A Short 'u' Decodable Reader - Book 4 FREE PDF Luna and the Deaf Kittens book 4

 Luna and the Deaf Kittens book 4

Please email me at readingsage@gmail.com for the first 10 books of the 44-book series. 

Beta sample book 4 

Page 1

Illustration idea: Luna and Leo in the car with Mom, Luna holding a stuffed cat, with excited expressions

Luna and her brother Leo rush to the bus with Mom seeing them off.

"We are going to get a fun pet!" says Luna. She hugs her stuffed bear.

"I hope we find a cuddly kitten or a fluffy cat," says Leo.

Luna claps her hands. "I love cats! Cats are the best!"

The bus rumbles and bumps. Luna hums a little tune.

Page 2

Illustration idea: Outside the cat shelter building with a sign, Luna and Leo holding her teddy near.

The bus stops at the Tucson cat shelter. Luna, and Leo rush up to the building.

"Welcome!" says Miss Gus. "We have lots of cats that need love and hugs."

Luna sees cages with cats—some jump, some nap in the sun.

"Can we pet them?" asks Leo.

"Yes! But be gentle," says Miss Gus. "Come, I have something special to show you."

Page 3

Illustration idea: Luna and Leo kneeling by a soft blanket with two tiny white kittens snuggled together

Miss Gus brings them to a little cub made of soft stuff. In it are two tiny white kittens!

"Oh!" gasps Luna. "They are so small!"

"These little ones are just six weeks," says Miss Gus. "They cannot hear. They are deaf. They need a foster family to love them and help them grow up strong."

Luna touches one gently. The kitten is as soft as a plush stuffed animal.

Page 4

Illustration idea: Luna signing with her hands, the kitten looking at her, Leo watching with wonder

"Deaf kittens?" asks Leo. "How do we talk to them?"

"You can use your hands," says Miss Gus. "Watch this."

She taps the floor. The kittens feel the thump and look up!

Luna claps softly. One kitten runs to her! Luna giggles.

"They are so smart!" says Luna. "We must help them!"

Mom smiles. "Luna, you have such a big, kind heart."

Page 5

Illustration idea: Luna bottle-feeding one kitten while Leo pets the other, both children being very gentle

"Can we be their mum and help them until they are bigger?" asks Luna.

"Yes," says Mom. "But it is a big job. You must feed them, brush them, and give them lots of hugs."

"We can do it!" says Leo.

Miss Gus gives them a little bottle. Luna feeds one kitten. It gulps and gulps! Its tummy gets plump and full.

"Good job, Luna," says Miss Gus. "You are a natural."

Page 6

Illustration idea: At home, Luna and Leo playing with both kittens using a feather toy, kittens jumping and playing

Luna and Leo bring the kittens home in a little tub with soft blankets.

At home, the kittens run and jump and tumble! One jumps on Luna's lap. One tugs on Leo's shoelace.

"This one loves to run!" laughs Leo.

Luna hugs the one on her lap. "This one loves to snuggle and cuddle. I will name her Whiskers! But she must have a fun nickname too."

Page 7

Illustration idea: Luna opening a can of tuna, the kitten's nose in the air, very interested, Leo laughing

Luna opens a can of tuna for lunch. The little white kitten runs fast!

"She loves tuna!" says Luna. "Her nickname will be Tuna!"

Whiskers—or Tuna—rubs on Luna's leg. Luna gives her a little lick of tuna from her thumb.

"You are such a sweet pup—I mean cat!" Luna giggles. "Tuna the cat. Perfect!"

Leo grins. "That's a fun name!"

Page 8

Illustration idea: Luna and Leo cuddled on the couch with both kittens, Mom reading to them, warm and cozy scene

At bedtime, Luna tucks Tuna into her plush cat bed. Tuna purrs and purrs.

"Goodnight, Tuna," whispers Luna. "You cannot hear me, but you can feel my love."

She strokes Tuna's soft fur. Tuna curls up in a little ball.

Mom hugs Luna. "You were such a good friend to Tuna today. Caring for animals is a beautiful thing."

Luna smiles big. "I love her so much. I'm glad we can help her."

Leo yawns. "Me too. This was the best day!"

