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What’s inside...
Collins Big Cat Phonics for Letters and Sounds series features both fiction and non-fiction decodable readers designed to excite and inspire children, while being fully aligned to Letters and Sounds Phases 1-6. The series includes helpful notes and Handbooks that provide guidance in demonstration, modelling, monitoring comprehension, and expanding vocabulary. One book explores the evolution of maps and how they've changed as our understanding of the world has developed, written by Karen Wallace. Another book takes readers on a magical bus tour of strange and wonderful lands in a poem by June Crebbin. Both books offer longer, repeated patterns with sequential events, support comprehension skills, vocabulary development, and include reading notes to facilitate effective teaching of phonics.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What new places did you discover in the book 'Maps' and what did you find most interesting about them?
How do the maps in the book help people understand different parts of the world?
Can you think of a time when you used a map in real life? How did it help you?
What kinds of things would you include if you were to create a map of our neighborhood or your favorite place?
How do you think maps have changed the way we see the world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare the maps in the book with real-world maps, fostering connections and enhancing comprehension of geographic concepts.
Use a globe or an atlas alongside the book to give your child a more interactive experience, helping them visualize and understand the locations discussed.
Ask open-ended questions that prompt your child to think critically about the purpose and design of maps.
After reading, encourage your child to create their own map. This could be of a real place, such as their route to school, or an imaginary place, encouraging creativity and application of concepts learned.
Discuss the cultural and historical context of different regions highlighted in the book to broaden your child's understanding of the world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Geography
Explanation: Maps by Karen Wallace acquaints young readers with various types of maps and their purposes, helping children understand spatial concepts.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge in real life by developing a better sense of direction and understanding how to use maps in everyday situations like traveling or locating places.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The book explores maps from different parts of the world, exposing children to diverse geographical features and cultural landmarks.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate cultural diversity and promotes curiosity about different parts of the world, enhancing social studies learning.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Through interactive map-related tasks and questions, children are urged to think critically about how to navigate and solve spatial problems.
Real-World Application: This skill can help children improve their reasoning abilities and can be transferred to solving daily problems efficiently.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: The detailed illustrations in the book require children to pay close attention to understand various elements of maps.
Real-World Application: Developing this skill can aid in academic settings, enhancing their ability to focus and observe details in other subjects.