The Seat Beside the Window

Reading together

This story is designed for shared reading in Year 4. 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: awning, aisle, pharmacy, route, entirely. 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 the two bus journeys. Compare Ada’s understanding of Kit at the beginning and ending, using their words, the map and the position of the bag as evidence. Discuss who helped and how the characters might feel. Accept different personal responses.

Narrative map

Character

Ada, new classmate Kit and the bus driver.

Setting

The school bus on two wet mornings.

Problem

Kit’s familiar landmark is missing from the changed bus route.

First attempt

He quietly checks a map and questions the turns.

New action

Ada notices his worry and points out another landmark.

Resolution and ending

Kit recognises the route, and the two children begin sharing Ada’s favourite seat.

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. Compare the characters and their points of view. Children can use drawings, a short dialogue or gestures to show what each person knows, assumes and feels.