Activities to Extend the Learning
Below are ideas for talking with young children about the book. These discussion topics focus on setting a foundation for early readers to engage with the more complex elements of a story. These early discussions foster a love of reading as well as necessary literacy skills.
Themes
Themes are what stories are about, and a strong theme is a cornerstone of a memorable story. Although it is a difficult concept because the theme is rarely stated directly in a story, even very young readers have a sense of the meaning they get from a story.
What characters learn in the story is often the same take away for readers, and how a character responds to the challenges he faces is another. Rudy falls into the latter scenario. He does not necessarily change since he always believed in himself, but he does grow. Because he is so committed to achieving his goal, Rudy has the life experiences that he dreams of, and his success is even more sweet because he worked hard to have it.
Perseverance
Rudy’s determination can be traced throughout the story. Instead of waiting for the moon to be bright, Rudy scouts every time he hears the owl’s call. Along the way, he learns several things that ensure his success later on.
The turkey advises Rudy to inspect the treetops carefully because the owl is not a bright red bird like Rudy, but instead has tree-colored feathers that blend with the surroundings.
The bat warns Rudy not to take the owl’s cooperation for granted. He suggests that the owl may not want to sing with anyone since he’s only ever heard the hoots as a solitary song.
The crows remind Rudy how hard to owl is to find, and the sacrifices he would need to make to search.
The Joy of Music
Rudy’s joy in singing is delightful for readers also. When the two birds perform their duet, the reader should feel as much joy as the characters do.
This is a great opportunity to make a real life connection and talk about the kinds of music that inspires joy for each of us. Sing a song together! Share your favorite show tune from any popular film, or sing seasonal favorites, or let your child sing his own song.
In the classroom, music and drama activities add some much needed kinesthetic variety. After after sitting and reading a story, it’s nice to mix it up with some movement. Adding sensory experiences such as a drum beat could be a fun way to support lessons on rhyme and meter. Note the meter in the story: stressed, unstressed, unstressed pattern.
DA-dah-dah, DA-dah-dah…
Tap it out on the table or in claps. Change beats and see if you can follow each other. Talk about why some songs are so catchy and sing one or two fun ones. Incorporating drama type activities gives student practice with listening skills, gives children a chance for imaginative play, and maybe it might even inspire an interest in learning a musical instrument too.
The Element of Surprise
A Suspenseful Plot
Of course, every time Rudy goes out to search we hope he is successful. Each event has to add something that makes us want to turn the page. In this story, readers of all ages probably know that Rudy will find the owl, but it’s how it happens that is the reason we keep reading.
The scene in which Rudy meets the owl presents the most dramatic point of suspense in the story. The owl is depicted as possibly a threat with his large size and sharp beak and claws, and Rudy has to decide whether to run or to engage. That split second of indecision is extended with the extra description of Rudy’s posturing.
He puffed out his chest, and he steadied his feet
Then, softly, he let out his most gentle tweet.
Rudy and the Owl
Visual Elements
Context Clues in the Illustrations
Prompting children to respond to the context clues is a fun read aloud experience, and it helps young readers develop proficiency in a fundamental literacy skill.
In this story, the scene with the bat provides the best opportunity to ask a reader what bird Rudy is really looking at before we find out on the next page. Notice the silhouette of the bat in the trees and see if they recognize the shape.
Another opportunity to interact between readers is when Rudy notices “the treasure tucked neatly inside the owl’s tree.” Although there is not specific clue in the illustration, guessing forces students to access their background knowledge of birds, reinforcing another critical literacy skill.