The following lesson plans complement the Readers In Rhyme Level 2 Bluebonnet Set Readers. These plans offer a structured framework for small group instruction while reducing the need for extensive planning.
An index located at the back of the guide serves as a reference to assist with locating vocabulary and idioms used throughout the readers.
This guide was designed to aid general education teachers, reading specialists, ESL instructors, special education teachers, and any educator seeking valuable resources for teaching phonics to their students.
Lesson plans written by Deborah Kindred and Elizabeth Scagel
All rights reserved. This guide is intended to be used with Readers in Rhyme curriculum.
Lesson Outline
Pre Reading
Before beginning the reading lesson, it's important to reinforce the phonogram sounds your students have previously learned. Repetition is essential for mastering these sounds and achieving automatic recognition.
Phonogram Hunt Activity-Using the front and back covers of the book, give students a word containing one or more of the phonograms being studied and encourage them to search for it in the boxes of phonograms. Once they locate the phonogram, prompt them to say the sound(s) associated with that phonogram.
Title
Before reading introduce the story by reading the title to the students.
Picture Question
Ask the students what they think is happening in the picture for the story. Point out anything of interest.
Vocabulary
Introduce and discuss any vocabulary in the story that the students might not know. Make special note of words with multiple meaning. Help students to see that context can determine the meaning of certain words.
Students read the story.
Discussion Questions
Assess comprehension by posing insightful questions. Is there a connection between this tale and others the students have read?
Encouraging repeated readings of the stories enhances fluency and boosts confidence levels.
No. 41 Fickle Fay
Flora Gray
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Tend (P.2) To care for or watch over OR To be likely to do. Blooms (P.2) Flowers.
Pests (P.2) Someone or something that annoys or bothers you.
Fret (P.2) To feel troubled or worried.
Blue (P.2) The color of the clear daytime sky OR sad and unhappy.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What is the meaning of the word “blue” in the story? Does it mean Flora is really the color blue or is it saying something about her feelings?
2. What have the pests done to Flora’s flowers?
3. What is meant by the last line? Can you drive pests?
Fickle Fay
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Fickle (P.4) Likely to change frequently without good reason. “In a Pickle” (P.4) A difficult situation. Fine (P.4) Agreeable or to one’s liking.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Why is Fay fickle?
2. Have you ever been “in a pickle”
3. What does Fay’s Nan want her to do?
4. Find all the words at the end of the lines that rhyme.
No. 41 Fickle Fay
Ken and Kay Play
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Seek (P.6) To look for; try to find. Peek (P.6) To look quickly or secretly. Hush (P.6) To be quiet.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Who is the story about?
2. What game are Ken and Kay playing?
3. Why must Ruff be quiet?
4. Find all the words at the end of the lines that rhyme.
Little Joe Grows
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Plants (P.8) To put or set in the ground to grow OR a young tree, vine, shrub, or herb thats grows in the ground.
Yard (P.8) An open area next to a house or other building. Tends (P.8) To care for or watch over OR To be likely to do.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What is Joe’s job?
2. What will Joes show us how to do? (Grow our very own tree)
3. Find three words that use the phonogram “ar”.
No.
Over the Hills
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Fair of Face” (P.2) Lovely to look upon.
Grace (P.2) Beauty or charm in form or style.
Bonny (P.2) Very pleasing to the eye.
Maid (P.2) A girl or young woman who is not married.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What are the names of the three girls in this story? (Fay, Gail, Blair)
2. Describe each of the characters in the story.
3. Describe the weather in the story. Where does the story take place?
4. What do you think it means to “run free with the wind in your hair?”
Jack and Jill
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Pail (P.4) A metal bucket.
Lass (P.4) A young girl.
Spell (P.4) Words used to work magic OR A short period of time.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Why do Jack and Jill go up the hill?
2. Why do you think the fairy tells Jack and Jill not to go up the hill? What happened to Jack in the nursery rhyme? (Jack feel down and broke his crown)
3. What does the fairy offer to do?
4. Which meaning of the word “spell” is used in the story?
No. 42 Daisy May
Daisy May
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Wood (P.6) Forrest
Mild (P.6) Gentle or calm.
