Main Idea 2

The Ultimate Weapon

There wasn't any way out. If she canceled, Mrs. Wilson would tell the neighborhood. Her credibility would be shot. No! She'd have to baby-sit for the Wilson's twin terrors. This time she would go armed.

Maria checked the cupboard. "String-Thing! Great!" she said aloud. Then she searched for the ultimate weapon. She rummaged through her old toys. "This is it!" she said.

Mr. Wilson looked tired and desperate when he answered the door. Maria knew why. She walked into the living room. Willie leaped onto the sofa next to her. "You gotta play horsey!" he giggled.

"Not today," she said. "I have a better game."

Billie ran up the hall screaming, "Horsey, horsey, horsey!" He pushed Willie. Willie pushed back. Billie punched wildly and hit Maria.

Maria said, "Boys, no punching. Somebody's going to get hurt." She knew that somebody was going to be her.

Mrs. Wilson smiled at Maria and said, "Have fun with our two little darlings. Bedtime in an hour, boys." Mrs. Wilson kissed each boy.

The boys began shouting, "Horsey, horsey, horsey." Willie leaped back onto the couch positioning himself to pounce on Maria.

Billie yelled, "I'm first." He leaped onto Maria's back.

Maria said, "Not tonight. Last week we played cowboys. Tonight, we will play archeologist." The boys whined.

Maria pulled a headless Barbie doll from her purse. "Pretend we've been digging for the remains of famous Queen Footus. If we find her head, we will get riches, fame, and String-Thing." She pulled the snacks from her purse. "You must search for the Queen's head."

"Yes!" they shouted and raced to their bedroom. Maria could hear the toy box open. She patted the Barbie doll head in her pocket imagining it would take them at least an hour before they discovered it.

1. Before Reading

Set a Purpose by Predicting: Predict the solution to Maria's problem by reviewing the title, illustration, and first paragraph. Write your prediction below. After you read, check your prediction. 2. During Reading Problem and Solution: An aware reader watches for details to understand the problem and solution. Write three details that show Maria thought she was in control of the problem.

3. After Reading Cause/Effect Organization: Before baby-sitting the twin terrors, Maria searched for the ultimate weapon. Write each detail that may have caused Maria's search.

A. Her credibility would be shot. B. Billie and Willie were two little darlings.

C. She played hosey with Bille and Willie last week. D. She found a broken Barbie doll in her basement.

4. Solution: Predict how effective Maria's solution to the problem will be Check one: A. The boys will happily search for an hour. B. The boys will get bored and want to play horsey. C. The boys will not find the head and go to bed.

5. Notice Supporting Details: What details in the story support your prediction. Check any that apply: A. The boys will go to bed in an hour. B. Billie leaped on Maria to play horsey. C. The boys raced to their room to search for the head.