Li v t tl e e es N T o l i Make Way for Ducklings Robert McCloskey A Study Guide Written by Garrett Christopher
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS TABLE OF CONTENTS For the Teacher................................ 1 Suggestions For Using Activities............... 1-2 Synopsis..................................... 3 Author Information............................ 3 Pre-Reading Activities.......................... 4 Word Study................................... 5 Understanding the Story..................... 6-7 Understanding Pictures......................... 8 Graphic Organizer............................. 9 Extension Activity......................... 10-13 Follow-Up Activities........................... 14 Suggestions For Further Reading................ 15 Answer Key.................................. 16 Little Novel-Ties are printed on recycled paper. The purchase of this study guide entitles an individual teacher to reproduce pages for use in a classroom. Reproduction for use in an entire school or school system or for commercial use is prohibited. Beyond the classroom use by an individual teacher, reproduction, transmittal or retrieval of this work is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Copyright 1991, 2001 by LEARNING LINKS
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS For the Teacher This reproducible Little Novel-Ties Study Guide consists of activities to use in conjunction with the book Make Way for Ducklings, recipient of the 1942 Caldecott Medal. The picture book and its corresponding guide can become an important element in your whole language reading program. The guide contains a synopsis; background information on the author and illustrator; suggested pre-reading activities; exercises that focus on vocabulary, visual literacy, critical thinking skills and story comprehension; and extension activities that link the story to other curriculum areas. Suggestions for Using Activities Pre-Reading Activities Before You Read These activities are designed to activate children s prior knowledge and build concepts or background information. They will motivate children to read and help them to understand the story better. Children can discuss answers to the questions with a partner, in a small cooperative learning group, or with the entire class. The last activity is designed to elicit varied responses from children. Word Study Words That Rhyme Children read riddles and use rhyming words as well as definition clues to help them identify new words. As an extension activity, children are asked to write their own rhyming word riddle, using the pattern introduced on the page. Understanding the Story Story Questions, Picture Questions The Story Questions include a number of literal, inferential, and evaluative questions that help children focus on major story elements. The Picture Questions help children draw inferences from the illustrations. Depending upon the level of the group, you may wish to have children respond orally or in writing. LEARNING LINKS 1
Pre-Reading Activities MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS BEFORE YOU READ 1. Read the title of the book. Then look at the picture on the cover. Tell what the mother duck and her ducklings are doing. What is making way for the ducklings? 2. Look at the pictures in the book. Does this story take place in the city or in the country? What makes you think so? 3. Look at the pictures of the cars and the people. Does this story tell about something that is happening now or something that happened long ago? How can you tell? 4. Have you ever seen a duck? Draw a picture. Show where you might see a duck. LEARNING LINKS 4
Understanding the Story MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS STORY QUESTIONS 1. What are Mr. and Mrs. Mallard looking for at the beginning of the story? 2. What kind of place do they need to find? 3. What adventure do the Mallards have in the Public Garden? 4. Where do the ducks search for a home? Where do they finally decide to settle? 5. Why does the author say that the ducks found their new home just in time? 6. Who is Michael? How do the ducks know that he likes them? 7. How does Mrs. Mallard s life change after she lays her eggs? 8. What plans does Mr. Mallard make after the ducklings hatch? 9. What problem does Mrs. Mallard have when she tries to take the ducklings to the Public Garden? Who helps her solve this problem? 10. What happens when the duck family reaches the corner of Beacon Street? 11. Tell how each character feels when the Mallard family finally reaches the Public Garden: Mrs. Mallard, Mr. Mallard, the ducklings, Michael. LEARNING LINKS 6