The Box in the Attic

Reading together

This story is designed for shared reading in Year 3. It is not a formally assessed independent reading level. An adult can model fluent reading, revisit sentences and invite children to join in. Read at the child’s pace. Children can listen, point, gesture, sign or join in with familiar words. Joining in is optional.

Before reading

Look at the title and cover. Introduce the characters and setting. Explore these five words with pictures, actions and familiar examples: attic, faded, cape, audience, bowed. Invite a prediction about what might happen.

During reading

Use Talk Together for a prompt on each page. Pause to compare what characters say with what they might feel. Invite predictions, look for evidence in the words and pictures, then read on to check. Notice how dialogue, small actions and humour reveal character.

After reading

Retell Gran’s old performance and the new one. Compare how the moon falls or disappears in each, and explain why the same event can feel embarrassing at first and funny later. Discuss who helped and how the characters might feel. Accept different personal responses.

Narrative map

Character

Lucy, Sam and Gran.

Setting

Gran’s living room after she brings down an old attic box.

Problem

The children discover unfamiliar props and wonder about Gran’s old play.

First attempt

They guess at the costume and photograph, but the fallen moon needs explaining.

New action

Gran tells the memory, then joins the children in a new performance.

Resolution and ending

They make a new photograph for the box, with names and a date.

Activities with an adult

The eleven separate question cards include recall, word meaning, feelings, simple “why” questions and discussion. Read the questions and choices aloud and offer picture support. Explore five vocabulary words, build them from movable letters and order three story pictures. Invite children to say the word, notice its letters and build it; offer letter and sound support where needed. Mouse dragging, finger dragging, tap controls and keyboard controls are available. Use the light green and red feedback as a chance to look at the story again.

Choose a few activities at a time, according to the child’s interest. Use large play blocks, drawings or gestures to act out the story together.