Oxford Reading Tree: Stage 4: Songbirds More A: Tails
Oxford Reading Tree: Stage 3: Sparrows Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
Songbirds Phonics, written by Julia Donaldson, combines real phonic stories with interactive whiteboard software to deliver high-quality phonics teaching resources. These stories offer decodable texts, built-in progression, and align with the 2006 Framework and the simple view of reading. Available in different packs, they include eSongbirds software for a multi-sensory teaching approach. The Stage 3 More Songbirds add six new phonics stories, revising previous stages and introducing the long vowel 'oo'. Oxford Reading Tree's Stage 4 More A, Songbirds Phonics, written by Julia Donaldson, provides fun, fully decodable texts with built-in progression to help pupils achieve immediate reading success. Each book includes notes for parents/carers and teaching assistants on the inside covers and is available as part of mixed or class packs which come with free teaching notes. The books are complemented by eSongbirds interactive whiteboard software for a systematic, quality phonics teaching through a multi-sensory approach.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the characters behaved the way they did in the story?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
How do you think the story would have changed if it took place in a different setting?
Can you think of a different ending for the story? What would it be?
What did the characters learn by the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more dynamic and entertaining.
Pause after exciting moments in the story to discuss predictions or feelings about what might happen next.
After reading, relate themes or situations from the book to your child’s own experiences to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Encourage your child to draw a scene from the book, which can help them visualize and remember the story better.
Ask your child to summarize the story in their own words, enhancing their recall and sequencing skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to solve problems and support each other, demonstrating the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with peers in school projects or team sports, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The book's engaging narrative and imaginative scenarios encourage children to think creatively and envision various possibilities.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes creative thinking in children, encouraging them to come up with innovative solutions to challenges they face in school or while playing.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Characters in the story often face challenges that they must think critically about to resolve, highlighting the importance of problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach obstacles in their lives with a problem-solving mindset, enhancing their ability to make decisions and resolve issues.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters persist in their goals despite difficulties, teaching children the value of resilience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it be learning a new skill or working through a tough homework assignment.
Example Lesson: Reading and Phonics Skills
Explanation: The book is designed to help develop young readers' phonics skills through its structured phonetic content.
Real-World Application: This lesson directly supports children’s academic growth by enhancing their reading abilities and phonemic awareness, essential skills for their educational journey.