Gardening fun: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 5 Set 2c)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Follow the adventures of a group of friends as they discover the joys and challenges of gardening. Through their story, young readers learn about the importance of teamwork, the basics of gardening, and the impact they can have on the environment.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
20 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the garden so special in the story?
How do you feel when you see something grow from a seed you planted?
What are some of the important steps we need to follow to take care of a garden?
If you could grow anything, what would it be and why?
How do you think the characters felt when they saw their garden flourishing?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate the gardening experiences from the book to any real-life gardening experiences you may have had with your child.
Encourage your child to describe their emotions connected to growth and nurturing, mirroring the characters' experiences in nurturing their garden.
Use the book’s illustrations of plants and gardening tools to help your child connect the vocabulary with real-world objects.
Ask your child to imagine their own garden and discuss what they would like to grow, emphasizing the importance of care and patience in gardening.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The children in 'Gardening Fun' learn to take care of plants, demonstrating the importance of regular watering and nurturing.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping with household chores or caring for a family pet, learning the importance of consistency and care.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: As the plants slowly grow, the children learn to be patient and understand that some processes cannot be rushed.
Real-World Application: This can help children grasp the value of patience in learning new skills or waiting for special occasions.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story shows children working together in the garden, teaching them how cooperation leads to success in shared tasks.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this understanding to improve their collaboration skills in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Observation
Explanation: By observing the changes in the plants, children learn to pay attention to details and the environment around them.
Real-World Application: This skill can be applied in academic settings like science classes or in nature during family outings.
Example Lesson: Healthy Lifestyle
Explanation: The story promotes outdoor activity and eating the vegetables they grow, highlighting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to spend more time outdoors and make healthier food choices, influencing long-term well-being.