," Katharine replied quickly, "but could we please wait until the colors fade?"
The sad, sunset girl, soon nicknamed "Kitty," became sunshine in the life of her adoptive mother,
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, famous as the first woman doctor in America.
When she adopted Kitty, Elizabeth was already a true pioneer and had already made
history as the first woman to graduate from medical college in America. She'd taken more
training in England and France. Prejudice against women doctors was so strong that no clinic or
hospital would hire her. Dr. Blackwell started her own clinic in the slums of New York City,
working long hours for little pay. By now in her thirties, she'd never married and felt lonely.
That's when she visited the orphanage and chose Kitty.
While others regarded adopted orphans as "cheap maids," Elizabeth loved Kitty deeply,
calling her "my daughter-niece." Kitty's health improved and she went to school, becoming a
lively, happy child.
Session 2
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
Kitty loved and honored Elizabeth, whom she called my "Doctor" rather than "Mother."
One day a man doctor visited them. When he left, Kitty said to Elizabeth, "Doctor, how very odd
it is to hear a man called Doctor!"
On Elizabeth's 35th birthday - February 3, 1856 - Kitty bought Elizabeth a candy basket
with a penny she had earned. As Kitty played nearby with her doll, Elizabeth wrote in her diary
how adopting Kitty had brightened her life. "It was a dark time," she wrote, "and she did me
good."
In 1857, Elizabeth’s dream came true. Along with her sister Emily, she opened a large
hospital just for women and children, the first of its kind in America. Elizabeth crusaded for
improving health with cleanliness, fresh air, and exercise. These were new concepts in those
days, but Elizabeth saw their timeless value as this would help so many others to see an even
greater number of sunsets.
4. Read the sentence from the passage below
“Elizabeth crusaded for improving health with cleanliness, fresh air, and exercise.”
According to the text, the word crusaded most likely means
A
B
C
D
Create change for a valued cause
Use violent means to achieve a goal
Try to convince others to change
Educate others on various dangers
5. Read the sentences from the text below
“Prejudice against women doctors was so strong that no clinic or hospital would hire
her. Dr. Blackwell started her own clinic in the slums of New York City.”
Which statement best reflects the relationship between these two sentences?
A The first sentence is the cause for the second sentence
B The sentences are in sequential order of the events in time
C The second sentence is the theme and the first sentence supports it
D The sentences show a compare and contrast relationship
Session 2
Grade 5
The Doctor and Her Sunshine Girl
6. How does the final paragraph contribute to the reader’s understanding of the story?
A
B
C
D
It suggests that Elizabeth may not have achieved all of her goals
It indicates that Kitty was proud of Elizabeth’s accomplishments
It suggests that Elizabeth did not have enough time to devote to Kitty
It shows the lasting impact Elizabeth has on health care
7. Describe how Kitty changed throughout the text. Use two details from the text to
support your answer
Katharine changes immensely throughout the story. At first, she was often sad and
hopeless because she lost her parents as her family immigrated to America (detail #1).
After she was adopted by Elizabeth, her health improved and she went to school. She
displayed thoughtfulness towards Elizabeth by giving her a candy basket (detail #2)