It can be hard to find read alouds for elementary students rich with imagery and figurative language. Today we are spotlighting the book Owl Moon because it makes an amazing mentor text. The descriptive writing in this book lends itself so so many lessons and serves as a great example of writing to young students. I think all teachers should share this book with their students during the winter. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen, tells the story of a young girl who goes owl watching with her father one night. The girl has been looking forward to this for a long time. As they walk through the cold, dark night, she knows that she must be quiet. The two make their way through the woods, keeping their eyes open for owls in the night sky. Her father makes owl calls every so often as they walk along.
As they make their way deeper into the woods, Pa makes another call. Soon after, they hear a call back through the trees. The two wait patiently as the call gets closer and then an owl lands above them on a tree branch. Pa shines his flashlight at the owl and they all stare at one another until the owl flies off. Now that they had found an owl, the girl and her Pa could talk, and made their way home.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
I think Owl Moon is the perfect book to teach young students about figurative language. However, it can also be used to teach a variety of other skills. You can spend a whole week using this book to teach and practice new skills and strategies!
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Owl Moon is a great book to practice visualizing! This is such an important skill for readers to develop.
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Spend time analyzing the setting and illustrations in the book.
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Incorporate persuasive writing by having students persuade someone to take them owling.
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Encourage students to research and write about owls.
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Introduce students to multiple meaning words using the many examples in the story.
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Teach a lesson on adjectives and prepositions using examples from the book.
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Share strategies for self-regulation with students.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
Whether you are a new teacher or seasoned, there is something for everyone in these activities!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Pigsty by Mark Teague
- Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
- Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
