Before Reading

Lesson Plans for HIPPO'S TOOTHACHE level I

Before Reading

Introducing the Book

Hold up the book, and show children the front and back covers, and the title page.
Ask: What is the difference between this kind of story and one that is not made-up? Show children an example of a nonfiction book that would have a tie to Hippo’s Toothache, such as a book about teeth.
Direct their attention to the cover of the book. Point out the title of the story, the author’s name and the illustrator’s name. Ask: Does the illustration help you to predict what will happen in the story?
Tell children that the story has characters, a setting, and a plot. The characters in Hippo’s Toothache are the animals. The setting is where the story takes place, and the plot is all the events that form story. Ask children to think about characters, setting, and plot as they read.
Turn to the title page. Ask: Why is the illustration on this page different from the one on the cover? (It sets the stage.) Where do you think the story is going to take place?
After looking at the cover and the title page, ask children if they can predict what will happen in the story. Write their predictions on chart paper. Explain that you will compare these predictions with other predictions they will make when they read the story.

Building Background
Discuss going to a dentist. Ask: Why do people go to the dentist? What does the dentist do? Why is it important to go to the dentist? What might happen if you don’t go to the dentist? Have you ever had a toothache? What did it feel like? How did it happen? What did you do about it?

Book Walk
Walk children through the story to acquaint them with the characters and setting of the story. As you turn the pages, ask children to look closely at the illustrations and think about what is happening. Pause on some pages to ask questions.

Reading Strategies
Strategies for Solving Difficult Words
Ask children what they do when they come to a difficult word. Ask: Do the pictures help you to understand and read the words? How do you figure out the meaning of a difficult word? Do you sound out the letters? Do you pause on a page and predict what might happen on the next page? Do you use Think Alouds? Ask children to share what strategies they use and record them on chart paper or the chalkboard. Discuss and check for understanding.

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