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The Secret Zoo
Last updated Friday, October 13, 2023
Author: Bryan Chick
Date of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 0061987506
Grade Level: 3rd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2023
Synopsis:
Something strange is happening at the Clarksville City Zoo. Late at night, monkeys are scaling the walls and searching the neighborhood - but what are they looking for?
Noah, his sister Megan, and their best friends, Richie and Ella, live next door to the zoo. Megan is the first to notice the puzzling behavior of some of the animals. One day Megan disappears, and her brother and their friends realize it's up to them to find her. Their only choice is to follow a series of clues and sneak into the zoo. But once inside, they discover there's much more to the Clarksville City Zoo than they could ever have guessed...
| Note to readers: |
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It might be fun to have the readers for all grades treat the event like a campfire reading - sitting in a circle on the floor, classroom lights out using flashlights to read. The last item could help with any challenging kids by having them hold the flashlights for the readers.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you ever been to the zoo?
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What was your favorite exhibit?
Vocabulary:
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Glint: give out or reflect small flashes of light.
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Magnified: make (something) appear larger than it is, especially with a lens or microscope.
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Adjacent: next to or adjoining something else.
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Scour: subject (a place, text, etc.) to a thorough search in order to locate something.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Questions to ask during the reading
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Have you ever brainstormed like Megan does on page 5? (online version may be different page but found in the prelude)
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At the end of the prelude ask: What has happened to Megan?
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At the end of chapter 1 ask: Who or what do you think is tapping on Noah’s window?
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At the end of Chapter 2 ask: Do you think Noah should go to the zoo like the flyer says?
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At the end of Chapter 3 ask: Do you think the monkey is giving Noah clues about where Megan is?
Question for After
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Overall question: Why do you think Megan has gone missing? Where do you think she is?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Draw a tree house with the name of your secret club. Who would be in it? What would the club talk about or do? Suggest ideas to the students. Example: I drew a treehouse with the sign ‘Artistic scouts’, in it are my best friends Fiona and Christine. We meet after school to talk and do crafts.
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Draw an exhibit of your favorite animals at the zoo.
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Draw a missing poster for Megan
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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