Giraffe is Tall: Independent Reading Green 5
What’s inside...
In 'Giraffe is Tall: Independent Reading Green 5', author Sue Graves crafts a simple yet engaging tale designed to boost early reading skills in young children. Featuring a giraffe, the story uses repetitive and predictable text structures that are crucial for children at this developmental stage, enhancing their ability to predict and decode text. This book not only supports literacy but also introduces basic concepts of size and comparisons, fostering both language development and critical thinking.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the giraffe is so tall? What advantages do you think it has because of its height?
How do the other animals react to the giraffe's tallness in the story? Can you relate their reactions to any of your own experiences?
What challenges do you think the giraffe might face because of its height? How do you think it overcomes them?
If you could be any animal from the book, which one would you be and why?
What important lesson did you learn from the giraffe’s story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin by asking your child to describe their favorite part of the book, setting the stage for a deeper conversation about the themes.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to imagine a new scene for the story and discuss how it could change the narrative.
Help your child draw parallels between the story and real life, enhancing their ability to apply storytelling to personal experiences.
After discussing the questions, encourage your child to retell the story from the perspective of a different character, boosting their empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Diversity
Explanation: The book showcases various animals in the jungle, emphasizing their unique traits and abilities, like the giraffe's tall stature.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate and respect differences among people in their community and embrace diversity.
Example Lesson: Self-Acceptance
Explanation: The giraffe learns to appreciate its height, understanding it as a unique and beneficial characteristic.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to embrace their own differences and feel confident in who they are, fostering a positive self-image.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The giraffe uses its height to help smaller animals retrieve food from tall trees, demonstrating problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their own skills and attributes to solve problems and help others in their everyday life.
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: Different animals work together throughout the book, utilizing their strengths to support one another.
Real-World Application: This shows children the importance of teamwork and how cooperating with others can achieve common goals.