Little Eddie One Trunk
Text Type: Fiction • Word Count: 770

READ-ALOUD LESSON
Little Eddie One Trunk
Short /e/ vowel sound

Other Resources
Decodable Book
Get the Pets

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

Story Summary
Edward the elephant is the only one in his herd with one trunk—all the other elephants have two trunks. Edward is lonely and tired of being teased. But one day while taking a walk through the jungle, Edward meets a group of elephants with one trunk, just like himself. The group shows Edward that what is considered "normal" depends on your perspective. 

Build Background
Ask students if they have ever seen an elephant. Invite them to describe their knowledge of elephants, such as what they look like, what they eat, and where they live. 

Preview the Book
Read the title and ask students to identify the sound at the beginning of the word Eddie. Explain that you will read a story aloud that has many words with the short /e/ vowel sound. Have students say the short /e/ vowel sound. 

Write Eddie on the board. Read the word aloud to students. Have a volunteer come to the board and circle the letter that stands for the short /e/ vowel sound in the word. 

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

During Reading
Read the story aloud with expression, emphasizing the short /e/ vowel sound in the words. Ask students to clap their hands each time they hear the short /e/ vowel sound. Point out that they might hear the short /e/ vowel sound at the beginning or in the middle 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 did the other elephants tease Eddie?
• Why was Eddie surprised when he saw Emma?
• How would you feel if you looked different from everyone else?