1. Before, During, and After Reading Skills
“Song of the Trees”
By Mildred D. Taylor
Before, During, and After Reading Skills

2. Preparing to Read 1. Identify four text features seen on pages 42-43.
2. Identify and define the Literary Focus elements of this text.
3. Identify and define the Reading Focus skill used in this text.
What is the Writing Focus assignment and what are you asked to look for as you read the beginning of the text?
Which Vocabulary words do you not recognize? How does this text help you learn new words?

3. Author Information 4. Read the “Meet the Writer” section on page 44.
Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about the author.
Circle the detail you think is the most important.

4. Analyzing Visuals
What adjectives could be used to describe the mood of this picture? Based on this picture, what do you predict about this story?

5. How did working together make a difference for you?
Quick Write
Working Together
Think about a difficult time in your life when you or someone you know about had to turn to other people for help.
What was the problem you/they were facing and why did you/they need the help of others?
How did working together make a difference for you?

6. Vocabulary
Examine the four vocabulary words, their definitions, and the sentences. For each word, please copy the definition, copy the sentence that is used in the text, write an original sentence and construct an illustration that clearly demonstrates your understanding of the word.
Dispute
Curtly
Elude
Incredulously

7. Event Prediction During Reading Skills Making Predictions
A prediction is a type of inference or a guess based on evidence.
You can base your predictions on clues the writer plants, your own experience of life, and your understanding of how stories work.
As you read “Song of the Trees,” note examples of clues that lead you to predict what will happen next.
Page
Character(s)
Event
Prediction

8. Build Background and Preview the Selection
Read the “Build Background” and “Preview the Selection” sections on page 44.
Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about the text.
Circle the detail you think is the most important.

9. Literary Response “Song of the Trees”
Read the text carefully and note the way the author uses characters and their actions to create conflict in the text.
How does the setting add to the conflict between the Logans and the lumbermen?
Explain your thoughts and ideas and use evidence from the text to support your response.

10. Preview and Predictions
Before Reading Skills
Preview and Predictions
Examine the text features located throughout the selection.
Make a list of the things you “know” or “think you know” based only on the text features.
Make a list of at least 3 things you want to know, but you need to read in order to find out.
What genre or type of text do you think we are reading? Why?

11. Comprehension/Discussion Questions
Note all of the comprehension/discussion questions that appear at the bottom of most of the columns of the text.
Be sure to stop, read, and answer (to yourself) each question A-S.

12. Stop and Think!!! How were the trees personified in the story?
Why do you think the author chose the title “Song of the Trees” for this text? Do you think that is a good title for this selection? Why or why not?