Disaster strikes! - you can’t catch me! - part 1

English home language

Disaster strikes!

Educator section

Memorandum

Educator’s page :

The adventures of the Wops family are closely related to the experience of every learner in Grade I, boys as well as girls. They may be exposed to a different environment if they live in towns and cities and through the stories become aware of what it is like to live in a forest without the ordinary amenities like running water and electricity.

Educators need to remember that many learners in Grade I will not have attended Grade R and consequently skills, strategies and concepts for Grade R will not have been learnt. The educator in Grade I must ensure that these are covered in the work that is done with these learners.

Listening and speaking should form a firm foundation on which to build literacy. The degree to which learners can speak their home language will vary according to circumstances, and educators should be aware of their levels of competence.

Language development is a gradual process and learners need the support of the educator to become increasingly more accurate in the use of their home language.

In Grade I learners become involved in listening to and reading stories, writing for genuine purposes, and learning phonics. The classroom environment should be a place that reflects and encourages all aspects of learning the home language.

Time scheduled for the modules 1 to 8

All learners should complete all eight modules doing approximately two modules per term. Allow the learners to proceed at their own speed.

During a game Licky’s tail breaks off.

Everyone is very sad and worried until the wise old owl in his wisdom enlightens them.

High frequency words and new vocabulary are revised in a game.

• Writing: between lines is introduced.
• Phonics: Identifying sounds in the middle.
• Words ending in nd , mp are taught.

Integration of themes

• Social Justice

With Licky losing his tail, learners become sensitive to people with disabilities. They need to be respected and to have special care. Feelings are discussed and learners are made aware of things causing sadness, unhappiness and fright.

• A healthy environment

Learners learn about lizards who grow new tails when the old one falls off. They learn to appreciate living creatures in nature.

Leaner section

Content

• Listen to the story.

You can’t catch me! - part 1

The Wop children are playing. Their laughter and screams can be heard throughout the forest. They are playing Catch-Catch and it is Willy Wop’s turn to catch the other children. Willy chases Sam but he disappears around a corner. Now he chases Terry. Every time Willy changes direction the children get so excited and they scream and screech.

Licky Lizard joins in the game. He scuttles between the leaves and tree roots and when nobody is looking he hides under a fallen leaf.

Aaaah! Willy sees Licky! He charges to him. It must be someone else’s turn to catch. Willy wants to run around. He wants the other children to catch him for a change. He grabs Licky by the tail and shouts, “I’ve got you, Licky!”