This Is My House Jolly Phonics · Step 3, Unit 9: /ou/ mixed

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This Is My House

Practice Words

out now low show around crouch frowns grow growl mouth round throws window down mouse
Page 1
On the right side of the image, The Cat sits perched on a purple armchair with a green polka-dot cushion, gazing forward with a calm, self-assured expression. In front of the chair, the girl (shoulder-length dark navy-blue wavy hair, maroon t-shirt, gray pants) lies on her stomach on a colorful plaid rug, drawing a picture of a cat on a sheet of paper with a focused expression. The scene is set indoors in a cozy living room with a soft blue-gray background. Only one of the three kids is visible in this illustration.

I am a cat. This is my home. Kids live here, too. Three kids and a mom. Now one kid is flat on the rug, making art. She is making me! She does not get my nose right, but I will not fuss. They think this is their home and I am their pet. They are wrong.

Page 2
In the lower half of the image, The Cat sits on a pink/red cushion or box on the left side, licking one paw with a smug, self-satisfied expression — grooming itself clean. In the lower right, one of the kids stands pushing against a small, muddy brown dog, trying to wash it near a metal tub of water, a bottle of soap, a red bucket, and a scrub brush laid out on the ground. The kid has a determined, slightly strained expression as the dog resists. The scene is set outdoors in a suburban backyard with green bushes in the background. The top half of the image is plain white/light blue watercolor wash.

Many think the best way to get clean is to sit in a big tub. They are wrong. I lick my paws and I am spotless. No soap, no fuss. Out in the yard, a kid tugs a muddy dog into a tub. That silly dog splashes all around. What a mess. I would never mess up like that.

Page 3
On the left side of the image, three kids are sitting and kneeling on a colorful checkered floor in yellow, green, and orange tiles. One of the kids, a boy with brown hair in a blue striped shirt, sits cross-legged in the center, smiling happily while holding The Cat in their lap. The Cat, an orange tabby, is curled up contentedly on the kid's lap with eyes closed, looking relaxed and happy. A second kid, a boy in a red hoodie and jeans, kneels on the left beside them, leaning in with a smile and reaching out to pet The Cat's head. A third kid, a girl with a dark blue ponytail wearing a maroon shirt, kneels on the left side beside them, smiling and also reaching over to pat The Cat. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background. The scene is indoors with a soft blue wash suggesting a cozy living room setting.

The best place to nap is on a pet's lap. I curl into a round ball, roll onto my belly, and let all three kids pat me. They think they are being kind. But I have them trained well. I like living in this home so much.

Page 4
On the right side of the image, Mom stands smiling at an open front gate of a suburban house, waving goodbye to the kids as they head off to school. The kids are walking away from the house with backpacks — one boy waves back cheerfully while another boy and the girl walk ahead with arms outstretched in excited motion. The Cat is lounging contentedly on a ledge or windowsill above the front porch of the house, watching the scene below. The setting is outdoors on a bright daytime morning, with trees and greenery visible behind the house. The left side of the image is plain white background, leaving space for text.

The kids can be noisy, and at times they mess up my home. But Mom always packs their lunch and hands out the bags in the morning. She waves at the gate. Then the home is mine. I stretch out on the ledge up on the porch, watch them go, and plan my day.

Page 5
In the lower half of the image, The Cat peeks around a purple wall corner at floor level on the left side, in a low crouch with a focused, determined expression and wide green eyes, watching a small gray mouse on the right. The mouse is scurrying across a tiled kitchen floor carrying crumbs in its mouth. The scene is set indoors on warm-toned tile flooring with a pale wall behind.

Some think a mouse is too fast to catch. They are wrong. I spot a cheeky mouse sneak past with crumbs in its mouth. I crouch low by the wall, eyes wide, not one whisker moves. I am faster, and no mouse gets past The Cat for long.

Page 6
On the right side of the image, The Cat is mid-leap with front paws stretched forward, wrapping its claws around the edge of a pink/red low wall, with a playful, focused expression and bright green eyes. Wriggling beetles peek out from under leaves at the base of the wall, and small wrens hop along tree branches above. The scene is set in a sunny backyard with lush green bushes along the bottom, a tree trunk and leaves visible in the upper right corner, and a clear blue sky with soft clouds. The left side of the image is open sky and white space, free of characters or detail.

I go out to play in my yard. I leap and climb, because it is all mine. Today I spring up on the low wall and grip the edge with my sharp nails. Bugs hide down under the leaves, and birds hop up in the tree. It is always fun out here.

Page 7
On the left side of the image, Mom stands with a shocked, disgusted expression, her hands raised in alarm as she looks down at The Cat, who sits calmly on the floor near the window holding a snail in its paws with a proud, unbothered expression. One of the kids peeks out from behind Mom, looking on with a curious, amused smile trying not to laugh. The scene is set indoors near a window, with soft natural light coming in. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background.

Mom does not like it when I bring things in. Now I carry in a snail and set it by the window. Mom throws her hands up and frowns at me. One kid peeks out from behind her and hides a grin. Mom thinks bugs are dirty and bad. She is wrong. This is my home, and I bring in what I want.

Page 8
On the right side of the image, Naughty Neighbor Boy stands in a taunting pose, pulling the corners of his mouth wide with his fingers and sticking his tongue out mockingly. Beside him on the far right, The Cat faces him with a fierce, angry expression — mouth open in a growl, showing teeth, standing in a tense, confrontational stance. The scene is set outdoors on a pink-toned sidewalk or path with a soft blue sky behind them. The left side of the image is open, plain background.

A bad boy lives next home. He is mean and smelly. When he sees me, he pulls a face and mocks me. I growl and show my teeth. He thinks he can win because he is big. He is wrong. One day I will show him.

Page 9
On the left side of the image, The Cat stands in the foreground with a determined, slightly mischievous expression, looking directly at the viewer. Behind The Cat looms a large tiger — representing The Cat's fantasy of growing big — standing in the same pose with a fierce expression, sharp claws extended and fangs bared, set against a soft blue-green watercolor cloud. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background.

One day I will grow as big as a tiger, with sharp nails and big, sharp fangs. Then I will march next home and mess up that kid's home. I can see it now. No one will put 'keep out' on my fence.

Page 10
On the right side of the image, The Cat is curled up contentedly at the foot of a bed, eyes half-closed and purring peacefully. One of the kids is lying in bed under a green-striped blanket, asleep with a calm expression. The scene is set indoors at nighttime in a cozy bedroom, with a window on the far right showing a dark blue night sky and purple curtains partially drawn. Through the window, three cats are visible sitting on the outside windowsill, peering in through the glass with curious expressions.

Some cats think it is best to live out there. I can see three cats right now, sitting on the sill, peeking in. They are wrong. I am curled up warm on my kid's bed, in the soft dark. I like my home and my pet kids so much. That will not change.

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