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BONUS PAGE

Illustration idea: Flash forward - Luna as a bigger kid, Tuna fully grown, beautiful white cat with green eyes, Luna teaching Tuna tricks using hand signals, Tuna sitting and giving her paw

Tuna grows up big and strong!

Luna teaches Tuna tricks using hand signals. When Luna puts her thumb up, Tuna sits. When Luna taps the rug, Tuna runs to her.

"Good girl, Tuna!" Luna says. She gives Tuna a treat and a big hug.

Even though Tuna cannot hear, she understands love. And Luna understands that being different is not bad—it just means you love in different ways.

"You are perfect just the way you are, Tuna," Luna whispers.

And Tuna purrs and purrs, because love needs no words.

The End

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Short U Rhyming Poem: Luna and Tuna

Luna and her brother rush, To the shelter in the hush. Cats in cages jump and run, Finding pets will be such fun!

Miss Gus shows them in a cub, Two white kittens, soft as fluff. "They are deaf but full of love, Gentle as a little dove."

Luna says, "We must help them!" She will be their loyal friend. With a bottle, hug, and brush, Luna cares with gentle touch.

One loves tuna, yum, yum, yum! Rubs on Luna's leg and tum. "Your nickname will be Tuna Cat!" Luna giggles just like that.

Tuna grows up strong and plump, Comes to Luna—thump, thump, thump! Different? Yes, but full of love, Perfect, like the stars above.

Love needs not a single word, Just a touch that can be heard. Luna's heart is big and true, Kindness is the best virtue!

Orton-Gillingham Short U Lesson Plan

"Luna and the Deaf Kittens"

Lesson Overview

Target Sound: Short U (as in sun, run, hug)
Grade Level: K-2
Duration: 5-7 days (30-45 minutes per day)
Approach: Orton-Gillingham multisensory instruction with Montessori Science of Reading principles

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Day 1: Introduction to Short U

1. Sound Introduction (5-7 minutes)

Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic (VAK) Approach:

• Show the letter "u" card
• Say: "This is the letter U. It says /ŭ/ as in umbrella"
• Students repeat the sound 3 times while sky-writing the letter
• Introduce the key phrase: "Short U says /ŭ/ /ŭ/ /ŭ/"

2. Montessori Sandpaper Letters (8-10 minutes)

Materials: Sandpaper letter "u" on a card

Three-Period Lesson:

• Period 1 (This is): Teacher traces the sandpaper "u" with two fingers, saying "/ŭ/" three times
• Period 2 (Show me): "Can you trace the letter that says /ŭ/?"
• Period 3 (What is this): Point to the letter, "What sound does this make?"

Student Practice:

• Each child traces sandpaper "u" 5-10 times
• Say the sound with each trace
• Trace with eyes closed to build muscle memory

3. Glitter Tray Tracing (8-10 minutes)

Materials: Shallow trays with glitter, salt, or sand

Activity:

• Demonstrate proper letter formation (straight line down, curve up and down)
• Students practice in glitter tray while saying "/ŭ/"
• Write 10 times, saying the sound each time
• Optional: Use colored sand for sensory variation

4. Read-Aloud: "Luna and the Deaf Kittens" - Pages 1-3 (10 minutes)

Focus: Listen for /ŭ/ words

• Read expressively, emphasizing short U words
• Have students give "thumbs up" when they hear /ŭ/
• List words heard: bus, hugs, jump, sun, cub, stuff

5. Word Building (5-7 minutes)

Materials: Letter tiles or magnetic letters

Build these words together:

• bus
• hug
• run
• sun

Procedure for each word:

1. "How many sounds in 'bus'?" (3)
2. Build it together
3. Read it back
4. Change one letter to make a new word

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Day 2: Blending and Segmenting

1. Review (5 minutes)

• Sandpaper letter tracing review
• Sound drill with flashcards
• Quick glitter tray practice

2. Phonemic Awareness (10 minutes)

Sound Boxes (Elkonin Boxes):

Draw 3 boxes for CVC words:

• bus: /b/ /ŭ/ /s/
• run: /r/ /ŭ/ /n/
• hug: /h/ /ŭ/ /g/

Activity:

• Teacher says word slowly
• Students push a counter into each box for each sound
• Blend sounds back together
• Write the letters in the boxes

