By Harriet Peck Taylor

What do you see

when you look at

the night sky?

canyongazin

gskillful

arranged

swiftly

pride

feast

GenreGenre

Native American

Tale

A story that has

been passed down

through time

Also known as a

“legend” or “folk

tale”

•A clever main character•Explanation of how something came to be

Picture Walk

1.Look over the title pages 38 and 39. Predict where the story takes place, the setting.

2. Examine the picture on page 40. Do you need to change your prediction about the setting? Why or why not?

3. On page 40 there are mountains in the background. What is the special name for them?

4. On page 40, does Coyote seem happy? How can you tell?

5. Turn to page 42. Predict how Coyote arrived at the moon.

6. On page 43, what do you notice about the stars?

7. Turn to pages 44 and 45. Where are the animals going?

8. Look at the animals’ faces on pages 46 and 47. Do they seem happy or excited? Why do you think they are?9. Examine the illustrations on pages 48 and 49. What do the animals seem to be doing?

10. On page 50, there is a window and a child looking out. What do you think the child is looking at or looking for?

Prediction

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During Reading

(Three Ring Circus)

You may choose to read in one of the following ways:

• With a partner

• With your teacher

• By yourself

While you read, do the following:

1. Discuss the meaning of each vocabulary wordvocabulary word as you come to it. If reading alone, think about the meaning of each word. Be ready to discuss with the class.

2. Be on the look out for words and phraseswords and phrases that “show; don’t“show; don’t tell”tell” and “paint a picture in your mind”.“paint a picture in your mind”. Mark these with small Post-It notes. Share with your partner or group. If reading alone, be ready to share during our whole group discussion.

3. Reread for better understanding and to build fluency.

During Reading

Show; Don’t Tell

Paint a Picture in the Reader’s Mind

Instead of: The author used:

A long time ago Many moons and many moons ago

Fast riverSwift-running river

Walking around the landRoaming the land

Going after butterflies Chasing butterflies

Smelling flowers Sniffing flowers

Looking at the starry heavens Gazing at the starry heavens

Coyote says he will climb to the heavens.

Coyote makes star pictures of himself and his friends.

Coyote points out the pictures to the animals.

This story, Coyote Places the Stars, is a Native American folktale that tells how constellations were formed in the night sky.

Have you ever read the Native American folktale called Coyote Places the Stars? This story begins

You should read Coyote Places the Stars, a Native American folktale.

You should read Coyote Places the Stars, a Native American folktale. Many moons ago, Coyote climbed to the heavens.