Guided Reading Level D: Dens, Nests and Burrows

Book Snapshot
• Title: Dens, Nests and Burrows
• Genre: Nonfiction
• Subject: Science
• Primary Topic: Animal homes: nests, burrows, dens, lodges
• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): D

What This Book Teaches Best
• Animals live in different kinds of homes to stay safe, rest, and stay hidden from weather or danger.
• Bird nests: what they’re made of and why many are built high in trees (to keep eggs safe from animals on the ground).
• Burrows and tunnels: animals dig in the ground for cool, dark places to sleep, and some burrows can be large with special rooms.
• Dens: a den is described as a hidden shelter, including where some animals find dens and why they use them.
• How animal homes can also be built in water (beaver lodges) and how an underwater entrance helps keep a family safe.

Learning Goals
• Students will explain how an animal home helps an animal (safe from weather, resting, staying hidden) using details from the text.
• Students will identify and describe three kinds of animal homes named in the book (nests, burrows, dens, lodges).
• Students will describe why some nests are built high in trees based on the text.
• Students will describe what a burrow is and why animals dig burrows, using the book’s wording.
• Students will tell what a den is according to the book and give one place an animal might find a den.
• Students will describe one feature of a beaver lodge that helps keep the family safe.

Key Vocabulary From the Text
• burrow — a hole or tunnel in the ground.
• tunnel — a long passage under something.
• den — a hidden shelter for an animal.
• lodges — homes beavers build from sticks and mud.
• dreys — squirrel nests made with leaves and twigs.

Discussion Prompts
• Pre-reading question: Where do you think animals might live to stay safe and hidden?
• Comprehension questions: What does a home help an animal do?
What is a burrow?
Where is the entrance to a beaver lodge?

Printing Tips

1. Best Printing Method (Recommended)
   “Booklet” Printing (Best if Available)
   If your printer or PDF viewer supports Booklet Printing, use this.
   Settings to use:
   • Print mode: Booklet
   • Paper size: Letter or A4 (either works)
   • Orientation: Landscape
   • Print on both sides: Yes
   • Flip on: Short edge
   • Scaling: Fit to printable area
   • Booklet subset:
   o First test: Front sides only
   o Then: Back sides only
   This will automatically:
   • Pair pages correctly
   • Put the cover on the outside
   • Align everything for folding
   After printing, fold in half and staple along the spine.

2. If “Booklet” Printing Is NOT Available
   You can still print this correctly with manual duplex printing.
   Step-by-step:

3. Open the PDF.

4. Choose Print.

5. Set:
   o Orientation: Landscape
   o Pages per sheet: 1
   o Print on both sides: Yes
   o Flip on: Short edge

6. Print all pages.
   Because each PDF page already contains two facing book pages, the result will still fold cleanly into a book.