P. 3 – “Feathers can warm like a blanket...” Think of the last time you had a blanket on. How did it feel? Did it warm you? What do you think feathers feel like for birds?

P. 11 – “Feathers can soak up water like a sponge...” What do you know about sponges? What happens when a sponge gets wet? What would that feel like for a bird?

P. 2 – The text says feathers have many different jobs to do. This makes me ask, what are the different jobs of feathers? As I read this book, I am going to see if I can find the answer to my question.

P. 7 – I just read the word tricolored. I wonder what this word means. I know tri means three, so a tricolored heron must be a three-colored bird.

Sometimes, when we’re reading, we might see a word and guess what it is without really looking at all the letters. But slowing down and checking every letter can help us read the word correctly!

In this book, let’s try this strategy with some tricky words:

Fluffing (P. 3) — Look at the beginning fl, then notice the double ff, and the -ing at the end. Reading it in parts makes it easier!

Cushion (P. 6) — Start with cush, then look at -ion. Does it make sense in the sentence?

Distract (P. 13) — Check the letters carefully: dis at the beginning and tract at the end.

P. 2 (and many pages throughout) – ellipses

P. 15 – commas

Model and use word learning tools as opportunities arise. Possible words to search:

P. 7 – wades, reflections 
P. 10 – delicate 
P. 11 – quench