The Great Kapok Tree - Learning Sequence

The learning sequence for 'The Great Kapok Tree' unit spans over three weeks, each with a distinct set of activities aimed at enhancing students' understanding and engagement with the text. In the first week, students employ a word detective grid to decipher unfamiliar words found in the unit. They explore the book's introduction, examining how it establishes the setting using sensory descriptions and the effects these create. A video about kapok trees supplements their learning, providing a visual understanding of the tree's significance. The children then analyze the book's structure and delve into the characters, imagining the movements and speech of the animals mentioned. They use a thesaurus to enrich their vocabulary and write thought bubbles for the birds, expressing their feelings about the tree being cut down. The week concludes with the creative task of writing the next page of the story, followed by editing and redrafting their work.

In the second week, the focus shifts to other animals in the story, such as the jaguar and the sloth, with students considering their perspectives and the importance of the kapok tree to them through thought bubbles. Research on one of the animals from the book leads to the compilation of facts and the crafting of a shape poem that captures the essence of the chosen animal. This creative exercise is also refined through editing and redrafting. The final week involves synthesizing the story's events using a graphic organiser and writing thought bubbles for the man after he is influenced by the animals in his sleep. Students then demonstrate an understanding of the character's pride without directly stating it, using the 'show, not tell' technique. The unit culminates in a debate on deforestation, encouraging students to consider both sides of the argument, record their findings, and write a persuasive paragraph, which is then polished through further editing and redrafting.