Animal Habitats Houghton Mifflin Theme Four Mr. Mills Grade Three.

Animal Habitats

Houghton Mifflin Theme FourMr. Mills

Grade Three

The Ways of Living Things

There is wonder past all wonderIn the ways of living things,

In a worm’s intrepid wriggling,In the song a blackbird sings,…

In a fish’s joyful splashing,In a snake that makes no sound

In the smallest salamanderThere is wonder to be found.

From the poem by Jack Prelutsky

incredible

http://www.bartleby.com/61/33/F0033300.html

What is a habitat?

Introductory letter from Bruce McMillan

What is the difference between the habitat of a humpback whale and that of a flamingo?

Introductory letter from Bruce McMillan

What kind of habitats are near your home?

What kind of animals do you think live there?

Comprehension Skill:

In non-fiction writing there are often two types of details.

A fact is something that can be proved, often by checking a reference source such as an encyclopedia.

An opinion is something that someone thinks, feels, and believes. Opinions cannot be proved as true or false.

Fact Versus Opinion What is the difference between fact and opinion? How can we tell the difference? What are some facts & opinions you could make about school?

Facts about School Opinions about School

Online Tutorial and Practice

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/a/factohttp://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/a/factopinionl.cfmpinionl.cfm

Fact and Opinion How well do you know High School Musical?

Link to Activity

Review and Practice

http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/factsopinions/fhttp://pbskids.org/arthur/games/factsopinions/factsopinions.htmlactsopinions.html

Puffins, Clowns of the SeaPuffins, Clowns of the Sea

By Ruth J. LuhrsBy Ruth J. Luhrs

Teacher Read Aloud

Our Skill Focus is Fact and Opinion

Read the following sentence. Underline the facts in blue. Underline the opinions in red.

“Their faces are chalk white and their eye markings make them look sad.”

Think about the Read Think about the Read AloudAloud

Is it a fact or opinion that puffins like crazy bumblebees?

How do you know?

Is it a fact or opinion that puffins grow new feathers every year?

How do you know?

Skill: Fact or Opinion

What is the difference between fact and opinion?

Can you give me examples of facts and opinions?

What we will see more of, facts or opinions, in this story? Explain your reasoning.

Nights of Pufflings

Written & photographed by Bruce McMillan

Vocabulary in ContextVocabulary in Context

Many ocean birds come Many ocean birds come ashoreashore to nest along to nest along the coast.the coast.

What do you think this word means?

Do we know any synonyms?

What part of speech is this word?

Can we write a sentence using the word?


Surrounding Iceland are many smaller Surrounding Iceland are many smaller uninhabited uninhabited islands.islands.






The birds lay their eggs in The birds lay their eggs in burrowsburrows they have they have dug among the cliffs.dug among the cliffs.






Although the girl is trying to help the baby Although the girl is trying to help the baby bird, it bird, it instinctively instinctively nips at her fingers.nips at her fingers.






The birds lay their eggs in The birds lay their eggs in burrowsburrows they have they have dug among the cliffs.dug among the cliffs.





Vocabulary ashore

burrows

instinctively

launching

stranded

uninhabited

venture

Holes or tunnels dug in the ground by animals

Left in a helpless or difficult position

Having no people living there

To set out to do something possibly dangerous

Doing something without thinking about it

Throwing, sending something forcibly upward

Coming on to the shore from the water

Applying the Applying the VocabularyVocabulary

ashore burrows launching stranded venture

Synonyms and Antonyms

Remember that a synonym is a word that means the same, while an antonym is word that means the opposite.

Independent Vocabulary Independent Vocabulary PracticePractice

Complete the vocabulary chart on page Complete the vocabulary chart on page 33 of of your practice book.your practice book.

Read the Building Background vocabulary article, “Exploring Iceland”, on page 308 and 309.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/birds-animals/seabirds/puffin_atlantic_lifecycle.html

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Atlanticpuffin

Acrostic Learning

Science Link: Big Apple Science Link: Big Apple BirdingBirdingUsing SQRR

SurveyLook at title, headings, captions, and pictures.

