How+Rocket+Learned+to+Read+(Zavadil)

Created by Jess Zavadil



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Hills, T. (2010). How Rocket learned to read. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.

Rocket enjoyed doing regular 'dog' things until he met a little yellow bird who decided Rocket must be her student. Bird has a sign up saying, "Class starts today." Rocket would like to nap during class, but bird is ready to teach him the alphabet. Bird starts reading and soon Rocket becomes interested. Every day Rocket returns to the little bird's classroom, learning new letters and words until one day the weather turns and the bird says goodbye for the winter. Rocket practices his words in the snow until bird returns and class begins again.
 * Summary:**

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 * About the author: [[image:http://www.findlay.edu/UF/Images/MazzaAuction10/Originals/o064.jpg width="328" height="372" align="right"]]**

Tad Hill's website: [|author website]

1. Why did Rocket want to nap when the bird was ready to start school? Why did he change his mind and become interested?
 * Discussion Questions:**

2. Describe how the friendship between Rocket and the bird develops.

3. How did Rocket become a reader? Do you think he felt encouragement from bird, even when she flew south for the winter? How?


 * Classroom Activities:**
 * Bird takes on the responsibility of teaching Rocket to read. Have students write a 'recipe' for learning to read. For example, a cup of listening to stories, a dash of letter sounds, a pinch of sounding out words. How would they teach Rocket to read if it was their responsibility?


 * Pretend you are Rocket and write a letter to bird when she has flown south for the winter to update her on how you are practicing your reading skills while she is gone. Impress her with what you are learning.