Must Read Mentor Text - Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes

I actually found out about this book from a mention in a blog several weeks ago, although unfortunately I can't locate the post (if its you, comment and I'll give you credit!).

Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes is part of a series called Maths Start and although this is the only one I've used or read, I am impressed enough to try and locate some of the others for future use in my classroom.

Amazon blurb

Captain Invincible and his intrepid space-dog, Comet, are on a perilous journey back to Earth!

Throughout their mission, the fearless captain and his canine sidekick encounter asteroids, poisonous gas, and alien beings. But will their knowledge of three-dimensional shapes, including cubes, cones, and pyramids, help our heroes navigate past these obstacles -- and make it safely home?

Classroom uses

I used this as a hook-in to my unit on 3D shapes, the children had to look out for what shapes were mentioned and then we discussed them at the end. 

We made our own 3D space themed models (rockets anyone?!) and took photos. 

Having the space theme for the week also helped motivate my boys!

Head over to Collaboration Cuties for their weekly Must Read Mentor Texts link up (including some other Maths Start books!)

Must Read Mentor Text - Willy the Wizard

Linking up (a little late) with Collaboration Cuties' Must Read Mentor Text link up.

Just coming to the end of an English unit based around the story 'Willy the Wizard' by former Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne. The children love this unit every year (possibly because its an incredibly boy friendly book, even with my two-thirds girls class!) so thought I would share some of my favourite activities I do over the unit. 

Synopsis

Willy the Chimp loves football, but doesn't have any boots. One day he meets a mysterious stranger who gives him some 'magic' boots. Willy is fantastic! But on the day of the match, he forgets the boots, will he still be able to play as well?

Lessons

Verbs

Look at all the different words for Willy's football skills. Get out onto the playground with some footballs, show off our mad football skills, then write as many verbs to describe what we have been doing as possible on post-its.

Similes

Using different pictures of the setting (my favourite is the one of the old pie factory) get the children to create simple similes to describe what they can see. Once they get the structure of a simile, they all have really interesting views for comparison.

Story map

Draw a story map of the main events from the book. Orally rehearse this together along with actions to help them learn the structure of the story. Then help them change character/setting/events to map out their own imitated version of the story.

Must Read Mentor Text - The Great Pet Sale

This link up with Collaboration Cuties has a different focus each week, this week's being Maths and I've chosen one of my most useful books for Maths teaching. 'The Great Pet Sale' by Mick Inkpen. 

Synopsis

The little boy goes to the Pet Shop and looks at all the different animals he could by for different prices (in English pence) all the while being distracted by a rat who desperately wants to be bought. Each page has a lift-the-flap, great for younger readers and ends with a pull-out page to reveal the twist!

Lesson Plan

I start by sharing the book as normal, predicting the content from the cover/title. Relating to their own lives (Have you ever been to a pet shop? What can you buy there? etc) and then read the story. I usually point to each pet as I read as some of the animals are quite unusual. After a brief response to the story (likes/dislikes, events, characters), I focus on various pages asking children to read the price tags in the pictures. 

This leads onto a discussion about money and paying for things in a shop.

I set up a class role play pet shop. I tie price tags (differentiated) around stuffed toys necks and split the class into groups to 'buy' different pets they like with their pennies. We practice one-to-one counting out of the pennies for the different amounts. For higher ability children I ask them to buy two pets and add together the price tags to calculate the amount they need to give the 'shopkeeper' (me initially, but I allow the children to swop into this role). 

Later in the week, I give them cards with pet pictures and varying prices on to use for addition where they record their number sentences in their books. Can also be extended to subtraction and taking away with to work out change. 

Go link up (admittedly I'm linking on the last day of this theme, but at least I made it there before the subject changed!)