Fair (P.6) Beautiful and lovely OR A gathering at which farm animals and farm produce are shown and judged.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Where did Daisy May go and when did she go there?
2. What did Daisy May find?
3. Find the quotation marks. What is being said and by whom?
4. Which meaning of the word “fair” is used in the story?
Fred Meets Bees
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Folly (P.8) Foolish behavior.
Fret (P.8) To feel troubled or worried.
Hive (P.8) The home of a colony of bees.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What makes Faith think that Fred took a tiger for a pet?
2. Where was Fred sitting when he got stung?
3. Tell what happened to scare the bees.
4. What two words rhyme with “bees”
No. 43 Ahoy Roy
Ahoy Roy
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Ahoy (P.2) A greeting to attract the attention of sailors on a ship.
Deck (P.2) The floor on a ship or boat.
“Set Sail” (P.2) To begin a boat journey.
Coast (P.2) The land next to the ocean.
Loyal (P.2) Faithful to someone or something.
“First Mate” (P.2) The officer on a ship who is most important after the captain.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Where has Roy “set sail” for?
2. What does the story tell us about Nate the cat? (he’s loyal)
3. What does Roy think was a joy?
Joy Ride
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Bitty (P.4) Very small.
“Joy Ride” (P.4) A ride for enjoyment.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Who does Boy Blue take for a “joy ride?” (Sweet Sue and her dog too)
2. What does the story tell us about the weather and setting of the story?
3. Where would you go for a joy ride?
4. Find all the words that rhyme at the end of the lines.
No. 43 Ahoy Roy
Fly Boy Blue
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Fly Boy” (P.6) A pilot or any member of an air force.
Sail (P.6) To operate a sailboat OR To travel quickly or without difficulty. Zooms (P.) To move quickly while making a low humming sound.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What does Fly boy blue like to do?
2. What do you think it means to “sail the sky?”
3. What animal is Boy Blue compared to in the story?
Pride and Joy
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Cross (P.8) Grumpy or angry.
Pride and Joy (P.8) Someone or something that is very important to you and makes you feel very happy.
Bonny (P.8) Very pleasing to the eye.
Heed (P.8) To pay attention.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. How does the story describe the bull? Is he in a good or bad mood?
2. Did Jack and Bess “heed” their mother?
3. What do you think the mother means when she says “mess with the bull and you get the horns”.
No. 44 Noisy Pigs
Happy Ham
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Brood (P.2) The children that belong to one family.
Shore (P.2) The land beside an ocean, sea, lake, or river.
Romp (P.2) To move about or play in a lively manner.
Clan (P.2) A group of people from the same family.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Tell where the pigs go in this story.
2. Was it a good day for the family? How do we know? (Yes. They romped and played and swam)
3. Find three words that are spelled nearly the same way. Only the vowel is different. (Splish, splash, splosh)
Noisy Pigs
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Wits End” (P.4) Frustration when one has run out of patience. Sass (P.4) Rude or disrespectful talk.
Heed (P.4) To pay attention.
Foil (P.4) To defeat.
Face to face (P.4) Within each other's sight or presence.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1.Describe the three pigs in Mr. Pig’s class. (Noisy, wild and full of sass)
2. What does Mr. Pig want the three pigs to do and why. (They need to heed what he says because they might meet a wolf one day)
3. How do the three pigs respond to Mr. Pig’s warning?
No. 44 Noisy Pigs
To the Fair
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Fair (P.6) Beautiful and lovely OR A gathering at which farm animals and farm produce are shown and judged.
“Time to Spare” (P.) More time than needed.
Prize (P.6) A reward given to the winner of a contest or game.
Poise (P.6) The ability to act in a calm and confident manner.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Where are the pigs going?
