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Doctor De Soto
Reading Guide
Guide
created by Sue Ornstein, June 2000
Healthy
Teeth
This book can serve as an entertaining introduction to a dental
health unit, and would also be appropriate for a nutrition unit.
After reading the book, discuss proper dental care; if possible, invite a
local dentist to present information to the students. If students have
access to the Internet, they can log on to Colgate-Palmolive’s Web site
for children (www.colgate.com/kids-world),
designed to reinforce dental health and nutrition.
How
Many Teeth?
Create a class graph representing the number of teeth lost by each
student. Have students relate how and when they lost a tooth, and
share their personal beliefs about the tooth fairy. Then students can
compose a factual story about a lost tooth, a fictional story about the
tooth fairy, or a note to be left for the tooth fairy upon her next visit.
Open
for Business
The two signs outside Doctor De Soto’s office read: DR. DE
SOTO, DENTIST, and CATS & OTHER DANGEROUS ANIMALS NOT ACCEPTED FOR
TREATMENT. Ask students to imagine starting their own business. What job
would they choose? What important information must their sign convey? Have
students create their sign using oaktag or cardboard. Encourage student
creativity and originality.
Animals
Beware
Ask students to list the animals Doctor De Soto and his wife would and
would not treat. Then create a class chart listing a variety of animals
and their predators. In small groups, have students choose an environment
(e.g., ocean, desert, or woodlands) and design a mural depicting the
animals and predators that inhabit this environment. Students should
record relevant information below the mural, denoting the predators and
describing the protective mechanisms of their prey (e.g., camouflage,
defensive behaviors).
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