Kendall Greenwald - NTS Literature Response Journal - 1131568

Number the Stars

Reflection Journal

By: Kendall Greenwald

Building Background
Knowledge

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more
characters, settings, or events in a story, drawing on specific
details in the text.

Background of this Story:
In some countries around the world the government is

called a dictatorship. In a dictatorship, one person or a small
group of people have complete control of the country. In many
cases the military enforces the control. If a person does not
follow the rules, they may be arrested, threatened, scared, or
tortured. The citizens of that country are not allowed to talk or
act against the dictatorship. A person can be rewarded if they
tell the dictatorship about other people who are against the
government.

Interpretive Question: How does the dictatorship
system of government in the story affect Pedro, his
family, and the citizens it governs?

R Restate the Question (green) Mrs. Rodriguez’s Example
- Read the question or prompt In the book, The Composition,
- Underline keywords Pedro, his family, and their entire
- Rewrite the question as a community are negatively affected by
statement using your own words the dictatorship government. One
example from the text of the problems
A Answer the Question (green) that the dictatorship caused can be
- Answer the question found on page 8. Don Daniel was
*If there is more that one part of dragged down the street by two men
the question, make sure to answer who were “pointing machine guns at
ALL parts. him.” This clearly shows that the
dictatorship is treating the people in
C Cite Evidence (yellows) the community poorly by threatening
- Use evidence from the text to them with weapons. Pedro’s parents
support your answer. lived in fear that they would be caught
-Include both paraphrased going against the government. They
evidence and direct quotes had to turn their radio down very low
so that they wouldn’t be caught
Possible evidence starters: listening. Pedro’s mom was so scared
According to the text… that she “cried silently at the table.”
For example… This is further evidence that the
On page ___ it says… government was making the people
Further support can be found... live in fear and even their daily tasks
In the article/ chapter it states... are being impacted. Finally, Pedro
himself was negatively affected by the
E Explain (reds) government. He was put in the
- Explain how each piece of text position of having to lie on his
evidence supports your answer. composition so that his parents
wouldn’t be caught. The dictatorship
Possible explain starters: tried to turn children against their
This clearly shows that… own parents. Obviously, the
This means that… dictatorship created fear and
This further supports the idea that… hardships for everyone that Pedro was
close to in his life.
S Sum it Up (green)
- Conclude your answer
- Link back to the topic sentence
using different words

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously

Building Background
Knowledge

World War II and
the Holocaust

Learning Target: I can provide a summary of the text that
includes the main ideas and key details, as well as other
important information.

Summary of the article:
The article “World War II and the Holocaust” describes

how Adolf Hitler set out to rule the world. He came into power
in 1933 and began to encourage and blame the Jews in
Germany. Starting in 1941, Jewish people were relocated
and shipped to concentration camps. In these camps over 6
million died. He joined forces with Japan and Italy. When
Japan bombed the attack on Pearl Harbor, 1941, the United
States entered the war and fought against the Axis powers
until 1945, when the war ended.

Building Background
Knowledge

Underground
Movements

Learning Target: I can explain the relationships or interactions
between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a
historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific
information in the text.

How have underground movements affected events

throughout history? Nazis Bombing
at Pearl
Underground Harbor
Railroad

Slaves Underground World
escaped Movements War II
their
“owners” conductors
helped to
free slaves

Building Background
Knowledge

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more
characters, settings, or events in a story, drawing on specific
details in the text.

Background of this Story:
“For centuries, the Star of David was a symbol of Jewish

pride. But during World War II, Nazis used the Star to
segregate and terrorize the Jewish people. Except in
Denmark. When Nazi soldiers occupied his country, King
Christian X of Denmark committed himself to keeping all
Danes safe from harm. The bravery of the Danes and their
king has inspired many legends. The most enduring is the
legend of the yellow star, which symbolizes the loyalty and
fearless spirit of the king and his people.”

Source: Peachtree Publishers

Interpretive Question: How did King Christian X’s
response to the yellow Star order in the story
affect the citizens of Denmark?

R Restate the Question (green) Team Response:
- Read the question or prompt
- Underline keywords When King Christian X wore the yellow star, it
- Rewrite the question as a affected the citizens when all of the kingdom
statement using your own words decided they would defend their king in the fight
for the Jews. The reaction that the Nazis gave was
A Answer the Question (green) once the flag that bore the symbol was taken
- Answer the question down in the kingdom, the Nazis were angry and
*If there is more that one part of they wanted to start a war. But, the Danes were
the question, make sure to answer not going to take that. After the king began to
ALL parts. wear the yellow star, the Nazis could have shot
him. But, the citizens wore it too, and thus, the
C Cite Evidence (yellows) kingdom were all Jews. For example, in the text
- Use evidence from the text to of “The Yellow Star,” it clearly states “The
support your answer. following morning, the king of Denmark, with
-Include both paraphrased courage and defiance, rode alone through
evidence and direct quotes Copenhagen. He was dressed in his finest
clothing. As they watched him pass, the subjects
Possible evidence starters: of King Christian understood what they should
According to the text… do. And, once again, in the country of Denmark,
For example… there were only Danes.” In conclusion, this shows
On page ___ it says… how King Christian X showed his dignity to the
Further support can be found... kingdom.
In the article/ chapter it states...

