A fat rat: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 2)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
What’s inside...
Follow the adventures of an unusually large rat who embarks on a journey to find a place where he truly belongs and makes unexpected friendships along the way. 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 Mum calls Sid to get rid of a rat. Sid runs after the rat who slips into a gap under the house. The rat outsmarts Sid.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the rat in the story was considered 'fat'? What does that tell us about how he lives?
What different adventures did the rat have in the story? Which one was your favorite and why?
How did the characters in the book react to the fat rat? How would you react if you met a character like the fat rat?
What do you think the main message of the story is? How can we apply that message in our daily lives?
If you could write another adventure for the fat rat, what would it be about?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to the rat’s experiences by asking them about times when they felt similar to the rat.
Highlight the moral of the story, and ask thought-provoking questions that align with the book’s theme to deepen your child's understanding and empathy.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques, changing your voice for different characters to make the story more engaging and lively.
After reading, connect the story’s events or morals with real-life examples that are familiar to your child, enhancing their ability to relate and apply the message.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discussing their drawing can provide insights into their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence pays off
Explanation: The story illustrates a rat consistently trying to solve a problem, highlighting the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of continuing efforts in their daily challenges, whether it's completing a difficult puzzle or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Importance of phonemic awareness
Explanation: Through engaging phonics-based text, the book helps in recognizing and using different sounds that letters make.
Real-World Application: This aids children in reading development and improves their ability to decode words in their everyday reading activities.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The rat interacts with other characters to overcome obstacles, showcasing how teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to cooperate with peers in group tasks at school or in play, understanding that collective efforts can achieve more.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The rat faces various challenges and thinks through possible solutions, providing a model for analytical thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply problem-solving methods from the story to their own real-life situations, such as resolving conflicts with friends or figuring out a math problem.