Teacher Guidance
The Aled Apple picture book was created by Delyth Owen, an experienced Key Stage 1 teacher, as part of a series of seven books to motivate and enthuse the children.
The books are an introduction to an effective evidence-based language and literacy approach for early years/Key Stage 1 developed over six years of action research in the classroom, using the principles of the Foundation Phase. The Treehouse Approach prevents failure and simplifies the process of teaching and learning, resulting in positive outcomes for children with SEN whilst extending the learning of the gifted and talented within an inclusive classroom.
The research paper was presented at the OMEP (World Organization for Early Years Education) European Conference in April 2010. It is available on their website – (link: European Conference 2010 - Motivation and Learning Through Stories).
It is important, for the most effective teaching and learning, to introduce new concepts within the child’s world of imagination. The illustrations within the books provide continuous opportunities for developing:
· personal and social development
· speaking and listening skills
· thinking skills
· creativity combining basic skills.
The illustrations provide motivational starting points for:
· simple maths concepts and number language
· science activities and science vocabulary
· design and technology
· knowledge and understanding of the world
· multi-cultural understanding
· outdoor activities.
The illustrations provide regular opportunities for:
· assessment for learning
· assessment of previous learning
· re-enforcement and consolidation of previous learning
· extending previous learning.
The enjoyment that the children derive from the illustrations provide limitless opportunities for developing their curiosity about learning.
The following questions are examples based on the illustrations from the first book, Aled Apple, showing how the illustrations may be used for teaching and learning. The questions need to be adapted according to the children’s stage of development. There are 36 more stories and over two hundred illustrations to extend the children’s vocabulary and develop their thinking and literacy skills.
Methodology
Having discussed the illustration with the children, the teacher may focus on various parts of the illustration providing opportunities for questioning, and therefore developing the children’s thinking skills.
Illustration 1. Page 3 – In the Garden
Aled Apple waving
Aled Apple is in his garden. He is waving at you. Let’s wave at him. How do YOU greet your friends? How do they greet you?
Aled Apple winking
Aled Apple is winking at you. Can you wink at him? Why do you think he is smiling? What makes you smile? What makes you happy?
The red balloon
Why is the balloon moving? What can YOU move? How? What part of your body can you move to make a sound?
The garden spade
What do we call this gardening tool? What other tools do we use in the garden? What tools do you use in school for doing different things? Which tools do you like to use? Why?
Illustration 2. Page 5 – Apple Tree Cottage
The treehouse.
How many windows can you see? Is it an odd or an even number? How many panes of glass in each window? Is it an odd or even number?
How many panes of glass altogether? How many windows in your house? Are they all the same? Find out if you were right when you get home from school.
The steps
How many steps lead up to the little red door? Are they straight or curved? Are there steps leading up to your front door? What shape are they?
The name of the house
What is the name of Aled Apple’s house? Why do you think it has this name? Has your house got a name? What is it?
Opportunities for outdoor activities (eg. bark/leaf rubbings, etc.), and for discussing perspective – Aled Apple looks bigger than the door because he is nearer and the door is further away.
Illustration 3. Page 7 – The Little Red Door
Aled Apple’s door
What colour is the door? What colour is YOUR door? How do you think Aled Apple’s door opens? What does Aled Apple need to be able to open the door?
How does the front door in YOUR house open? Do you have to push or pull?
The number on Aled Apple’s door
What kind of number is it? Is it an odd number or an even number? Is it more than ten/less than five? etc.
The letterbox
What shape is the letterbox? Why do you think it is this shape? Where on your front door is the letterbox?
Illustration 4. Page 9 – Let’s Peep Inside
Does Aled Apple’s door open inwards or outwards? How many hinges can you see? Where are they?
Aled Apple
Where do you think Aled Apple is going? What is he wearing on his feet?
Aled Apple’s boots
Why do you think he has left his walking boots by the door? Do YOU take your shoes off when you go into your house? Do you think you should? Why? Who would you be helping?
The blue door
What do you think is behind the little blue door?
Illustration 5. Page 11 – In the Living Room
The apple blossom picture above the fireplace
Here is a picture of Aled Apple when he was a baby. Do you have photographs in your house of when YOU were a baby? What were you wearing? How have you changed since you were a baby?
The toy box
What do you think is inside Aled Apple’s toy box? Where do you keep your toys? Do you always put your toys away after you’ve played with them? Why should you always put your toys away?
The left side of the illustration
What do you think Aled Apple could be reading about? What books do YOU like reading?
The clock
It’s Aled Apple’s reading time. What time is it on the clock? Do YOU have a special time for reading at home?
Opportunities to focus on the bookshelves to discuss what Aled Apple is interested in and the children’s own interests.
Illustration 6. Page 13 – In the Kitchen
Aled Apple sitting at the kitchen table
Aled Apple is having his supper. What is he having for his supper? What do you like to have for YOUR supper? Do you remember what you had for tea or supper last night?
The clock
What time is it now? How many minutes have passed since it was six o’clock? How many minutes have passed since Aled Apple was reading his book? What time do you have YOUR supper?
The weighing scales
Why does Aled Apple need these? What do you think he likes to cook? What do you like to cook? Why?
Opportunities for discussing healthy eating and the dangers in the kitchen.
Opportunities for activities relating to irreversible changes, weight, time, shape and number.
Illustration 7. Page 15 – In the Bathroom
Aled Apple in the bath and the woodmouse having a shower!
Aled Apple is enjoying bathtime. How do we know? What is his favourite bath-time toy? Do YOU have a bath-time toy? Do you think Woodmouse is enjoying a shower or not?
Do you prefer having a bath or a shower?
The tumbler on the window sill
Who remembers to brush their teeth in the morning and before going to bed? Why is this important?
The taps
Why are there two taps on the washbasin? Which tap would you turn on so that you can brush your teeth? Why is there a red colour on top of one of the taps?
Opportunities for learning about the importance of cleanliness, dental care and safety (hot water, no electrical switches, slippery floor)etc. Opportunities for activities relating to water: blowing bubbles, floating and sinking, materials that absorb water etc.
Illustration 8. Page 17 – In the bedroom
Aled Apple’s bedroom is neat and tidy. Do you keep your bedroom tidy? Why is this important?
Aled Apple going to bed
Aled Apple is going to sleep in his cosy little bed with his cuddly toy rabbit. Do you take a cuddly toy to bed? What is it?
Woodmouse likes to sleep somewhere different every night: inside something, under something or behind something. Where do you think he slept last night? Where do you think he will sleep tonight? Where do you think he will sleep tomorrow night?
The hot air balloon
Opportunities for learning about the Montgolfier brothers and flight.
The rainbow.
Opportunities for introducing the Noah’s Ark story and activities relating to colour.
Illustration 9. Page 19 – Goodnight Aled Apple
What part of the day is it? How do you know? Which do you think is Aled Apple’s bedroom window? How do you know?
Aled Apple’s bedroom window
Which sound is coming out of his bedroom window.What does this tell us? I’m going to tell you a secret – Aled Apple snores!
The cat
Why do you think the cat is looking up?
The cat hasn’t got a name. Let’s think of a name beginning with ’c’ for cat.
The hedgehog
The hedgehog hasn’t got a name. Let’s think of a name starting with ‘h’ for hedgehog .
Each Treehouse Tales book, on completion, needs to be made available in the book corner for the children to further discuss and enjoy the illustrations, and when they are ready, to help with the whole process of learning to read and write with enthusiasm and enjoyment.