QuestionsAsk yourself questions about what you notice.

ReadLook for the answers to your questions as you read.

ReviewSee if you can answer those questions you came up with

Why do you think Halla searches the sky for Why do you think Halla searches the sky for puffins?puffins?

Making Inference

s

Reading Comprehension

What does the fact that puffins spend most of What does the fact that puffins spend most of their life at sea tell you about them?their life at sea tell you about them?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


Why do you think puffins come ashore on Why do you think puffins come ashore on inhabited islands as well as uninhabited ones?inhabited islands as well as uninhabited ones?

Making Inference

s


Why don’t Halla and her friends look inside the Why don’t Halla and her friends look inside the burrows for the pufflings?burrows for the pufflings?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


Why do you think the author explains how the Why do you think the author explains how the parents puffins feed their chicks?parents puffins feed their chicks?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


What is the author’s purpose in writing this story?What is the author’s purpose in writing this story?

Author’s Viewpoin

t



Drawing Conclusio

ns



Drawing Conclusio

ns


Why do Halla and her friends need to find the Why do Halla and her friends need to find the pufflings before the cats and dogs do?pufflings before the cats and dogs do?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


How has living around people added to the How has living around people added to the dangers that pufflings face?dangers that pufflings face?

Noting Details


How do you think the village children feel How do you think the village children feel about rescuing baby puffins?about rescuing baby puffins?

Making Inference

s


How do you think the parents feel about their How do you think the parents feel about their children being up late and staying out all children being up late and staying out all night?night?

Making Inference

s


How do you think Halla feels when the nights How do you think Halla feels when the nights of the pufflings are over?of the pufflings are over?

Making Inference

s


Who do you think will rescue the pufflings Who do you think will rescue the pufflings when Halla and her friends grow up?when Halla and her friends grow up?

Predicting Outcomes


Do you think that helping the pufflings is a Do you think that helping the pufflings is a good idea?good idea?

Making Judgments


Nights of the Pufflings

Big Apple BirdingBig Apple Birding

By Radha PermaulBy Radha Permaul

Science Link

How to Use the SQRR Plan•Survey: Look at the titles, headings, and pictures

•Question: Ask yourself about what you have seen

•Read: Listen for answers to your questions

•Review: Think about your questions & observations

Title:

Headings:

Pictures and Captions

Questions

1.

2.

3.

Review Answers

1.

2.

3.

Why will some of the birds in Central Park later Why will some of the birds in Central Park later fly as much as a thousand miles to Canada?fly as much as a thousand miles to Canada?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


Why do you think the students don’t believe Why do you think the students don’t believe at the beginning of the field trip that there at the beginning of the field trip that there could be so many different kinds of birds in could be so many different kinds of birds in their city?their city?

Making Inference

s


Compare and

Contrast


Mr. Morris refers to his field guide as his Mr. Morris refers to his field guide as his “detective book”.“detective book”.

How is bird watching like being a detective?How is bird watching like being a detective?

Compare and

Contrast


How are the children in this article How are the children in this article similarsimilar to the kids in to the kids in Nights of the PufflingsNights of the Pufflings??

How are they How are they differentdifferent??


Compare and Contrast

In reading we are often asked to compare or contrast details.

A comparison is when you show how things are alike or similar.

Contrasting is when you show how things are different.

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/compcontrast/

Why Compare & Contrast?

Practicing Our SkillCompare and Contrast

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/m/comparecontrastl.cfm

In the Rain

By Lyle PrescottBy Lyle Prescott

Teacher Read Aloud 2

What do people, birds, foxes, and butterflies all What do people, birds, foxes, and butterflies all try to do in the rain?try to do in the rain?

How is what they do How is what they do differentdifferent??

Compare and

Contrast


How is what some ants do in heavy rains How is what some ants do in heavy rains differentdifferent from what other animals do? from what other animals do?

Compare and

Contrast


What is What is similarsimilar about what bluegill fish and about what bluegill fish and some fishermen do when it rains?some fishermen do when it rains?

