1 5 2 mother duck and baby crow (fantasy)

Mother Duck and Baby Crow
by Catherine Depp

ELL Reader 1.5.2

Fantasy

INTRODUCE THE BOOK

RESPOND

Activate Prior Knowledge/Build
Background Read the title, point to the
illustration, and ask children if they think this
story is real or fantasy. Ask: What do you like
about a story that isn’t real? Tell children this
book tells how some ducks help a baby crow.

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: door
and should. Introduce these key words from
the book: windy (p. 2), branch (p. 3), hurt
(p. 4), and storm (p. 5). 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:
• Pages 2–3 What is the weather like? (It is
windy and rainy.)
• Pages 4–5 What happens to Baby Crow?
(The wind blows him out of his nest.)
• Pages 6–8 Why do Mr. and Mrs. Crow
feel happy? (They have found their baby.
Baby Crow is safe and warm.)

Talk About It
1. First, a storm blows Baby Crow out of the
nest. Then, Mother Duck finds him and feeds
him. Last, Mr. and Mrs. Crow find their baby.
(Sequence)
2. Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Crow would help them
because they are friends now. (Make Inferences)
Write About It
3. Children should draw a picture to show their
favorite part of the story. They should write about
the animals in their picture.
Support writers at various English proficiency
levels.
Beginning Provide this sentence frame:
My favorite part is when ___. Have children

choose a part of the story and dictate the
ending.
Intermediate Have children refer to the story
to find details for their writing.
Advanced Ask children to help less-proficient
speakers generate words for their writing.
Extend Language Possible responses: loud,
soft, cool, freezing, wet, and powerful
Answers to page 52:
Children can draw Baby Crow on the doorstep
in the beginning. For the end, they can draw him
reunited with his parents.
Family Link Read aloud the Family Link activity
on page 52 before sending copies of the Study
Guide home with children. Later, have them
share their families’ stories about talking animals.

© 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 52.

ELL Readers Teaching Guide

Unit 5, Week 2 Mother Duck and Baby Crow

51

Study Guide

Mother Duck
and Baby Crow

Name

• Read Mother Duck and Baby Crow again.
• Draw Baby Crow at the beginning of the story.
• Then draw Baby Crow at the end of the story.
Baby Crow (beginning)

Family Link
Ask family members to share stories they know about
talking animals.
52

Mother Duck and Baby Crow Unit 5, Week 2

ELL Readers Teaching Guide

© Scott Foresman 1

Baby Crow (end)