1. Raising Dragons
written by: Jerdine Nolen illustrated by: Elise Primavera
Theme 3: Incredible Stories

2. Are Dragons Real or Make Believe?
Let’s look at some real dragons!
Komodo Dragon (photos)
Forest Dragon
Bearded Dragon (photos)
Predict: Do you think this story will be about a real dragon or a fantasy dragon? Why?
Allow students to discuss whether dragons are real of make believe before click to bring in the rest of the text.
Click on each of the green links to read non-fiction text about real dragons.
For the Bearded Dragon, look for the name under “What is an amphibian/ reptile?”
After viewing the internet site click on the orange P in the dock to return to the presentation.
*Direct students to conclude that this story will be about a fantasy dragon because the theme is Incredible Stories.
Komodo Dragons -
Forest Dragon -
Basilisks -

3. TURN & TALK: What will make this story too wild to be believed?
Some Stories Are Too Wild To Be Believed
TURN & TALK: What will make this story too wild to be believed?

4. Let’s Preview Raising Dragons
Look through the book to find the story elements.
*Who are the characters in the story?
A dragon, a girl, a mom and a dad
*What is the setting of the story?
The story takes place on a farm.
*What does “raising” mean?
If you raise something you help it to grow
*What would a farmer normally raise on a farm?
A farmer would raise corn, wheat, vegetables, and animals like pigs, cows and horses.
After each question discuss with students how they came up with their responses. What clues did you use?

5. A dragon on a farm? What could a dragon do on a farm?
Would a dragon be helpful?
What problems might a dragon cause on a farm?

6. Now for some vocabulary!
Chores: everyday jobs or responsibilities
sow seeds
harvest food
tend to the animals
plow the fields
hitch animals

7. sow: to plant seeds
sown: planted seeds

8. Harvest: to pick or gather something
Harvested: picked and brought in a crop

9. plow: to turn over dirt, often in long rows,
so that seeds can be planted

10. chores: everyday jobs or responsibilities
around the house

11. hitch: to fasten an animal to a piece of farm equipment
hitched: fastened an animal to a piece of farm
equipment

12. tend: to take care of
tended: took care of

13. Let’s read…
Raising
Dragons