"That Cat Can't Stay" is a primary book of the realistic fiction genre. In order to keep children engaged in the book, I would use the pre-reading strategy of Rhyming Games. Rhyming Games is a good strategy to use to help students learn to read by understanding the sounds of the words related to how they are spelled. This book works well with Rhyming Games because the entire book is written in a rhyming pattern, but it also repeats some of the rhymes to emphasize the sounds of the words. In order to keep the kids interested in the book and the rhyming words, I would hand out sheets with pictures that symbolize the words that rhyme in the book. Since there are always at least two words that go together in a rhyming pattern, the words on the rhyming sheet will have the written word corresponding with the picture of the word so that the children can see the words' spelling. I will read the book and stop after specific sentences to ask the children what the rhyming words were in the sentence. Then, I will have them locate the picture/word pair on their papers. I will write the word in large letters for them to see so that they are sure to identify the correct word and picture. Then, they will draw a line between the first word/picture pair and its rhyming word/picture pair.Here is the script for my pre-reading strategy:Today we're going to read a book called "That Cat Can't Stay." This book is about a family who brings home one cat after another, even though the dad keeps saying that the cats can't stay. The dad has many reasons to get rid of the cats and all his reasons contain rhyming words. Rhyming words are words that have the same sounds, such as "day" and "stay." As I read the book, we're going to stop during certain pages to identify the rhyming words and find them on the page we handed out to you. Let's begin!(Rhyming words with emphasis)"When Mom brought home a stray one day, Dad said, 'That creature cannot stay. There's no use begging. Don't say please. I don't like cats. They scratch my knees. And I don't want to have to shout, so kindly put that cat-thing out." Can you tell me some of the rhyming words? What rhymes with please? (Wait for answers) Your papers have a picture of knees. Knees is spelled K-N-E-E-S (write "knees" on white board). You can draw a line from the picture for "please" and the picture for "knees." Let's continue our story...(Rhyming words with emphasis)"Mom said, 'I'll put him back outside. I'm sure he'll find some place to hide, away from all the rain and hail which just might drench him nose to tail. I see you do not want this pet though he might get completely wet. You mid's made up, dear, I can tell. I'll put him out.' But Dad said, 'Well...." What are some of the rhyming words on this page? What rhymed with "outside?" (Wait for responses) Can you find "hide" on your paper? Draw a line from "outside" to "hide." What are some other words?....After I finish the book, I will ask the children if they can name some words that rhyme. We can refer the the papers if they can't remember. Dad is having a tough time telling his family that "That Cat Can't Stay" when they keep bringing home strays. He has many excuses as to why they can't stay but they end up melting his heart and the rest is history. One day dad turns the tables and brings home a pet that he wants and everyone lives happily ever after! This is a good book for lower elementary students because of the repetition and rhyming. The art work is very cute and the facial expressions can tell the whole story. I would use this book in reading and have the students write their own rhyming verses about the cats.Krasnesky, T., & Parkins, D. (2010). That cat can't stay. Brooklyn, NY: Flashlight Press :.
What do You think about That Cat Can't Stay (2010)?
Appealing illustrations with an entertaining story. Little twist at the end makes it entertaining.
—wangruyu
Great readaloud text and hilariously expressive illustrations.
—shanice
What fun. I love the rhyme and repeated refrain.
—2smart4u
