Little Evie in the Wild Wood - Learning Sequence

The "Little Evie in the Wild Wood" learning sequence is a comprehensive unit that spans six weeks, integrating English, guided reading, and topic lessons. In the first week, students engage with the book's front cover, sans title, to deduce clues and formulate questions. The discovery continues as they predict the storyline after reading the title and delve into the text, starting with the first two pages while focusing on unfamiliar vocabulary. As they progress, children read further, analyze language that describes the setting, and express their interpretation through drawings. The exploration of language deepens with activities such as word detective sheets and discussions about the atmosphere of the story, as well as Evie's feelings, culminating in an experiential walk to gather sensory details from nature, which aids in expanding their descriptive vocabulary.

Weeks four to six build on the narrative and language skills developed earlier. Students consider alternative antagonists that Little Evie might encounter, compare her to the witch in Hansel and Gretel, and engage in creative writing exercises to reimagine parts of the story. They also revisit the story structure, mapping out events and experimenting with story openings and endings that connect to Evie's home. Drafting and redrafting their versions of the story, students focus on proofreading and refining their work. The unit also incorporates non-fiction elements, encouraging children to gather and present information about local flora and fauna through research and PowerPoint presentations. Throughout the sequence, guided reading sessions allow for the comparison of "Little Evie in the Wild Wood" with classic tales like Red Riding Hood and other wolf-centric stories, promoting critical thinking about character stereotypes in literature.