E Explain (reds)
- Explain how each piece of text
evidence supports your answer.

Possible explain starters:
This clearly shows that…
This means that…
This further supports the idea that…

S Sum it Up (green)
- Conclude your answer
- Link back to the topic sentence
using different words

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously

Number the
Stars

Interpretive
Question
Responses

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 1

How are the characters’ lives
different than ours?

R Restate the Question (green) The Character’s lives are...
- Read the question or prompt
- Underline keywords The character’s lives in the book, Number The Stars,
- Rewrite the question as a are different from our life because Copenhagen is
statement using your own words very poor and has guards practically everywhere. I
feel this way because the way the book described the
A Answer the Question (green) town was very sad and poor. The guards always were
- Answer the question on every nook and cranny. It would not be easy to
*If there is more that one part of the try and hide your personal life from the Germans
question, make sure to answer ALL such as thee. In the text, it clearly states “There had
parts. been no real coffee in Copenhagen since the
beginning of the Nazi occupation. Not even any real
C Cite Evidence (yellows) tea.” Also, for how secretive the Jews were, it states “
- Use evidence from the text to De Frie Danske-The Free Danes-was an illegal
support your answer. newspaper; Peter Neilsen brought it to them
-Include both paraphrased occasionally, carefully folded and hidden among
evidence and direct quotes ordinary books and papers, and Mama always
burned it after she and Papa had read it. But,
Possible evidence starters: Annemarie heard Mama and Papa talk, sometimes at
According to the text… night, about the news they received that way: news
For example… of sabotage against the Nazis, bombs hidden and
On page ___ it says… exploded in the factories that produced war
Further support can be found... materials, and industrial railroad lines damaged so
In the article/ chapter it states... that the goods couldn’t be transported.” This means
that the parents are against the dictatorship and
E Explain (reds) don’t want the Germans to be in their town. This
- Explain how each piece of text means that if the Germans found out, Annemarie’s
evidence supports your answer. parents could be taken away. Obviously, the Jews live
much more differently than we do.
Possible explain starters:
This clearly shows that…
This means that…
This further supports the idea that…

S Sum it Up (green)
- Conclude your answer
- Link back to the topic sentence
using different words

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 2

How does this picture relate to the chapter?

My Thoughts:

I think the picture relates to the chapter is because the chapter
described King Christian X and how wonderful he is. The picture

shows a king greeting his subjects, like King Christian X did.

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

R Restate the Question (green) Chapter 3
- Read the question or prompt
- Underline keywords “Now I think all of Denmark
- Rewrite the question as a must be the bodyguard for
statement using your own words the Jews as well.” What does

A Answer the Question (green) this mean?
- Answer the question
*If there is more that one part of Response:
the question, make sure to answer
ALL parts. “Now I think all of Denmark must be the
bodyguard for the Jews as well” means
C Cite Evidence (yellows) that all of the citizens need to protect
- Use evidence from the text to their fellow friends from being taken
support your answer. away and killed by Germans. In the text,
-Include both paraphrased it states “Now she was ten, with long legs
evidence and direct quotes and no more silly dreams of pink frosted
cupcakes. and now she-and all the
Possible evidence starters: Danes- where to be bodyguard for Ellen,
According to the text… and Ellen's parents, and all of Denmark's
For example… Jews. would she die to protect them?
On page ___ it says… Truly? Anniemarie was honest enough to
Further support can be found... admit, there in the darkness, to herself,
In the article/ chapter it states... that she wasn't sure.” This means that
they would die to protect their king,
E Explain (reds) friends, and family. This shows that this
- Explain how each piece of text means they need to protect all of the
evidence supports your answer. Jews.

Possible explain starters:
This clearly shows that…
This means that…
This further supports the idea that…

S Sum it Up (green)
- Conclude your answer
- Link back to the topic sentence
using different words

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and whendrawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 4

How does this picture relate to the chapter?

My Thoughts:

This picture relates to the chapter because they were talking about Kristi’s
birthday and how they thought that the booming noises were fireworks but

they were actually the Germans bombing the harbor.

