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Dainty's Cruel Rivals: read and explore

"Dainty's Cruel Rivals; Or, The Fatal Birthday" by Mrs.

About this reading

Author
Alex. McVeigh, Mrs. Miller
Form
novel

Choose this reading by interest and comfort with the language. This catalog does not assign a school grade. Preview the text before reading with a child; classic works can contain unfamiliar language and historical attitudes.

Read Dainty's Cruel Rivals

Preview the language: Chapter 1

"A SWEET GIRL GRADUATE." "Her eyes Would match the southern skies When southern skies are bluest; Her heart Will always, take its part Where southern hearts are truest. "Such youth, With all its charms, forsooth. Alas! too well I know it!-- Will claim A song of love and fame Sung by some southern poet." "It's a perfect godsend, this invitation!" cried Olive Peyton, with unwonted rapture in her cold voice. "Yes, indeed!" assented her chum and cousin, Ela Craye, joyfully. …

Choose a phrase from this opening. What does it suggest, and which words support your interpretation? Read on to test your first impression.

A reading activity for Dainty's Cruel Rivals

  1. Before opening the text, read the title and this catalog description: “"Dainty's Cruel Rivals; Or, The Fatal Birthday" by Mrs.” Write one question you hope the reading will answer.
  2. Read a short passage. Choose one sentence that helps you understand what is happening and explain which words support your interpretation.
  3. Choose one unfamiliar word. Guess its meaning from the surrounding words, then check a dictionary or discuss it with a reading partner.
  4. Return to your original question. Explain what the passage answered and what you still need to read to find out.

These are suggested discussion tasks, not a scored assessment or a claim that finishing the text establishes mastery.

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Source edition: Project Gutenberg record for Dainty's Cruel Rivals. This link identifies the catalog source; it does not imply endorsement.

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Educators and independent learners

Learning goal: Read Dainty's Cruel Rivals by Alex. McVeigh, Mrs. Miller, then support an interpretation with words from the text.

Before you begin: Preview the language and historical context. Select a passage appropriate for your learners.

Check understanding: Ask for one observation, the evidence that supports it, and a question to investigate next.

Catalog inclusion does not assign a school grade. Preview historical language and themes before using a work with children.

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Dainty's Cruel Rivals — Read and Explore | Lesson Worlds