2. What is the meaning of the word “fair” in this story? Does it mean the pigs are beautiful and lovely?
3. What can a pig win at the fair? (a prize)
Pork Party Ball
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Clover (P.8) A common plant that has leaves in groups of three.
Apt (P.8) Likely to.
Jigs (P.8) Fast, lively dances.
Ball (P.8) A large fancy party for dancing.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Where does the story say pigs are happy? (in clover)
2. What are these pigs apt to do? (dance little jigs)
3. What is another way to say “If you look the whole world over”? (Any place you look, to search far and wide)
No. 45 Ice Cream
Little Lulu
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds. Make sure to include words that use the second and third sound of EA and ask students to identify which sound is used in that particular word. (EA- /E/ /e/ /A/)
Vocabulary
“Sit a spell” (P.2) To sit down for a short period of time. Tale (P.2) A story.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What does little Lulu like to do?
2. The cat says “Meow, Meow”. What do you think the cat may be saying when he says “Meow, Meow”. (Please, will you play with me today?)
3. Little Lulu does not wish to play. What does she want to do instead?
Stay for Tea
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Half Past” (P.4) Thirty minutes after. Hush (P.4) To be quiet. Blush (P.4) To become red in the face because of embarrassment.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Name the characters in the story. (Dee and Lee)
2. What did Lee tell Dee about her tea and cake?
3. Is Lee a good baker? How do we know?
4. Lee and Dee sat down for tea at “half past three.” What time was it? (3:30)
No. 45 Ice Cream
Ice Cream
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Keen (P.6) Full of enthusiasm. Scoop (P.6) Using a metal spoon to scrape out icier cream from the container.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Why is it hard to pick just one sweet treat?
2. Who is the Ice Cream boy and what is his job? ( Little Jo scoops Ice Cream cones from his cart)
3 What are good ways to beat the heat?
4. Find all the words with the ea phonogram. (scream, cream, treat, break, heat, beat) Which one of these words uses the third sound of EA /A/? (break)
Did you Hear?
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Fell Down on the Job” (P.8) To have done a job badly. Meadow (P.8) Land that is covered in grass. Hay (P.8) Grass that is cut and dried to be stored for animal food.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Why do you think the girls are whispering?
2. Where were the sheep and where did the cows go?
3. Where is little boy Blue and where is he going?
4. Do you know a poem about Little Boy Blue? Tell it.
No. 46 Paw Prints
Dot and Spot
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Fine pair” (P.2) Well suited to each other.
Lawn (P.2) Ground covered with grass that is kept mowed. Whine (P.2) To make a long cry of complaint or fear. Quite (P.2) Completely and entirely. Rude (P.2) Showing poor manners and being thoughtless of others.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Tell about Dot and what she does with Spot.
2. Tell about Spot.
3.What would you like to do if Spot was your dog?
Paw Prints
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Cross (P.4) Grumpy or angry. Quite (P.4) Completely and entirely.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Why is Little Bea quite cross?
2. Does Be a want Ruff to play with Dolly Dee? Why not?
3. What does little Bea plan to do with Ruff?
4. How long will Dee and Ruff play at the park? (till it gets dark)
No.
Prissy Missy
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Pains (P.6) Hurt or distress.
Quite (P.6) Completely and entirely.
Prissy (P.) Stuck up and fussy.
Whine (P.6) To make a long cry of complaint or fear.
“Last Straw” (P.6) The last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.
Snooty (P.6) Snotty and stuck up.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. How is Missy described. (Quite Prissy)
2. What does the girl do for Missy?
3. Do you think Missy is a spoiled dog? What would you do with Missy?
My Pet Bird
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“As Good as it Gets” (P.8) Used to say that something is very good and cannot be improved.
May (P.8) To be allowed to.
Struts (P.8) To walk in a proud manner.
Cockatoo (P.8) A crested parrot that is mostly white.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. How does the girl feel about birds.
2. What does her cock-a-too do?
3. How did the girl feel in the pet store?
4. What words describe how the girl would feel if her bird flew away.
No. 47 Maude and Claude
Maude and Claude
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Here Comes Trouble” (P.2) Used humorously to signal the arrival or approach of someone.
