Ask students to think of what they already know about squirrels. Record thoughts in a KWL chart to revisit during or after reading. 

Have students share any squirrel connections they have when shown this book. Do squirrels ever cause trouble for people with bird feeders or birdhouses?

• Before reading, take students on a picture walk through the book. Make predictions about the cover and on the inside illustrations. Discuss why the man is shaking his fist at the squirrels, or what students think might happen in the book. 
• Before reading page 6, have students predict why the man is so grumpy. Use story to confirm predictions. 
• When reading page 24, ask students to predict what the squirrels will do or could do to cheer up Old Man Fookwire. 
• At the end of the book, ask students to explain if the Old Man likes or dislikes the squirrels and how they know (he still shakes his fist, but he is smiling).

As the story is read, model correct phrasing and incorrect phrasing. Use this as a starting point for a discussion on why phrasing is a big part of reading fluently and how it is a continuation of what it would sound like when people have a conversation. Students could continue to practice with good-fit books during read to self or read to someone.

Possible words: squirrel, outskirts, geniuses, excellent, veritable, fortress, and overjoyed.

On P. 18, the author uses the phrase “veritable fortress”. This is a great page to use the pictures to help determine meaning as the illustrations show the various ways the Old Man has set up squirrel defense mechanisms for his birdfeeders.