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A. Expanding BackgroundAnswer the questions below. Research the questions using extra sources. Gather and share your opinions.

1. How do your family members treat you? How do you feel about them?

Conflict with Siblings

Dad

Mom

Brother or Sister

Grandparents

Uncle or aunt

( )

2. What do you do when you have a conflict with your siblings?

3. Do you think sibling rivalry helps strengthen yourrelationship with your siblings?

4. What is good about having siblings in your family?What is bad about it?


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B. Topic ReadingRead and discuss.

Is it better to be a single child, or to grow up with siblings?

■ drive ‘someone’ crazy: to make someone angry or irritated

■ can’t stand ‘something’: to despise or thoroughly dislike

■ leave out: to not include; to make someone feel unwanted

SIBLING RIVALRY 02

My older brother drives me crazy! He is

always taking my belongings without even

asking me. Yesterday I was looking around

for my favorite t-shirt, the one with the

picture of a pink elephant on it. I must have

searched my room for 30 minutes wondering where it could be. Then

my brother came walking in as casually as could be, and he was

wearing the shirt! I told him not to take my things without asking, but

he just laughed at me and wandered away.

Another thing I can’t stand is that my brother is always getting good

grades in school while my grades are average. My mom is always

saying to me, “Why can’t you study harder like your brother?” I

sometimes feel like my parents favor him. They are always telling our

relatives about something he did and how proud they are of him.

Sometimes I feel left out.

I don’t like being jealous of my brother. I wish that I could be happy

for him, but it is difficult. Maybe if he moved away to go to school in

another town, it would be easier to like him. However, we live in the

same small apartment, so we are always fighting. We fight over the last

cookie. We fight over what channel we want to watch on TV. My father

says that one day when we grow up, we will be good friends. Right

now, I find that hard to believe.

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C. Comprehension Check-UpAnswer the questions below according to the passage. Complete your answer in full sentences.

1. What is the reason for the conflict in the article?

D. Idiom PracticeFill in the blanks with a correct idiom from the box. If needed, correct the verb tense to match the passage.

1. That loud music is .

2. I when it rains.

3. You have a word in that sentence.

E. Vocabulary DefinitionMatch the word to its definition.

1. belongings a. to walk slowly without direction

2. wander b. a feeling of pleasure in one’s own achievements

3. casually c. possessions; things that are owned

4. proud d. to prefer; to like better than another

5. favor e. a feeling of wanting what another person has

6. jealous f. in a relaxed or informal way

2. Why does the writer feel that it is difficult to like his or her brother?

3. Why does the writer think that his or her parents are favoring the older brother?

can’t stand it drive me crazy leave out

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F. Applying the Unifying StrategyRefer back to the theme’s unifying strategy. Use the graphic organizer to apply the unifying strategy to the reading.

The Siamese Twins Sometimes your siblings get on your nerves, but imagine your bodybeing attached to your brother’s body for your entire life! In 1811, a smalltown in Siam (modern Thailand) witnessed a strange event. Two twinbrothers were born, their bodies joined together by a strange tube offlesh. At that time, medical doctors did not know if it was safe to separatethe twins, so the result was that the two brothers had to grow up doingeverything together.

Despite their strangeness, the “Siamese twins,” Chang and Eng,managed to be successful. They toured the USA, eventually settlingthere and becoming very wealthy landowners. They even married twosisters, and had 21 children. They died on the same night in 1874, Engdying only one hour after discovering that his brother had died.

Subject

Many people think...

I used to think...

I have come to realize...

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A. Discussion QuestionsChoose a topic or topics and prepare for the classroom discussion. Write your thoughts so they can be used for the discussion.

B. Your ThoughtsWhat ideas do you have that would help this discussion? Write them here.

2. Compare and Contrast Is it better to be a single child, or to grow up with siblings? (★☆)

3. Summarize Describe the ideal sibling for you. (★★★)

4. Personal Response What things do your siblings do that most annoy you? How do yourespond? (★★☆)

5. Draw Conclusion Do you think older siblings are always favored over younger siblings?(★★★★★)

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Apply the theme’s unifying strategy

1. Personal Response Do you think sibling rivalry is necessary to strengthen the relationshipbetween siblings? (★★☆)

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C. Gathering InformationFill in the discussion topic that your class has chosen. Take notes on what your classmates add to thediscussion. Don’t forget to share and add your ideas from the previous page.


Thoughts Supporting My Ideas Thoughts Different From My Ideas

Sample Opinions

My brother and sister can sometimes be a pain,but I’m glad I have them.

When I am feeling down, my sister can cheerme up.

Having a brother and sister has helped melearn to share and cooperate with other people.

Sometimes my brother and I fight, but more andmore we have learned to work together.

Siblings are like friends, but you get to live withthem.

Personally, I would be lonely if I was a singlechild, and all of my parents’ expectations wouldbe on me.

When you have siblings, they distract youwhen you are trying to do your homework.

Siblings eat all the good food in the housebefore you can find it.

They hog the computer whenever you need touse it!

If you are a single child, your parents can focusall their attention on you.

You will be able to get the best educationpossible, because your parents will not have tospend money on other kids.

I think single children have more advantagesand opportunities to be successful.

A. Writing PlanPrepare to write your draft. Use the tools below to organize your ideas before you begin to write. Applywhat you’ve learned from the unifying strategy.

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I want to write about

My topic sentence will be

I want to add this additional thought from the classroom discussion

I will include this information related to this thought





I will finish my writing with this idea

My closing sentence will be

Write the first draft of your essay in Portfolio A. Share your work with your teacher, parents andfriends for feedback.

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Final CopyRewrite your work from your portfolio on this page. Consider the feedback you received.

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