Happy Cat and the Hats
Text Type: Fiction • Word Count: 149

READ-ALOUD LESSON
Happy Cat and the Hats
Consonant Hh /h/

Other Resources
Decodable Book
Hot at the Dam

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

Story Summary
Crazy Cat tries on several different hats in front of his friend, Happy Cat. Happy Cat thinks all of the hats are horrible, except for the top hat, which Crazy Cat tries on last. 

Build Background
Ask students to describe the types of hats they have seen. Have them explain which type of hat is their favorite. Invite them to share if they have ever tried on a hat. Ask what they think a cat would do with a hat. 

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

Write happy and hats on the board. Read the words aloud to students. Have volunteers come to the board and take turns circling the letter that stands for the /h/ sound in the words. 

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

During Reading
Read the story aloud with expression, emphasizing the /h/ sound in the words. Ask students to clap their hands each time they hear the /h/ 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 are the main characters in the story?
• What types of hats does Happy Cat not like?
• Which hat is Happy Cat's favorite?