Primary Teacher Resource Centre - Forum

keepsmiling1 · Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 40

I'm just wondering how you handle the first week of the new framework - a bit stuck trying to make it exciting but not getting there yet!

JD1970 · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 1670

Why not just blitz Kensuke's Kingdom (or whatever) for the whole week? Aim to read the book in a week, annalyse the second week, then look at other examples of his work.

keepsmiling1 · Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 40

That's why I'm stuck, is it okay just to read for the whole week - just wondered what activities I should carry out particularly as it's observation week could come in any time and me reading even though I'd engage the readers and ask questions etc wouldn't show much progression.

Curledup Cat · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 57 Location: Midlands

Hi Keepsmiling
I do significant authors with a focus on Michael Morpurgo. I mainly use Billy the Kid as it fits in well with our WW2 history topic too. We also look at Adolphus Tips, Waiting for Anya and Friend or Foe. To be honest I start this straight away in September so use the first week for a lot of reading of the story and basic things such as presentation rules, VCOP intro and handwriting etc. We also look at idioms that week and then move onto looking at openings etc.
I don't know if any of that helps!
Curledup Cat

JD1970 · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 1670

I find that his books can be a bit slow to get going, but have used Kensuke's Kingdom in this way several times. The kids need frequent instalments to keep their interest up. I don't see a problem in doing lots of listening/reading of a story and in fact have found it a great way to kick start a topic.

nmason · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 31 Role: Senior Teacher/MACO

I started with Anthony Browne (voices in the Park: http://www.kingston.ac.uk/booksalive/flash/book.html), and covered Michael Morpurgo through guided reading at first. We then went on to Michael Morpurgo with extracts from Kensuke's Kingdom. We also had our class read: My Friend Walter. The children really enjoyed the Anthony Browne book as well as some got addicted to Michael Morpurgo. It blew away the myth that picture books are just for little kids (which is what I was told by a couple of children at the beginning of the topic!).

nmason · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 31 Role: Senior Teacher/MACO

Forgot to say you need to check with Year 6 about Kensuke's Kingdom as that is usually done as a transition unit.

keepsmiling1 · Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 40

Thanks, will give it a go