The Big Duck (Reading Corner Phonics)
Reading Corner Phonics. Grade 1. Level 2 Series
What’s inside...
The series aims to support children who are learning to read through phonics, giving them the opportunity to read simple words in print. This book of no more than 70 words, focuses on CVC words with short vowel sounds, phonemes of more than one letter and the words and, the, to, no, I, go. In this story, Bess has to pick a duck to sell at the market. She picks the biggest one... but is it really a duck? Reading Corner Phonics offers a range of fun phonics books. Controlled vocabulary, which is expanded through each level as the texts get longer, from simple CVC words with short vowel sounds to trisyllabic and tricky words, supports the teaching of synthetic phonics, allowing children to read words in context. Compiled in consultation with literacy experts Dr. Barrie Wade and Dr. Hilary Minns, this book includes a simple puzzle which encourages children to spot the rhyming words.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the big duck feels when trying to find its way home? How would you feel in a similar situation?
Why is it important for the big duck to keep trying, even when things get tough?
What did the big duck learn on its journey? What did you learn from the big duck's adventure?
How do the other animals in the story help the big duck? How do you think the big duck felt about that?
If you could give the big duck some advice, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions by connecting to the big duck's feelings throughout the story. This promotes empathy and understanding. Prompt your child to think about perseverance by discussing the importance of the big duck’s determination. Highlighting the supportive roles of other characters will help your child recognize the value of helping and being helped. Finally, asking for advice they’d give the big duck can foster problem-solving skills and personal connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The story highlights how the characters work together to solve a problem, showcasing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others, whether in school projects or during playtime, to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The characters in the book come up with inventive solutions to challenges, demonstrating creative thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and apply creativity to overcome obstacles in their own lives.
Example Lesson: The importance of listening
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters achieve success by listening to each other’s ideas and suggestions.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the significance of paying attention to instructions and the opinions of others, facilitating better communication and understanding in everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: The characters face setbacks, but their determination leads them to success, conveying the lesson of persistence.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of continuing efforts and not giving up when facing difficulties in tasks or learning new skills.