First Sentences
Say It, Build It, Write It
About this book
Read it. Tell it. Prove it.
This workbook helps young learners understand short texts. They listen to or read short original stories and simple fact texts. They notice who, where and what. They retell the beginning, middle and end in their own words. They find a topic and two facts. They answer questions and point to the words or picture that show they are right. An adult can read every text aloud, and answers may be spoken, pointed to, drawn or dictated. A short readiness check comes first. Each module then moves from a lesson and worked examples to practice and a checkpoint. The answer key explains every answer and gives help for common mistakes.
- Four modules: who and where, retelling, facts, evidence
- Worked examples and practice with fading help
- Review pages and short checks with routes
- Read-aloud and spoken-answer options
- Answer key with reasons and reteach pages
With explained answers for every page
Look inside
What this book covers
Covered
- Your goal: Listen to or read a short story or fact text.
- Tell what happened.
- Answer questions and show where you found the answer.
Not covered
This book does not teach phonics.
Notice
Pictures in this book are simplified learning models. Check answers with the explanations at the back of the book.
The steps in this book
- Step 1: Get Ready
Check the skills you need before you begin. If something feels tricky, an adult can help you start in the right place.
- Step 2: Learn It
Read a short, clear explanation of the new idea and the words that go with it.
- Step 3: See It
Watch the idea being used, one step at a time, in a worked example.
- Step 4: Try It Together
Practice with prompts and help cues. The help gets smaller as you get stronger.
- Step 5: On Your Own
Practice on your own with different kinds of questions, and explain your thinking.
- Step 6: Look Back
Look back at earlier learning so it stays strong, then check where to go next.
- Step 7: Check and Fix
Check your answers. Each answer explains why, names a common mistake, and shows how to fix it.
What is in the book
The modules
- Module 1: Notice who, where and whatPages 5–14
- Module 2: Retell in orderPages 15–24
- Module 3: Read to learn factsPages 25–34
- Module 4: Answer and show evidencePages 35–44
Contents
- Readiness check, pp. 3–4. Before Module 1. Its table tells you where to start.
- Modules, pp. 5–44
- Checkpoints, pp. 14, 24, 34, 44. The last page of each module.
- Mixed review, pp. 45–48. Questions from across the book, mixed together.
- Exit check, pp. 49–50. A last check across the book.
- Reflect and repair, p. 51
- Try again, p. 52. Fresh questions like those in the exit check.
- Extra practice, pp. 53–55
- Answers and explanations, pp. 56–64. Notes in this part are headed “Why”, “Common mistake” and “Help”.