Page 75 - SpringBoard_CloseReading_Workshop_Grade7_Flipbook

Close Reading of informational Texts in social studies/history (continued)
key ideas and deTails
What elements combine in the pyramids to create a sense of harmony?
by nature, and when the sun is overhead, not solid enough to be attached to the sand. In the minutes before sunrise, they are the color of faded roses, and when the last rays of the desert sun touch them, they turn to amber. But whatever the light, their broad proportions, the beauty of the limestone, and the care with which it is fitted into place create three unforgettable works of art.
4 What do we learn about art when we look at the pyramids?
5 First, when all of the things that go into a work—its components—complement one another, they create an object that has a certain spirit, and we can call that spirit harmony. The pyramids are harmonious because limestone, a warm, quiet material, is a cordial companion for the simple, logical, and pleasing shape. In fact, the stone and the shape are so comfortable with each other that the pyramids seem inevitable—as though they were bound to have exactly the form, color, and texture that they do have.
6 The pyramids also show us that simple things must be made with care. The fine workmanship that went into the building of the pyramids is a part of their beauty. Complicated shapes may conceal poor work—such shapes distract our eye—but in something as simple as a pyramid, there is no way to hide flaws. Because any flaw would mar its beauty, the craftsmanship must be perfect.
7 Finally, pyramids show us that light helps to shape our feelings about art. As the sun moves above the desert, the pyramids seem to change. As they do, our feelings about them also change. In the early morning they sit squarely on the horizon, and we feel that they have become the kings after whom they are named; by midday they have become restless and change into silver-white clouds; and at dusk they settle down and regain their power.
8 The pyramids will always work their magic on us. Their forms, so simple and reasonable, and their great size lift us high above the ordinary moments in our lives.
Check your Understanding
Questioning the Text: Using the text-based questions as a model, ask a question that explores the speaker, subject, purpose or tone of the text. Begin your questions with Why or How. Remember that though you may not know the answer to the question, you think the answer might be important to understanding the meaning of the passage.
key ideas and deTails
According to Isaacson, what
is challenging about making a building or work of art with a simple shape?
74 SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 7
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