Odd jobs: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 4)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
on Goodreads (1,007)
What’s inside...
Follow the adventures of a young squirrel named Sammy as he tries out different jobs in the forest, learning about various roles and the importance of helping others. Red Squirrel Phonics is a new series of decodable readers from Raintree, packed with real stories using words that children can read. The programme teaches children phonics skills in a sequential and systematic way so that they can learn the sounds (phonemes) and the letters that represent them (graphemes) and then practise and apply this knowledge through reading appealing, decodable texts that make sense. This ensures that every beginner reader will experience success in their reading from their very first book! In this Level 4 book, Sam goes to help the elderly Miss Good with some chores. However, the list of jobs she asks him to do is rather peculiar.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
20 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What is one job you would love to try from the book and why?
How do different jobs help people in our community?
If you could invent a job, what would it be and what tasks would it involve?
Which job from the book seemed the most fun or interesting to you?
How do you think working different jobs would make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Express genuine interest in their answers, and share your own thoughts and experiences with different jobs.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in various roles, discussing what skills and tools they might need.
Use the book as a starting point to explore more about different professions in your community or in family members' careers.
After reading, creatively role-play different jobs from the book, enhancing comprehension and retention of the material.
Connect the jobs in the book to real-life applications and scenarios to help your child see the relevance of each job.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Hard Work
Explanation: The story showcases various characters diligently performing odd jobs, highlighting the importance of hard work and dedication.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of putting effort into tasks, whether in school projects or household chores, instilling a strong work ethic.
Example Lesson: Respect for All Professions
Explanation: By depicting a range of jobs from the conventional to the unusual, the book teaches children to respect and value all types of work.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate the diverse roles people play in society, promoting respect for everyone regardless of their job.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Characters often work together to accomplish tasks, emphasizing the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in group settings at school or during play, learning to achieve goals collaboratively.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The book presents characters facing and resolving various challenges through clever solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and develop problem-solving skills applicable in daily life situations, such as resolving conflicts with peers.