Learning Target: I can compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or
events in a story, drawing on specific details in the text.

Chapter 5

Compare and contrast the Danish Citizens and Nazis.
The first attribute has been chosen for you. Choose at

least two additional attributes to compare.

Danish Attributes Nazi Soldiers
Citizens Being

Compared

Trying to protect and Feelings about the Hatred and
execration
keep safe Jewish people

Nice and easy-going How they act Intrusive and barge
and are always going into homes and don’t
to protect their friends care what is going on
around them unless it
and family has to do with Jews

Some Danes read What they do at night Go to homes that
illegal magazines and they think have Jews
listen to the news on
the radio which they in them and try to
capture them
are not allowed to

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and whendrawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 6

How does this picture relate to the chapter?

My Thoughts:

This picture relates to the chapter because the uncle uses cigarettes and the
family promised to deliver some while they are arriving. The uncle asked and

Annemarie’s father and he said yes, we will bring you a whole carton. But,
turns out they were just talking about Ellen.

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Chapter 7-8
How does war change people?
Why?
Restate the Question (green)
R
A - Read the question or prompt War changes people because of the effects on life
C - Underline keywords and how, we, as people, are effected by it. War is not
- Rewrite the question as a
E
S statement using your own words easy because what if someone you knew or loved

Answer the Question (green) were taken away or killed? You would be
- Answer the question devastated. Such things will leave terrible scars. In
*If there is more that one part of the text, it mentions “From downstairs, they could
the question, make sure to answer hear Mama’s voice, and Uncle Henrik’s, talking,
ALL parts. catching up on news. Mama missed her brother

when she hadn’t seen him for a while, Annemarie

Cite Evidence (yellows) knew. They were very close. Mama always teased

- Use evidence from the text to him gently for not marrying; she asked him
support your answer. laughing, when they were together, whether he had
-Include both paraphrased found a good wife yet, one who would keep his
evidence and direct quotes house tidier. Henrik teased back, and told Mama that
she should come to Gilleleje to live again so that he
Possible evidence starters: wouldn’t have to do all the chores by himself. For a
According to the text… moment, to Annemarie, listening, it seemed like all
For example…
On page ___ it says…

Further support can be found... the earlier times, the happy visits to the farm in the

In the article/ chapter it states... past with summer daylight extending beyond

bedtime, with the children tucked away in the

Explain (reds) bedrooms and the grownups downstairs talking. But
- Explain how each piece of text there was a difference. In the earlier times, she had

evidence supports your answer. always overheard laughter. Tonight there was no

Possible explain starters: laughter at all.” I feel as if this is suspicious, and
This clearly shows that… will lead to something more shocking. I believe this

This means that… will lead to something odd because it says they used

This further supports the idea that… to have conversations a lot. Would you be scared?

Sum it Up (green) Worried? I would for sure. This shows that war
- Conclude your answer changes people in a various amount of ways.
- Link back to the topic sentence Understanding war is very difficult. Therefore, I
using different words hope you liked my response.

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story, from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 9-10

Compare and contrast Mama and
Annemarie and how they faced the
challenges when the German soldiers

came to the “funeral.”

Mama Attributes Annemarie
Being

Compared

Quick thinking Afraid Untruthful

calming brave mad

soothing determined worried

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

R Restate the Question (green) Chapter 11
- Read the question or prompt
- Underline keywords When is telling the truth
- Rewrite the question as a important? When is not
statement using your own words
telling the truth important?
A Answer the Question (green)
- Answer the question Telling the truth can be
*If there is more that one part of good and bad. In this case, it
the question, make sure to answer is important to lie because
ALL parts. of they say one thing that is
not right, they could get in
C Cite Evidence (yellows)
- Use evidence from the text to trouble or die. It is
support your answer. important to tell the truth
-Include both paraphrased
evidence and direct quotes when you are keeping a
secret from someone like
Possible evidence starters: your family or friends that
According to the text… really should be told. When
For example… it is not important to tell the
On page ___ it says… truth, keep the secret. Like
Further support can be found... the Jews in Number The
In the article/ chapter it states... Stars. They are trying to
hide from Hitler and the
E Explain (reds) Germans so they won’t get
- Explain how each piece of text exposed and killed. When it
evidence supports your answer.
is not important, you
Possible explain starters: should say what you are
This clearly shows that…
This means that… hiding.
This further supports the idea that…

S Sum it Up (green)
- Conclude your answer
- Link back to the topic sentence
using different words

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously

Learning Target: I can determine a theme of a story, from details in the text,
including how characters in a story respond to challenges.

Chapter 12-13

How does this text relate to Number the stars and
particularly Annemarie in chapter 13?

