Reception > English > Language_Literacy_Communication > Reading > Comprehension – ‘Mad about Minibeasts’ by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

Lesson by Leah Thomas

Learning Intentions:

To be able to follow the pictures and text in a book as it is read to me.
To be able to answer questions about a book that has been read to me
To make up my own story
To draw a picture of my favourite character from a story

Step 1: Activity overview for parent, carers and pupils

This activity will help your child to develop their speaking and listening skills by encouraging them to listen to and then retell a story. The drawing and colouring activity will help to develop your Childs pencil grip and fine motor skills.

There is an online story to listen to with your child this is about six minutes long.

The main activities can be completed offline and on different days.

To complete the 3D colouring activity, you will need to download the Quiver App. There is a link in Step 5 for this.

Step 2: Introduction to the activity and additional information

Today we are going to look at the story ‘Mad about Minibeasts’ by Giles Andrea and David Wojtowycz.

You might want to pause the story to look at the pictures with your child and talk about the minibeasts.

Where do they live?
What is special about that minibeast?
How many are there? Encourage your child to point to each one as they count them.
What colour are they?

Let’s start by listening to the story. Click on the link below.

Once you have listened to the story together.

How many minibeasts from the story can you remember?
What was your favourite minibeast and why?

Step 3: Tasks to carry out for this activity

Activity 1

Draw or paint a picture of your favourite minibeast from the story.

Activity 2

Make up a story about your favourite minibeast.
Where does it live?
What does it eat?
What does it enjoy doing?
Does your minibeast go on an adventure?
Tell your story to your parent/carer.

Extension – If your child is in Reception you might like to get them to write a few sentences about their picture.

Once you have completed the task you can email anything you create (photos, documents, screenshots etc.) directly to your teacher or directly upload it to any of the available places in Step 6.

Step 4: Look over the success criteria for this activity:

Success criteria #1: I can follow the pictures and text as a story is read to me.

Success criteria #2: I can answer some questions about a story that has been read to me.

Success criteria #3: I can make up my own story about minibeasts.

Look at the learning intentions ‘how well do you think you have done?’

Step 5: Extension and follow on activities/challenges (optional)

Activity 3 – 3D picture

Making a picture come to life. You will need to download the Quiver App onto your mobile or tablet. This App is free and there are lots of free resources on the App for you to use with your child.

Today we are going to make a butterfly fly.