Before Reading

• Word Work:

  • and, the, in

  • Write words on a whiteboard, "popping" around the board 5 times correct each word

  • OR Write words using finger in sand, salt, flour, etc.

  • Pull out alphabet chart and find the f. Go over f sound. Write 3-5 words that start with f.

• Take a picture walk through the book

• Find the word "this" in book and put finger on it.

  • Make the word with magnetic letters and show it to him or her. Mix them up and have him or her put it back together. Show him or her an index card with the word "this" written on it.

• Ask him or her what he or she knows about the forest. Ask about what he or she sees when they are in the forest (think plants and animals). Make sure he or she understands that the forest and the woods are the same thing.

• Make a list of forest words.

• Focus strategy: Lips the Fish. Show poster (click link) and remind him or her that when he/she gets stuck, try the beginning sound and look at the picture. Also remind him or her to read with his or her finger.

During Reading

• Read with finger

• Encourage reading strategy (look at the beginning sound and the picture)

• Support and encourage words that are read correctly with verbal praise

After Reading

• Ask- Where does this book happen? Teach word "setting"

• Ask- What else do you see in the forest? What colors do you see in the forest?

• Color a picture of the forest and write color words on the picture using a sharpie. Have child point at the word and read the color.

  • You can also write the color words on little post-it notes and have them put it on the right parts of the picture.

• New words: this, is

  • Write the words on the white board

  • Have child make the words with magnet letters

  • Take one of the letters away, ask him or her what is missing

  • Mix up the letters and have child put it back together

  • Have child dictate a sentence as you write it, then he or she reads it, pointing at each word

• You can also print out the coloring book below and he or she can practice with it.