Characteristics of the Text Genre • Realistic Fiction
Text Structure • Third-person narrative, with problem introduced on fi rst page, solved on the next fi ve pages, then reintroduced on the last page
• Humorous endingContent • Giving a dog a bath
• Dog behaviorThemes and Ideas • You can give a dog a bath, but the dog might not stay clean for long.
• People may want dogs to be clean, but dogs have other interests.Language and
Literary Features• Simple clear language• Dialogue; all assigned, some split
Sentence Complexity • Many simple sentences: Look at Lola.• Some longer sentences: “Can we give her a bath?” said the twins.
Vocabulary • Words relating to baths: bath, soap, wash, dry, clean, smellsWords • Easy high-frequency words repeated: look, all, said, you, like, is, she
• Some more challenging words: muddy, twinsIllustrations • Humorous illustrations that support the text
Book and Print Features • Nine pages of text, with illustrations on each page• Two to fi ve lines of text on each page• Large print and good spacing between words
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Number of Words: 107
L E S S O N 3 T E A C H E R ’ S G U I D E
Lola, the Muddy Dogby Kate McGovern
Fountas-Pinnell Level DRealistic FictionSelection SummaryWhen Lola gets muddy, the twins give their dog a bath. Everyone admires the results, which don’t last long: Lola sees a squirrel and runs after it, right through the mud.
Build BackgroundRead the title to children and talk with them about what the characters are doing in the cover illustration. Ask them what they know about dogs and mud. Then ask: What can you do with a muddy dog?
Introduce the TextGuide children through the text, noting important ideas, and helping with unfamiliar language and vocabulary so they can read the text successfully. Here are some suggestions:
Page 2: Explain that in this story, a family has a problem to solve. They have a very messy dog named Lola. Suggested language: Turn to page 2. What do you see in the picture? A very muddy dog! The opening of the book reads: “Look at Lola. Look at all the mud!” said Mom. Say the word look. What letter would you expect to see fi rst in look? Find the word Look and put your fi nger under it.
Page 3: Remind children that they can use information in the pictures to help them read. What is happening here? The twins know how to solve the problem. The sister and brother in this story are twins because they were born at the same time. Say the word twins. What letter would you expect to see fi rst in the word twins? Find the word twins and put your fi nger under it. How do the twins want to solve the problem? Do you think they will succeed?
Page 4: On page 4 you can see the twins running after their muddy dog. Say the word muddy. What letter would you expect to see fi rst in the word muddy? Find the word muddy and put your fi nger under it.
Now go back to the beginning and read to fi nd out how the problem of the muddy dog is solved.
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ReadAs the children read, observe them carefully. Guide them as needed, using language that supports their problem solving ability.
Respond to the TextPersonal ResponseAsk children to share their personal responses to the book. Begin by asking what they liked best about the book, or what they found interesting.Suggested language: What do you think the family will do next with Lola?
Ways of ThinkingAs you discuss the text, make sure children understand these teaching points:
Thinking Within the Text Thinking Beyond the Text Thinking About the Text
• The dog named Lola gets muddy.
• After the twins catch their dog and give her a bath, everyone says how clean she is and how good she smells.
• Lola sees a squirrel, chases it, and gets muddy again.
• You can give a dog a bath, but the dog might not stay clean for long.
• People may want dogs to be clean, but dogs have other interests.
• The author shows how much the family cares for Lola.
• The author uses humor when she introduces the problem again at the end of the book.
• Speech balloons in the pictures tell what some characters say.
Choices for SupportConcepts of PrintHelp children understand that a sentence is a group of words with ending punctuation. Point out that the ending punctuation in Lola, the Muddy Dog includes periods, exclamation points, and question marks.
Phonemic Awareness and Word WorkProvide practice as needed with words and sounds, using one of the following activities:
• Blend the Sounds Say words sound by sound and ask children to say the words. Begin with /d/ /o/ /g/. What is the word? (dog) Continue with these words: /m/ /u/ /d/ (mud), /b/ /a/ /th/ (bath), /t/ /w/ / ı/ /n/ /s/ (twins), and /s/ /m/ /e/ /l/ (smell).
• Clapping Syllables Have children hear and say syllables in words from the book: Lola, bath, muddy, squirrel, jumped. Have them clap on each syllable: Lo-la, bath, mud-dy, squir-rel, jumped.
• Tracing Letters Materials: magnetic or cardboard letters or letter cards. Have children choose a letter, say the name, and trace the letter.
Writing About ReadingCritical ThinkingRead the directions for children on BLM 3.4 and guide them in answering the questions.
RespondingRead aloud the questions at the back of the book and help children complete the activities.
Target Comprehension SkillStory Structure
Target Comprehension Skill Tell children that a story has many parts, including
characters, settings, and events. Model how to think about the structure of this story.
Think Aloud
This story is about a dog named Lola and her family. It takes place in the family’s backyard. Lots of things happen in this story. Lola is muddy and the twins decide to give her a bath. Everyone in the family sees how clean Lola is, but then Lola sees a squirrel and runs through the mud again.
Practice the SkillHave children think about the story structure of another story they have read.
Writing PromptRead aloud the following prompt. Have children write their response, using the writing prompt on page 6.
Do you think Lola’s family takes good care of her? Why or why not? Write about what you think. Explain your answer.
English Language LearnersCultural Support Some cultures do not keep animals in the home as pets. Explain that the family keeps Lola at home and takes care of their pet. Lola is a kind of animal friend for the family.
Oral Language DevelopmentCheck the children’s comprehension, using a dialogue that best matches their English profi ciency level. Speaker 1 is the teacher, Speaker 2 is the child.
Beginning/ Early Intermediate Intermediate Early Advanced/ Advanced
Speaker 1: Point to Lola.
Speaker 2: [points to Lola]
Speaker 1: Point to the twins.
Speaker 2: [points to the twins]
Speaker 1: What do the twins give Lola?
Speaker 2: a bath
Speaker 1: What do the twins have to do before they give Lola a bath?
Speaker 2: catch her
Speaker 1: What does Lola do when she sees a squirrel?
Speaker 2: chases it
Speaker 1: What do Mom and Dad say about Lola after her bath?
Speaker 2: They say she is so clean and she smells so good.
Speaker 1: What happens to Lola when she runs after the squirrel?