Double (P.2) In two or a pair.
Plead (P.2) To ask for something in a sincere or serious way.
Speed (P.2) The act of moving rapidly or swiftly.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What does it mean to see “double?”?
2. What does Maude plead of Claude?
3. Does Claude listen to Maude and slow down? How do you know?
4. Find all the words at the end of the lines that rhyme.
Little Laura
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Woods (P.4) Forrest.
Glee (P.4) Excited high spirited joy and happiness.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Where is Little Laura going and how does she get there? ( Aunt Maura’s house. She has to drive out of town, over the hill, past the woods and down a little road.)
2. What does Laura do to get ready for her trip? (She packs her bag and gets her coat)
3. Does Little Laura think Aunt Maura will be happy to see her? How do you know?
No. 47 Maude and Claude
Stay for Tea
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Most (P.6) In the greatest extent or amount. Afraid (P.6) Feeling fear OR Feeling sorry or unhappy about something. Jaunt (P.6) A short trip made for fun and pleasure.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Audry says “ I am afraid I can not stay”. Do you think she is afraid of tea or means she is sorry she cannot stay?
2. Why can Audry not stay for tea?
3. Why do Audry and her dog need to get home while the sun is still up?
Little Paul Stout
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Boy Scout” (P.8) A boy who is a member of a group that teaches outdoor skills.
Warm (P.8) Having or giving off some heat. Mind (P.8) The part of a person that thinks, understands and remembers OR To not like or object to. Meet (P.8) To be introduced to OR To come face to face with.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What does Paul learn to do?
2. Where is Paul going in August?
3. What does the author say about August?
4. What do you think the last line “a scout is ready for all he will meet”
No. 48 Bonny Saved Bunny
Bonny Saved Bunny
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Gal (P.2) A woman or girl.
Pals (P.2) Friends.
Saved (P.2) To rescue from harm or danger.
Wore (P.2) What one had on.
“Sunday Best” (P.2) One’s very best clothes that they might wear to church on Sunday.
Sported (P.2) To wear or have on one’s body.
Vest (P.2) A piece of clothing that has no sleeves and goes over a shirt.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What did Bonny do for Bunny and Bert Rabbit? (saved them)
2. How did Bonny and Bert dress? (Sunday Best)
3. What would have happened if Bonny had not saved the rabbits?
Nelly and Sue
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Creaky (P.4) A whining grating sound.
Mind (P.4) The part of a person that thinks, understands and remembers OR To not like or object to.
Fib (P.) A small lie.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What did Nelly and Sue think they heard? ( They thought they heard a mouse.)
2. What was the noise that scared Nelly and Sue? (creaky door)
3. What does it mean when we say “in your mind.”
No. 48 Bonny Saved Bunny
Gail’s
Garden
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Garden (P.6) An area of land used for growing flowers or vegetables.
Bulbs (P.6) A plant bud that begins to grow underground.
Beets (P.6) A garden plant with a red root used as a vegetable.
Kale (P.6) A hardy cabbage with curly leaves.
Leeks (P.6) A plant related to the onion with green leaves and a long white bulb.
Planted (P.6) To put or set in the ground to grow.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What does Gail grow in her garden?
2. If you had your very own garden, what would you grow?
3. When Gail sees to all her crop’s needs, what does that mean?
Peggy Pearl
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Fond (P.8) Tender or loving feelings for.
Flock (P.8) A group of animals such as birds or sheep OR To gather or move in a crowd.
Morn (P.8) Morning or dawn.
Kind (P.8) Helpful friendly and good.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What kind of girl is Peggy Pearl?
2. What does she do for her flock of birds?
3. Can you tell the names of Peggy Pearl’s flock of birds?
No. 49 Chet Chick
Happy Chick
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Flair (P.2) A natural talent.
Style (P.2) The way in which something is said or done.
Bids (P.2) To say to someone.
Coop (P.2) A cage or pen for small animals.
