This Reading Skills resource contains a range of questions about ‘The Tin Forest’ by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson. The questions are organised into content domains to allow a focus on one or more specific skills. The old man made animals beginning with‘t’ for his forest. Can you think of any more (eg tortoise, tapir). Suppose the old man was making a forest with animals beg with b? How many can you think of? You could try other letters too. Make a soundscape

Listen to the story up to the part where it says ‘but it was a forest just the same’. Pause at the image of the tin forest. Create the same scene as a frozen tableau. Some of your toys could take on the role of the animals that the old man has created and you could take on the role of the old man. If you can get someone to take a photo of your tableau to share with us, we would love to see it! The colourful and detailed illustrations by Wayne Anderson compliment the text and convey a powerful message to both children and adults: no matter what your circumstances and no matter where you live - there is always hope. Such vibrant pictures are a great way to encourage imagination and creativity. You could use our supporting resources in a number of ways: Read the example diary entry in the resource folder. Can you see where the writer has echoed the text? Have a go at writing your own diary entry in the character of the old man. Choose your level of challenge: There was once a wide, windswept place, near nowhere and close to forgotten that was filled with all the things that no one wanted." So begins Helen Ward's tale of the Tin Forest where an old man lives who tidies the rubbish and dreams of a better place. With faith, ingenuity and hard work, he transforms a junkyard into a wonderland in this poetic modern fable. Text Rationale:

English plans that use 'The Tin Forest’

This week we are continuing with our key text ‘The Tin Forest’ by Helen Ward. You can listen to the story here. English Year 2: Understand both the books that they can already read accurately and fluently and those that they listen to by answering and asking questions; making inferences on the basis of what is being said and done; and predicting what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far. For the next three tasks we are going to be thinking about the old man at the beginning of the story, before the bird arrives. How closely have you been paying attention to our key text? Have a go at the Tin Forest comprehension challenge found in the resource folder. The questions could be answered verbally with an adult or in writing. This is truly a book which gets children talking. It can be viewed as a story about the importance of looking after the Earth, a story about the power of resilience and perseverance or the idea that hope can spring in the darkest of places.

Children could draw their own picture of a forest, ‘… near nowhere and close to forgotten filled with all the things no one wanted’ Make a model or collage tin forest This session is mainly focused on meaningful discussion, however if you would like an extra activity it would be lovely to help your children create a family tree.This resource has been organised in two different ways to give teachers flexibility with the way the text is covered. If you can, get a member of your household to interview you as the old man. They could ask: How are you feeling? Do you like where you live? How would you like to change where you live? Record at least five of the old man’s thoughts and wishes in thought bubbles. If you want to really challenge yourself try to echo the text in his thoughts i.e. “I wish I didn’t live in this wide, windswept place, near nowhere and close to forgotten”. We’re trying something a little different with our maths this week. Lessons 1 and 2 will use instructions from a video tutorial. Before commencing the video ensure that your child has everything they need, including: Possible Support: Those experiencing difficulty with this problem may find it easier if they use the support sheet along with counters to represent the fruit. Using our book, The Tin Forest as inspiration, draw a picture of your idea of a forest created with recycling which contains a live animal or bird of your choice. Using any medium you have at home (paint, coloured pencils, crayons or collage materials etc) colour the picture using brighter colours to show the difference between the living and the recycling.