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We’ve been reading another great picture book to prepare a child for starting school –Whiffy Wilson The Wolf who wouldn’t go to School. I love the humorous approach that Caryl Hart has added to a familiar situation and she has created a wonderfully supportive friend, Dotty, who helps to ensure that Wilson has lots of fun on his first day at school. Having too much fun at home watching TV and enjoying late nights Wilson can’t see why going to school would be better than that. Plus what would happen if the teacher asked him a question? Wishing to show him what he is missing out on, Dotty takes him under her wing to showcase the painting, messy play and counting fun. The transition from home to school can be an anxious one. Stepping into the unknown and being worried about getting answers wrong or not knowing how to do something. Whiffy Wilson isn’t sure about starting school but maybe he needs to be brave and see what it’s all about. Wilson is a very loveable character who, like many young children, is unsure about starting school. He feels that he must live up to expectations that as a wolf he must be big and strong and as the story develops we learn that he is worried that the teacher will shout at him when he gets answers wrong and that nobody will like him. He doesn’t have to worry, his teacher gives him a gold star for working hard and he makes lots of new friends while he is playing football. He has so much fun painting, making things and practising numbers that he doesn’t realise that he is working!
Teachers could provide pupils with some pictures from the book to remind them of the main events. Y1 pupils should be able to write some independent sentences about this text.Our new English lesson plan is based on Whiffy Wilson: The Wolf Who Wouldn't go to Bed by Caryl Hart. You can buy the book for your class here. ISBN 978-1-40832-585-8 With Caryl Hart's funny story and Leonie Lord’s fabulous art, schooldays have never been such fun! The Story: Wilson wouldn’t learn his numbers or how to write his name, he’s never used a pen or read a book. His father says that he must go to school but Wilson thinks that school is boring. Wilson’s friend, Dotty, takes him to school with her and they have a busy day. Wilson has a great time and the teacher gives him a gold star. Next morning when Wilson gets up early and calls for Dotty he is very disappointed when she tells him that it is Saturday and there is no school!
After they have written their sentences, Y1 pupils should be encouraged to read their sentences out loud to their teachers and their peers. Teachers could display this opening paragraph and ask pupils to identify the verbs on flipchart paper. As the teacher continues to read this book, pupils could add verbs to their flipchart. Depending on the ability of the pupils, teachers could allocate some pupils to collect verbs and others to collect nouns. It would be interesting to focus on some verbs that can also be nouns – for example ‘play’. Teachers could ask pupils to use ‘play’ in a sentence as a verb and then as a noun. This could be repeated with other verbs/nouns: thought; walk; love; kiss; sleep; laugh; grin and dream. Wilson’s friend Dotty is a strong female character who gently takes charge and shows Wilson what to do when they get to school. One of our favourite pictures shows Wilson with his arm around her at story time, it beautifully evokes the strength of their friendship and his appreciation of her support. Although Wilson’s father and teacher are mentioned in the text no adults are shown in the illustrations, the story is about Wilson, Dotty and their classmates.This text tells the story of Whiffy Wilson who believes that bedtimes are boring. There are a wealth of opportunities for reading, writing and drama within this book. Teachers could ask a range of comprehension and inference questions; provide plenty of writing opportunities and also explore drama techniques such as ‘conscience alley’ where pupils make an alley and Whiffy Wilson walks down the middle. Pupils on one side encourage him to go to sleep and those on the other give reasons for staying up. I work with my publishers and learning specialists to create a wealth of FREE activities to accompany my books.
Many activities promote KINDNESS, FRIENDSHIP, TOLERANCE and UNDERSTANDING and give you incredible ADDED VALUE whenever you share my books with children. Many thanks to Maddy Barnes, Assistant Head Teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School and English Consultant. This high quality text can also be used as a vehicle to teach the year 2 grammar appendix – nouns, adjectives and verbs.
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Whiffy Wilson is certain that school isn’t fun as watching TV all day. But his best friend Dotty takes him by the paw and shows him just how wrong he is. Where can you buy Whiffy Wilson: The Wolf who wouldn’t go to school? Suitable for use at home and in schools, pre-schools, libraries and other learning environments, these activities are designed to help children develop a wide range of CREATIVE skills, gain INSPIRATION and increase SELF-ESTEEM, ASPIRATIONS and SELF-CONFIDENCE.
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