Week 24, Guided Reading "Animal Teeth" - Phonics Phase 5 - Worksheet

The "Animal Teeth" guided reading session is a captivating exploration into the diverse world of animal dentition, tailored for learners at Phonics Phase 5. This educational journey encourages students to delve into a variety of comprehension questions about the fascinating facts presented in the text. Students begin by identifying the author's name and discussing the role of an author. They then move on to discover which creatures are toothless and learn about the astonishing animal that boasts over nine thousand teeth. The weight of an elephant's tusk and the intriguing characteristics of shark teeth are also topics of exploration. Pupils are prompted to reflect on their favourite fact from the book, stimulating engagement and personal connection to the content.

Enhancing the learning experience, bonus questions challenge the students to consider the practical aspects of teeth, such as their function in humans and best practices for dental care. The choice between having elephant tusks or dolphin teeth provides a fun, hypothetical scenario for the children to ponder. To reinforce the lesson, activities include a worksheet, quiet reading time, and a class discussion on dental hygiene. Additionally, students have the opportunity to create a fact file about an animal's teeth, complete with a unique 'smile rating', allowing them to apply their newfound knowledge creatively and evaluate the dental attributes of various animals.