Lesson Objectives

Reading Strategies
Children should use a variety of strategies to determine word meaning and comprehend text. The targeted strategy for this lesson is: Asking does it make sense, does it sound right.

Children can use a variety of strategies for decoding words in this book. However, because it is told from a child's perspective, asking does it make sense or does it sound right may be enough for children to realize they need to reread and try again.

By making connections between what they are reading and what they already know, and through visualizing the story as they read, children will have a greater sense of comprehension.

Word and Print Skills
Phonics
ee, ea, open e, y, and sometimes ie, as in movie, have the same long e sound

Word Work
Capitalization–Proper Nouns

Throughout the book, names of characters are capitalized. This is a good opportunity to reiterate the importance of capitalizing proper nouns. You can discuss with children how not only the first words in sentences are capitalized, but proper nouns are as well. Explain to children what a proper noun is. Say: A noun belonging to the class of words used as names for unique individuals, events, or places (definition provided by www.dictionary.com). Have children brainstorm some proper nouns to ensure they understand this concept. This will be helpful for the activity from the Building Skills–Word Work section later in this lesson plan.

Synonyms
At three different times in the book, the author writes liars and fibbers and tellers of untruth (twice on page 5 and once on page 21). Point out this sentence to children to see if anyone knows what a word is called that means the same thing or is similar to another word. Explain that these words are synonyms. Have children brainstorm other synonymsÑfor example: nice, pretty.

Comprehension
You will likely address a number of comprehension skills as children work to understand the text. The targeted comprehension strategy for this lesson is: Summarizing.

After reading the story, children will have to summarize what the story was about. Even if you choose to have children read portions of the story rather than the whole things at one time, which is recommended, you can have them summarize the portions they have read so far.

Visual Learning
As children are reading, looking at the illustrations will help them interpret what the author is saying as well as what Hattie is doing and feeling. The pictures do a great job of showing what the text is saying that will help readers interact with the story.

Targeted Vocabulary Words
Content Words
It is suggested that the following words should be gone over with children to increase their chance of a successful reading experience. By introducing these words, you may help children feel more comfortable with the text and any potentially difficult words they come to during their reading. These are only a few, and you should look over the text to see if there are any other words that should be added to or removed from the list.
parakeet, absolute, sassing, ventriloquism, icky, funeral, disease, Spite, Malice, chirping, gypsy, babbling, curtains, partially

Some of the names in the story may be difficult for children as well.