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Educational and fun audiobooks for children and families. A variety of genres await and each podcast comes with podcast specific questions assessing retrieval, sequencing, SPaG, prediction, inference and note taking skills. Ideal as an independent classroom activity, intervention exercise OR homework task.
Episodes
Saturday Jan 30, 2021
THE PROUDEST BLUE
Saturday Jan 30, 2021
Saturday Jan 30, 2021
It’s Faizah’s first day of school and she’s got a brand-new backpack and light-up shoes. For her older sister, Asiya, it’s her first day of wearing a hijab at school. Faizah sees her sister as a princess wearing her beautiful blue hijab But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful. In the face of hurtful, confusing words, will the two girls find new ways to be strong?
Growing up in America, Ibtihaj Muhammad never saw herself in children's books. Now she's an accomplished sportswoman and children's author. She shares her feelings in this beautiful and powerful story about the bond shared between siblings and being proud of yourself and your beliefs. and tells us here how she hopes it will help kids pursue their dreams...
THE PROUDEST BLUE
BEFORE
Why do you think it is important to know the back story of the author? Find out more about Ibtihaj Muhammad and seek out some of her videos online.
What associations does the colour blue have for you? Why do you think blue might be an important colour in the story?
Find (or think of) different fabrics and materials – think about the uses for each one and find words to describe their feel and movement.
Look at the thumbnail of the cover – who do you think is in the picture? What might the blue represent? Where do you think the characters are going/looking at?
What does the word ‘proud’ mean?. When was someone proud of you? When were you proud of someone else?
DURING
Identify what a ‘hijab’ is and who might wear one. Explore other ethnic garments like sari, poncho, kimono, dirndl, kameez, gákti etc
Have you even bought a special set of clothes for special occasion? Why was this?
‘…there’s no line between the water and the sky.’ What do you think this means?
During a part of the book the characters whisper. Why do you think this might be?
How are the two girls being ‘strong’? What are the different ways of being ‘strong’?
AFTER
Who do you share a special bond with? Discuss the value of supportive and loving relationships.
Think about the idea of having an open mind and not having preconceptions. What ideas do we have about people (or even yourself) because of what we see on the outside or how a person talks?
What possessions might you be able to own once you are older? How might you act differently once you own them?
Do you have an older sibling or friend you look up to? Is there someone younger who looks up to you? Why might this be important as you are growing up?
Monday Jan 25, 2021
THE LEOPARD'S DRUM
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Monday Jan 25, 2021
All the animals covet Osebo's drum, but he won't let anyone else have it, not even Nyame, the Sky-God. So, Nyame offers a big reward to the animal that brings him the drum. All try - the monkey, the elephant, even the python - and all fail. Can a very small jungle dweller succeed in outwitting the boastful leopard? The short, rhythmic text is perfect for reading aloud and young children will find much to identify with in the themes of this story and satisfaction in the final triumph of the triumphant creature !
THE LEOPARD’S DRUM: An Asante Tale from West Africa
Think of a synonym for ‘boastful’.
Do you think Osebo should have let Nyame use the drum? Why?
Why do you think Python and Elephant failed to get the drum?
What was the tortoise’s name?
How were tortoises different at this time??
How did Tortoise act towards Osebo? How did this make the Leopard feel?
What did Tortoise use to trap Leopard inside?
What was Tortoise’s reward to successfully getting the drum?
Think about what you might have asked for if you had won.
Can you think of any alternative rhymes of any of the lines? Maybe have a go at rewriting a stanza yourself using language older children might appreciate.
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
THE GARDEN OF INSIDE-OUTSIDE
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
This book was inspired by Chiara Mezzalama’s childhood experience of her father being appointed Italian ambassador to Tehran in 1980 when Iran was at war with Iraq. It is the story of an unexpected friendship of two children, on either side of war and peace, told through the metaphor of a garden.
Although a spectacular graphic novel, its atmospheric setting makes it perfect for an audio book. Video of the pages can be found here: https://vimeo.com/387741146
THE GARDEN OF INSIDE-OUTSIDE
Why do you think the introduction is important to read before you get to the story?
How old was the carp?
How does the writer describe the soldiers’ appearance?
Why did the children get a dog?
What did mum scold? What did they do to upset her?
If the characters spoke different languages, how did they know they were friends?
What does ‘breached’ mean?
Did she really become lion taming princess?
Why do you think the boy ‘fled’?
How does the phrase ‘golden prison’ make you feel?
Why do you think Massoud’s gift was so special?
“There are so many walls” What kind of walls do you think the writer means?
Do you think there is a moral or lesson to learn from this story?
Thursday Jan 14, 2021
BRINGING THE RAIN TO KAPITI PLAIN
Thursday Jan 14, 2021
Thursday Jan 14, 2021
When a terrible drought hits the beautiful Kapiti Plain and the animals leave, young herd boy Ki-pat must find a way to end the drought and save the wildlife on the plain. "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain" by Verna Aardema is a delightful rhyming story full of bright and vivid illustrations by Beatriz Vidal.
BRINGING THE RAIN TO KAPITI PLAIN
Where might Kapiti Plain might be? What clues do you get from the front cover?
What happens because of the drought?
How does Ki-pat end the drought?
What happens after the rains come?
Think about the structure of the poem – do you know of any other poems, stories or songs that work in a similar way? What are the positives and negatives about this style of writing?
“Bringing the rain to Kapiti Plain” is based on a Nandi story – a tribe based around Kenya. Investigate other stories from Africa, many of which have animals as main characters. Compare some of these tales to that of Aesop’s Fables - do you see any similarities or differences?
Saturday Jan 09, 2021
CHINYE
Saturday Jan 09, 2021
Saturday Jan 09, 2021
Happy New year to you all !
Whether you are new to the feed or seasoned veterans I'll just give a brief outline to the podcast and how it can be used.
Each podcast contains a story, or chapters of a longer story, read my me. If you just want to use the podcast as a sort of story time, bedtime story or as something family friendly in the background then that's great but there is also an extra educational side to the podcast. In the show notes there are questions or activities based on the story. You may find it beneficial to have the questions to hand during the reading so you can go through them as the podcast progresses. If you also have access to the text - that's great - but not integral. Of course, if it inspires you or you young ones to go and find explore the wider world of books then I see it that my work here is done!
This month I will be uploading some short stories set in Africa & Asia or by authors of African and Asian origin.
CHINYE
Who does Chinye live with?
Why did they need more water?
Which animals did Chinye meet on the way? What other animals could they have seen?
Is it normally OK to talk to strangers? Why do you think Chinye talked to the old woman?
What is a ‘gourd’ – what do they remind you of in a local supermarket?
What did Chinye have to do once back home?
Where does ivory come from? What is damask?
“For once in her life she was speechless” What does this tell you about Nkechi?
Why did Adanma’s trip to the hut go wrong?
Where do you think Nkechi and Adanma went?
Do you think there is a moral to this story?