The Digging Dog
Text Type: Fiction • Word Count: 238

READ-ALOUD LESSON
The Digging Dog
Consonant Dd /d/

Other Resources
Decodable Book
Don and Dots

• Introduce and expose students to the /d/ sound represented by the letter d.
• Build oral comprehension skills.
• Model fluent reading.

Story Summary
Dan the dog loves to dig, but his digging makes his owner mad. His owner takes him to the vet, and the vet helps them come up with a solution that makes both Dan and his owner happy. Dan digs the holes to plant new trees in the backyard. 

Build Background
Ask students if they have ever read a story about dogs. Have them share their knowledge of dogs and what dogs are like. Ask students why dogs like to dig. Invite them to share what they would do if they had a digging dog. 

Preview the Book
Read the title and ask students to identify the sound at the beginning of the words digging and dog. Explain that you will read a story aloud that has many words with the /d/ sound. Have students say the /d/ sound. 

Write digging and dog on the board. Read each word aloud to students. Have volunteers come to the board and take turns circling the letter that stands for the /d/ sound in the words. 

Open the book and show students the illustrations on each page. Ask them to identify any words with the /d/ sound from the pictures. Invite students to predict what the story might be about. 

During Reading
Read the story aloud with expression, emphasizing the /d/ sound in the words. Ask students to clap their hands each time they hear the /d/ sound. Point out that they might hear the /d/ sound at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the word. 

Allow students to ask questions during reading. Pause occasionally to ask students to predict what might happen next. 

After Reading
Reader Response
Have students explain whether the book is fiction or nonfiction. Invite them to summarize the story and/or describe their favorite part. 

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the book.

• Why doesn't Dad like Dog to dig?
• Where does Dog dig that makes Dad mad?
• How did Dad solve the problem of Dog's digging?