Reading comprehension refers to our understanding of the text.

In reading, retrieve means to find information within the text.

Using inference means to draw conclusions from clues within the text.

Having a discussion is the process of talking about something to exchange ideas.

Building comprehension of 'The Sheep Pig' through rich discussions

English

In 'The Sheep Pig’, pupils developed their understanding of characterisation and sequential narrative plot structure. In ’The Iron Man’, pupils will read and listen to another narrative and will discuss the plot, themes and characterisation.

In ’Anansi and the Antelope Baby’, pupils read and listened to a traditional tale. They made predictions about the plot and developed and understanding of character. In ’The Sheep Pig’, pupils will read and listen to a more complex narrative and will discuss characterisation in more details.

In this unit, pupils read and explore the classic narrative 'The Sheep Pig'. They use retrieval and inference to develop their comprehension of the text. Finally, pupils identify the turning point in the story, marking the change in direction of the plot and discussing how this affects the story.

'The Sheep Pig': reading

Which of these strategies are useful for building comprehension?

skimming and scanning to find information from the text

using clues from the text to draw further conclusions

talking to others about the meaning of what we have read

To a new farm where they will learn to be sheepdogs.

In 'The Sheep-Pig', where do Fly's puppies go?

What is the name of the lame sheep that Babe encounters in the stables?

He thinks he might be able to learn what might help him to be a sheep-pig.

Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair and brings him to his farm.

Fly, the sheepdog, adopts Babe and looks after him.

Babe asks Fly whether he can become a sheep-pig.

Fly starts to teach Babe how to herd the ducks, but they do not listen!

Babe makes friends with a lame sheep called Ma.

Ma tells Babe that being polite to the sheep would be a good thing to do.

Order these events from the story 'The Sheep-pig'.

In 'The Sheep-pig', what does Farmer Hogget win at the fair?

What does Mrs Hogget say they are going to do with the pig?

What did Farmer Hogget find when he came into the stable?

The pig is obedient and copies what Fly does.

Why is Farmer Hogget surprised at the end of Chapter Two of 'The Sheep-Pig'?

Farmer Hogget goes to the fair and guesses the weight of the piglet.

The vicar calls Farmer Hogget to let him know he has won the piglet.

The piglet is put in the stables with Fly, the sheepdog and she calls him Babe.

Babe curls up to Fly and he copies her actions, which surprises the farmer.

Order the following events from the opening of 'The Sheep-Pig'.

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Worksheet