The Picnic: (Red Squirrel Phonics Level 3)
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
What’s inside...
A fun-filled adventure follows a group of animal friends as they embark on a quest to find the perfect spot for a picnic. Along the way, they learn about teamwork, sharing and the beauty of the natural world. Red Squirrel Phonics is a new series of decodable readers from Raintree, packed with real stories using words that children can read. The programme teaches children phonics skills in a sequential and systematic way so that they can learn the sounds (phonemes) and the letters that represent them (graphemes) and then practise and apply this knowledge through reading appealing, decodable texts that make sense. This ensures that every beginner reader will experience success in their reading from their very first book! In this Level 3 book Nat, Meg and Mack, the rabbit, are having a picnic. There are buns for the girls but nothing for Mack so he heads off to get a carrot from the garden and has his own picnic.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the red squirrel enjoyed the most about the picnic?
How do you think the other animals felt when they were invited to the picnic?
If you were at that picnic, what fun activities would you suggest?
Why do you think sharing food with friends is important?
How would you help a friend who was feeling shy at the picnic?
Tip: Role play these questions
Emphasize the emotions of the characters as you discuss, helping your child understand and empathize with each one.
Relate the picnic scenarios to your child’s own experiences with friends or outings, making connections to their world.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or new events that could happen at the picnic, fostering creativity.
Discuss the importance of sharing and kindness, underlining moral and social values.
Praise your child’s responses and ideas to boost their confidence in expressing thoughts and opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation and Teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Picnic,' the characters work together to set up a picnic, demonstrating the importance of cooperating to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with their peers on group projects at school or during play, learning how to share responsibilities and work effectively as a team.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The story features characters who encounter and solve problems related to organizing the picnic, such as deciding where to set it up and how to distribute tasks.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to think critically and come up with solutions when they face challenges, helping them become proactive and resourceful individuals.
Example Lesson: Sharing
Explanation: Throughout the picnic, the characters share food and games, highlighting the importance of sharing with others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their possessions and time with friends and family, fostering generosity and social harmony.
Example Lesson: Enjoyment of Nature
Explanation: The picnic takes place in a beautiful natural setting, encouraging an appreciation for the outdoors.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to spend more time outside, exploring and valuing the natural environment.
Example Lesson: Literacy Skills
Explanation: Being a part of the 'Red Squirrel Phonics' series, the book is designed to enhance early reading skills through repetitive and simple phonetic phrases.
Real-World Application: Children can improve their reading abilities and phonemic awareness, setting a strong foundation for future learning.