What Is It?
Four corners Series
What’s inside...
Follow the instructions and play the guessing game 'What is it? Four Corners' which offers the widest cross-curricular coverage including science, history, geography, and mathematics themes all clearly linked to the National Curriculum Programmes for Study and the 5-14 Guidelines for Scotland. The book features unparalleled Dorling Kindersley photography and design to visually inspire readers, lively writing styles to engage and satisfy curiosity, and a broad range of topics to interest and motivate every child. It includes speaking and listening, drama, and writing activities in the teaching support for every title, with constructive links to Art, Design and Technology, Music, Citizenship, and PSHE. Additionally, it is easy to use for teachers and teaching assistants with laminated teaching support and activity cards. Support for parents and homework activities are also provided in the Teacher's Files.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
8 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the story is trying to tell us about curiosity and discovery?
How do the different characters in the book react to new things?
Can you think of a time when you discovered something new like the characters did?
What would you do if you found something mysterious like in the story?
Why do you think it is important to ask questions and explore like the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a curious tone when discussing the book to mirror the theme of exploration and discovery in the story.
Relate the characters’ adventures to real-life situations your child has experienced to make the discussion more personal and relatable.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or continuations of the story to enhance creative thinking.
Praise your child for asking questions or making observations, reinforcing the value of curiosity.
Discuss the emotions of the characters when they discover something new, and compare these to emotions your child might feel during similar discoveries.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The story encourages children to ask questions and explore their surroundings as they try to guess what the object is through subtle clues.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be observant and inquisitive, skills that are vital for their cognitive development and in their interactions with the world around them.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: As the characters make guesses, the narrative illustrates the process of elimination and deductive reasoning.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to apply logical thinking to their daily challenges, enhancing their ability to make decisions.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The book teaches patience as the characters wait for the reveal of the mysterious object, showing that some answers are worth waiting for.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop patience in their everyday activities and understand that not all gratifications are immediate.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Characters in the book work together to figure out the nature of the object, illustrating the power of collaborative effort.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value cooperative play and teamwork, essential skills for social interaction and group tasks.
Example Lesson: Joy of discovery
Explanation: The excitement of discovering what the object is at the end of the book highlights the joy and satisfaction of learning new things.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to seek knowledge and take delight in learning, both in school and in their everyday life.