Before Reading
Make a Plan
Read the Prereading page carefully. With a partner, discuss things you will look for as you read the story.
During Reading
Write Things Down
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first three paragraphs of the story. Use sticky notes to mark passages that you think are important. For example, mark places that identify the setting, that tell you something about the characters, or that are examples of the bird motif in the story. Comment on why you think some phrases are important, list questions you have, and write down connections or predictions you make. If you don't have sticky notes, take notes in your notebook by writing down key phrases and making comments about them.
2. Continue to read the rest of the story on your own and write down your reactions as you read.
Fix-Up Idea: Read Short Sections
If you have trouble staying focused while reading this story, try reading it in smaller sections. First, use the natural breaks in the selection, marked by Roman numerals. Within each of those sections, large capital letters also mark natural breaks. If you need to, stop more frequently, for example after every paragraph. When you stop, answer the Guided Reading Questions in the section you just read. Then try to summarize the paragraph or section. Move on to the next paragraph or section, and continue reading and summarizing in this way until you finish the selection.
After Reading
Summarize
When you finish reading, look back over your notes. If you have answered questions, see if you can answer them now. If you made predictions, see if they were right. If you have notes about the setting or characters, put them together to get a full picture. Think about the effect of the bird motif in the story. With your partner, share your notes and discuss your reactions to the story.