Individual Work: Exploring "Tiddler the Story-Telling Fish"
Overview
In this lesson, Year 4 students will engage in individual work focused on spelling, reading, and comprehension using the story "Tiddler the Story-Telling Fish" by Julia Donaldson. The activities aim to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the text while developing essential English skills.
Activity 1: Spelling Challenge
Objective: To learn and practice spelling key vocabulary from "Tiddler the Story-Telling Fish."
Instructions:
- Word List: Provide students with a word list from the book, including words like "tiddler," "fins," "ocean," "fish," "story," "told," "friend," and "adventure."
- Spelling Practice: Have students write each word five times to reinforce their spelling.
- Creative Challenge: Students create sentences for five of the words used in the context of the story. Encourage them to be imaginative and think about Tiddler's adventures while forming their sentences.
- Peer Review: Allow students to swap their sentences with a partner for feedback, focusing on spelling and clarity.
Materials Needed:
- Paper and pens
- Printed word list
Activity 2: Reading Comprehension
Objective: To improve reading comprehension skills by summarising the story and answering questions.
Instructions:
- Silent Reading: Students will read "Tiddler the Story-Telling Fish" individually.
- Summary Crafting: Once finished, they will write a short summary of the story in 3-5 sentences, capturing the main events and characters.
- Comprehension Questions: After summarising, students will answer the following questions:
- Who is Tiddler, and what is unique about him?
- What kind of stories does Tiddler tell?
- How do the other fish react to Tiddler’s stories?
Materials Needed:
- Copies of "Tiddler the Story-Telling Fish"
- Worksheet for summary and questions
Activity 3: Comprehension Illustration
Objective: To express understanding of the story through art while reinforcing comprehension.
Instructions:
- Illustration Task: After reading the story, students will choose their favourite scene to illustrate. They should think about the emotions conveyed in that scene and how they can represent them visually.
- Caption Creation: Below their illustrations, students will write a caption that explains the scene and its significance in Tiddler’s adventure.
- Gallery Walk: Once completed, students will display their art around the classroom. They can walk around, view each other's work, and offer positive comments on the artwork and captions.
Materials Needed:
- Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, paper)
- Display space in the classroom
Conclusion
Through these engaging individual activities, Year 4 students will deepen their understanding of spelling, reading, and comprehension of "Tiddler the Story-Telling Fish." This lesson not only focuses on academic skills but also encourages creativity and collaboration among peers.