3. Montessori Moveable Alphabet (12-15 minutes)

Materials: Wooden or cardboard letter tiles

Dictation Activity: Teacher says words, students build with moveable alphabet:

1. tub
2. bun
3. cup
4. run
5. pup
6. rug
7. fun
8. but

Extension: Students trace each word they build on paper

4. Read-Aloud: Pages 4-6 (10 minutes)

Interactive Reading:

• Students clap when they hear short U words
• Record words on chart paper
• Words to highlight: must, until, tub, plump, tug, tumble, snuggle, cuddle

5. Decodable Sentence Practice (5-8 minutes)

Write and read:

• The bus is fun.
• I hug the pup.
• Run to the sun!

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Day 3: Word Families and Spelling

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Sandpaper letter tracing
• Air-writing while saying /ŭ/
• Review previous day's words

2. Word Family Study (15 minutes)

Focus Families: -ug, -un, -up, -ut

Montessori Color-Coding:

• Use red for short U
• Blue for consonants

Create word family charts:

-ug family:

• hug, bug, dug, jug, mug, rug, tug

Activity:

• Build each word with tiles
• Write in glitter tray
• Read chorally
• Identify the common pattern

3. Spelling Practice (10-12 minutes)

Simultaneous Oral Spelling (SOS):

For each word (bus, run, hug, tub, sun):

1. See it: Look at the word
2. Say it: Pronounce the word
3. Spell it orally: Name each letter while looking
4. Sky-write it: Write in air while spelling
5. Write it: Write on paper while saying each letter
6. Check it: Compare with model

4. Read-Aloud: Pages 7-8 + Bonus (10 minutes)

Deep Comprehension:

• Read the remaining story
• Discuss: tuna, rubs, thumb, tucks, plush, cuddle, strokes
• Create a word wall with short U words from story

5. Story Sequencing (5-8 minutes)

Materials: Picture cards of main story events

Students put pictures in order while retelling using short U vocabulary words

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Day 4: Reading and Writing Application

1. Multisensory Review (8 minutes)

Stations (2 minutes each):

1. Sandpaper letter tracing
2. Glitter tray writing
3. Playdough letter formation
4. Finger painting the letter U

2. Decodable Text Reading (15 minutes)

Text: Short U Rhyming Poem from story

Procedure:

1. Echo reading: Teacher reads line, students repeat
2. Choral reading: Read together
3. Partner reading: Pairs take turns
4. Independent reading: Students read alone

Highlight and underline all short U words in different colors

3. Word Dictation (10 minutes)

Progressive Difficulty:

CVC words:

• fun, sun, run, bun
• hug, bug, mug, rug
• tub, cub, rub, sub

CVCC words:

• lump, bump, jump, plump
• must, just, dust, rust

Student Process:

1. Repeat the word
2. Count the sounds
3. Build with tiles first (scaffold)
4. Write on paper
5. Read back

4. Sentence Dictation (8 minutes)

• The bus must stop.
• Luna hugs the pup.
• The cat runs fast!

5. Vocabulary Connection (5 minutes)

Story Words Discussion:

• foster (explain in simple terms)
• gentle
• cuddle
• natural

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Day 5: Assessment and Extension

1. Informal Assessment (15 minutes)

Individual Quick-Check:

• Sandpaper letter tracing with correct sound
• Read 10 CVC short U words
• Spell 5 dictated words
• Read 2 decodable sentences

2. Creative Writing (15 minutes)

Montessori Prepared Writing:

Prompt: "Draw and write about Luna and Tuna. Use short U words!"

Word Bank provided:

• Luna, fun, run, hug, tub, Tuna, jump, plump, cuddle, love

Scaffold:

• Draw picture first
• Label picture with words
• Write 1-3 sentences (differentiated by ability)

3. Hands-On Story Extension (10-15 minutes)

Activity Options:

A. Deaf Awareness Activity:

• Practice hand signals from the story
• Discuss how we can communicate without words
• Make hand signal cards for kittens

B. Short U Sensory Bin:

• Fill bin with items: cup, bug toy, stuffed pup, rug piece, sun cutout
• Students find items and name them
• Sort by word family

C. Kitten Care Dramatic Play:

• Set up pretend shelter with stuffed animals
• Label items with short U words (tub, cup, brush, rug)
• Role-play fostering kittens

