Reading Champion: Grandpa's Garden: Independent Reading Gold 9
Reading champion Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
This delightful book follows a young child, Sam, and their grandpa as they spend a season nurturing a garden. Initially reluctant, Sam soon finds excitement in the growing beans, learning about the cycles of nature and the joys of spending time together. It teaches the importance of patience, hard work, and the rewards of watching something grow. This story is part of Reading Champion, a series aimed at encouraging independent reading skills, developed with educational experts.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Grandpa enjoys most about his garden?
How do you feel when you spend time outdoors?
Can you describe how the garden changes through the seasons?
What have you learned from the story about taking care of plants?
How do you think the garden helps Grandpa and his family?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own experiences with nature to create a personal connection with the story. Ask open-ended questions to promote curiosity and critical thinking. Share your own gardening memories or outdoor experiences to enhance bonding over the book. Discuss the importance of patience and responsibility as shown through the care of a garden. Highlight the relationship dynamics and teamwork in the story, relating them to your family's daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Grandpa's Garden,' children learn about responsibility through the tasks of gardening alongside their grandfather. They see firsthand the care and regular attention required to maintain a garden.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on small responsibilities at home, such as caring for a pet or helping with household chores. This nurtures a sense of accountability and diligence.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The book illustrates the virtue of patience as the grandchild learns that plants take time to grow, despite the effort put into caring for them.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be translated into everyday life by teaching children the importance of waiting for results, whether in academic achievements, learning a new skill, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: Family Bonding
Explanation: Through the shared activity of gardening, the book highlights the importance of spending quality time with family members, fostering strong interpersonal relationships.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to participate in joint activities with family, creating lasting memories and strengthening family bonds.
Example Lesson: Connection to Nature
Explanation: The story helps children develop an appreciation for nature and understanding of where food comes from.
Real-World Application: This can lead to greater environmental awareness and personal connection to ecological conservation efforts from a young age.
Example Lesson: Observation Skills
Explanation: As the children observe the changes in the garden, they enhance their observation and attention to detail.
Real-World Application: This skill is beneficial in educational settings as it helps children focus and notice subtleties in various learning environments.