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Wing by Wing, Side by Side

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Wing by Wing, Side by Side

Hear how a repeated chant gives a story rhythm and meaning.

Read the story

Wing by Wing

1Cold winds blew over the frosty fields. It was time for the gray geese to fly south. Little Tam had never flown so far before. Papa honked, and the whole flock rose into the sky. As they flew, the geese sang:
"Wing by wing and side by side,
Over the hills and fields we glide!"

2The flock flew over a wide, wiggly river. Tam flapped fast and felt fine. She sang along with the others:
"Wing by wing and side by side,
Over the hills and fields we glide!"

3Then a wild wind whooshed against the flock. Tam's wings grew tired, and she began to slip behind. "I can't keep up," she honked softly.

4Papa flew right in front of Tam to block the wind. The whole flock sang louder, "Wing by wing and side by side!" Tam heard the steady beat and flapped along with it. Flap, flap, glide! Flap, flap, glide!

5At last, the flock splashed down on a calm, sunny lake. Tam floated beside Papa and gave a happy honk. "We made it!" she said. "Wing by wing and side by side!"

The repeated chant

A chant is a group of words that people say or sing together. Read the story again if you need to.

1.
Which line is repeated the most times in the story?
Question 1 options
2.
Write the word that finishes the chant. It rhymes with side.

Over the hills and fields we !

3.
Why do the geese sing the chant as they fly?
Question 3 options
4.
Read paragraph 4 again. Underline the sentence that tells what Tam does when she hears the chant.

5.
What do the words side by side tell you about the flock?
Question 5 options

Sounds and beat

Alliteration is when words close together begin with the same sound. Read the story aloud and listen.

6.
Sort these word groups from the story. Do the words begin with the same sound?
7.
Match each group of words to what it helps you picture or hear.
8.
In paragraph 5, Tam says part of the chant one last time. How does she feel?
Question 8 options
9.
How does the chant help Tam when the wild wind blows? Use details from the story.