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Materials List

Montessori Materials:

• Sandpaper letters (lowercase "u")
• Moveable alphabet (wood or cardboard letters)
• Glitter trays (or sand/salt trays)
• Sound boxes/Elkonin boxes
• Picture cards for story sequencing
• Color-coded letter tiles (red vowels, blue consonants)

Orton-Gillingham Materials:

• Letter drill cards
• Word family charts
• Decodable text (poem from story)
• Dictation notebooks
• Spelling tiles or letter cards

General Supplies:

• "Luna and the Deaf Kittens" story text
• Chart paper for word walls
• Markers, crayons, pencils
• Drawing paper
• Playdough
• Sensory bin with short U objects

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Differentiation Strategies

For Struggling Learners:

• Extended sandpaper letter practice
• Use only 3-4 words at a time
• Provide letter tiles for all writing tasks
• Partner with stronger reader
• Focus on CVC words only
• Use more manipulatives and less paper/pencil

For Advanced Learners:

• Introduce consonant blends with short U (brush, plump, stump)
• Write longer sentences or short paragraphs
• Create their own short U word families
• Read story independently
• Teach short U words to a partner
• Make their own illustrated short U book

For English Language Learners:

• Pre-teach vocabulary with pictures
• Provide extra visual supports
• Use real objects when possible
• Allow extra time for sandpaper tracing
• Partner with bilingual buddy if available
• Use gestures and movement with each word

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Home Connection Activities

Daily Practice (5-10 minutes):

1. Sandpaper Letter Card: Send home for tracing practice
2. Short U Word Hunt: Find 5 things at home with short U sound
3. Family Read-Aloud: Read "Luna and the Deaf Kittens" together
4. Glitter Bag Writing: Sealed plastic bag with hair gel and glitter for mess-free tracing
5. Short U Journal: Draw and label one picture each night using short U words

Parent Guide:

• Explain the short U sound
• Demonstrate proper letter formation
• List of short U words to practice
• Tips for reading decodable text at home

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Assessment Rubric

Mastery Criteria:

• Sound-Symbol: Produces /ŭ/ sound when shown letter U (4/5 trials)
• Letter Formation: Correctly forms lowercase "u" (80% accuracy)
• Decoding: Reads 8/10 CVC short U words correctly
• Encoding: Spells 4/5 dictated CVC short U words correctly
• Reading Fluency: Reads short U poem with 90% accuracy
• Comprehension: Answers 3/4 questions about "Luna and the Deaf Kittens"

Documentation:

• Anecdotal notes during stations
• Work samples (dictation, creative writing)
• Running records on decodable text
• Checklist for letter formation and sound production

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Extension Activities for the Week

Art Integration:

• Make letter U using cotton balls (soft like kittens)
• Create "U is for umbrella" craft
• Draw Luna and Tuna with labels

Math Connection:

• Count short U words in story
• Graph word families by number of words
• Sort picture cards by short U vs. other vowels

Science/Social-Emotional:

• Learn about deaf animals and how they adapt
• Discuss differences and inclusion
• Practice non-verbal communication
• Learn about fostering animals

Music/Movement:

• Create a short U chant or song
• Movement activity: jump, run, hop when you hear /ŭ/
• Rhythm tapping for syllables in short U words

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Reflection Questions for Teacher

• Are students able to isolate the /ŭ/ sound in words?
• Which multisensory activity was most effective?
• Do students need more time with CVC words before moving to blends?
• Are students connecting the story content to the phonics skill?
• What modifications are needed for individual learners?

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Standards Alignment

Common Core RF.K.2, RF.K.3, RF.1.2, RF.1.3:

• Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds
• Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills
• Distinguish between short and long vowel sounds

Montessori Principles:

• Self-directed activity
• Hands-on learning
• Sensory-based instruction
• Concrete to abstract progression
• Prepared environment

Orton-Gillingham Principles:

• Multisensory instruction (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Tactile)
• Systematic and sequential
• Explicit phonics instruction
• Diagnostic and prescriptive
• Individualized learning

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This lesson plan provides a comprehensive, multisensory approach to teaching short U through the engaging story of Luna and Tuna, incorporating both Montessori and Orton-Gillingham methodologies for maximum student success.