The big kick: Red Squirrel Phonics Level 3
Red Squirrel Phonics Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A heartwarming tale of a young squirrel's adventure and the lessons learned about the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Red Squirrel Phonics is a series of decodable readers from Raintree that teaches children phonics skills in a sequential and systematic way. In this Level 3 book, a family plays a game of kicking the can, where it's parents against the kids and Sam scores the winning goal.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the characters reacted the way they did during the big kick?
How would you feel if you were in the same situation as the main character?
What are some ways the characters could solve their problem?
Can you think of a time when you had to work together with friends like the characters did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, which can help deepen their understanding of the themes.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story before turning the page, keeping them engaged and thinking critically.
Discuss the characters' emotions and actions in the story to help cultivate empathy and emotional intelligence.
Celebrate your child's responses, even if they're unexpected, to foster a positive reading environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The story demonstrates teamwork as characters work together during the football game, highlighting the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with peers during group activities at school or in sports, understanding that collective effort can lead to success.
Example Lesson: Practice and perseverance
Explanation: Characters in the book practice regularly to improve their football skills, showing that persistence is key to mastery.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to consistently practice any skill they wish to develop, whether it be a sport, a musical instrument, or an academic subject.
Example Lesson: Overcoming challenges
Explanation: The characters face and overcome various challenges in the game, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that obstacles are a part of learning and growth, and that they can be overcome with determination and effort.