What is What is differentdifferent??

Compare and

Contrast


Seal SurferSeal Surfer

Michael Foreman

What do you know about seals?

Do we know anything about seal habitats?

Building Background

Words We Will See

baskedbasked

buffetedbuffeted

horizonhorizon

quayquay

surfsurf

swellswell

swoopedswooped

What do you think each word means?

Vocabulary in Context

After After basking basking in the sun I like to jump into the in the sun I like to jump into the pool.pool.






The strong winds The strong winds buffeted buffeted the trees causing the trees causing leaves and branches to fly everywhere.leaves and branches to fly everywhere.






There are lots of boats There are lots of boats dockeddocked along the along the quayquay..





Vocabulary basked

buffeted

horizon

quay

surf

swell

swooped

struck powerfully, blown about

To ride on waves, often on a surfboard

A long wave that moves without breaking

rested in pleasant warmth

the line where the sky seems to meet the sea or Earth

A dock where ships are loaded and unloaded

Moved with a sudden, sweeping motion

Applying the Vocabulary

basked buffeted horizon quay surf swell swooped

Using the Vocabulary

Each June, sunbathers _______________ in the warm sun.

Teenagers tried to ______ in the shallow water near the shore.

Rubber floats bobbed up and down over each ocean _______..

Seagulls flew overhead or _____________ down to the beach.

Small boats loaded with fishnets were tied to the ___________.

Soon the sun set below the ______________.

How different the scene looked in winter, when strong winds

and huge waves _______________ the empty beach.

buffeted basked quay horizon surf swell swooped

Vocabulary Part of Speech Sort

buffeted basked quay horizon surf swell swooped

Independent Vocabulary Independent Vocabulary PracticePractice

Complete the vocabulary chart on pageComplete the vocabulary chart on page 2323 of of your practice book.your practice book.

Read the Building Background vocabulary article on pages 44 and 45.

Seal Surfer Story Structure

Characters

Setting

Problem

Solution

Author’s Message

Applying Our Skill: Compare & Contrast

Use the Venn Diagram to compare and contrast Ben and the seal.

Ben The seal

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/compcontrast/map/

Why is the seashore setting so important to Why is the seashore setting so important to this story?this story?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


Why do you think it’s difficult for Ben to see Why do you think it’s difficult for Ben to see the seal at the beginning of the story?the seal at the beginning of the story?

Noting Details


How do you think Ben feels about the sight of How do you think Ben feels about the sight of the mother seal and her pup?the mother seal and her pup?

Why do you think so?Why do you think so?

Making Inference

s


Why does the mother seal “push” her pups off Why does the mother seal “push” her pups off the rocks on page 50?the rocks on page 50?

Making Inference

s


Why do you think Ben goes down to the Why do you think Ben goes down to the harbor to meet his granddad?harbor to meet his granddad?

Making Inference

s


What mood does the author create when What mood does the author create when describing the people and the seal sharing the describing the people and the seal sharing the music on page 52?music on page 52?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


How are the lessons that Ben and the young How are the lessons that Ben and the young seal learn seal learn alikealike??

How are they How are they differentdifferent??

Compare and

Contrast


How is a storm at sea a threat to seals?How is a storm at sea a threat to seals?

Noting Details


How would you describe the relationship How would you describe the relationship between Ben and his grandad?between Ben and his grandad?

Making Judgments


What lessons about nature do you think the What lessons about nature do you think the author is trying to offer?author is trying to offer?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


How are Ben and the seal How are Ben and the seal alike alike as surfers?as surfers? How are they How are they differentdifferent??

Compare and

Contrast


Why is Ben in danger when he falls from his Why is Ben in danger when he falls from his surfboard?surfboard?

How does the illustration on page 59 show this?How does the illustration on page 59 show this?

Noting Details


When Ben returns to the shore the next spring, When Ben returns to the shore the next spring, why do you think he is without his grandfather?why do you think he is without his grandfather?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


How does Ben feel about seeing his seal friend How does Ben feel about seeing his seal friend and her pup return in the summer?and her pup return in the summer?

