Engaging Shared Reading

Lesson Overview

Duration: 25 minutes
Class Size: 21 students
Target Group: Year 2
Text: "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson

Learning Objectives

1. Reading Comprehension: Students will be able to retell the story in their own words.
2. Vocabulary Development: Students will identify and understand new vocabulary from the text.
3. Engagement with Text: Students will demonstrate an ability to listen attentively and respond to questions about the story.

Curriculum Links

• National Curriculum (2014):
  • Reading: Comprehension (Year 2)
  • Speaking and Listening: Understanding and responding to others

Materials Required

• Text: "The Gruffalo" (hardcopy or digital version)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Visual aids: Pictures of characters and settings from the story
• Post-it notes: For vocabulary engagement
• Paper and crayons: For drawing activity

Lesson Structure

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Welcome and Warm-Up: Greet students and gather them in a circle on the carpet.
2. Prior Knowledge Activation: Introduce the text "The Gruffalo". Ask:
   • "Has anyone heard of the Gruffalo?"
   • "What do you think the story might be about?"
3. Set Expectations: Explain that this will be a shared reading activity where everyone will listen, observe, and contribute.

Shared Reading Activity (15 minutes)

Read Aloud

1. Interactive Reading: Read "The Gruffalo" aloud, with enthusiasm and expression.
2. Visual Engagement: Show images of characters and important scenes as you read.

Discussion Prompts

• Stop at key intervals to ask questions:
  • "What do you think will happen next?"
  • "Why do you think the mouse is clever?"
• Encourage students to predict outcomes and discuss characters' feelings.

Vocabulary Focus

• Highlight new words such as "gruffalo", "frightened", and "creatures".
• Use Post-it notes to write new vocabulary. Ask students to illustrate their interpretations.

Group Activity (5 minutes)

1. Character Drawing: Distribute paper and crayons.
2. Instructions: Ask students to choose their favourite character from the story and illustrate them.
3. Sharing Time: Each student shares their drawing briefly with the class, explaining why they chose that character.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Recap: Ask students to summarise the main events of the story together.
2. Final Questions: Use one last interactive question:
   • "If you could ask the Gruffalo one question, what would it be?"
3. Closure: Thank students for their participation and excitement about the story. Remind them to think about other stories they love and what characters they might draw.

Assessment and Reflection

• Observation: Monitor students' engagement and understanding during discussions and drawing activity.
• Follow-Up: Assess retelling and ability to make connections in following sessions. Consider using related follow-up texts for further exploration.

Next Steps

• Incorporate vocabulary games in future lessons to reinforce learning.
• Plan a creative writing session where students can invent their own characters similar to those in "The Gruffalo".

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Teacher's Notes:

• Adapt language and pacing according to students' needs for maximum engagement.
• Encourage collaborative discussion techniques to boost confidence and speaking skills.
• Be prepared to read twice if students show particular interest in the story.

This lesson plan not only focuses on reading skills but incorporates creativity, engagement, and collaborative learning, ensuring a holistic approach to literacy in Year 2.