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Paired Texts > The Kids’ Table

by Anita Celli

2010

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

6th Grade Memoir 850L
The Drive-In Movies
  • Gary Soto
  • 1990

In Gary Soto’s short story “The Drive-In Movies,” Soto describes his desire to go the drive-in movies as a kid.

Pair “The Drive-In Movies” with “The Kids’ Table” and ask students to discuss how the characters of the two texts feel about growing up. What does the narrator of “The Drive-In Movies” do to show that he has grown up? How does this compare to James’ actions in “The Kids’ Table” that make him feel grown up?
5th Grade Poem
Growing Down
  • Shel Silverstein
  • 2011

In Shel Silverstein’s poem “Growing Down,” a speaker encourages a grown up in their town to try “growing down.”

Pair “Growing Down” with “The Kids’ Table” and ask students to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of growing up. What is old Mr. Brown missing out on in “Growing Down” when he insists on acting like a grown up? What do students think James would say are the advantages of growing up?

3rd Grade Fiction 630L
The Lights of Saint Lucia
  • Sara Matson
  • 2016

 In Sara Matson’s short story “The Lights of Saint Lucia,” two sisters have important morning traditions for Saint Lucia Day.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “The Light of Saint Lucia” and ask students to discuss how James and Eva are treated like adults. How does James feel when he’s allowed to sit at the adults’ table? How does this compare to how Eva feels when Britta allows her to wear the crown?

4th Grade Short Story 660L
Emergency on the Mountain
  • Kerry McGee
  • 2011

In Kerry McGee’s short story “Emergency on the Mountain,” a girl studying medicine helps a boy when there is an accident.

Pair “The Kids’ Table” with “Emergency on the Mountain” and ask students to discuss what it means to be grown up. Why do James and Ana feel as if they are being treated like kids in the beginning of the two stories? How do the adults eventually show James and Ana that they see them as grown-ups? Why do students think being seen as grown-ups is important to James and Ana?