How do you know?How do you know?

Noting Details


How does the return of the seal affect Ben’s How does the return of the seal affect Ben’s outlook on the future?outlook on the future?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


Compare and contrast the illustrations on Compare and contrast the illustrations on pages 52+53 with the pictures on 62+63.pages 52+53 with the pictures on 62+63.

Compare and

Contrast


I Work in the Ocean A Profile of an Underwater PhotographerA Profile of an Underwater Photographer

By Kristin IngramBy Kristin Ingram

Career Link

How to Read a Magazine Article•Preview: Read the titles, headings, and pictures

•Identify: Find the main idea of each paragraph

•Reread: If you are confused, reread the section

•Look: Pay attention to the information in the photos and captions.

Title:

Headings:

Pictures and Captions

Preview Main Ideas

What kinds of projects does Norbert Wu enjoy What kinds of projects does Norbert Wu enjoy most?most?

Noting Details


Do you think Norbert is a good swimmer?Do you think Norbert is a good swimmer? Support your conclusion with reasoning.Support your conclusion with reasoning.

Drawing Conclusio

ns


What did Norbert do to get a photo of the What did Norbert do to get a photo of the blenny?blenny?

Making Inference

s


What effects have pollution and over-fishing What effects have pollution and over-fishing had on the oceans?had on the oceans?

Noting Details


Explain which photograph from the article is Explain which photograph from the article is your favorite.your favorite.

Making Judgments



Making Judgments

We often make judgments, deciding what we think is fair or right. Usually a judgment is when we form an opinion.

A good judgment is one that involves:

Considering all of the factsLooking at the different sides or opinions on the issueConsidering your own personal experiences and beliefs

What is a judgment?

Practicing Our Skill:Making Judgments

http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/yougottohttp://pbskids.org/arthur/games/yougottobekidding/index.htmlbekidding/index.html

Should You Help Baby Animals?

Borrowed from Ranger RickBorrowed from Ranger Rick

Teacher Read Aloud

Borrowed from Ranger Rick

You need a piece of scrap paper and a pencil during this read aloud.

Think about the Read Aloud What are the three choices for dealing with

the baby bird in question one?Choice One

Choice Two

Choice Three

Reason One

Reason Two

Reason Three

Should You Help Baby Animals?

Two Days in May

Harriet Peck Taylor


The size of the deer

population in Yellowstone National Park stays about the same from year to year.

What might the vocabulary word mean?

Can you think of any synonyms (words that mean the same)?


The deer wander freely through the woods and fields of the park.




Each group of deer moves around within its

own territory.




The deer spend their

days grazing on the many kinds of grasses and shrubs that grow in the park.




Even in winter there is enough food and the deer

do not starve.




The deer would be in danger if they enter the ranches and farms

surrounding the park.




Hikers and campers in Yellowstone National Park

appreciate the chance to see deer in the wild.



Vocabulary appreciate

grazing

population

starve

surrounding

territory

wander

Eating growing plants

On all sides of

An area of land

To enjoy and understand

The number of people or animals living in a place

To suffer or die from not having enough food

To move from place to place without having a plan

Applying the VocabularyApplying the Vocabulary

grazing population starve surrounding territory wander appreciate

Vocabulary Sort

Noun, verb, adjective, or adverb?

Using the Vocabulary

The size of the deer ______________ in the park has grown.

The deer _____________ freely through the woods.

Each group of deer moves around within its own ___________.

The deer spend their days ________________ on grass.

In winter there is still food, so deer do not ____________.

The deer rarely enter the ranches _____________ the park.

Hikers and campers in Yellowstone, ___________ the chance

to see deer in their wild habitat.

grazing population starve surrounding

territory wander appreciate

Independent Vocabulary Practice

Complete the vocabulary chart on page 38 of your practice book.

Read the Building Background vocabulary article on pages 70 and 71.

Why would people have gathered to look at the Why would people have gathered to look at the deer in the garden?deer in the garden?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


Is the deer’s appearance in the garden Is the deer’s appearance in the garden believable?believable?

