• Introduce and expose students to the /n/ sound represented by the letter n.
• Build oral comprehension skills.
• Model fluent reading.

Story Summary
Someone is playing a trick on Nicky the Nightingale. When he returns from an evening of singing, Nicky has nuts in his nest. He cannot go to bed until he has cleaned out all of the nuts. However, when the owl gives Nicky a plan to catch the tricksters, Nicky discovers that his niece and nephew are putting the nuts in his nest. 

Build Background
Ask students if they have ever seen a nest. Invite them to describe what nests are made from and why many birds build nests. 

Preview the Book
Read the title and ask students to identify the sound at the beginning of the words nuts and nest. Explain that will to read a story aloud that has many words with the /n/ sound. Have students say the /n/ sound. 

Write nuts and nest on the board. Read each word aloud to students. Have volunteers come to the board and take turns circling the letter that stands for the /n/ sound in the words. 

Open the book and show students the illustrations on each page. Ask them to identify any words with the /n/ sound from the pictures. Invite students to predict what the story might be about. 

During Reading
Read the story aloud with expression, emphasizing the /n/ sound in the words. Ask students to clap their hands each time they hear the /n/ sound. Point out that they might hear the /n/ sound at the beginning, 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.

• Who were the main characters in the story?
• What was the nightingale's problem?
• What was the solution to the problem?