A pad and a pen: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 2)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The imaginative journey of a young squirrel who explores the world through drawings in his pad with the pen his grandparent gave him. 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 Nat is drawing animals on her pad with a pen. Sid wants her to take notice of him so he taps the pen and then sits on the pad.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the squirrel likes about writing with a pad and a pen?
How do you feel when you create something with your own hands, like drawing or writing?
Can you imagine a story you would like to write? What would it be about?
Why do you think it is important for the squirrel to learn phonics?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to the squirrel by discussing their own experiences with learning to read and write. Draw parallels between the child’s learning process and the squirrel’s adventures in the book. Use the discussion to foster creativity by brainstorming story ideas together. Highlight the importance of literacy skills and how they help us understand and interact with the world around us.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: Through the story, children see how the characters use written words to share ideas and feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to write notes or messages to communicate with family and friends, enhancing their written communication skills.
Example Lesson: Creativity and expression
Explanation: The characters in the book use a pad and pen to draw and write, showcasing creative expression.
Real-World Application: Kids can be inspired to use drawing or writing as a form of self-expression and to communicate their thoughts and emotions.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights characters working together through the use of the pad and pen to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with others on projects or in problem-solving scenarios at school or in play.