Why or why not?Why or why not?

Making Judgments


What did the author mean when she wrote that What did the author mean when she wrote that the deer had “nervous tails”?the deer had “nervous tails”?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


What did Norbert do to get a photo of the What did Norbert do to get a photo of the blenny?blenny?

Making Inference

s


How does the author show you that this How does the author show you that this meeting of neighbors is unusual for the meeting of neighbors is unusual for the building?building?

Noting Details


Does the character Mr. Smiley have a good Does the character Mr. Smiley have a good reason to be angry at the “Pigeon Lady”?reason to be angry at the “Pigeon Lady”?

Making Judgments


What does the narrator mean when she uses the What does the narrator mean when she uses the metaphor, “I was all ears”?metaphor, “I was all ears”?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


How did Papa feel about the animal control How did Papa feel about the animal control officer’s suggestion on how to solve the deer officer’s suggestion on how to solve the deer problem?problem?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


The neighbors formed a human chain around the The neighbors formed a human chain around the deer.deer.

How and why does a human chain offer protection?How and why does a human chain offer protection?

Making Inference

s


Why do the neighbors call their actions a Why do the neighbors call their actions a “peaceful protest”?“peaceful protest”?

Drawing Conclusio

ns


When Mr. Benny called the wildlife rescuer he When Mr. Benny called the wildlife rescuer he stated that it was an emergency.stated that it was an emergency.

Why didn’t the rescuer come right away?Why didn’t the rescuer come right away?

Noting Details


Why does the author have the wildlife rescuer Why does the author have the wildlife rescuer unable to help immediately?unable to help immediately?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


What are the pros and cons of the neighbors plan to save the deer?

Reading ComprehensionMaking

Judgments

Is the animal control officers decision to wait Is the animal control officers decision to wait until the people go home before shooting the until the people go home before shooting the deer a good solution?deer a good solution?

Making Judgments


If you were one of the deer, how might you be If you were one of the deer, how might you be feeling?feeling?

Is this question asking you to use Is this question asking you to use personificationpersonification??

Making Inference

s


What lesson is the author teaching us when she What lesson is the author teaching us when she has the character Ana Sanchez offer pizza to the has the character Ana Sanchez offer pizza to the animal control officer?animal control officer?

Author’s Viewpoin

t


What do we learn about Steve Scully on page What do we learn about Steve Scully on page 90?90?

Noting Details


Based on the people’s reations at the end of Based on the people’s reations at the end of the story, what do you think the neighborhood the story, what do you think the neighborhood will be like from now own?will be like from now own?

Why is there a change in the neighbors’ Why is there a change in the neighbors’ relationships?relationships?

Predicting Outcomes


Do you think that Sonia and her neighbors did Do you think that Sonia and her neighbors did the right thing in keeping the animal control the right thing in keeping the animal control officer from doing his job?officer from doing his job?

Making Judgments


What do you think the relationship between What do you think the relationship between Mr. Smiley and the Pigeon Lady will be like Mr. Smiley and the Pigeon Lady will be like from now?from now?

Predicting Outcomes


1. Practice reading the poem in a clear voice

2. Change the sound of your voice to help express the ideas of the poem.

3. Pause a little at the end of each line. Pause longer at punctuation marks or new stanzas.

4. Look up at your listeners whenever you can.

Poetry LinkPoetry Link

Poetry Vocabularybeats

lines

pattern

rhyme

rhythm

stanzas

Sounds that are the basic units of rhythm, used in poetry and music

Rows of words (like the sentences of poetry)

A repeated series of features or words

To agree or correspond in sound

A series of sounds that repeat in regular order

Groups of lines that make up the parts of poems

(like paragraphs of poetry)

January DeerI am a January deer,so swift and lightthe hard-packed snow does not evencrunchbeneath my hooves.While others around mesleep in silent cavesI runThrough the white worldwith wide open eyes

Marilyn Singer

SealSee how he divesFrom the rocks with a zoom!See how he dartsThrough his watery roomPast crabs and eelsAnd green seaweed,Past fluffs of sandy Minnow feed!See how he swimsWith a swerve and a twist,A flip of the flipper

A flick of the wrist!Quicksilver-quick,Softer than spray,Down he plungesAnd sweeps away;Before you can think,Before you can utterWords like “dill pickle”Or “apple butter”Back up he swimsPast sting-ray and shark,Out with a zoom, a whoop and a bark;Before you can say,Whatever you wish;He plops at your side,With a mouthful of fish!

