Four Corners:Beatrix Potter
iOpener Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Beatrix Potter Four Corners provides a comprehensive and cross-curricular educational experience with science, history, geography, and mathematics themes linked to the National Curriculum and the 5-14 Guidelines for Scotland. Featuring high-quality photography and design from Dorling Kindersley, it engages readers with diverse topics and lively writing. The program includes speaking and listening, drama, and writing activities along with practical suggestions connecting to Art, Design, Technology, Music, Citizenship, and PSHE. It supports easy implementation for teachers and teaching assistants with laminated teaching materials and activity cards, and also offers support for parents and homework activities.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-6
Length
8 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Peter Rabbit feels when he's exploring Mr. McGregor's garden?
How do the illustrations help tell the story of Jemima Puddle-Duck?
Why do you think the animals in Beatrix Potter's stories often behave like humans?
What lessons can we learn from the adventures of Tom Kitten?
If you could create your own storybook animal, what would it be like and what adventures would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe their favorite illustrations, fostering a deeper connection with the visuals. Follow up each reading by discussing the characters' decisions and their consequences to reinforce understanding of the story's moral lessons. Finally, relate the adventures of Potter's characters to your child's own experiences to personalize the themes and enhance comprehension.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility through pet care
Explanation: The story teaches children about the responsibilities involved in caring for pets, demonstrated as characters nurture and tend to their animals.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of daily tasks such as feeding, grooming, and providing affection to their pets, fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in overcoming obstacles
Explanation: Characters face various challenges but persist until they succeed, illustrating perseverance.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether in learning new skills or solving problems at school or home.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book showcases the beauty of the natural world and emphasizes the importance of respecting wildlife and natural habitats.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to engage with the environment responsibly, like cleaning up litter during park visits and learning about different animals and plants.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Through interactions between characters, the narrative underscores the importance of friendship and mutual support.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to build strong, supportive relationships with their peers and learn how to work collaboratively.
Example Lesson: Creative problem solving
Explanation: Characters often use creative thinking to navigate their challenges, showcasing innovative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think outside the box in their everyday challenges, be it in creative projects or interpersonal issues.