A bit of oil: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 5 Set 2a)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A delightful tale about a young squirrel who embarks on an unexpected adventure when he ventures out to find some oil to fix his creaky tree home.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
20 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the red squirrel will do next with the bit of oil?
How do you think the oil helps the squirrel in the story?
Can you imagine a different ending for the story? What would it be?
Why do you think the author chose a squirrel as the main character?
How do you feel about the choices the squirrel made? Would you have done something different?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about squirrels and phonics to build interest and activate prior knowledge.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask predictive questions and keep your child engaged.
After reading, discuss the moral of the story and what your child can learn from the squirrel’s adventure.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss why they made that choice.
Propose creating an alternative ending together, enhancing their creativity and understanding of the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The story emphasizes how characters work together to solve a problem, highlighting the importance of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with peers in group tasks at school or during play to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The narrative encourages finding creative solutions to challenges, demonstrating the process of problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable in a child’s life when they face puzzles or difficulties, teaching them to think critically and find solutions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Resourcefulness
Explanation: Characters in the book use available resources to manage their situation, teaching resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use what they have at hand to address issues, whether it’s using recycled materials for a school project or finding a way to entertain themselves with limited toys.