William Jay Smith

Puffin StuffSee the little puffin,Living by the sea,Diving through the billows,Catching fish for tea

Dozing in the sunshine,Nesting in the rocks,Feather black tuxedo,Little orange socks

Joan Peronto

The PuffinUpon this cake of ice is perched

The paddle-footed Puffin;

To find his double we have searched,

But have discovered- ‘Nuffin!

Robert William Wood

Under the Trees

We scuffed through the woods And didn’t see anything,Anything big or small

Didn’t see a swallowOr a cottontail to followOr a scamper or a whisk at all.

We sat in the woods As quiet as anything,Quiet and tucked away,

And out came a rabbit,In his hoppy sort of habit,And a chipmunk And a robin

And a jay Aileen Fisher

Which puffin poem gives you a better Which puffin poem gives you a better understanding of the bird?understanding of the bird?

Which is funnier?Which is funnier?

Making Judgments


Which poem has the strongest sense of rhyme Which poem has the strongest sense of rhyme and rhythm?and rhythm?

Noting Details


Why do you think the people in Why do you think the people in Under the Under the TreesTrees finally see the animals they are looking finally see the animals they are looking for?for?

Making Inference

s


What are some vivid adjectives you might use What are some vivid adjectives you might use to describe a puffin?to describe a puffin?

Noting Details


The The January DeerJanuary Deer is “swift and light” and “runs is “swift and light” and “runs through the world with wide-open eyes”.through the world with wide-open eyes”.

How does this compare with the description of the How does this compare with the description of the deer from deer from Two Days in MayTwo Days in May on page 74? on page 74?

Compare and

Contrast


Let’s Write Our Own Animal Let’s Write Our Own Animal PoemPoem

Name of Animal: ___________________Name of Animal: ___________________

Poem Title:Poem Title:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Use the poetry form that we have practiced in class to create an animal poem of your own.

Remember to keep in mind rhyme and rhythm as well as word choices that create mental pictures.

Paired Stories

We will read two stories to prepare for our theme four tests. We will review and practice the following reading skills:

Fact versus OpinionComparing and Contrasting

Making Judgments

Alejandro’s Gift

What predictions can you make about the selections we will be reading?

Predictions

Activating Prior KnowledgeActivating Prior Knowledge

What do we already know about the desert?

companioncompanion

refreshrefresh

cherishedcherished

furrowsfurrows

dwellersdwellers

drudgerydrudgery

shunnedshunned

Let’s evaluate our understanding of the vocabulary:

We know & use We can understand We don’t have a clue

Vocabulary in ContextMy mother was a wildlife photographer. She My mother was a wildlife photographer. She

cherished cherished the time she spent photographing the time she spent photographing the lions.the lions.

What does the vocabulary word mean?

What are some synonyms for this word?

Vocabulary in ContextLions are Lions are dwellersdwellers of the wide open plains. of the wide open plains.

They live on the dry African grasslands along They live on the dry African grasslands along with many other animals.with many other animals.



Vocabulary in ContextAll animals need water. A watering hole is a All animals need water. A watering hole is a

great place to take photographs of. Animals great place to take photographs of. Animals come from miles around to come from miles around to refreshrefresh themselves. themselves.




My mother could always tell when a lion was My mother could always tell when a lion was around. If one was, the other animals around. If one was, the other animals shunnedshunned the watering hole.the watering hole.



Vocabulary in ContextIt is not safe to travel among wild animals It is not safe to travel among wild animals

alone, my mother always traveled with at least alone, my mother always traveled with at least one one companion.companion.



