Read with Oxford: Stage 3: Julia Donaldson's Songbirds: Spike Says and Other Stories
Julia Donaldson’S Songbirds Series
What’s inside...
This delightful collection of short stories follows the adventures of Spike and his friends as they navigate various challenges and learn important life lessons. The book combines engaging narratives with phonics practice to aid developing readers. With a focus on building phonics skills, the collection includes seven fun stories with colorful illustrations. It is perfect for children growing in reading confidence, exploring character adventures such as why Nasim is an unusual knight and what happens to the snake and the drake. Tips for reading together and explanations of letter patterns help maximize the benefits of the collection. Authored by Julia Donaldson, former Children's Laureate, Songbirds is a well-crafted phonics programme used in schools to inspire a love of reading. The series includes eight story collections, forming part of the Read with Oxford range that offers exciting, well-leveled reading books to boost children's reading confidence, alongside practical advice and engaging activities available on oxfordowl.co.uk.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Spike might do next after the end of the story?
How did the characters’ actions make you feel?
Can you think of a different ending for one of the stories?
What would you have done if you were in Spike's place in the story?
Which story was your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the stories, affirming that all interpretations are welcome.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book. This helps connect visual creativity with their understanding of the text.
Relate the stories to real-life situations or family events to make the content more relatable and memorable.
Create a fun quiz or game about the story to enhance comprehension and retention in an enjoyable way.
End discussions by asking your child to summarize what they learned from the stories, fostering skills in articulation and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Communication
Explanation: Through the character Spike in 'Spike Says', children see the significance of clearly expressing thoughts and asking questions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to articulate their needs and queries more clearly, aiding in better interaction at school and home.
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: In various stories, characters solve problems by working together, highlighting teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities and understand the benefits of cooperating with others in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The stories encourage creative solutions to problems, exemplifying the power of imagination.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to use their creativity to approach challenges and express themselves through art, storytelling, or play.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Facing Challenges
Explanation: Characters often encounter obstacles but overcome them through perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence and resilience in difficult situations, whether in learning new skills or dealing with personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The interactions among the characters promote understanding and empathy towards others’ feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be more empathetic and considerate in their day-to-day interactions with peers and adults, fostering better relationships.