Text Talk Lesson
For
Make Way For Ducklings
By Robert McCloskey
Lesson Written By: Carrie Rice
Summary:
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are in search of the perfect place to raise their ducklings. After searching all over Boston for a good place to live, the Mallard family finds their new home at a park in the city.
Focus:
One focus will be on various characteristics that contribute in making a good environment for ducks to live in. In addition, another focus will be on crossing a street safely.
Comments and Questions:
Cover
Show cover and read the title. Ask the students what they think might happen based on the cover illustration of the book. Then begin reading the story.
Page 1
What are the Mallards looking for? (A place to live.)
Page 7
Why do you think the bird didn’t respond to Mr. Mallard’s hello? (He was “too proud to answer”. Or, he was not real.)
Page 10
Why did Mrs. Mallard like this spot? (There are no foxes or turtles and humans feed them peanuts.)
What do you think will happen next? (They may find a reason not to like that area.)
Page 18
Why did Mrs. Mallard like this spot to raise her ducklings? (It’s quiet and close to the Public Garden.)
Page 23
Why wasn’t Mrs. Mallard able visit Michael anymore? (She had to sit on the eggs to keep them warm.)
Page 27
Where was Mr. Mallard going? (He was going to take a trip to see the rest of the river.)
What was Mrs. Mallard going to do while he was gone? (Teach the ducklings new things.)
Page 31
What things did Mrs. Mallard teach her ducklings? (Swim, dive, walk in a line, keep distance from things with wheels.)
Page 37
What could Mrs. Mallard have done before she stepped out on the road with her ducklings? (Look both ways for vehicles before trying to cross.)
Page 41
How did Michael help? (He stopped traffic to let the Mallard family cross the street.)
Page 51
What did the police officers do to help Mrs. Mallard and her family cross the street? (Directed traffic.)
Wrap-up
Why was the island the Mallard family finally decided to live on perfect for them?
(Let the children consider why the island was the perfect home for the ducks.)
Vocabulary:
Enormous
Delighted
Beckoned
Enormous: In the story, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard see an enormous bird pushing a boat full of people. Enormous means “very great in size”, or really big. Say the word enormous.
· I am going to name some items that might be enormous. If you think what I say is enormous, say “It’s enormous.” If you think it’s not enormous, say “No way.”
o A space shuttle
o A bird’s egg
o An elephant
o A continent
o A worm
What’s our word? Enormous
Delighted: Mr. Mallard was delighted when Mrs. Mallard finally found a place she liked to live. Delighted means “great pleasure”, or to be really happy about something. Say the word delighted.
· Let’s think about different things that would make us delighted.
o A birthday party with all your friends, or extra homework?
o A bag full of candy or going to the dentist?
o Playing in the snow or taking a test?
o Playing outside on a warm, sunny day or doing homework?
What’s our word? Delighted
Beckoned: Michael, the policeman, used his hand to beckon Mrs. Mallard across the road. Beckon means “to make a signaling or summoning gesture”. Say the word beckoned.
· Let’s think of things we can beckon people with to let them know something.
o Waving your hand
o Smiling
o Words
What’s our word? Beckoned
We’ve talked about three words: enormous, delighted, and beckoned. Let’s think about them some more.
· What item is more enormous, or bigger, than the other- a hippopotamus or a snake?
· Which would make you more delighted- a cake made just for you or getting your favorite shoes muddy?
· What would be the better way to beckon someone- waving you hand at them or not looking at them at all?