Kindergarden Read - Aloud

Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 2A | The Legend of George Washington and the Cherry Tree 43

Discussing the Read-Aloud 10 minutes

Comprehension Questions

If students have difficulty responding to questions, reread pertinent lines

of the read-aloud and/or refer to specific images. If students give one-

word answers and/or fail to use read-aloud or domain vocabulary in their

responses, acknowledge correct responses by expanding the students’

responses using richer and more complex language. Encourage students

to answer in complete sentences. Model answers using complete

sentences for students.

1. Literal What kind of story is the story of George Washington and the
   cherry tree?
   
   
   • It is a legend.
     How do you know it is a legend?
   
   
   • It is a legend because it is not completely true; no one knows if George
     really cut down a cherry tree.
   
   
   
   


2. Inferential Which part of the story is true and which part is probably
   made-up?
   
   
   • It is true that George Washington was an honest person, but it is
     probably made-up that he chopped down a cherry tree.
   
   
   
   


3. Inferential In this legend, how do you think George Washington felt
   when he realized what he did was wrong?
   
   
   • He felt sorry; he was worried that he might be in trouble; he felt the need
     to tell the truth.
   
   
   
   


4. Literal What did George Washington do when he found out he was
   wrong to cut down the cherry tree?
   
   
   • He told the truth; he confessed.
     Was his father upset after George told the truth? Why or why not?
   
   
   • No, George’s father was not upset because he respected George for
     telling the truth.
   
   
   
   


5. Evaluative What does this legend tell us about George Washington?
   
   
   • Answers may vary, but should include that he was honest.
     [Please continue to model the Think Pair Share process for students, as
     necessary, and scaffold students in their use of the process.]
     I am going to ask a question. I will give you a minute to think about
     the question, and then I will ask you to turn to your partner and