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

Story Summary
A waitress is walking along the beach when she encounters a walrus. He informs her that his whale friend is in trouble—a wire is stuck around the whale's teeth. The waitress saves the day by removing the wire, allowing the whale to get better. 

Build Background
Ask students if they have ever seen an animal in trouble. Invite them to describe the animal and how it was in trouble. Discuss the steps to take to help an injured animal, such as telling an adult, calling a vet or animal control worker, and staying away from the animal.

Preview the Book
Read the title and ask students to identify the sound at the beginning of the word walrus. Explain that you will read a story aloud that has many words with the /w/ sound. Have students say the /w/ sound. Remind them that the /w/ sound is different from the /wh/ sound, such as in the word whale. Point out the puff of air that is released before the /w/ sound when pronouncing the /wh/ sound. Have students hold a hand in front of their mouth to feel the puff of air as they say the /wh/ sound. Then have them say the words walrus and whale aloud to hear the difference between the beginning sounds. 

Write walrus on the board. Read the aloud to students. Have a volunteer come to the board and circle the letter that stands for the /w/ sound in the word. Write the word whale on the board and say the word aloud to students. Point out that two letters, w and h, together stand for the /wh/ sound as in the word whale. 

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

During Reading
Read the story aloud with expression, emphasizing the /w/ sound in the words. Ask students to clap their hands each time they hear the /w/ sound. 

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 did the walrus find to help the whale?
• What was wrong with the whale?
• How did removing the wire from the whale's teeth make her feel better?