At the dam
What’s inside...
Follow the journey of a curious squirrel as it explores the mysteries surrounding the dam, finding friends and adventure 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 1 book, the children build a dam and then get in a little boat. Dan gets in. Sam gets in. They both sit down. Then along comes Nat.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you feel when you saw the dam being built in the story?
How do you think the animals felt when their environment changed?
Why do you think it's important to think about how our actions affect others?
What are some ways we can help protect natural habitats?
Tip: Role play these questions
Allow your child to express their thoughts freely, without interrupting, to understand their perspective.
Use follow-up questions to dig deeper into your child’s thoughts and feelings about the book.
Relate the book's themes to real-life situations to help your child connect with the message.
Encourage your child to think about what they can do to help their environment, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In the story, various characters work together to build a dam, teaching children the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning how to cooperate with others to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters encounter challenges while building the dam and must come up with creative solutions, showing the value of critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can use problem-solving skills in their daily life when they face difficulties, learning to think critically to overcome obstacles.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Each character in the book has a specific role in the construction of the dam, promoting the idea of taking responsibility for one's tasks.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of being responsible for their own assignments and duties, whether at home or in school.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The story emphasizes the need to consider the environmental impact when building the dam, teaching respect for nature.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be conscious of the environment in their everyday actions, such as recycling, conserving water, and protecting wildlife.