3MynameisJackson,andIliveinthecity.Therearetwovacantlotsbetweenourapartmentbuildingandtheonenextdoor,solotsofkidsplaythere.MymomlikesitwhenIplaythere.Shesays,“Icanalwaysseewhereyouare—it’slikeourveryownsafepark.”4IthoughtaboutwhatMomsaid.Goodparkshavelotsoftrees.Treesmakeacomfortable,shadyspotforapicnic,andtreesmakeplacesbeautiful.5ThenIhadanideathatIdiscussedwithMomthenextmorning.“Let’saskMr.Miroaboutyouridea,”shesaid.Mr.Mirowastheownerofthevacantlotsandhelivedinanapartmentupstairs.Momcamewithmetoseehim.6Mr.Miroinvitedusintohislivingroom.Weallsatdown,andItoldhimmyidea.Iwantedtoplanttreesonthevacantlotstomakeourplayareamorelikeapark.“That’sagreatidea,Jackson.Thiscityneedsmoreparks!”saidMr.Miro.7Thatafternoon,Momhelpedmewritealetter.Thatevening,wedeliveredthelettertoalltheapartmentsnearthelots.Wepostedoneontheboard,too.8Finally,Saturdayarrived.Peoplecamewithsmalltrees.Onemanevenbroughttwotreessincehehadfoundabargainatatreesale,twoforthepriceofone.9Alltheneighborsstarteddigging.Thechildrenalreadykneweachother.Theparentsexchangednamesandgottoknoweachother,too.10Wheneveryoneleft,Istoodandlookedatallthenewlittletrees.MygoodmoodwasspoiledwhenIrealizeditwouldtakeyearsforthetreestogrow.Imightnotevenusethelotsthen.11Aweeklater,wewereplayingonthelotswhenMr.Mirocamealong.Wealsosawadiggerandatruckwithanenormoustreeonit.“Runalongnow,”hetoldus,mysteriously.“Comebackinonehour.”12Anhourlater,wereturnedtothepark.Thehugetreehadbeenplanted.Acrowdofparentshadgathered,lookingastonished.Mr.Mirocalledallofustogether.13“Yourgiftoftreeswilltakemanyyearstogrow,”hetoldus.“Ihaveplantedalargertreethatyoucanenjoynow.IamcallingitJackson’sTree.”14Mr.Miroandmyfathergavemeaboostupontoalowbranchofthatwonderfultree.Everyoneclappedbecauseithadbeenmyideatoplantthetrees.Ifeltveryproud.WordCount:427(458withwordsingraphic)ThinkCritically1.WhywasJacksonaveryimportantcharacterinthisstory?2.HowdoyouknowthatJacksonachievedhisgoal?3.HowdidallthepeopleknowtogotothevacantlotsonSaturday?4.Whatotherthingscouldthepeoplehavedonetomakethelotslookmorelikeapark?5.Whydidonemanbringtwoplants?SocialStudiesDesignaParkDrawaplanoramapofaparkthatyouwouldliketohaveinyourneighborhood.School-HomeConnectionShareJackson’sTreewithafamilymember.Talkaboutaparkyouhavevisitedandwhatyoulikedbestinthepark.
