Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________
Close Reading
NONFICTION: “The Children’s Blizzard,” pages 4-9
February 2019
®
THE LANGUAGE ARTS MAGAZINE
©2019 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY PROJECT OR MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS.
Close-Reading Questions
“The Children’s Blizzard”
1. Consider the last line of the introduction: “‘There’s something in the air,’ he told her with a
worried glance toward the heavens.” What literary device is the author using by including
this line? What purpose does it serve? (literary devices, author’s craft)
2. According to information in the section “An Arctic Blast,” what made the blizzard of 1888
so powerful? (summarizing)
3. On page 6, Lauren Tarshis writes that at the time of the blizzard, “The science of weather
forecasting was in its infancy, and there was no technology that could accurately predict a
storm’s strength or path.” Why is this information important to the story? (key ideas)
4. Why do you think Walter jumped out of the sled to retrieve his perfume bottle? (inference)
PAGE 1 OF 2
Close Reading
NONFICTION: “The Children’s Blizzard,” pages 4-9
February 2019
®
THE LANGUAGE ARTS MAGAZINE
©2019 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY PROJECT OR MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS.
5. On page 7, Tarshis writes, “Meanwhile, snow and ice swarmed around his body like
attacking bees.” What figurative language is the author using here? What does it help you
understand about the storm?
(figurative language)
6. What is the purpose of the section “Houses Made of Dirt”? (text structure)
7. What does the sidebar “Tough Life” add to the article? Why do you think it was included?
(text features, author’s purpose)
8. On page 9, Tarshis writes, “Although Will saw the sleds pulling away, he remained focused
on his search.” What does this detail tell you about Will?
(inference)
PAGE 2 OF 2
Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________
Critical Thinking
NONFICTION: “The Children’s Blizzard,” pages 4-9
February 2019
®
THE LANGUAGE ARTS MAGAZINE
©2019 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY PROJECT OR MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS.
Critical-Thinking Question
“The Children’s Blizzard”
1. What can be gained from learning about the Children’s Blizzard of 1888 and other survival
stories from history? Explain.