GOOD READS: Humorous Fiction Read-Aloud | Whole Class
Bird & Squirrel on the Run! Book Talk
Show the book cover. Ask: What do you see happening on the cover? It looks like a bird is flying while carrying a squirrel, and a cat is trying to eat them both! How did the bird and squirrel get into this situation? Are they going to be all right? Listen as I read the book, and let’s find out!
Read Aloud the Text and Explore It Together (pp. 1–11) What are Bird and Squirrel doing? How are their personalities different? THINK ALOUD I see that Bird is flying around enjoying the beautiful day, while Squirrel is gathering nuts for the winter. That tells me that Bird just wants to enjoy life, while Squirrel worries about the future. (pp. 26–29) How does Bird feel about going down south? How does Squirrel feel?
Author: James Burks Browse the Book Page through the book and have children notice its genre and features. • Identify Genre/Animal Fantasy Is this book fiction or nonfiction? How do you know? Are there photographs, illustrations, or both? • Explore Text Features Point out the speech balloons, and read some of the text inside them. Tell children that sometimes an author uses speech balloons to show which characters are talking and what they are saying. • Key Words Write the key words for children. Choose pages on which key words appear, read aloud the text, and discuss their meanings in context. responsible (p. 8) being in charge of something or doing something allergic (p. 28) feeling sick or affected from food or other things in the environment paralyze (p. 56) to make unable to move; cause to feel numb ML SUPPORT Have children repeat the multisyllabic words after you several times to help them pronounce the words.
THINK ALOUD The book says that Bird thinks it will be a great adventure, but Squirrel doesn’t like to travel and can only think about feeling sick, getting hurt, and other bad things that might happen.
(pp. 53–64) How do Bird and Squirrel meet Mole and his family? What danger ahead does Grandmole warn Squirrel about? (pp. 81–85) After he is almost eaten by a snake, Squirrel is sure he is going to die. Why does he stay with Bird? (pp. 107–114) How does Squirrel save Bird from the hawk? How does Squirrel feel after saving Bird? Sum It Up Say: We have read about some adventures Squirrel and Bird have together: Squirrel uses his store of nuts to save Bird, and the two head south for the winter. In the end, Bird and Squirrel become friends.
86 Scholar Zone Summer: Reading & Writing
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