The Big Dog (Phonics Step 5): Read It Yourself - Level 0 Beginner Reader
Read It Yourself Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The story follows the adventure of a playful big dog as it explores its world, making friends and learning new concepts. Aimed at beginner readers, the book utilizes simple sentences and phonics step 5 to help children build their reading skills. Two stories that build on the phonics learned in previous steps and focus on the sound and letter j, v, w, x, y, z, zz, qu. The Big Dog is from Beginner Reader Level 0 and is ideal for children aged from 4+ who are developing their phonics and early reading skills. Each book has been carefully checked by educational and subject consultants and includes comprehension puzzles, book band information, and tips for helping children with their reading. With five levels to take children from first phonics to fluent reading and a wide range of different stories and topics for every interest, Read It Yourself helps children build their confidence and begin reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the Big Dog likes to do for fun?
How did the story make you feel when the Big Dog faced a challenge?
What would you do if you met the Big Dog?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the world of the book. Ask them to describe their own adventures with the Big Dog. Praise their creativity and gently guide the conversation to connect the story's themes with their daily experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Building Confidence in Reading
Explanation: The book uses simple, repetitive phonics which helps children to decode words quickly. This frequent reinforcement builds reading fluency and confidence.
Real-World Application: As children recognize patterns and sounds more rapidly, they can apply these skills to read other texts confidently, increasing their independence and enjoyment in reading.
Example Lesson: Understanding Sequence
Explanation: The story progresses in a clear, logical sequence, making it easier for young readers to follow and understand the narrative flow.
Real-World Application: Recognizing sequences helps children understand the concept of beginning, middle, and end, improving their ability to organize their thoughts and activities in daily life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Friendship
Explanation: The interactions between characters in the story demonstrate caring and supportive friendships, teaching children about empathy and how to be good friends.
Real-World Application: Children learn to relate these emotional recognitions and responses to their own interactions with friends and family, promoting emotional intelligence.