If your child is in P2 they’ll receive a free Read Write Count activity bag during the autumn term. The bag is full of fun things for you to do together. It’s an engaging way for you to help turn their homework into games you can both play during the day.
What’s in the bag?
- A bookmark with magnifying glass and ruler
- A notebook and pencil
- Shape Shuffle card game with Talk it Out and Act it Out cards on the reverse
Two books:
- The Bug Collector by Alex G Griffiths
- The Biggest Story by Sarah Coyle and Dan Taylor
The Bug Collector by Alex G Griffiths
George loves bugs. Big ones, leggy ones, ones that glow. So he decides to become the world’s best bug collector!
You can watch a video of The Bug Collector being read aloud here.
Page from The Bug Collector by Alex G Griffiths
Game #1: Fact or fiction
Game #1: Fact or fiction
There are lots of interesting facts about insects in the book. Take it in turns with your child to share two real bug facts and one made up one and see if the other player can guess which is the fake fact.
Game #2 Reach for the stars
Game #2 Reach for the stars
There are lots of stars in the book, why not try and learn a fact about stars together? Get them to write down their favourite and encourage them to learn more space facts. Dark Sky Scotland have some tips on stargazing and what to look for.
Game #3: Waggle dance
Game #3: Waggle dance
Bees do a waggle dance – why not watch this video from BBC Earth together to find out more about it, and then see if your child can make up their own waggle dance? What music can they dance to? (The Bee Gees…?)
Game #4: Counting bugs
Game #4: Counting bugs
Can your child count how many bugs there are in the book? And then work out how many legs they have altogether? That should keep them busy as bees for a while!
The Biggest Story by Sarah Cole and Dan Taylor
Errol’s mum is too busy to tell him a story. So he has to make up his own, which begins to grow and grow… until it’s the BIGGEST story ever!
You can watch a video of The Biggest Story being read aloud here.
Spread from The Biggest Story by Sarah Cole and Dan Taylor
Game #1: Who said that?
Game #1: Who said that?
There are lots of different animals in the book – why not try to come up with different voices for them all? Have fun reading the story together, taking turns to practise different voices and accents. How would a leopard sound if they could talk? Or a sheep?
Game #2: Dino facts
Game #2: Dino facts
Errol’s story is so big, even dinosaurs put in an appearance! Ask your child what their favourite dinosaur is. Do they know any dino facts? You could take a look at the Natural History Museum’s dinosaur pages to find out more.
Game #3: Comic fun
Game #3: Comic fun
At the end of the book, your child is encouraged to make up their own story. How about getting them to draw it as a comic, like Errol’s story? Who will be the hero? And the villain? If they’re not sure where to start, this video from BBC Bitesize will help.
Game #4: What happens next?
Game #4: What happens next?
When Errol is in the bath at the end of the story, he’s inspired to start a story set at sea. Encourage your child to finish this story for him. Maybe you could make it up together, each adding new characters to the mix like the animals in the book.
Magnifying glass and ruler
Game #1: Beastie spotting
Game #1: Beastie spotting
Next time you and your child are out in the park or garden, make sure you take the magnifying glass with you and see how many beasties and creatures your child can spot. Try looking in the grass, on tree trunks and leaves and even under stones. They could use the ruler to measure them, and then make a note of everything they’ve seen in their notebook.
Game #2: Looking for patterns
Game #2: Looking for patterns
Collect some leaves, sticks, bark, shells and other natural objects and then have a close look at them using the magnifying glass. Point out the small details to your child, like veins on leaves, or lines or spirals on a shell. You could encourage them to try drawing the patterns in their notebook. Can’t get out? Why not try this with things found in your kitchen, like salad leaves, orange peel or onion skin?
Game #3: Measure up
Game #3: Measure up
Get your child to try measuring different things around the house. Can they find something exactly 2 cms long? Or 10 cms?
Game #4: Play detective
Game #4: Play detective
If you can, get everyone in the family to make finger prints in your child’s notebook so they can examine them with their magnifying glass like a detective. Can they spot the differences between them?
You can watch this video from Scottish Book Trust for more ideas.
Shape Shuffle card game with Talk it Out and Act it Out cards on the reverse
Game #1: Get shuffling
Game #1: Get shuffling
Image of a pack of cards.
Shuffle and deal the cards. Put one card each at a time face up onto the pile in the middle. You can only use a card if the shape or number matches the card at the top of the pile. For example if the card has 5 squares you could play another 5 card or another square card next. If you can’t play, take a card from the pile. Whoever gets rid of all their cards first wins!
Game #2: Name the shapes
Game #2: Name the shapes
Some shapes are easier than others, but why not turn over the number card and see who can name the shape first?
Game #3: Snap!
Game #3: Snap!
Use the cards for a quick game of snap. Just try and match the cards with the same numbers.
