Title: Stone Fox Author: John Reynolds Gardiner Level: P (Fountas & Pinnell)
Content connection: adventure; dog sled racing; overcoming difficulties
(Note: Chapter titles provide story structure)
Chapter 1— vocabulary: harmonica,
ceiling, examination, proceeded
Introduces Characters: Read to see what you learn about the characters.
Discussion: What do you think the problem is? What do you think is the cause?What clues lead you to that answer?
What is the setting, incl. when?
note- p. 4—
cried beard filled up with tears”
Note first sentence--- Discuss meaning.
***P.12—gives clues to problem
New problem--- p. 17—answer to why grandfather is sick; How is this related to first problem?
visualization—potato field, plowing; carrying bags 60 pounds
careful reading: p.21—harvests and sells potato crop, but grandfather says that is not a problem
Chapter 3—vocabulary: forge;
exhausted; unhitched; impatiently; whereabouts; dangerous;
p.23—discuss meaning: “ask too many questions"
Why do they wait for 6 o’clock chimes?
p.26 --Why does the author talk about city slickers?
Chapter 4—vocabulary: twang
of ricocheting bullet; derringer; authority; mustache;
p. 30-Discuss meaning of —“LW had never heard a voice like that before. Not on this farm.”
Make connection to chapter 2: p.32- m"an dressed as if he were going to a wedding”
Discuss problem—Why didn’t grandpa pay tax?
activity—Draw picture of Clifford Snyder using details from the text.
Chapter 5— vocabulary: Samoyeds (dog team); unison; his face was solid granite
--Chapter introduces Stone Fox and race.
Chapter 6- vocabulary: contestants, acres, granite, legends
Discussion: Should Willy have spent his college money? Should the banker have let him take the money out?
visualization of stone fox (“by no means a lightly constructed man”)
read together: ***p. 53- legend of Stone Fox
What is the reason Stone Fox entered race?
Why do you think author has Stone Fox not talking?
Why is Willy not worried? Should he be?
medicine; “rooting for you” embarrassed; treacherous; courage;
Chapter 7—The Meeting
Notice contrast—Little Willy; giant/massive Stone Fox
Discuss: Why does Stone Fox hit him?
Could this affect
outcome of race?
p. 67—notice the size description
notice phrase: " face frozen like ice"
Chapter 9—The Race
Chapter 10 The Finish Line
pp. 77 Dog dies—“head buried”
Discuss:Why does author have dog die? Were there any clues that this would happen?
p.78 important page to discuss