Viola's Big Trip

Written and Illustrated by Kelly O'Malley

Level: 4th Grade

Pennsylvania Standards from PDESAS

CC.2.2.4.A.1 Represent and solve problems involving the four operations.

C.2.1.4.B.2 Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

CC.2.1.4.C.2 Build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers.

CC.2.4.4.A.6 Measure angles and use properties of adjacent angles to solve problems.

·       CC.2.1.4.C.1 Extend the understanding of fractions to show equivalence and ordering.

“Viola! Honey, wake up, you have to get ready for your trip.” 

"Ugh, I hate waking up early, but I guess I do not mind today. I get to go visit my family. I come from a big Italian family that immigrated to the United States three generations ago, but today I am heading to Italy to visit with the family that did not move. I hurried to get ready. I got dressed in my favorite outfit and brushed my teeth and hair. I am not sure what time we have to leave. My plane leaves at 11AM. I have to be there 45 minutes early and it is going to take us 30 minutes to drive to the airport."

*What time does Viola have to leave her house? Answer: 9:45AM

"When I got to the airport, I had to wait in line for what felt like forever. There were 8 people in front of me and it took each person 6 minutes to get through security. Finally, I was able to get on the plane. There was hardly anyone else on there. There were 12 rows of 2 seats on each side of the plane and there were only people in half of the seats. I wonder how many people were on the plane. Anyways, after 8 hours on the plane, I arrived in Italy and I was excited to meet my family."

*How long did Viola have to wait in line? Answer: 48 minutes

*How many people were on the plane? Answer: 24 people

"My Grandma’s sister, Valentina, picked me up and drove me to her house. It was very loud and crowded because my entire family was there to meet me. I met aunts and uncles and cousins for what seemed like hours, there were so many people I lost count. I asked Valentina, 'How many cousins do I have?' She said, ‘Well, you have 7 sets of aunts and uncles and each set has 3 kids, so you tell me.'"

*How many cousins does Viola have? 21 cousins

"After the party, I was very sleepy, so I tucked myself in and got some much needed sleep."

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! "My alarm clock sounded and I hopped out of bed. I could smell the sweet aroma of hot coffee and warm pastries. I was ready to start my day. During breakfast, Valentina told me there were many things for us to do and see during my stay with them, so we better get started soon. So, I hurried to get ready. I got dressed in my favorite outfit, brushed my teeth and hair, and hurried down the stairs. 'Let’s go, Valentina!' 'Viola have we even decided where we are headed today?' 'Well No.'"

"Actually, I do know! I saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa on a pizza box at home, I’d love to go there and see it for real." "Okay, then I guess we have a plan. Let’s go, Viola."

"Valentina and I headed to the car and drove for a while until we arrived. I jumped out of the car and grabbed her hand. As we got closer, I said, 'Hmm.. Looks crooked.' Valentina laughed and asked if I was kidding. 'No, I did not know it was really leaned, I thought it was just a funny name.' Valentina told me the real story of The Tower."