Can Birds Like Me Fly? UFLI Foundations Lesson 96

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Can Birds Like Me Fly?

Practice Words

about down shout around out ground bounce crowd crowds frown growl how loud ouch slouch wow
Page 1
On the right side of the image, the Bird stands on a winding cobblestone path that leads up rolling green hills toward a pink building with a sign reading "Flight Academy." The Bird has a determined expression, wearing red-framed glasses and an orange-and-red striped scarf, carrying a backpack, looking up the path toward the academy. The outdoor scene is bright and sunny with a clear blue sky, scattered flowers on the grassy hills, a white picket fence near the building, and a small tree in the background.

Every day, I dream about flying. I dream about it at lunch, in the bath, in bed. I dream so hard my feathers shake. But my wings are small and my body is big. When I flap, my feet stay on the ground. Today, that changes. I grab my backpack and march up the path to flight class.

Page 2
The image shows a film-strip style composition on the left side. In the upper frame, the Bird is flying a pink airplane against a bright yellow sky, wearing red-framed glasses and an orange-and-red striped scarf, with white doves soaring around, looking determined and adventurous. In the lower frame, the Bird stands on the left posing like a movie star, surrounded by adoring small fan characters taking photos and reaching out excitedly, with a film camera operator nearby. The right side of the image is plain blue watercolor background.

On the way, I dream about it all. I will fly planes! I will dive down from the sky like a shooting star. Crowds will follow me around and shout, 'Look! Can we get a photo? Can we get an autograph?' I try my star wave. Left, right, left. I am set!

Page 3
On the right side of the image, the Bird lies face-down on a grassy hilltop after a crash landing, with legs and wings splayed out and sticking up in the air, wearing red-framed glasses and an orange-and-red striped scarf, looking dazed and embarrassed with a dizzy expression. A dirt trail marks the crash path behind the Bird. In the center-left background, a group of four other birds stand together on the hill, laughing and pointing at the Bird. The scene is set outdoors on a bright, sunny day on a rounded green hill with wildflowers, under a blue sky with scattered white clouds.

My first class does not go well. I flap as hard as I can. I get a bit off the ground, wobble, and then splat! I land beak-first in the dirt with my legs up. Four birds giggle out loud. One snorts so hard he tips over.

Page 4
The Bird stands on the left side of the image atop a grassy hill with a dirt path, wearing red-framed glasses and an orange-and-red striped scarf, looking sad and dejected with a frowning expression, walking away from a group of four classmate birds who are flying and swooping in the air behind and above. The scene is outdoors on a bright day with a warm golden-yellow sky and small white clouds, with a single flower growing on the hillside. The right approximately 40% of the image is open golden sky with no characters or detail.

They swoop around my head in big loops, just showing off. 'Give up,' says one. 'You will never fly with tiny wings like those. Birds like you don't fly.' I pick myself up, brush off my scarf, and walk down the path. The sun feels hot. But my heart feels cold.

Page 5
On the right side of the image, the Bird stands looking dejected and frustrated, wearing red-framed glasses and an orange-and-red striped scarf, with drooping, downturned eyes and a small frown, conveying hurt pride. The Bird's wings hang loosely at its sides in a defeated posture. A few small leaves drift in the breeze around the Bird. The background is a warm golden-yellow sky, with the left side completely clear of any detail.

Birds like me don't fly. Those words sit in my chest like a rock. I slouch. I frown. They can zip and soar, but my feet will not budge. Still, when I try to let go of my dream, it holds on tight. What if they are not right? What if birds like me just fly in a new way?

Page 6
The image shows two vignettes of the Bird on the left side. On the left, the Bird sits on the ground with a determined expression, wearing red-framed glasses and an orange-and-red striped scarf, holding a hammer and building large homemade cardboard-and-tape wings, surrounded by craft supplies including cardboard, tape, and tools. On the far left, the Bird is shown flying joyfully through the sky wearing aviator goggles pushed up on its head and the homemade cardboard-and-tape wings strapped on, with a looping dashed flight trail and small clouds around. The scene is set outdoors against a light open-sky background. The right approximately 40% of the image is plain background.

