Reading Content English The Meaning of Courage by Sei Korti Reading Strategy It was my cousin Flamo’s first time in the United States, and therefore his first time attending an American school Because it was the middle of the school year, I thought he would be a bit nervous I knew it would be hard for him to make friends because he didn’t speak much English, and had a strong accent I also figured most of the kids already knew each other, and it is hard to “break in” halfway through the year My family moved to America during my second-grade year I, too, knew little English, and making friends was quite a challenge I felt very left out Because of my own experience, I thought I should help Flamo with any problems so he would not feel left out like I did If he was anything like me, I was pretty sure Flamo would not sleep well the night before he started attending an American school He woke up early the morning school was to start We ate breakfast, and off we went Think to Connect What is something in your life that was a challenge when you did it for the first time? figured believed, concluded break in get into a group pretty mostly, somewhat 358 Unit • Chapter When he came back from school, I asked him if he had a good time He said, “Yes.” Because that was not what I expected, I was surprised to hear this answer I asked what happened He said, “All we did was go over the rules and then I sat all by myself.” I asked him if this was different for him than being a student in Africa He told me, “In Africa I was one of the smartest kids in my class I always had a lot of fun in school.” The next day he went back to school When he returned home, I asked him the same questions that I had asked the day before This time, however, Flamo responded with, “I had a rough day.” When I asked him why it was such a rough day, he said, “When the teacher called my name, most of the kids started laughing The teacher asked them what was so funny They said, ‘We are laughing at his name.’ 10 “Also when I raised my hand to give an answer, they all started to laugh,” Flamo said Reading Strategy Think to Connect What connection can you make between Clara in What the Moon Saw and Flamo on his first day of school? ✓ Reading Check Recall details Who is Flamo? Contrast How are Flamo’s experiences in America different from his experiences in Africa? expected thought he would say rough difficult, challenging Unit • Chapter 359 Reading Strategy 11 I gave him this advice: “Act like you’re not hearing them, because they are trying to make you not raise your hand and that will make you get a bad grade When you have the right answer, you should always raise your hand If they keep laughing, don’t give up, tell the teacher.” 12 Flamo asked, “You seem like you understand Did the same thing happen to you?” 13 I said, “Yes, in the second grade, and I did the same thing I am telling you to I never gave up and didn’t allow anyone’s silly comments to keep me from participating and learning.” 14 15 “Yes,” he said “I know what to but don’t get what the question is asking.” He asked me to read it When I was doing reading and explaining, Flamo said, “Now I get it! You are the best cousin I have ever had!” 16 Hearing this, I felt so proud, knowing I was able to help my cousin overcome this challenge 17 A few weeks later my cousin told me, “Now I am making friends And I feel happy Thank you.” Think to Connect Think of a well known person who showed courage in the face of challenges How did the person show courage? 360 Unit • Chapter “Do you have any homework to do?” I asked