Greedy squirrels Cyril and Bruce both have their sights on a very special prize: THE VERY LAST NUT OF THE SEASON! As the nut bounces crazily through the forest, the squirrels race after it, between the trees, over boulders, down the river and - ARGH! - right to the edge of a waterfall! Working together might be the only way to save themselves now ...
The title of this story features alliteration (squirrels, squabbled). Can you think of other examples of alliteration? Can you make up your own story titles that use it too?
Choose one of the illustrations in the book and think of some words and phrases that describe the setting. How does the author describe the setting?
Retell the story in the form of diary entries from Cyril and Bruce.
Make a list of the rhyming words in the book. Can you use these to start your own rhyming dictionary?
Look at the use of speech marks in the story. Can you choose a page and rewrite it using reported speech?
Think of some speech and thought bubbles to accompany the illustrations.
Write a review of this book that could be used on the bookshelf in a shop or in an online store.
Maths
Make a plan for Cyril to help him save food for the winter. If he needs to eat 5 nuts every day, how many nuts will he need to save for November? How many nuts will he need for the whole of winter?
Science
Find out more about squirrels and write a report about them.
Do squirrels live in your local area? Find out about wild animals that have homes where you live.
Why do we have seasons? Can you explain to a friend?
Computing
Design a game in which a squirrel has to catch the last pine-nut.
Design a web page to promote this book to an audience.
Watch this trailer to promote the book. Could you make your own?
Record your own ‘read-aloud’ video that retells this story. Watch this example for inspiration:
Design Technology
Can you make a model of a squirrel or a forest?
Art
Look at the facial expressions of the characters in the illustrations. How are they feeling? Can you draw a number of self-portraits that portray different emotions?
Look at the pages that show four illustrations in columns/rows. Can you use this technique to show a sequence of actions? Use our templates below to help.
Use natural materials (e.g. leaves, pinecones, sticks) to create some artwork. Look at examples by Andy Goldsworthy for inspiration.
Look at photos of forests in different seasons. Can you use these as inspiration for your own illustrations and paintings?
Create a comic strip about Spontaneous Cyril. What adventures might he have?
PSHE
What does it mean to be ‘spontaneous’? Do you prefer to be spontaneous or do you like to plan ahead?
What is the moral of this story? Can you think of other stories that try to share a moral with the reader?
Use this delightful new story about Paddington, by author Michael Bond, as the starting point for a range of classroom activities. Explore our teaching ideas today!
Comments
Judith
3rd September 2018
Thanks for the downloads.
Great work.
Judith from Gentech