Vocabulary in ContextCarrying heavy cameras through sand and Carrying heavy cameras through sand and

thorny brush can be thorny brush can be drudgerydrudgery, but my mom , but my mom said the wonderful photographs of animals in said the wonderful photographs of animals in their natural habitat was well worth it.their natural habitat was well worth it.



Helping Others VocabularyHelping Others Vocabulary

companioncompanion

refreshrefresh

cherishedcherished

furrowsfurrows

dwellersdwellers

drudgerydrudgery

shunnedshunned

To make like new again

friend

Well loved

Long, narrow grooves or cuts in the ground

People or animals who live in a place

Hard, boring, or unpleasant work

Avoided on purpose


companion refresh cherished furrows dwellers drudgery shunnedcompanion refresh cherished furrows dwellers drudgery shunned

Reading Skill Comprehension

Author’s Writing SkillAuthor’s Writing Skill

What are some words the author uses to show how Alejandro feels about living in the desert?


Making InferencesMaking Inferences

Why might Alejandro actually feel lonelier after someone has visited him?


Compare & ContrastCompare & Contrast

How is the setting in this story different from the setting in Nights of the Pufflings?

How are the two settings alike?


Drawing ConclusionsDrawing Conclusions

How does the squirrel act when it first visits the garden? Why does it act this way?


Making InferencesMaking Inferences

Why do you think seeing the squirrel makes Alejandro forget his loneliness?


Making JudgmentsMaking Judgments

Should the animals drink the water Alejandro is using to water his garden?

Support your answer with reasoning.



Should wild animals eat food from people’s gardens, as they do in Two Days in May?

Support your opinion.



Alejandro starts to think that there is something more important than making himself less lonely. What do you think this is?


Making GeneralizationsMaking Generalizations

What generalization can you make about all animals and water?


Fact and OpinionFact and Opinion Which of these statements if a fact and which

is an opinion?

A. There was something more important than just making himself less lonely.

B. Finding enough water was not a problem.


Fact and OpinionFact and Opinion

What opinion about helping wild animals do the authors of these two stories seem to share?


Noting DetailsNoting Details

Why does Alejandro think he must have done something wrong?


Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

What problem do the animals in this story have? How does Alejandro try to help?


Noting DetailsNoting Details

What signs tell Alejandro that the animals are using this new water hole?



Are the desert animals Alejandro’s pets now? Why or why not?

How do the animals make Alejandro feel less lonely?


Making JudgmentsMaking Judgments What are some good ways to treat wild animals? What are some bad ways to treat them?

Think and CompareThink and Compare

Why did the author name this story Alejandro’s Gift?

Did the “gift” turn out to be what you expected it would be, or something different?

How is the way Alejandro helps the desert animals different from the way Halla helps the pufflings in her story?

The desert animals help Alejandro feel less lonely. What are some other ways animals help people in stories from this theme?

The Living DesertThe Living Desert

By Suzanne Wilson

Let’s evaluate our understanding of the vocabulary:

We know & use We can understand We don’t have a clue

saguarosaguaro environmentenvironment moisturemoisture tenantstenants behaviorbehavior copecope

Vocabulary in ContextMy family lives in the desert. TheMy family lives in the desert. The environment environment

here is hot and dry.here is hot and dry.



Vocabulary in ContextSome desert animals hide in the shade or Some desert animals hide in the shade or

come out only at night. This come out only at night. This behaviorbehavior helps helps them stay cool.them stay cool.



Vocabulary in ContextPeople find ways to stay cool in the desert, People find ways to stay cool in the desert,

too. The too. The tenantstenants who live in our apartment who live in our apartment building got together and planted a garden.building got together and planted a garden.



Vocabulary in ContextWe decided to grow We decided to grow saguarosaguaro and other and other

cactuses in the garden.cactuses in the garden.



Vocabulary in ContextThe saguaro’s thick skin holds in The saguaro’s thick skin holds in moisturemoisture. .



