Overview
of Series
The Guess Who series has children read to
find out what animal each book is about. Each time a page is turned, a new
photograph highlights one part of the animal, allowing the reader to use the
text and picture clues to figure out what animal it
is.
Comprehension
Strategy
Asking
Questions
Good readers preview the text before reading to see
what questions they have. The questions give them a purpose for reading. Good
readers ask themselves questions during reading about what they wonder. This
further guides their reading and makes them aware of what they do and do not
understand.
"I
Do" (Teacher models strategy)
Teacher:
"Before I read, I preview the book to see what questions I have. I jot down
my questions. Then I read to see what answers I can find. As I read, I ask more
questions when I don’t understand something. I’m going to preview
the pictures in the book Guess Who Bites and jot down questions I have on sticky
notes. Looking at the picture on page 3 makes me wonder if these little fish
bite, because this book is about what bites. I don’t know what the next
picture is and I wonder what it has to do with things that bite. I don’t
know what the picture on page 7 is either. On page 9, I see some fish with fins.
I wonder what fish use their fins
for."
"We
Do" (Teacher and children practice
together)
Teacher: "Let’s look at the rest
of the pictures and see what questions we have. We’ll write our questions
on sticky notes. What does the picture on page 11 make you wonder? It makes me
wonder why some fish have a fin on their back. What do you wonder when you look
at the picture on page 13?"
Continue guiding children to ask questions,
and model asking your own questions. Ask children to refer to their questions
when they read this
text.
"You
Do" (Children use the strategy)
Before children
read the next book in the series, ask them to preview the pictures with a
partner and jot down questions they have on sticky notes. Encourage them to
continue asking questions as they read the
book.
Textual
Supports
High
interest topics and photographs
Reading to find out the answer
to the guess-who question motivates children to read. The close-ups and changing
perspectives in the photographs encourage questioning.
Textual
Challenges
Content-specific
vocabulary
Index
The
content-specific vocabulary will likely be unfamiliar. It is introduced in the
section called "Challenge Words," on page 29 of these books. Provide
guidance in using the index.
ESL Connections
Body Parts
Vocabulary
Use the picture of the animals on page 27 of the
books to reinforce the words for body parts. Point to each body part and model
using complete sentences to name it, for example: "These are the
hooves." "This is the mane." Ask children to use the same
sentence patterns to name the parts of the animal with a partner. Remind them to
use this with one thing and these with more than one
thing.
Language
Acquisition
Favorite
Animal
Ask children to choose the animal from the series that
they like best and tell what they learned about it and why they like
it.
Integration
of Literacy,Science, and Art
(Science) Ask children
to think of other animals that bite, hiss, hop, run, snap, or spin. Record their
ideas on chart paper. Draw a simple sketch of the animal next to the animal
name. Choose animals from the list, and ask children to compare them with the
animals they read about.
(Math) Help children categorize the animals in the
books according to their features, for example: no legs, four legs, sharp teeth,
tails, and so
on.
Internet
Links
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sharkattack/hotsciencesharks/diagram.html
This
site provides an interactive diagram of a shark and its senses. There are also
links to more information about sharks and a teacher guide. (Teacher and
children)
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/reptiles/snakes/printouts.shtml
The
site includes information about snakes and types of snakes, a craft idea, and
diagrams of different snake types. (Teacher)
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-kangaroo.html
This
site, from the San Diego Zoo, features a video, photographs, and information
about the kangaroos that live there. (Teacher and children)
http://animal.discovery.com/guides/horses/horses.html
This
site provides pictures and facts about different horse breeds, a diagram of a
horse, and a "Horse Games and More" section with puzzles, a quiz, and
e-cards. (Children)
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/crustacean/Lobsterprintout.shtml
This
page provides information about lobsters and a lobster diagram.
(Teacher)
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/science/animals/bugs/spiders/
This site has pictures of spiders, spider puzzles and games, and printable
worksheets. (Teacher and children)
