Paired Texts > The Retake

by Chris Low 2019

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.

The Cat With No Meow
The Cat With No Meow
Alexa Tondreau Dahl

In "The Cat With No Meow," a girl learns about herself with the help of a new friend and a cat.

Pair “The Cat with No Meow” with “The Retake” and ask students to discuss how it feels to struggle in school. What is difficult about school for Jessalyn in “The Cat with No Meow”? How is that similar or different from Andy in “The Retake”? What helps each character overcome their challenge? What do you think these two characters could learn from each other?

3rd Grade Short Story 720L
The Draw-Anything Drawing
The Draw-Anything Drawing
Maggie Murphy

In "The Draw-Anything Drawing," a little girl with a big imagination daydreams about what to draw for a special art display.

Pair “The Draw-Anything Drawing” with “The Retake” and ask students to discuss how thinking differently can help them succeed. How does Marigold from “The Draw-Anything Drawing” overcome her challenge? How is it similar or different to how Andy overcomes his challenge in “The Retake”? In what ways do both characters think differently?

3rd Grade Magical Realism 550L
I Practiced
I Practiced
JonArno Lawson

In JonArno Lawson's poem "I Practiced," a speaker describes their experiences practicing to get better at a skill.

Pair “I Practiced” with “The Retake” and ask students to discuss how practice can make a person better. How does practice help the speaker of “I Practiced” and Andy from “The Retake”? Does the same type of practice work for everyone? Why or why not?

4th Grade Poem
An Honest Mistake
An Honest Mistake
Karen Meissner

In "An Honest Mistake," a young girl learns an important lesson about telling the truth.

Pair “The Retake” with “An Honest Mistake” and have students compare the relationships of the students and their teachers. How does Andy’s teacher help him learn a lesson about himself in “The Retake”? How does Karie’s teacher help her realize something about herself in “An Honest Mistake”? In both texts, how are the relationships of the students and their teachers similar and different?

4th Grade Short Story 560L
Sick
Sick
Shel Silverstein

In "Sick," a girl pretends to be sick so she does not have to go to school.

Pair “The Retake” with “Sick” and ask students to compare how the texts talk about school. What is Andy’s problem with school in “The Retake”? How does Peggy Ann feel about going to school according to “Sick”? Does “The Retake” give any reasons why you think Peggy Ann might not want to go to school?

3rd Grade Poem