Reading Group Guide
Healthy Teeth
This book can serve as an entertaining introduction to a dental health unit, and would also be appropriate for a nutrition unit. After reading the book, discuss proper dental care; if possible, invite a local dentist to present information to the students.
How Many Teeth?
Create a class graph representing the number of teeth lost by each student. Have students relate how and when they lost a tooth, and share their personal beliefs about the tooth fairy. Then students can compose a factual story about a lost tooth, a fictional story about the tooth fairy, or a note to be left for the tooth fairy upon her next visit.
Open for Business
The two signs outside Doctor De Soto's office read: DR. DE SOTO, DENTIST, and CATS & OTHER DANGEROUS ANIMALS NOT ACCEPTED FOR TREATMENT. Ask students to imagine starting their own business. What job would they choose? What important information must their sign convey? Have students create their sign using oaktag or cardboard. Encourage student creativity and originality.
Animals Beware
Ask students to list the animals Doctor De Soto and his wife would and would not treat. Then create a class chart listing a variety of animals and their predators. In small groups, have students choose an environment (e.g., ocean, desert, or woodlands) and design a mural depicting the animals and predators that inhabit this environment. Students should record relevant information below the mural, denoting the predators and describing the protective mechanisms of their prey (e.g., camouflage, defensive behaviors).
