Do You Know? Level 1 - BBC Earth Birds and Insects
Do You Know? Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
An engaging exploration into the fascinating world of birds and insects, specially crafted for young readers. This book encourages children to learn about the characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of various birds and insects through stunning visuals and captivating facts. It is part of the BBC Earth reader series 'Do You Know?', which adopts an enquiry-based approach and includes motivating video content, project work, and critical thinking activities to develop students' linguistic and twenty-first century skills. Birds and Insects, a Level 1 Reader, is Pre-A1 in the CEFR framework and supports YLE Starters exams. The text uses short sentences with a maximum of two clauses, present tense, and simple adjectives.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What similarities and differences did you notice between birds and insects in the book?
Why do you think birds have feathers and insects have wings?
Can you think of any ways that insects and birds help the environment?
If you could be any bird or insect from the book, which one would you choose, and why?
How do you think the life of a bird is different from the life of an insect?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about birds and insects to activate prior knowledge.
Encourage your child to imagine the sounds and movements of the birds and insects while reading to enhance sensory engagement.
Pause on pages with vivid illustrations and ask your child to describe what they see; this promotes observational skills and attention to detail.
After reading, help your child relate the information to their surroundings, perhaps identifying local birds or insects they know or have seen.
Use the book as a gateway to outdoor exploration, maybe going on a 'bird and insect scavenger hunt' to apply what they've learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of biodiversity
Explanation: The book explores the diverse species of birds and insects, showing their roles in ecosystems.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect the variety of life around them, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Example Lesson: Interdependence of species
Explanation: Through various examples, the book demonstrates how birds, insects, and other elements of nature depend on each other for survival.
Real-World Application: Kids understand the concept of ecological balance and how their actions can impact nature, promoting eco-friendly behaviors.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The book presents facts in an engaging way, encouraging young readers to explore more about biology and the natural world.
Real-World Application: This stirs a natural curiosity in children, motivating them to learn more and possibly pursue interests in science and nature.
Example Lesson: Observational skills
Explanation: Detailed illustrations and descriptions help children learn to pay attention to small details and differences between species.
Real-World Application: Enhanced observation skills can help children in academic settings and in everyday problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Conservation awareness
Explanation: ‘Do You Know? Level 1 - BBC Earth Birds and Insects’ touches on aspects of conservation, highlighting the need to protect our natural world.
Real-World Application: Children become more aware of conservation issues and learn ways they can help at home, such as recycling or saving water.