You can read this text with your learners, in a range of formats:
- printable pages (print and staple to make a book)
- printable student book (print and staple the blackline version)
- digital (open the MS Powerpoint file on a device or board)
- animated reading (see below) (play the video on a device or board and listen and track the words)
This short text about sharing is perfect for teaming up with a math focus on 'equal groups'. After reading it, talk with your learners about rules for sharing at your school and strategies we use to share when counting in math.
In the printable pack, we've included a list of questions that you can use to encourage discussion, comprehension and connection to the text. These are ideal of a second or third read of the text. During the first read, just allow students to listen and join in to the reading. 
Comprehension activities after shared reading
Six comprehension activities are also provided. You can do these activities as a whole class, particularly if you project them onto the whiteboard, in guided reading groups or independently when more capable.An activity is provided to help students develop the strategies of:
- making connections
- monitoring
- predicting
- questioning
- summarizing
- visualizing
Predicting
Do this before your read. Students can write or draw what they think will happen after the candy is shared.
Monitoring
Have students order the story by cutting and pasting the story boards. With each piece they will return to their memory of the story and monitor the progress of the developing plot and story.
A 'one page read' is perfect for little learners to practice independent reading and start to work with the language and features of the text. Ask them to read along with you a few times, read to a partner, and then look for the nouns and verbs.
Making Connections
Talk about things that your students have shared. Talk about why they share and how it feels. Students can record a time when they shared something - if they cannot think of one, provide opportunity in class!
Questioning
Students can explore inference asking themselves questions through the text. This may need to be done collaboratively with little learners. Ask your learners to think about possible reasons bat was so willing to share in this text.
Summarizing
Use a summary scaffold to unpack the story. Students can write and draw to record the main steps in the plot.
Visualizing
Students can draw a picture to visualize how the cansy was shared, linking here with math (not pictured).
Bat Story Writing
ee Word Family
We added some activities for phonics ('ee' word family) and fine motor (pinning and tracing) to integrate with the cat and bat theme.
One Page Craft
We know you love one page crafts so have provided one to accompany the story. What a great addition to your classroom displays to help bring back the memories and new connections the students will make after they read the text. Visuals are powerful and something that students have made themselves provide a powerful bridge for accessing past experiences.
We hope your little learners love these 10 activities and our original rhyming text. Use some or all, there is enough for a whole week of literacy engagement!
