Sofia’s Animals

Teacher Guide

For use after:

Library 1, Chapter 3
Grade:
Third
Domain/Objective:
Reading: Identify answers in text
Skill:
Reading comprehension
English Learner Proficiency Level:
Beginning - Early Intermediate
Purpose:
Students are given additional practice to demonstrate comprehension of a reading passage.
Key Concept for Teachers:
Wh-questions prepare students for reading comprehension and active classroom listening tasks.
Students can respond to wh-questions by selecting words, phrases, or complete sentences from
the story. It is important that students respond in ways that match their skill levels. For beginning
readers, teachers should use simple stories to improve students’ listening and reading
comprehension skills.
Model of the Concept:
Write the words “what” and “where” on the board. Discuss what each of these words refers to
(e.g., what = thing or event; where = place). Ask students to think about what/where as they read
or to follow along as the teacher reads the passage (depending on the reading level of the group).
Have students write their answers on their sheets, or call on students to answer the questions
while you record the answers on a transparency or on the board.
Core Vocabulary Practiced:
baby, big, bread, chickens, circles, duck, fish, happy, listening, old, short, young, small, garden,
swimming, tall, one
Other Vocabulary Used:
Sofia, lives, in, a, house, she, has, many, animals, and, they, are, rabbit, likes, to, the, gives, eat,
there, pool, too, watching, swim, working, her, flowers, day, will, be, very
Wrap-Up Questions:
Relate the passage to students’ own experiences. Does anyone have animals? Does anyone have a
garden?
Added Practice:
Ask students questions about this story. What is in Sofia’s garden? What swims in the pool? What
does Sofia like to listen to?
Answer Key:
1. a house; 2. bread; 3. a pool; 4. the animals; 5. in her garden

01_03_RD_3_013 © 2006 Renaissance Learning, Inc.

 Sofia’s Animals

Sofia’s Animals

Sofia lives in a house. It is big and old. She has many animals. She has
chickens and ducks. She has baby rabbits. They are young and small. Sofia
likes listening to the animals.
The ducks swim in a pool. Sofia has bread for them. The ducks eat her
bread. There are fish in the pool too. Sofia likes watching the fish. They are
swimming in circles.
Sofia likes working in her garden. There are many flowers in her
garden. Sofia is happy.

Answer the questions about the story.

1. Where does Sofia live?

2. What do the ducks eat?

3. Where are the fish?

4. What does Sofia like listening to?

5. Where does Sofia like to work?

01_03_RD_3_013 © 2006 Renaissance Learning, Inc.