1 1 3 we can help (animal fantasy)

We Can Help!
by G. P. Drummond

ELL Reader 1.1.3

Animal Fantasy

INTRODUCE THE BOOK

RESPOND

Activate Prior Knowledge/Build
Background Read the title, and ask children
to look at and name the farm animals shown on
the cover. (Children may be able to see a horse,
cow, goat, duck, cat, and dog.) Ask: What farm
animals have you seen? What were they doing?
Tell children this book tells how farm animals help
a farmer.

Answers to the Reader’s Inside Back Cover:

Preview/Use Text Features Preview the
reader by talking about the illustrations together
and naming the labeled items.
Preteach Vocabulary Review the highfrequency words that appear in this book: get,
help, and use. Introduce these key words from
the book: crops (p. 2) and market (p. 2).
Discuss these words and add them to a Word
Wall.

READ THE BOOK
Choose among these options for reading to
support children at all English proficiency levels.
Read Aloud Read the book aloud as children
follow along. Pause to verify comprehension and
to explain unfamiliar concepts.
Monitored Reading Have children read
aloud a few pages at a time. Use the following
questions to support comprehension:
• Page 2 Why is Farmer Ed sad? (He must
get his crops to market.)
• Pages 3–7 What did the animals decide
to do? (They decided to help Farmer Ed.)
• Page 8 How did they feel about helping?
(They had fun.)

Talk About It
1. He grew the crops on his farm. (Setting)
2. They used their nose, horns, legs, and voice.
They brought his crops to market. (Character)
Write About It
3. Help children imagine how they could help
Farmer Ed. Their pictures may show them picking
fruits or vegetables, carrying baskets, or putting
baskets into a truck or wagon. Their writing
should describe what is shown in their picture.
Possible response: I can pick apples. I can put
them in a basket.
Support writers at various English
proficiency levels.

Beginning Let children dictate how they
would help Farmer Ed. Have someone else
record their words.
Intermediate Have children say their
answer to a partner before writing.
Advanced Have children write two or three
sentences telling how they would help.
Extend Language Help children say the
sentences on pp. 6–7 using -ed: I used my nose, I
used my horns, etc.
Answers to page 6:
Children should draw an animal and the farm.
Family Link Read aloud the Family Link activity
on page 6 before sending copies of the Study
Guide home with children. Later, have children
share songs about farms.

© Scott Foresman 1

Reread Have children reread the book with a
partner, in small groups, or independently. Have
them complete the Study Guide on page 6.

ELL Readers Teaching Guide

Unit 1, Week 3 We Can Help!

5

Study Guide

We Can Help!

Name

• Read We Can Help! again.
• Draw an animal from the story.
• Draw where the animal lives.

Ask family members if they know any songs about
farms or farm animals.
6

We Can Help!

Unit 1, Week 3

ELL Readers Teaching Guide

© Scott Foresman 1

Family Link