All Kinds of Homes: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Oxford reading tree. Stage 2, Decode and develop Series
What’s inside...
Looking at dwellings around the world, this lift-the-flap book explores what homes can look like, what they're made of, and who lives there. It includes Bedouin tents, Dutch barges, African mud houses, Moroccan houses with tiled courtyards, glass houses, and more. There is a Thai river house and a brick apartment building to cut out and assemble.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes a house a home?
How are the homes in the book similar or different from ours?
Can you imagine living in one of the homes from the book? Which one and why?
Why do you think different people live in different kinds of homes?
How do you feel when you think about our home?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use the lift-the-flap feature to build anticipation and curiosity, asking your child to guess what might be behind each flap before lifting it.
Relate the different homes shown in the book to your child’s experiences by discussing visits to friends or relatives' houses, or homes they've seen in other books or on TV.
Encourage your child to describe each home's details, fostering their observation and descriptive skills.
After reading, you might explore drawing or building models of different homes using toys or craft materials, linking their understanding from the book to hands-on activities.
Discuss the importance of diversity and cultural differences in housing, linking it back to people's varied lifestyles and geographic locations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Diversity and Inclusion
Explanation: The book showcases various types of homes from around the world, teaching children about the diverse living conditions and cultural backgrounds of different people.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect differences in people's lifestyles and backgrounds in their daily interactions at school and in the community.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: Different homes in the book are adapted to specific climates and environments, which emphasizes the relationship between human habitats and the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children can become more conscious of the environment and think about how their own living conditions impact the planet.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The lift-the-flap design engages children in an interactive reading experience, sparking curiosity and encouraging exploration through learning.
Real-World Application: This curiosity can be extended to other areas of learning, fostering a love for discovering new things in their everyday experiences.
Example Lesson: Sense of Community
Explanation: By seeing how homes can be a central part of communities, the book illustrates the importance of having a safe and supportive community.
Real-World Application: Children can value and contribute to the nurturing of their own communities, whether by participating in local activities or offering support to their neighbors.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The variety of homes presented, from treehouses to igloos, can inspire creative thinking and imaginative play.
Real-World Application: Children can use these ideas to fuel their imaginative play scenarios, drawing, or building models, enhancing their creative skills.