Sand Dollars | Chapter 5 Online Activities Guide

Credits

Story written by:
Bob Rouse

Activities written by:
Reta Broadway & Teresa Moore

Illustrated by:
Chris Ware

Titling by:
Amicheli Salyer

Chapter 5:
Snack Break

The plot is the sequence of events or actions in a story. If you were describing the plot of this story to someone who had not been reading it, what would you say?

Why did Ms. Porter almost choke on her roll? Why did she want the children to open a bank account? 1.2, 5.4
Are you surprised when the man from the Health Department shows up and puts Brooke and Nathan out of business? Why? Do you think the store owners had a right to complain about them? 2.14, 2.16, 4.4
How do you think the children's mother feels when she finds out about their latest business failure? Nathan ends the chapter saying, "... I don't think we'll ever make money in this town." Do you think he is right? Do you think the children are ready to give up? 3.4. 5.4
Underline words and punctuation marks in the beginning of this chapter that show the excitement the family feels over the new business venture. What are some words that describe you when you feel excited? 1.2, 2.32

For the advanced reader

The writer of the story builds a feeling of excitement and happiness in the beginning of the chapter and ends with a feeling of frustration. Look back through the chapter and find the point at which the mood changes. How does the writer make this transition in mood? 1.2
Brooke's business plans are becoming more complex as the story progresses. List the things she researches and thinks out before starting the snack business. How is she sure that this plan will make money? 1.2, 2.8
How do you find out that Nathan is having his favorite daydream again in this chapter? You know Nathan, Brooke, and Ms. Porter pretty well by now. Make a list of words that describe each of them. Then create a chart that shows ways in which they are alike and different. 1.10, 1.2, 1.11, 5.3
Tour a bank or invite a banker to speak to the class savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, and other bank operations. 1.4, 2.18, 2.33
Visit the Health Department to discover their purpose and regulations for businesses selling food. 1.4, 2.16, 2.31

Newspaper-related activities

The man from the Heath Department who shuts down the Porters' snack business is a government employee. Search your newspaper for stories about government agencies and how they affect your community. Government agencies may work at the federal, state or local level. Sort the stories you find into the appropriate categories. 1.10, 1.2, 2.15
Brooke is very good at handling money and making a profit. Imagine that you have been given $1,000 that must be spent in a very short time. Scan the newspaper to find items that you would buy with the money and keep a running total. (Don't forget to include sales tax!) Come as close as you can to spending $1,000 without going over that amount. 1.2, 2.7, 2.8, 2.18, 6.1