Dogs ~ Developing Segmenting and Blending Skills

How to Use This Book:

Before Reading:

• Tell students that the story is about a girl who is thinking about getting a pet and is considering why a dog might be the best choice for her.
• Ask: “What do you think makes a dog a good pet?”

During Reading:

• Read some of the pages aloud, modeling fluency and intonation.
• Point out punctuation marks such as question marks and exclamation points.  Demonstrate how they affect the way we read.
• Pause to discuss: “What reasons does the girl give for wanting a dog?”

After Reading:

• Ask students: “What other things might she like about having a dog?”
• Encourage them to share their opinions: “Do you agree that a dog is a great pet? Why or why not?”
• Have students share what pet they think would be the best and why.