DRAMA

“Passage to Freedom” shows what some people did to overcome a conflict. How did the Sugiharas deal with a difficult situation? What did they do to help resolve the conflict? Tell your class what you think and why. Give your response to the story.

• 1 Plan Your Oral Response Follow these steps:

  • • Read the story several times. Get to know it well. What is the story about?

  • • Think about your reaction to the story. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from it? What message do you think the author wants to convey?

  • • Look at the different elements of the story—the plot, the characters, the setting, and the theme. Decide which part you like most.

  • • Make notes about your response to the story.

• 2 Practice Your Oral Response Practice giving your response to a partner who knows the story.

  • • Give a short summary of the main events and details in the story.

  • • Tell what you learned from the story and what you think it means.

  • • Explain how the characters overcame the conflict.

  • • Include several examples from the text to support your ideas.

  • • Ask your partner what you could do to make your response better.

  Unsupported response

  I learned that even though a problem might seem big, one person can do a lot to help solve it. The father’s actions did a lot to help other people.

• 3 Present Your Oral Response Follow these steps to keep your oral response focused and clear:

  • • Let your feelings about the story show in your words, tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures.

  • • Make eye contact with your audience. Look at your notes occasionally but not too often.

  • • Speak clearly and loudly so your audience can understand everything you say.

  Supported response

  After reading “Passage to Freedom,” I learned that one person really can make a difference. The father issued visas to help Jewish refugees travel to a safe country. He helped save many people’s lives.