Reading Adventures Start

Overview

Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 24 students
Age Group: 6-7 years (Second Class)
Unit: Reading Adventures Together (Lesson 1 of 12)
Curriculum Framework: IE Curriculum (Curriculum framework for IE)
Topic: Introduction to the Oxford Reading Tree
Learning Environment: Classroom with reading corner or library area

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Learning Objectives (IE Curriculum Alignment)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Lit 1.1: Listen to and respond to stories and texts read aloud, showing understanding of basic characters, settings, and events.
• Lit 1.2: Identify main characters and describe simple story themes using familiar vocabulary and terms.
• Lit 1.3: Engage orally in a group discussion to share ideas about favourite stories or characters, demonstrating collaborative and communicative competence.
• Lit 1.4: Demonstrate emergent literacy skills by connecting visual text elements (pictures) with story content.

These objectives reflect key competencies from the strands of Oral Language and Reading outlined in the IE Curriculum for second class.

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Resources

• Copies of Oxford Reading Tree storybooks (e.g., "Biff and Chip," "Floppy the Dog")
• Flashcards with character images
• Large story sequence pictures
• Whiteboard/Interactive Board
• Sticky notes and colourful markers
• A cosy ‘Story Rug’ or designated reading area

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

• Activity: Interactive question session: “Have you read any stories from the Oxford Reading Tree before?”
• Use flashcards to show character images (Biff, Chip, Wilf, Wilma, Floppy).
• Briefly explain the concept of a ‘reading tree’ as a family of stories that grow with you.
• IE Standard: Develop Oral Language: Spoken interaction (Lit 1.3)

2. Story Exploration (10 minutes)

• Teacher reads aloud a selected Oxford Reading Tree story, using expressive voice and pauses to engage students.
• Show pictures from the book as you read to scaffold comprehension.
• Pause at key points to ask questions such as: “Who do you think will come next?”, “What might happen to Floppy?”
• Encourage students to predict and share ideas orally.
• IE Standard: Respond to texts using comprehension strategies (Lit 1.1 & Lit 1.2)

3. Group Discussion (8 minutes)

• Organise students into groups of 4-6 around the Story Rug.
• Each group receives a different character flashcard or story snippet.
• Prompt questions:
  • “Who is your favourite character and why?”
  • “What did you like about the story?”
  • “Would you want to meet these characters?”
• Teacher circulates, facilitating conversations and scaffolding responses using sentence starters displayed on the board (e.g., “My favourite character is… because…”).
• IE Standard: Oral language - Speaking and Listening for Interaction (Lit 1.3) and Living Stories (Lit 1.4)

4. Closing Activity: Story Tree on the Board (5 minutes)

• On the whiteboard, draw a large tree with bare branches.
• Each group takes a sticky note and writes or draws their favourite character or theme from the story.
• Students stick notes on the branches, creating a ‘Story Tree’ of shared favourites.
• Teacher summarises: “Our Story Tree is full of exciting characters and ideas! This is where our Reading Adventures Together will begin.”
• Reinforce vocabulary and positive attitudes towards reading.
• IE Standard: Link oral language and emergent literacy skills (Lit 1.4)

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Differentiation

• For students who find it challenging to articulate ideas, provide picture cards or sentence stems to support contribution.
• Confident readers can be invited to retell a favourite story section or character description to the class or group.
• Visual learners benefit from story-picture sequences; auditory learners engage through storytelling and discussion.

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Assessment / Success Criteria

• Teacher observes student oral participation during discussion (using a checklist):
  • Can students identify main characters?
  • Do students express opinions about stories or characters?
  • Are students listening and responding appropriately?
• Completed Story Tree shows active engagement and understanding of characters/themes.
• End-of-lesson thumbs-up/thumbs-down to gauge excitement about continuing the Oxford Reading Tree unit.

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Extension Ideas (if time permits or for homework)

• Students draw their own Oxford Reading Tree character and describe it orally or in writing.
• Create a ‘Character Diary’ where students write or dictate short sentences imagining a day in the life of their favourite character.

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Reflection for Teacher

• Were all students able to participate in the group discussion?
• Did the story reading capture student interest and comprehension?
• How effective was the use of visual aids and interactive questioning?
• Plan strategies to include quieter students in future lessons.

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This lesson plan leverages storytelling, visual scaffolds, and peer interaction to foster a love of reading aligned perfectly with the IE Curriculum framework for second class literacy development.