A Symphony of Whales
Below-Level Reader
Rescuing
Stranded Whales
Unit 3 Week 4
GENERALIZE ANSWER QUESTIONS
LESSON VOCABULARY anxiously, bay blizzard, channel, chip, melody, supplies, surrounded, symphony
SUMMARY This book introduces the basic concepts surrounding beached, or
stranded, whales. Each step of a rescue is described, and a time line of how
whales are returned to the sea is included.
INTRODUCE THE BOOK
BUILD BACKGROUND Most students will not have seen a beached whale,
but many know about this situation from films or television. Begin a
discussion of the topic by asking why it is important to keep a whale cool
at the beginning of a rescue. Help students see that the first actions are most important to the whale’s safety.
PREVIEW/USE TEXT FEATURES Students’ attention will be drawn to the title
and the photographs of people helping a whale. Also, the number of
people that a whale rescue draws sets a startling scene. Draw attention to the
spread on pages 8–9, and ask students why a truck might be used on the
shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean.
Invite students to share any experiences they may have had with
animal rescue.
TEACH/REVIEW VOCABULARY Ask students why this book about whale
rescue might have words such as anxiously, melody, and symphony. The
title shows that a whale is in trouble—which is a reason to be anxious. Ask
them to predict the use of the other words.
TARGET SKILL AND STRATEGY
GENERALIZE After reading about a typical whale rescue scene, students
should have a general idea of what is involved in helping a stranded whale.
Have students make a generalization from reading over the time line and
writing one statement about how to keep whales safe and return them to
the sea.
ANSWER QUESTIONS In order to help them generalize, students should
ask themselves questions about the rescue as they read. After reading, help
students organize their answers into logical generalizations.
READ THE BOOK
Use the following questions to support comprehension.
PAGE 4 Why is it important to immediately cool a beached whale?
(Dry skin can cause infection.)
PAGE 7 Why don’t scientists know what causes a whale to strand?
(Many possible causes make it difficult to pin one down.)
PAGE 11 Why do scientists find a pod of whales before lowering a whale in the
water? (Calves need to be with other whales for survival.)
TALK ABOUT THE BOOK
READER RESPONSE
- Possible response: Unlike whales, dolphins need to be directed into deep water.
- Responses will vary.
- Possible response: gathered around or encircled
- three hours
RESPONSE OPTIONS
WRITING Imagine you are a scientist. Write about how
you would handle a whale rescue.
CONTENT CONNECTIONS
SCIENCE Suggest that students have a
“Humans Care for Animals” day with volunteers bringing
in photos or drawings of the many ways humans can
help animals. Make captions for each photograph or drawing, and hang them where many people can see them.
L.R. TOC
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