Resource 4: Making a big book

Background information / subject knowledge for teacher

Reasons for making a big book

  • If the books are interesting, then pupils learn that reading is interesting.
  • If the books are boring and carry little relevant meaning, pupils see reading as a chore that has little to do with them and their interests.
  • If pupils get the chance to actually make a book, they can see themselves as authors, and this is a very powerful thing.
  • If pupils never find themselves and their lives in the books that they read, then they learn that books have little to do with them and they are less likely to want to have much to do with books.
  • In other parts of the world, many pupils are encouraged to make their own books at school (together or on their own). These pupils love reading and read well.
  • There is also a trend to use very large books for the early stages of reading so that learning what reading is about can be a shared activity. With a large book, a teacher can help the whole class to become readers.

Thank you for a drink of water

This book tells the story in reverse of how a child gets a drink of water. It traces the story back to the original provider – the sun. You could adapt this story to your own setting such as a village camp or town and make your own book with your pupils. Make sure all your pupils are involved. Plan out each page and then organise different groups to complete each page. Your pupils could show their book to other pupils in the school.

Adapted from: Primary Science Programme Workshop Report – Kenyon & Kenyon (1996)

Resource 3: Instructions for making a waterwheel

Resource 5: Surface tension – information for teachers