Good readers read for understanding. As they read, good readers pay attention to different elements within a passage or story. Some of these elements are:

• details,
• vocabulary,
• story structure,
• sequence,
• characters,
• comparing and contrasting,
• drawing conclusions,
• literary form, and
• figurative language.

Consider how these elements can help your understanding as you read.

Have you ever been to a professional baseball game, or have you ever wanted to go? Before you read the following passage about Tomek and the first baseball game of the season, read the questions that follow the passage. Then, after you have read the passage, complete the activities that follow.

It is a foggy day in April, and Tomek is not going to school today. All his friends wish they were Tomek, so that they, too, could have this special day off from school.

It is Opening Day, and Tomek and his dad have tickets to the first baseball game of the season. The Hummingbirds are playing the City Socks, and it is sure to be an exciting game.

Tomek is a big Hummingbirds fan. He keeps all his old tickets in a box near his bed and watches every game on TV. Tomek even knows the players' middle names.

Tomek and his dad arrive at the stadium just in time. The game is about to start, and the fans are excited. This afternoon is warming up nicely, so Tomek unzips his jacket and takes a sip of his soda. His dad smiles at him. Every year they go to Opening Day together. It is a ritual both father and son enjoy.

"Who's going to win this year?" Tomek's dad asked.

"Hmm. I'm not sure," Tomek replies. They like to joke with each other. Of course, the Hummingbirds would win! Tomek never doubts his favorite team.

As usual, the mayor is going to throw the first ball, or pitch. It is a tradition everyone enjoys. This year, he is late coming to the stadium, though. Something must be wrong.

Finally, the announcer says, "Attention, everyone. We are sorry to say that the mayor cannot make it here today. He is at home with a bad cold and is sorry he can't throw out the first pitch. Because the mayor is sick, we are going to do something different this year."

"What do you think they will do? Who will throw the first pitch?" Tomek asks.

"Listen up, Tomek," his father says. "We'll soon find out."

The announcer continued, "We need all baseball fans to take out their tickets, and look at the number on the bottom. We have everyone's number here today in this box and will pick one special number."

"Why would they do that?" Tomek wonders.

"Whomever's number we pick, that lucky fan will get to throw the first pitch of the season," the announcer said.

"Oh, boy," Tomek thinks to himself, "Imagine if I get picked! My friends will never believe me!"

"All right, is everyone ready?" The announcer booms. Tomek looks at his dad with big eyes.

"Okay, now, we have picked a number from the box, and the number is 2372. If your number is 2372, please report to the dugout. Number 2372, this is your lucky day!"

Tomek can hardly believe it! He thinks he must be dreaming and looks at his ticket again and back at his dad. Then, Tomek starts jumping up and down. Nothing in the world could be better than this. Already, this is the most fantastic day of Tomek's life.

Think about the elements of a story and what you just read. Answer the questions below.

	Who is Tomek's favorite baseball team?

	Look at these sentences. Highlight the word that is a synonym for the underlined word. Every year, they go to Opening Day together. It is a ritual both father and son enjoy. As usual, the mayor is going to throw the first ball, or pitch. It is a tradition everyone enjoys.

		Which event in the passage happens first?
		a) Tomek and his dad arrive at the stadium. b) Tomek drinks a soda. c) The announcer has something important to say. d) Tomek jumps up and down.

		How is this Opening Day different from usual?
		a) Tomek and his dad go to the game. b) Tomek saves his ticket. c) The mayor does not throw the first pitch. d) It is chilly outside.

	Why do you think Tomek jumps up and down at the end of the passage?

	What is the setting of the passage? Be sure to include the time and place.

	Highlight the paragraph where the author explains how much Tomek likes the Hummingbirds.

		In what literary form is this passage?
		a) fantasy b) poetry c) science fiction d) realistic fiction

		Say the team name, City Socks, aloud. What form of figurative language is City Socks?
		a) personification b) metaphor c) alliteration d) simile