Unit 1, Week 3 - I Have a Pet! / Please, Puppy, Please

     This week we will be focusing on two realistic fiction stories that will help us to answer the question, "Why do people have to take care of their pets?"  The first such story is I Have a Pet! by Shari Halpern.  In this story, five children enter their pets in a show, and each takes a turn explaining the merits of his or her contestant, be it dog, cat, bird, hamster or lizard. Information on animal behavior, as well as care and feeding, are woven throughout. All the entrants give such swell presentations that the judge has no choice but to award everyone some kind of prize.
     Our second focus story this week will be Please, Puppy, Please, written by Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  Through this story, we are introduced to two young children who are celebrating the joys and challenges of life with their new pet. Puppy is exuberant, energetic, and as undisciplined as can be. The kids are thrilled with their 

uncontrollable new friend, chasing him, playing with him, and trying to get him to behave. 

     With these texts, we will be focusing on the following skills this week: beginning sounds, synonyms, story structure, and conclusions.  

High-Frequency Word: the (Please continue to practice I and like at home, as well!)

Oral Vocabulary Words (I Have a Pet!): cooperate, curious, interesting, slimy, smooth, and vet

Selection Vocabulary Words (Please, Puppy, Please): fetch, outside, inside, and please

Thank you to www.amazon.com for the cover images!