Oxford Reading Tree: Stage 13: TreeTops: Front Page Story
English Reading Tree Series
What’s inside...
Treetops is Oxford Reading Tree's new series of fiction designed for pupils aged 7 to 11. The series offers built-in progression with each stage increasing in complexity, from Stage 10 to Stage 14. Stories are written with monitored language levels to support children who need it, making them accessible, motivating, and humorous. The series introduces more complex narrative forms such as flashbacks and changes in viewpoint, descriptive writing, extended reading vocabulary, more pages and text, and fewer illustrations. Each stage is also supported by the Teacher's Guide which provides guidance on using Treetops to assess children's reading ability and includes a variety of activities like comprehension, writing, discussion, and role play, many of which are on photocopiable sheets.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-11
Length
56 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to solve the mystery in the story?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the book, and what caused those changes?
If you were a journalist like the characters, what kind of story would you want to write about?
What do you think is the most important message the author is trying to convey in this story?
How would you have reacted if you were in the same situation as the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child what they know about journalists and newspapers. This will set a relevant context before diving into the story.
While reading, pause at pivotal moments and ask your child to predict what might happen next. This keeps them engaged and thinking critically.
Encourage your child to express which character they relate to the most and why. This can lead to deeper understanding and personal connection to the story.
After finishing the book, encourage your child to write a short news report or story about an event in their life, mirroring the journalistic theme of the book.
Discuss the ethical dilemma presented in the book, if any, and ask your child how they would handle similar situations, fostering moral reasoning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'Front Page Story,' the characters learn the consequences of not telling the truth, which leads to misunderstandings and mistrust.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the value of honesty in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases how characters collaborate to solve a problem, emphasizing that teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in group activities, whether in school projects or sports, highlighting how cooperation can achieve great results.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Characters in the story face unexpected difficulties but learn to persevere and adapt, ultimately overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stay determined and resilient when facing their own challenges, be it in academics, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The story encourages readers to think critically as the characters analyze situations and figure out solutions.
Real-World Application: This can help children improve their decision-making skills and encourage them to think creatively in solving their own problems.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of actions on others
Explanation: Through the characters' experiences, the book illustrates how one's actions can affect others, fostering a sense of empathy and responsibility.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to consider how their actions might affect people around them and promotes empathy and thoughtful behavior.