The Congo Rainforest - Whole Class Reading Lesson!

This whole class reading session aims to develop children’s comprehension skills when reading non-fiction texts. It focuses on their reading of an original non-fiction text which equips children with a deep understanding of the Congo Rainforest.

The text includes details about the physical geography of the rainforest, the animals and people that live in and around it, the role of the Congo in the water cycle, and its effect on the broader African continent.

The reading is followed by a series of activities aiming to develop children’s retrieval, explanation, inference, prediction and summarising skills. It also contains a vocabulary check immediately after the extract is read to clarify any unfamiliar/ difficult language.

The tasks are comprised of quick-check questions, solo thinking, pair/ group discussions and deeper thinking activities. Answers and teacher guidance are provided in the slide notes.

The session is best suited for children in years 4-5, although with minor adaptations it could feasibly be used with slightly younger and older year groups.