The Great Kapok Tree - Teaching Slides

The teaching slides from Focus Education UK Ltd. provide an engaging and structured approach to exploring "The Great Kapok Tree." Initially, students are encouraged to delve into the vocabulary used in the story, such as "lulled" and "pollinate," ensuring a thorough understanding of the text. They are prompted to reflect on their interpretations of these words and then check the actual meanings, enhancing their comprehension and vocabulary skills. The introduction of the book is examined closely, with students being asked to consider how it establishes the setting for the narrative. They explore the use of sensory descriptions and the effect this has on immersing the reader into the rainforest environment. This exercise aims to develop students' analytical skills and appreciation for descriptive language.

Further slides guide students through the structure of the book, focusing on how the animals are introduced and their interactions with the kapok tree. Each animal is presented with a consistent format, detailing its movements, communication, and dialogue within the story. This approach aids students in understanding character development and narrative consistency. Additionally, the slides encourage creative writing by asking students to compose the next page of the book, imagining what the monkeys might say to a man intent on chopping down the kapok tree. This task reinforces narrative structure and encourages creative thinking. Finally, the slides tackle the broader issue of deforestation, prompting students to consider the pros and cons and to engage in a debate. They are provided with a toolkit of persuasive writing techniques, such as using formal language, facts, conjunctive adverbs, rhetorical questions, and repetition, to effectively articulate and support their point of view on this critical environmental topic.