A big hit: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 2)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
What’s inside...
A delightful tale of a young squirrel named Sammy who embarks on an adventurous journey to make new friends and learn about the true meaning of teamwork in a forest baseball league. Red Squirrel Phonics is a new series of decodable readers from Raintree, packed with real stories using words that children can read. The programme teaches children phonics skills in a sequential and systematic way so that they can learn the sounds (phonemes) and the letters that represent them (graphemes) and then practise and apply this knowledge through reading appealing, decodable texts that make sense. This ensures that every beginner reader will experience success in their reading from their very first book! In this Level 2 book the children play cricket and the best fielder is Pam, the dog.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the red squirrel enjoyed the most about its adventure?
How did the red squirrel solve its problem in the story?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to the red squirrel?
What would you have done differently if you were in the red squirrel's place?
Why do you think the author chose a squirrel as the main character?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the story's setting and how it affects the red squirrel's adventure.
Prompt them to express their feelings and relate personal experiences similar to the red squirrel’s challenges.
Discuss the moral or lesson of the story and its relevance to everyday life.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or different choices the characters might have made.
Use expressive and animated tones while discussing to make the conversation lively and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Developing Phonemic Awareness
Explanation: Red Squirrel Phonics Level 2 is designed to enhance children's understanding of sounds and their correspondence to written symbols, crucial for early reading skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this awareness to sound out words during reading sessions, enhancing their ability to read independently.
Example Lesson: Building Vocabulary
Explanation: The book introduces a variety of simple words that are fundamental to a child's language development.
Real-World Application: Young readers can incorporate these new words into their daily communication, helping them to express themselves more clearly.
Example Lesson: Fostering a Love of Reading
Explanation: Through engaging stories and characters, children are encouraged to enjoy the process of reading.
Real-World Application: This enjoyment can motivate children to explore more books, which supports lifelong learning and curiosity.
Example Lesson: Understanding Sequential Order
Explanation: Red Squirrel Phonics Level 2 guides children through stories that have a clear beginning, middle, and end, helping them understand sequence.
Real-World Application: Knowing how to organize thoughts and actions sequentially can aid children in storytelling, completing tasks, and understanding time management.