These Skunks Do Handstands!

Preview the Nonfiction Text Features / Visuals (5-10 minutes)

• Take a look at the nonfiction text features. First, focus on the big photo. Ask kids to share what they notice about the image of the skunk. (The skunk is doing a handstand. The skunk is in the grass. The skunk has spots.)
• Next, look at the label on page 3. Ask kids to read it.)
  

Introduce Nosey (3 minutes)

• Point out our dog character, Nosey, on page 3. Ask someone to read her voice bubble.
• Explain that Nosey pops up throughout Storyworks 2. Not only does she have a long nose to sniff out facts, but she’s also nosy! She’s curious and wants to know about everything.

Text Preview Bookmarks (5-10 minutes)

• Our skills page has both fiction and nonfiction options for kids to cut out to help them preview the text. They can use the nonfiction bookmark for this story.

• You can read this short article aloud together as a class, in small groups, or individually.

ELA Focus: Quiz (10 minutes)

• Pass out the quiz for a quick comprehension check.
• We offer both multiple-choice and written- answer formats for the quiz.

ELA Focus: Write Key Details to Nosey at [email protected] (20 minutes)

• It’s time to help Nosey fill out her Fact File! Print out Nosey’s Fact File from the Resources section of our website. Kids can find facts from the article. They can work in small groups or individually.
• Each fact box is scaffolded to help kids know what to write.
• You can also do this as a whole class activity and email their Fact Files to Nosey at [email protected]!

Show the Video “Amazing Animal Defenses” (10 minutes)

• With this video kids will learn about the incredible ways that skunks and other animals protect themselves from preditors.

Independent Learning: Whole Issue Scavenger Hunt (15 minutes)

• We created a scavenger hunt for several stories
• in this month’s Storyworks 2, including the mini read. The scavenger hunt can be done by students independently at home or during class time.
• This is a self-contained group of slides that guide your students on a scavenger hunt through the whole issue. It’s not only fun, it also helps them make text-to-text connections.
• To find it, look in your Resources section. Scroll down to Activities. You will see it there.