Grade Decodable #1 Sand, Tan Hats, and a Mat

You don’t split up. You stay in the same place. Then more and more people head out for America and find you.

Soon a new community springs up. Then you try to make the new place look and feel a bit like your old home.

How is Little Italy in New York City like home for people who came from Italy? Just stroll along the streets and see!

In the late 1800’s, many people came to New York from Italy. At the time, life in Italy was struggle. There were few jobs, and having little cash was a strain. So, many came to New York to start a new life.

In America, people from Italy found new jobs. They opened shops and places to eat. They all lived in the same place.

Places change over time. Little Italy does not sprawl over as many city blocks as it did. But the ties to Italy are still strong.

There are lots of places to eat that offer tastes from Italy. Most people think the food is splendid! Along these streets, a few shops are sprinkled in, too. Some sell foods from Italy for cooking at home, and some sell goods made in Italy.

Even the parking meters make people think of Italy. The meters have red, white, and green stripes. This is just like the flag of Italy!

Each September, this community has a big festival. It celebrates a person who meant a lot to the people of Italy, particularly those from Naples, Italy. This festival stretches over 11 days! There are parades, music, and food. Many people scramble down the streets to celebrate. They celebrate both Italy and life in America!
2^nd Grade Decodable #48

Polish Communities in Detroit

What have you found out about people who come to live in the United States? They often bring foods, music, and ways of talking and celebrating with them.

People often feel proud of their roots. When they go to live in a new place, they keep some old ways of doing things.

Which roots are people in Hamtramck proud about? Most people in this city have Polish roots. This community is near downtown Detroit. In fact, Detroit surrounds the city on all side. Hamtramck is a city within a city!

People came to America from Poland in the early 1900s. It is hard to say just how many people from Poland came to America. But now, man people with Polish roots can be found near Detroit. Some first came to work in the auto plants near the city.

The communities changed over time, but the Polish roots stayed in place. Even now, you can hear the sounds of people talking Polish in communities. Places that serve Polish food draw a lot of people. So do places where Polish music and dancing are found.

If you go to visit this city, then count on trying some Polish foods. Eat the tasty stew with meats and mushrooms. Try the cucumber salad or the Polish sandwich with veggies baked inside. Many people count dumplings served with sour cream a treat.

Also near Detroit is another community with Polish roots. Orchard Lake is home to the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. This museum pays tribute to outstanding Polish-American athletes in baseball, softball, football, basketball, and a few more sports.

One way of celebrating Polish roots is with a Polish wedding. These weddings can last all day. After the wedding in a church, the bride and groom have a party in a big hall. A band plays with a singer, drums, a trumpet, and more. People dance to the music. They might dance something called the Polish Hop or the waltz. People also enjoy all the best Polish foods and drinks.

It would be nice if you saw a Polish wedding. But, there are all kinds of ways to enjoy customs from Poland. There are many places in these communities to eat Polish foods, hear music, and go dancing!

2^nd Grade Decodable #49

The Seminole Tribe in South Florida

You know that people came from many places to live in America. You are likely to also know that America had people living here long before any settlers came.

There were a large number of communities of Native Americans living around what is now the United States. Let’s look at the Seminole Tribe found in south Florida.

History experts say that the Seminole Tribe can be traced back at least 12,000 years. The Seminoles’ life was based on the land. They caught fish and hunted animals.

Settlers from Spain first came to that land about 500 years ago. More people came and wanted to live on the land, too. Over time, life began to change for the Seminoles.

Now the Seminole Tribe owns much land in south Florida. You can visit these lands to learn more about Seminole life. You can learn about Seminole life in the past and now.

You can visit a museum. The museum tells how the Seminole people lived in the Florida wetlands. A film shows the Seminoles’ history and the struggles they faced when settlers wanted them to leave their land.

You can see a chickee hut. These were used by the Seminole people long ago as a kind of house. Really, chickees were more like a tent. The Seminole people used them for only a short time. Chickees are dry palm leaves over a log frame. These shelters could be made quickly and left if necessary.

There are many places to shop on the Seminole lands. Shirts, skirts, and more have Seminole designs. Artist make baskets and beadwork.

You can try Seminole foods, too, like alligator or fry bread.

You can also hop on a boat ride into the wetlands. You may see raccoons, water buffalo, wild hogs, hawks, alligators, or even panthers! Later, you may see a Seminole wrestle an alligator in a show!

Would you like to hear a Seminole legend? Late at night, Seminole children used to listen to the elders, or older people, telling stories. Stories about the past are still important to the Seminole people. If a person is going to retell a story, he or she must do his or her best to retell it well, without changing any details.

The past is very important to the Seminole Tribe. But so is the present day, and all those days yet to come!

2^nd Grade Decodable #50

Communities in Los Angeles

So far, we have taken a good look at five different communities. Most of them have been within a big city. Now let’s take a look at an entire city and a few of its communities. Let’s visit Los Angeles!

Los Angeles has the highest amount of Mexicans living outside of Mexico. It also has the highest amount of Koreans outside of Korea. There are tiny communities of people from places all over.

There is a community just east of downtown Los Angeles. If you had visited here in the early 1900s, you would have seen a Jewish community. Today, this is the center of the Latin community.

You can see the community’s history on the streets. There are many places that serve Mexican food. The music is there, too. Each afternoon and evening, bands line up to play. Their costumes are splendid. The players have violins and a few more instruments. You will want to listen to their pretty tunes.

You will know you are in Koreatown by the signs. This community has many shops and small malls. You could spend a lot of time shopping. There are also places to try true Korean barbecue.

To learn more about Korean customs, visit the museum. There you can see photographs and other things that tell about Korean life.

Little Tokyo is the center of Japanese life in Los Angeles. It has malls with foods, books and goods from Japan.

There is a museum about Japanese customs. It shows Japanese plays and has music concerts, too.

Little Tokyo has a festival in the spring. It celebrates the Japanese community with parades, street dancing, and a carnival.

A community just southwest of downtown has African-American roots. There are places to see art, as well as shops that sell goods from Africa. There is a lively jazz scene that draws countless people to listen to music.

In December, people in this community observe a holiday that celebrates the values of the African community, such as faith and unity.

You know that many people came to America from different lands. They brought with them ideas and ways of doing things. We see this in the food, music, and ways of celebrating in a community.

You have learned about several interesting communities. Now take a good look at your community and its people. What was its past? What do you think it will be like as time passes?