![This story teaches the PQs for Blended letters and the drawn-out Exception sounds, sometimes made by the letters ‘O’, ‘A’, ‘U’, and ‘Y’. The PQ hint button next to each paragraph will tell you which kinds of PQs are being taught in that paragraph. Remember, dotted-underlined letters are always Blended together. Wide, stretched letters always say their drawn-out Exception sounds.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hint.png)
THE PECULIAR TALE
OF FINDING FUNNY
EPISODE THREE: Rodeo Rider
![I'm getting mighty tired, running at this crazy speed, while you're just relaxing on my back. When can we stop?](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/FF3-cat-on-dog.jpg)
The cat meowed loudly, and the dog was panting hard. The cat was bouncing up and down, but it simply didn’t budge, holding on very tight to the dog’s collar. It looked like it was riding a bull in a rodeo! The dog just seemed to take the cat’s orders, and it kept running around, at an impressive speed!
![In the words 'on' and 'dog', the letter 'O' is stretched to say its 'AHH' sound.
Remember, Stretched letters ALWAYS say their drawn-out Exception sounds.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hint.png)
This entertaining adventure went on for a few gripping minutes. Then all of a sudden, the cat jumped off of the dog, and it landed firmly on top of a yellow car in the driveway.
![In the word 'dog', the letter 'O' is stretched to say its 'AHH' sound. In the word 'saw', the letter 'A' is stretched to say its 'AHH' sound.
Remember, Stretched letters ALWAYS say their drawn-out Exception sounds.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hint.png)
The dog ran down the street, looking like he was a little embarrassed. Jayla said, “I can’t believe what we just saw!”
![In the word 'yet', the letter 'Y' is stretched to say its 'YUH' sound. In the word 'softly', the letter 'O' is stretched to say its 'AHH' sound. In the word 'because', the letter 'A' is stretched to say its 'AHH' sound.
Remember, Stretched letters ALWAYS say their drawn-out Exception sounds.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hint.png)
But the sensational action wasn’t over, just yet. The cat jumped down from the car, as Jayla and Carlos started to applaud, because they were so impressed with the animals’ performance. Then Jayla called out softly, “Here, kitty-kitty.”
![In the word ‘For’, the letters ‘O’ and ‘R’ blend to say their ‘OAR’ sound. In the word ‘your’, the letters ‘O’, silent ‘U’, and ‘R’ blend to say their ‘OAR’ sound.
Dotted-Underlined letters ALWAYS say their Blended sounds.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hint.png)
And surely enough, the cat confidently walked up to the kids, but then it arched its back and hissed at them ferociously! Carlos yelled, “For heaven’s sake, you mean-spirited cat! What exactly do you want from us? We’re not your enemy!” ![](/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/x-read-160x120-1.png)
![In the word ‘where’, the letters ‘E’ and ‘R’ blend to say their ‘AIR’ sound.
Remember, Dotted-Underlined letters ALWAYS say their Blended sounds.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/hint.png)
Jayla and Carlos took a long look at the cat, and then at each other. Finally, the cat strolled off, and Carlos asked, “Where do you think that wacky feline will go next?”
![Look at that dog walk away with his head down. He looks kind of embarrassed. An I wonder what that crazy cat will do next? Let's get out of here.](https://mlc.learningstewards.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/FF3-C-and-J.jpg)
Jayla exclaimed, “Who knows, and who cares?! Let’s just get out of here, before those two crazy creatures come back!” ![](/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/x-read-160x120-1.png)
multiple: Multiple PQ Types |
listen: Stretch |
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O |
n |
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listen: Stretch |
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B |
e |
c |
a |
u |
s |
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listen: Stretch |
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Y |
e |
t |
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listen: Stretch |
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S |
o |
f |
t |
l |
y |
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listen: Stretch |
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D |
o |
g |
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listen: Stretch |
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S |
a |
w |
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listen: Stretch |
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W |
a |
l |
k |
e |
d |
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listen: Blended |
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F |
o |
r |
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listen: Blended |
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B |
e |
f |
o |
r |
e |
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listen: Blended |
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C |
a |
r |
e |
s |
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listen: Stretch |
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W |
a |
n |
t |
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listen: Blended |
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W |
h |
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r |
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look: Stretch |
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look: Stretch |
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look: Stretch |
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look: Stretch |
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look: Blended |
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look: Stretch |
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listen: Blended |
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O |
r |
d |
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r |
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look: Blended |
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look: Blended |
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1. What did the cat jump onto next?
a) Jayla’s dog
b) a flower bush
c) a yellow car in the driveway.
2. What happened when the cat walked over to Jayla?
a) It arched its back and hissed
b) It rolled over to get its tummy scratched
c) It waited for Jayla to pick it up.
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