Vocabulary in ContextSaving water like this helps the cactus Saving water like this helps the cactus cope cope

with the hot, dry place it lives in. Our garden with the hot, dry place it lives in. Our garden almost never needs watering, so taking care almost never needs watering, so taking care of it is easy! of it is easy!



Desert VocabularyDesert Vocabulary

saguarosaguaro

environmentenvironment

moisturemoisture

tenantstenants

behaviorbehavior

copecope

The place where people, animals, or plants live

A kind of tall cactus

wetness

People or animals who live in a place

The way a person or animal acts

Deal with


saguaro environment moisture tenants behavior cope

Practice Book Page 56



How is a saguaro cactus like an apartment building?

How is it like a restaurant?


Author’s CraftAuthor’s Craft

How does comparing a saguaro to an apartment building and a restaurant help people understand the saguaro’s importance?



How is the deserts animals’ habitat similar to and different from the seals’ habitat in Seal Surfer?



What does the author mean by “air conditioning” on page 116?

Why does the author compare the animals’ ears to air conditioning?

How does this comparison help the reader?



Do you agree that the desert is “full of wonders”?

Why or why not?

Comparing Two StoriesComparing Two Stories

1.

2.

3.

4.

Think and CompareThink and Compare Compare the way Alejandro helps the animals in the

desert with the way the animals help themselves in “The Living Desert”.

Both Alejandro and Ben want to be friends with the animals they meet. Are their reasons similar or different?

Do you think people should be responsible for helping animals? Explain your reasoning, using examples from the books we have read or from your life.

How do these stories show how animals depend on their habitats?

Language Arts Skills ReviewLanguage Arts Skills Review

• Information & Study Skills

• Syllabication

• Word Endings (Suffixes)

• Vocabulary

• Writing Skills

Language Arts Skills

Information and Study SkillsInformation and Study Skills

What should you keep in mind when you do research on the internet?



Once you find an internet search engine to use, what should you do?



What is the best topic to search under to find out what puffins eat?



In searching the internet for puffin birds, which related topic are you like to come across?



How is an electronic encyclopedia different from the Internet?

Example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffin


SyllabicationSyllabication

How would you separate the syllables in the word justice?

_______________________________________



How would you separate the syllables in the word running?

_______________________________________



How would you separate the syllables in the word encyclopedia?

_______________________________________



How would you separate the syllables in the word seeking?

_______________________________________


Word EndingsWord Endings

Write the base word and ending for the word:

_______________________________________




_______________________________________




_______________________________________




_______________________________________




_______________________________________



What does the underlined word mean in the sentence below:

_______________________________________



What is the meaning of the word:

_______________________________________



What is the meaning of the word:

_______________________________________


VocabularyVocabulary

Which part of speech is run in this sentence?

The dog ran by us so quickly.

_______________________________________




We were tired after our long run.

_______________________________________




She had at least three runs in her stocking.

_______________________________________




My brother hit his third home-run.

_______________________________________




I am so late I will have to run to class.

_______________________________________



Which form of the word run fits best?

All of the __________ in gym makes me tired.




In a grand slam, four _________ are gained.




She is the fastest _________ in our class.




Sylvia ________ faster than her brother in yesterday’s race.


Writing SkillsWriting Skills

What are the four types of sentences?

How can you tell the different types of sentences apart?



How can you change this sentence to a command?

Can you help me with my homework?



How can you change this sentence to a question?

I wonder if you can help me with my homework.



How can you change this sentence to an exclamation?

I don’t think I quite understand this homework.



How can you change this question to a statement?

Do you need help with your homework?

Time for Our Theme 3 Tests!Time for Our Theme 3 Tests!

Just remember to read the stories and every question carefully.

Look back in the story to help you answer the questions.

Use our reading skills and strategies to do well.

Take your time!

Animal Habitats Houghton Mifflin Theme Four Mr. Mills Grade Three.

Documents

school slide

activity slide

bruce mcmillan slide

jack prelutsky slide

facts opinions

practice http

incredible http

examples of facts