Read with Oxford: Stages 1-2: Julia Donaldson's Songbirds: My Phonics Story Collection
Oxford Reading Tree: Songbirds Phonics Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The Songbirds Phonics Story Collection, part of the Read with Oxford stages 1-2, is a series of 12 phonics stories by Julia Donaldson designed for early readers. The collection incorporates phonics-based text and enchanting illustrations to develop reading skills in young children through repetitive patterns and accessible language. It includes reading tips, stickers, and a reward poster, aiming to boost reading confidence in children developing early reading skills. Published on: 2023-04-18.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
8 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which character in the story did you like the most, and why?
What was your favorite part of the story and what made it special?
Can you think of a different ending for one of the stories? What would happen?
How did the characters solve their problems? What would you do if you were in their place?
What new words did you learn from this book? Can you use them in your own sentences?
Tip: Role play these questions
As your child answers the questions, listen attentively and show enthusiasm for their ideas to encourage them to express themselves more freely.
Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into their thoughts and feelings about the story, which helps develop critical thinking and articulation skills.
Relate the stories or characters to real-life situations or personal experiences to make the discussion more relatable and engaging.
Encourage your child to draw a scene or character from the book, enhancing their connection to the story and promoting creativity.
Finish your reading session by summarizing the main ideas or moral lessons from the book, reinforcing comprehension and retention of the concepts discussed.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Phonics and Early Reading Skills
Explanation: Julia Donaldson uses simple, repetitive texts that align with phonics principles to help children decode words and begin to read independently.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these foundational reading skills to read other simple texts, enhancing their reading confidence and ability.
Example Lesson: Vocabulary Development
Explanation: The collection introduces young readers to new words in a contextual and engaging manner, boosting their vocabulary.
Real-World Application: With a broader vocabulary, children can express themselves better and understand more complex stories and conversations.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The interesting characters and engaging plots in the stories stimulate the imagination of young readers, encouraging them to create their own stories or play scenarios.
Real-World Application: This imaginative play enhances creativity, which is crucial for problem-solving and innovation in real-world situations.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Characters in the stories often face challenges but find ways to overcome them, demonstrating the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of perseverance in achieving goals whether in school tasks or in personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through interactions between characters, children are exposed to different emotions and perspectives, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: This understanding helps children in social interactions and in developing relationships with peers and family members.