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Detective LaRue: Letters fro m the Investigation
Making Connections: Text to World Ask children what they know about dog and cat behavior. Talk about how dogs discover information by sniffing out clues and how many cats like to wander at night, climb things, and hunt for small animals.
Extend the real-world connection by telling children that they will read a fantasy about dogs and cats, but they will recognize the characteristics of real dogs and cats in the fantasy animals.
For information on cat and dog behavior, see http:// www. petuniversity. com / cats / behavior / cats-and-dogs. htm.
Vocabulary Essential Words: anonymous, apprehended, culprits, instincts, interrogate, intrigue
Related Words for Discussion: heroism, intrepid, misjudged, mysteriously, theory
Genre / Text Type Fantasy / Series Book Remind children that a fantasy is a story that could not happen in the real world. In this series book, children get to know characters they can then follow in other stories.
Summary & Standard
Local dog Ike LaRue is being held at the police station in connection with the disappearance of two cats. The story unfolds through LaRue’ s letters to his owner and through vivid illustrations, which tell the real story. Children will use pictures and context to assist comprehension.
Author: Mark Teague Word Count: 250 +
Genre: Fantasy Theme / Idea: distinguishing fantasy from
Text Type: Series Book reality; viewing different retellings of an event
Supportive Book Features
Text The main text appears in the form of letters from LaRue to his owner. Have children compare text in the letters with the text in the news articles.
Vocabulary Children should find the vocabulary easy to comprehend. Encourage them to look for context clues to the meaning of difficult words.
Praise children for specific use of“ Behaviors to Notice and Support” on page 109 of the Guided Reading Teacher’ s Guide.
Challenging Book Features Text Children may have difficulty reading the text in the tilted boxes. Suggest that children move the book so that the text appears upright. Help children read any words that appear difficult because of font changes.
Content Some children may have trouble following the story line as it is told in three different ways: newspaper articles, LaRue’ s letters, and illustrations. Point out to children each style so they recognize what is going on. Make sure children know the difference between the black-and-white illustrations( depicting what LaRue says in his letters) and the color illustrations( showing what is really happening).
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LEVEL N |
Teaching Cards Support every student with the instructional skills and strategies that accompany each book. |
Leveled Trade Books Authentic trade books keep students motivated and reading! |
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ELL Bridge |
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Before reading, encourage children to do a picture walk to become familiar with how the story text appears. Have them spend some time looking at the pictures and noting details. Demonstrate how illustrations can be used to help decode some unfamiliar words. Encourage children to keep a list of unknown words and help them find definitions for the words. |
Guided Reading Levels Grades K – 6 | |||
K |
a B C D |
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1 |
a B C D E F G H |
I |
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2 |
e F G H |
I |
J K L M N |
3 |
J K L M N O P Q |
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4 |
M N O P Q R S T |
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5 |
Q R S T U V W |
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6 |
t u v W X Y Z |
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