Foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is the act of hinting at events that will happen later in a poem, story, or play. In “The Serial Garden,” look for clues about what events might happen.
Setting. The setting of a literary work is the time and place in which it happens. Writers create settings in many different ways. As you read, identify the setting in this story and look for ways in which the author of this selection establishes setting.
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• Homophones are words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. The words serial and cereal are homophones. So are the words to, too, and two. Such words are also called homonyms, although homonym is a more general term that can also refer to words that are spelled alike and sound alike, yet have different meanings. How many more homophones or homonyms can you think of?
• Advertising in print and other media is a multibillion-dollar industry around the world. One form of advertising is promotional offers, such as the chance to win a prize from a specially marked package. In “The Serial Garden,” Mark, the main character, becomes interested in the punch-out garden offered on his cereal box. Another form of advertising is the jingle, a catchy tune written to promote a product. It has a tendency to stick in your head and make you more likely to remember the product being advertised. Can you think of any advertising jingles? Share them with others in your class. Why are jingles effective?
There are two settings in this story: the real world and a fantasy garden. After you read the story, make a cluster chart about the fantasy garden. Begin by copying the chart below onto your own paper. As you read, write details about the garden. Circle the detail and draw a line from the detail to the center circle.
Write about the best game, cutout, or prize you have received—or might like to receive—from a cereal box or other package.
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