Owen and the Tortoise
Realistic (fiction), 625 words, Level N (Grade 2)

Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategy	Visualize
Comprehension	Problem and Solution
Grammar and Mechanics	Adjectives
Word Work	Alphabetizing

Book Summary

Owen and the Tortoise is based on the true story of Owen, a baby hippopotamus who was in the river with his mother when a huge tsunami hit the coast of Africa. He was separated from his mother, swept out to sea, and then thrown by a giant wave back onto the shore, alone. A park ranger rescued Owen and took him to a wildlife park, where he befriended an old tortoise who reminded him of his mother. Illustrations support the text.

About the Lesson

Targeted Reading Strategy

• Visualize

Objectives

• Use the reading strategy of visualizing
• Analyze the problem and solution in the story
• Identify adjectives and the nouns they describe
• Arrange words in alphabetical order

Vocabulary

• Content words: afloat, carefree, crest, current, debris, Kenya, nostrils, surrounded, swift, tortoise, tsunami, vast

Book Resources

Formats Single-Sided Book Single-Sided Color Cover Double-Sided Book Double-Sided Color Cover Lesson Resources Lesson Plan Worksheets Discussion Cards Comprehension Quiz Level N Answer Sheet