Carrie's Dance School (Phonics Step 12): Read It Yourself - Level 0 Beginner Reader: (Read It Yourself)
Read It Yourself Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Carrie's Dance School is a Level 0 Beginner Reader book designed for young children aged 3+ who are just beginning to learn phonics. It focuses on step 12 of phonics learning and features two stories that build on phonics principles from previous steps, emphasizing different pronunciations of familiar letter combinations. The book includes a simple, engaging story about Carrie, who runs a dance school, which is crafted to help children practice their phonics and early reading skills. Readers will find colorful illustrations, repetitive sentence structures, comprehension puzzles, and tips for reading assistance, all aimed at encouraging independent reading while exploring the world of dance. As part of the Read It Yourself series, the book supports children through five levels of reading, helping them progress from initial phonics to fluent reading while fostering a love for reading.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of Carrie's dance class and why?
How did Carrie feel when she learned a new dance move? Have you ever felt similar?
What do you think makes a good team member in a dance class?
If you were going to teach a dance move, which one would you choose and how would you teach it?
Can you think of other places where teamwork is important, just like in Carrie's dance class?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts by asking them how they relate to Carrie's experiences in the story.
Discuss the importance of practice and perseverance, as shown in the book, and relate it to an activity your child is learning.
Use the illustrations in the book as a prompt to ask your child to describe what they see and imagine what it's like to be part of a dance class.
After reading, have a mini dance session with your child where you both try out moves from the story or create new ones together.
Connect the story's themes to real-life by discussing times when teamwork and cooperation have helped your child in school or play.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence pays off
Explanation: The story follows Carrie as she diligently practices her dance routines, demonstrating that persistence is key to mastering new skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of consistent effort in achieving goals, whether in academics, sports, or arts.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Carrie works together with her classmates to put on a dance performance, showing how collaboration leads to success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of working cooperatively in group settings like school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Overcoming challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, Carrie faces various challenges but learns to overcome them with a positive attitude and support from her friends.
Real-World Application: Children will understand that obstacles are a part of life and can be tackled through resilience and seeking help when needed.
Example Lesson: Embracing individuality
Explanation: Carrie's unique dance style is celebrated, encouraging personal expression.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children feel confident in expressing their individual talents and interests, fostering a sense of self-worth.