This is a story about the creatures of the bushveld and although it is a story, it is based on facts. It is designed for grade 3 or the beginning of grade 4, depending on the reading ability of the learners.
The objective of the book is to develop the learners’ reading ability and literacy skills in a fun and interesting way.
Each page of the story is followed by literacy activities which include:
word recognition; comprehension skills; vocabulary development; exploring new vocabulary; following written instructions; observation skills; completing sentences; recognising sounds; describing words (adjectives); doing words (verbs); collective nouns; finding words and the meanings; copying correctly; poetry – use of rhyme; completing sentences and writing sentences, paragraphs and stories.
Extension activities are included at the end of most pages to cater for the more advanced learner. It is suggested that each learner have a blank BUSIIVELD BOOK in which to do these tasks. These “In Your Book” activities are to expand writing and research skills and include fun activities and artwork.
As the learners work through the book, they are encouraged to go back and re-read the story. This helps to consolidate word recognition, memory and vocabulary development.
At the back of the book is a FACT FILE where the learners can read up the facts about the various animals.
The book can be used for:
shared reading
paired reading
individual reading
group reading
class reading
The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) recommends the above methods to develop reading ability.
It is hoped that the learners will be so fascinated by the activities of the creatures of the bushveld that they will be inspired to do their own research on the different kinds of animals. The educator can use this book as a skeleton to develop his/her own follow-up activities.
