• Introduce and expose students to the long /e/ vowel sound represented by VCe, long /e/ vowel digraph, and open vowel spellings.
• Build oral comprehension skills.
• Model fluent reading.

Book Summary
The three owners of the Sweetheart Bakery decide they all need a vacation. They close up the shop and each head off to their dream spots. However, after a few days, each owner realizes they are most happy working at the bakery and return to work.

Build Background
Ask students if they have been on a vacation. Invite them to share where they went and what they did there. Discuss how taking breaks from work now and then is important.

Preview the Book
Read the title and ask students to identify the long /e/ vowel sound in the words we and need. Explain that you will read a story aloud that contains words with the long /e/ vowel sound. Have students say the long /e/ vowel sound. 

Write we and need on the board. Read each word aloud to students. Have volunteers come to the board and take turns circling the letter or letters that stand for the long /e/ vowel sound in the words. Point out the different spellings that stand for the long /e/ vowel sound. 

Make a transparency of the copyright page of the book. Point out the box Long /e/ words that shows the long /e/ words in the story. Read each word aloud with students, pointing out the different spellings that stand for the long /e/ vowel sound. 

Open the book and show students the illustrations on each page. Invite students to predict what the story might be about.

During Reading
Read the story aloud with expression, emphasizing the long /e/ vowel sound in the words. Ask students to clap their hands each time they hear the long /e/ vowel sound. Point out that they might hear the long /e/ vowel sound in the middle or at the end of the word. 

Allow students to ask questions during reading. Pause occasionally to ask students to predict what might happen next.

After Reading
Reader Response
Have students explain whether the book is fiction or nonfiction. Invite them to summarize the story and/or describe their favorite part. 

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the book.

• Why did the owners of the bakery each decide to take a vacation?
• Why did the owners return early from their vacations?
• What did the owners find funny at the end of the story?