Catwings, by Ursula K. LeGuin, is a fanciful story about four kittens born with wings who fly away from their dangerous neighborhood to find a safer place to live. It is a beginning chapter book written for the confident second through fourth grade reader. It is also the first in a series of four books that feature these characters.
This literature unit provides comprehension activities for each of its four chapters. The first comprehension sheet requires the student to select the best of three possible summaries of the first chapter�s main events and explain why they made that choice. The second chapter�s worksheet requires the reader to return to the text to recall specific details. After reading the third chapter, the student is asked to explain how and why characters feel the way they do.
The final chapter�s task requires the reader to place the story�s seven main events in the correct order. They can do so in one of two ways. They may determine what those events are on their own, or they may make use of the seven I have come up with. Either way, they must cut up those seven events and challenge themselves or a partner to literally rearrange the slips of paper until each is in the correct place. This literature unit definitely encourages the student to read for meaning. Get ready to enjoy the book along with your students!