That night, I get a plan so big I spill my juice! If my wings are too small, I will make bigger wings. I grab thick card, tape, and a hammer, because every plan needs a hammer. I cut. I stick. I bang my hand and shout, 'Ouch!' But when I hold my new wings up, I can almost see myself flying in the sky.

Page 7
The image shows a three-panel sequence of the Bird on the right side of the image. In the first panel, the Bird stands reading a handbook about how wings work with a focused expression, wearing red-framed glasses, an orange-and-red striped scarf, and aviator goggles pushed up on its head. In the second panel, the Bird stands with arms outstretched, showing off a pair of homemade cardboard-and-tape wings strapped on, with a determined expression. In the third panel (furthest right), the Bird leaps into the air, flying upward with the homemade cardboard-and-tape wings spread wide and a look of excited surprise, wearing the aviator goggles over its eyes. A dashed line traces the Bird's flight path between the second and third poses. The two left panels are set against pink/magenta rectangular backgrounds, while the flying pose is against open white sky.

I read every book I can find about how wings work. Lift. Drag. Thrust. I draw on the white panel until my head spins. Then I make new wings. Bigger. Stronger. Bendy. I strap on my goggles and stretch my wings out. They creak. They flex. They might just work!

Page 8
On the left side of the image, the Bird stands triumphantly atop a grassy hill on a low stone wall, with a blue sky behind him, wearing red-framed glasses, an orange-and-red striped scarf, and aviator goggles pushed up on its head, with arms outstretched and large homemade cardboard-and-tape wings spread wide, looking determined and confident, ready for takeoff. Below on the lower-left hillside, a crowd of roughly eight to ten assorted bird spectators is gathered looking up — some holding small flags and signs, appearing excited and supportive, while others watch with skeptical or worried expressions. The scene is outdoors on a bright, sunny day with rolling green hills and a clear blue sky, with a few small birds flying in the background near some trees on an adjacent hill to the right.

Word gets out. 'That bird with the homemade wings will jump off the hill!' I stand on the stone wall up top, wings spread wide, wind in my scarf. Down the hill, a crowd gathers. Some wave flags and shout. Some growl, 'No chance!' I take a deep breath. And then I jump.

Page 9
The Bird is shown three times on the right side of the image in a dynamic action sequence against a bright blue sky, depicting aerial acrobatics. In each pose, the Bird is flying with homemade cardboard-and-tape wings outstretched, wearing red-framed glasses, an orange-and-red striped scarf trailing in the wind, and aviator goggles over its eyes — diving, twisting, and looping through the air with a joyful, wide-eyed expression. Dashed looping lines trace the Bird's flight path, showing swooping tricks and spirals. Small white clouds are scattered around the right side of the scene.

The wind grabs my wings and wow, up I go! I shoot into the sky like a cork from a bottle! I dive. I twist. I spin like a football. I loop so fast my goggles fog up. I do it again with my eyes shut, just because I can. 'Birds like me do fly!' I shout, and my voice bounces around the valley.

Page 10
On the left side of the image, the Bird stands facing forward with homemade cardboard-and-tape wings outstretched, wearing red-framed glasses, an orange-and-red striped scarf, and aviator goggles pushed up on its head, holding up golden cards that sparkle in the sunlight. The Bird has a proud, beaming grin, as if showing off after a successful flight. A dashed curved line swoops across the upper right of the image, suggesting the flight path the Bird just took. The background is a warm golden-yellow wash, with the right side left as plain open space.

I swoop down and land with a skid, a stumble, and a big grin. I hold up my golden flight cards. They sparkle in the sun. My own wings. My own way. Birds like me do fly. We just need bigger wings.

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