Bug Club Phonics - Phase 2 Unit 4: Is It a Pet?
BUG CLUB Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
In 'Bug Club Phonics - Phase 2 Unit 4: Is It a Pet?' by Deborah Vilardi, young readers are taken on an engaging journey to explore what makes an animal a suitable pet. With vibrant illustrations and lively phonics-based text, the book supports early reading skills and sparks curiosity about different animals. It is ideal for parents seeking to boost phonics knowledge and foster a love for reading in a fun and educational way. Also based on the CBBC TV series Alphablocks, the Bug Club Phonics program contains four fiction books perfect for encouraging early readers aged 3-5. This Department for Education-approved phonics teaching program provides a strong foundation in phonics using research-based teaching methods proven to work. The books are 100% decodable, helping young readers start their journey to reading success. Additional helpful notes inside the covers offer guidance on tricky words and provide ideas for before, during, and after reading activities to deepen understanding.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-5
Length
8 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes a good pet? Why?
Can you name some animals from the book? Which one would you like as a pet?
How do the characters in the book feel about the different animals?
What responsibilities do we have if we keep a pet?
If you could invent a pet, what special abilities would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about pets and what pets they are familiar with.
While reading, encourage your child to describe the animals using their own words, and discuss how each animal might behave as a pet.
After reading, engage in a creative activity, like drawing their ideal pet or writing a short story about an adventure with a pet.
Use expressive voices for different animals to make the reading experience more entertaining and engaging.
Relate the book to your child’s real-life experiences with animals, fostering a deeper connection to the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story explores the theme of taking care of pets, highlighting the responsibilities involved in pet ownership.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of regular feeding, grooming, and spending time with pets, fostering a sense of accountability and care in their daily interactions with animals.
Example Lesson: Decision Making
Explanation: Characters in the book weigh the pros and cons of having different types of pets, teaching children about making thoughtful decisions.
Real-World Application: This helps children apply critical thinking when choosing between options, whether it's selecting a pet or making other choices in life.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The narrative encourages understanding and kindness towards animals, demonstrating how pets have feelings and needs.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider the feelings of others, promoting empathy and compassionate actions towards both animals and people.