Oxford Reading Tree: More Stage 4: Songbirds Phonics: Teaching Notes
Oxford Reading Tree: Songbirds Phonics Series
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What’s inside...
These teaching notes provide practical suggestions for using Songbirds Phonics books in teaching reading. They are aligned with the simple view of reading and the 2006 renewed Framework, offering guidance on group reading, comprehension, word recognition, and assessment. These notes include information on available resources such as class and mixed book packs, and an interactive CD-ROM. The Stage 3 More Songbirds collection by Julia Donaldson introduces six new phonic stories, revising phonics from earlier stages and introducing the long vowel 'oo'. The stories support the latest curriculum developments, offering decodeable texts, opportunities for phonics practice, lively illustrations, and flexible activities.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt during their adventures?
What was your favorite part of the story, and why?
Can you think of a different ending to the story?
What would you do if you were in the place of the main character?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in a different place or time?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life, changing your tone and volume as the plot develops.
Encourage your child to predict the next events in the story, enhancing their analytical skills.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s experiences, linking fiction to real life.
Discuss the illustrations and ask your child what they can infer from the pictures about the story.
Create a creative follow-up activity, like drawing a scene from the book or writing a letter to one of the characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Reading Fluency
Explanation: The book provides structured phonics-based text to aid children in developing reading fluency.
Real-World Application: Children can apply their reading skills to enhance understanding and communication in academic settings and daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Phonemic Awareness
Explanation: Julia Donaldson uses engaging stories to highlight the sounds and syllables in words, fostering phonemic awareness.
Real-World Application: This awareness helps children decode new words and spell accurately, supporting their written and oral communication.
Example Lesson: Building Confidence
Explanation: Through repetitive and familiar phonetic patterns, the book builds a child's confidence in reading independently.
Real-World Application: Confident reading promotes active participation in classroom activities and positively influences social interactions.
Example Lesson: Language Development
Explanation: The rhythm and rhyme in 'Songbirds Phonics' stimulate cognitive language skills.
Real-World Application: Enhanced language skills enable children to express their thoughts and ideas clearly, aiding in better interpersonal communications and academic performance.