Guinea Pigs on the Loose: Independent Reading 11
#11 of 9 in Independent Reading Gold Series
What’s inside...
A delightful tale of a group of guinea pigs who embark on an unexpected adventure when they accidentally escape from their cage. Along the way, they discover new places, face challenges, and learn the value of friendship and teamwork. Becks has the responsibility of looking after the school guinea pigs for the weekend. She looks after them well, but those guinea pigs are just too tempted by next door's garden! Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure. Independent Reading 11 stories are the perfect introduction to first chapter books for children aged 6+ who are reading at book band 11 in classroom reading lessons.
Discussion points
What do you think the guinea pigs were feeling when they went on their adventure?
How did the characters work together to solve problems?
If you were one of the guinea pigs, what would you have done differently on the adventure?
Why do you think the author chose guinea pigs as the main characters?
What is the most important lesson you learned from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a playful tone when discussing the guinea pigs' adventures to make the conversation more engaging.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book, then use it as a starting point for discussion.
Encourage your child to imagine and talk about what an adventure with their own pet might look like.
Relate the problem-solving in the story to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights, which reinforces their confidence in expressing their ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In the story, the guinea pigs learn the importance of being responsible when they venture outside their cage.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking care of their own belongings and being accountable for their actions at home and in school.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the guinea pigs must work together to navigate their surroundings and solve problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be reflected in a child's life by emphasizing the importance of collaborating with others during group activities or team sports.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The guinea pigs' adventure begins with their curiosity about the world outside their known environment.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore new hobbies, ask questions, and learn about the world around them, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story shows that the guinea pigs face consequences when they don't think things through.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about the outcomes of their actions and to make thoughtful decisions.