My Thoughts:

I think it is because some of the characters are risking their lives for the
Rosens. In the book, The Man In The Red Bandana, the man saves many
people on 9/11 and dies gracefully for others. So, maybe one of the characters
supporting the Rosens will not survive, like Mama or Peter. Mama already got

hurt, but what will happen to Peter?

Learning Target: I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text
says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

R Restate the Question (green) Chapter 14-15
- Read the question or prompt
- Underline keywords What is the author’s purpose of
- Rewrite the question as a including the story of Little
statement using your own words Red Riding Hood during
Annemarie’s run through the
A Answer the Question (green) forest?
- Answer the question
*If there is more that one part of The author's purpose to place Little Red
the question, make sure to answer Riding Hood in the story was to show that
ALL parts. Annemarie is Little Red. All of the soldiers and
Nazis ,perhaps, are the wolves, stalking their
C Cite Evidence (yellows) prey, in secret. When Annemarie is running
- Use evidence from the text to the woods to get to Uncle Henrik and let him
support your answer. retrieve the packet, she approaches soldiers,
-Include both paraphrased with hungry dogs. In the text, it says on pg. 111,
evidence and direct quotes “Suddenly, as Little Red Riding Hood walked
through the woods, she heard a noise. She
Possible evidence starters: heard a rustling in the bushes.” This is the Red
According to the text… Riding Hood part of the chapter. Here is the
For example… Number the Stars version. “But she had heard
On page ___ it says… something else. She heard bushes rustling
Further support can be found... ahead. She heard footsteps. And- she was
In the article/ chapter it states... certain it was not her imagination - she heard a
low growl.” This is the continued part, but is
E Explain (reds) not connected to the previous part in the page.
- Explain how each piece of text “Then they were there, in front of her. Four
evidence supports your answer. armed soldiers. With them, straining at taut

Possible explain starters: leashes, were two large dogs, their eyes
This clearly shows that… glittering, their lips curled.” This can be
This means that… explained by saying that the Germans are the
This further supports the idea that… wolves if in the Little Red Riding Hood story,
and Annemarie is well, Red Riding Hood. She
S Sum it Up (green) ventures alone in the forest, trying to reach her
- Conclude your answer relatives distance, in both stories, giving them
- Link back to the topic sentence fresh food. But, along the way, they are both
using different words stopped by an enemy, like in this case, the wolf
and the soldiers. To sum it up, this is how Little
Possible summary starters: Red Riding Hood and Number The Stars are
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously similar to these chapters.

Chapter 16-17 and
Afterword
Why does the author include the
“Afterword?” Why is it important
to read the afterword, especially
Restate the Question (green) in historical fiction books?
R
A - Read the question or prompt
C
- Underline keywords The author of Number The Stars included an
E - Rewrite the question as a Afterword because if Lois Lowry's readers had
S statement using your own words any questions such as in the text “Annemarie
Johnson is a child of my imagination, though
Answer the Question (green) she grew there from the stories told to me by
- Answer the question my friend Annelise Platt, to whom this book is
*If there is more that one part of dedicated, who was herself a child in
the question, make sure to answer Copenhagen during the long years of the
ALL parts. German occupation.” Also, she explains the
history and past of the book and how the book
Cite Evidence (yellows) is based on terribly devastating true events. She
- Use evidence from the text to tells us about a boy similar to Peter Neilsen,
support your answer. who may rest in peace with Lise, named Kim
-Include both paraphrased Malthe-Bruun, who was executed like Peter by
evidence and direct quotes the Germans on the Jews New Year. He left a
letter to his family which was written in prison.
Possible evidence starters: This is a paragraph Lois listed in her last
According to the text… chapter. “...and I want you all to remember-
For example… that you must not dream yourselves back to the
On page ___ it says… times before the war, but the dream for you all,
Further support can be found... young and old, must be to create an ideal of
In the article/ chapter it states... human decency, and not a narrow-minded and
prejudiced one. That is the great gift our
Explain (reds) country hungers for, something every little
- Explain how each piece of text peasant boy can look forward to, and with
evidence supports your answer. pleasure feel he is a part of- something he can
work and fight for. Surely that gift- the gift of a
Possible explain starters: world of human decency- is the one that all
This clearly shows that… countries hunger for still. I hope that this story
This means that… of Denmark, and its people, will remind us all
This further supports the idea that… that such a world is possible.” This is showing
that the world can always be unforgivable, but
Sum it Up (green) surely, all must be redid like it never
- Conclude your answer happened. Clearly showing, this is why
- Link back to the topic sentence historical fiction books have an Afterword.
using different words

Possible summary starters:
Clearly Definitely Certainly
To sum up In fact Obviously