Group (P.2) A collection of people, things, or ideas that are in one place.
Cheer (P.2) Glad feelings; happiness.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What does Happy Chick do to show she has a flair for style?
2. Mother Hen tells Happy to stay near the coop, but what does she do instead?
3. What does Happy tell Mother Chick?
Not So Happy Chick
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Way (P.4) A road or path leading from one place to another.
Strayed (P.) To wander away from your path or course.
Coop (P.4) A cage or pen for small animals.
Swept (P.4) To pass through or over with force or speed.
“To and fro” (P.4) Back and forth from one place to another.
Fool (P.4) A person who does not have good sense or judgment.
Heed (P.4) To pay attention.
“By and by” (P.4) After a short time.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Happy Chick did not listen to her mother. What happened?
2. What did the rain and wind do?
3. At the end of the story, what did happy Chick decide?
No. 49 Chet Chick
Chet Chick
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Rush (P.6) To act or go quickly; hurry.
Fool (P.6) A person who does not have good sense or judgment.
Crowed (P.6) Harsh cry of a rooster.
Croak (P.6) To make a low, hoarse sound with the voice.
Vexed (P.6) Annoyed and irritated.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Why must Chet Chick rush to school?
2. What sounds did Chet Chick sleep through? (Rooster crows, croaks of toad)
3. How will Mother Hen feel if Chet is late? (vexed) What’s another word to describe how Mother hen Will feel?
Dapper Fellow
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Dapper (P.8) Neat and stylish in dress and appearance.
Dressed (P.8) What clothing one is wearing.
Grace (P.8) Beauty or charm in form or style.
Charm (P.8) The ability to attract, delight, and please.
Cheer (P.8) Glad feelings; happiness.
Deed (P.8) An act or action.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. Describe Chet Chick. (dapper fellow, dressed in yellow)
2. Who does he give cheer to? (all on the farm)
3. Does Chip think it’s how you look or what you do that is important? How do you know?
No. 50 Long Way Home
Spring in his Step
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Spring in his Step” (P.2) To walk energetically in a way that shows you are feeling happy.
Weeds (P.2) Plants that grows wild where they are not wanted.
"Green Thumb” (P.2) An unusual ability to make plants grow.
“Leads the Way” (P.2) To show the way by going in front.
Spade (P.2) A tool shaped like a shovel and used for digging.
Toil (P.2) To work long and hard.
Soil (P.2) The loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What is it time for Shep to do? (plant the seeds, pull the weeds)
2. Do you think Step enjoys working in his garden?
3. What tool does Shep use to plant his seeds?
Song in my Heart
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Chore (P.4) A job or piece of work that needs to be done.
Wash (P.4) To make clean by using water or soap OR things washed together.
“Song in my Heart” (P.4) A strong feeling of happiness and contentment.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. The girl has a list as long as her arm. What chores has she already done? (fed the cows and goats)
2. Is the girl happy she is working hard? How do you know this?
3. Find the words at the end of the lines that rhyme.
No. 50 Long Way Home
Long Way Home
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
“Happy as the Day is Long” (P.6) Extremely glad, delighted, very cheerful.
Worry (P.6) To feel troubled or anxious.
Hurry (P.6) To move or act with speed.
Fine (P.) Agreeable or to one’s liking.
Roam (P.6) To go from place to place without a plan.
“Take the Long Way Home” (P.6) To take a longer route to one’s home when a shorter one is available.
Discussion Ideas/Questions
1. What words are used to describe how happy Billy Blue and Sunny Sue are?
2. What question does Sunny Sue ask Billy Blue?
3. Why does Sue not have to worry?
Fish and Chips
Pre Reading- (Phonogram Hunt or Review Phonogram Sounds)
Vocabulary
Gang (P.8) A group of people who come together to cooperate in some activity.
Whine (P.8) To make a long cry of complaint or fear.
Heed (P.8) To pay attention.
“Read my Lips” (P.8) Used to tell someone to listen very carefully to what you are ab out to say.
