This document provides discussion questions and activities for students to complete after reading the book "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen. It includes prompts for students to create character maps, compare information about burrowing owls from the story and outside sources, discuss environmental protection issues, and suggest pancake recipes. Students are asked to complete tasks like role playing as characters, making brochures, and performing a reader's theater scene from the book.

1. H OO T By: Carl Hiaasen Martha Smith FRMS7331-Early Adol. Lit Dr. Christine Draper THE BURROWING OWLS OF THE BOOK……….

2. Using your notebook, create a tree map to show seven main characters of the story. For each character you should give me at least four character traits to describe that character. Some of you may be asking yourself, “What is a character trait?” Turn to next page to view part of an example! Well, remember it is an adjective or a noun naming a part of a character’s personality. It is not used to describe a character’s physical being. Be creative, use a dictionary and a thesaurus if needed .

3. Character Tree Map Example--Hoot Characters from Hoot Roy Beatrice Dana Owls brave ? ? ? smart mean witty ?

4. Were the owls one of your main characters? If not, why? Did they not have as important of an impact on the story as Roy, Beatrice, Dana, and Mullet Fingers? Name three things you learned about burrowing owls from reading the story. When each group is done, click on the picture below to read an online article about the “real” burrowing owls of Cape Coral, Florida. ( You have a copy of this in your folder as well!) CLICK HERE!!!!

5. Now let’s do a little research. Compare the previous news article to the informational passage found below by clicking the image below ( you will find a copy of it in your folder also).Create a double-bubble map to show the information you found out about the burrowing owls from the article and informational passage (remember “like” information will be found on the inside branches and “differing” information will be found on the outside branches).

6. Each group should send one person to the board. Write one fact about burrowing owls that you remember from the article and passage (make sure you put it in the appropriate area of the double bubble map. Turn page to create double bubble map Use promethean pen to draw map and Write in the facts.

7. Double-Bubble Map- the burrowing owls! Article Info. passage

8. Why do you believe the people in the city never noticed the little owls? Do you believe there are birds and animals around here which could also be considered protected? Can you think of any? **Were you aware that there are protected species of animals around our school? It’s the reason we have so many “swampy” areas which are surrounded by those black barrier fences. One suspected reptile is a pink salamander believed to inhabit the swampy areas around the school. Click the picture. This video will show you how easy the owls are to miss if you aren’t out looking for them.

9. Mullet Fingers sets out to sabotage the Mother Paula's building project because he wants to save the owls. Are there any situations you feel strongly about that would make you act like Mullet Fingers? Discuss with group mates. Be ready to share and give reasons why the issue would be important enough to fight for.

10. Each of the pictures below are links to web quests and a blog. Complete each with your group mates. You can each earn extra credit if all members respond to the blog (separately—not as a group) before time runs out. You have twenty-five minutes.

11. Create a reader’s theater using a scene from the story. You must elaborate more on the scene than what we read In the book. Please be aware that we swap with other groups and act out the assignment-so be creative and funny! READER’S THEATER!!

12. Create a brochure! Pretend you are Roy and Beatrice. You have been asked to create a wiki for the town (click the world and city to see a sample brochure). The wiki will have information similar to what you would find in a brochure about the town. They have asked you to create a special section for the owls. What else are you going to include on your wiki/brochure? What are some other interesting aspects of the city which could be included? You must use a computer to do your research. You must include clipart or photos to find of the town. You must include at least four different sections in your wiki (this does not include the intro page) I have attached a brochure for you to look at to get ideas!. YOU MAY NOT COPY INFORMATION FROM SAMPLE BROCHURE!! to our

13. JUST FOR FUN!! We will be cooking pancakes in class on Friday. Pick or create your own pancake recipe for us to try. Each group is responsible for picking a recipe. You will Also need to bring the ingredients to make your special pancakes ( other than pancake batter I will provide that). I will provide the following- Syrup Pancake batter (although I will take donations also) Plates Napkins forks http:// www.pancakes-recipes.com / http:// allrecipes.com/Recipes/Breakfast-and-Brunch/Pancakes/Main.aspx

14. CREDIT PAGE http://www.bdms.org/main/index.cgi/hoot http://www.highsmith.com/pdf/LibrarySparks/2006/lsp_apr06_lesson.pdf http://www.highsmith.com/pdf/LibrarySparks/2006/lsp_apr06_lesson.pdf http://www.vimeo.com/7876610 http://www.ocls.info/Children/KidsConnect/HootWebQuest.asp http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/curriculumguides/cg04-05.htm#hoot http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-hoot.html http://msmithecms.blogspot.com/2010/05/hoot-by-carl-hiaasen.html http://www.owl-pictures.com/burrowing_owl.html http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Breakfast-and-Brunch/Pancakes/Main.aspx http://www.pancakes-recipes.com/ Hiaasen, C. (2002).Hoot.New York, NY:Knopf-Random House http://www.nbbd.com/godo/ef/FloridaBurrowingOwl.pdf