Before Reading
Gather Information
Carefully read the Prereading information on pages 228–229. Skim through the selection and look at the art. Consider the title. What do you think this story will be about? What do you think will happen? Write down a prediction in your notebook.
During Reading
Continue Predicting
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first three paragraphs. Notice the mood and setting of the story. Assess your previous prediction. Did anything in the opening paragraphs fit your previous prediction? Did anything make you change your ideas? What do you think will happen next? Write down your new predictions in your notebook.
2. Read the rest of the story on your own. Stop occasionally to make new predictions and write them in your notebook.
Fix-Up Idea: Unlock Difficult Words
If you are struggling with the vocabulary in the selection, read through the story once trying to get the main ideas without worrying about the meaning of every word. Then go back and reread. Write words you do not know in your notebook. Use context clues to help you figure out the meaning. If that doesn't work, try to use word parts, like prefixes and word roots, to help you figure out the meaning. Use a dictionary if you are still unsure of the meaning. Write the definition in your word study notebook.
After Reading
Analyze and Verify Predictions
Go through your list of predictions. Put a star next to every prediction that you were right about. Put a check next to every prediction where you changed your ideas from a previous prediction. Share your predictions with a partner. Talk about what clues in the story led you to make the predictions.