Read the Prereading information on page 271 and About the Author on page 285 with a partner. Discuss why the author wrote “Shelter Shock.” Then create an Author’s Purpose sheet. At the top of the sheet list the title of the story, the author, and the author’s purpose for writing.
Read the story together silently. Whenever you find a part of the article that supports the author’s purpose you listed, summarize the information and add it to your chart.
If you are having trouble finding facts to support the author’s purpose, try reading and making a mind movie instead. As you read the article, visualize what the animal shelter looks like. You and your partner might start by reading the first page aloud to each other. One person should read a paragraph while the other pictures the scene; then switch. After you finish reading the first page aloud, continue reading silently, visualizing the events. As you make your mind pictures, stop and read aloud portions that best describe what an animal shelter is like. Continue reading, visualizing, and sharing until you reach the end of the story.
Discuss the author’s purpose for writing the article. Help the whole class make a list of ideas in the story that support the author’s purpose.