Applying learning

Language comprehension: 'Elmer's Weather'

Primary

Communication and language

﻿Hello. My name's Alison. I'm your teacher today. In today's lesson, we're going to read a story together. We're going to have a look at the pictures, and we're going to listen to the words. When we finish reading the story, we're then going to have a look at some questions to ask. Are we ready to start? For this lesson you'll need symbols for different weather that's in the book. Wind, cloud, storm, fog, rain, snow, and sun. You'll also need question symbols. Such as what and where. Press pause while you get things ready. Let's get ready. Find a quiet space to work away from distractions. Make the area a comfy reading space. Make sure your resources are nearby and use a familiar reference to indicate that the activity is going to be starting. This could be a symbol, sound or a song. Press pause while you get things ready. It's time to look, listen and learn. Today's story is "Elmer's Weather" by David McKee. And it's published by Andersen Press. Wheeeee! Elmer flies in the wind. Elmer loves to watch the shapes in the clouds. He can see a teddy and a rabbit. What can you see? Flash! Bang! Crash! Elmer think storms are exciting. Bump! Oops! Sorry.! It's hard to see grey elephants in the fog. Splish! Splash! Splosh! Elmer plays in the rain. Brrr! Brrr! Whoop! Elmer loves to throw snowballs. Hahaha! Elmer loves the sun. He likes to wear sunglasses." That was the end of the story. When I'm going to reread the story and use some questions to help us find out more about what's happening. The first question we're going to use in the story is what is Elmer doing? Have a look with your child at the picture. First of all, see if you can spot Elmer. Then have a look and see if the picture gives you any clues about what Elmer is doing. Is Elmer on the ground or is Elmer in the sky? If you look closely, there's also the text that tells you what Elmer is doing. Can your child find the key words in that sentence? Let's have a look together. Elmer flies in the wind. So what is Elmer doing? Press pause whilst she looked at the picture and decide what your answer is. The second question we're going to ask is what can Elmer see? We can use the pictures to help us and we can you use the text. Read the text together with your child to see if they can answer the question. The text says, "He can see a Teddy and a rabbit." Now ask your child the question again. What can Elmer\ see? Press pause while you look for the answer. The next question we're going to ask is what can Elmer hear? You'll need to look at the picture and read the text to work out the answers. Press pause whilst she looked for the answer together. This time, we're going to ask a where question. Where are the grey elephants? Have a look at the picture of your child and see if you can point out where the two grey elephants are. Press cause whilst you do this. Our next question is a what question? What is Elmer doing? Have a look at the picture with your child and see if they can describe all of the things that Elmer is doing. Press pause whilst you do this together. Have a look at this next picture together and ask your child, what can Elmer see? See if they can name all the different things in the picture. You might also want to extend their vocabulary, by asking further questions. For example, if your child says they can see two grey elephants, you might want to ask, what are the elephants wearing? This will extend their vocabulary to describe the elephants in more detail. I can see two great elephants wearing stripey scarves. Press pause while you look at the picture together and ask questions. On the final page, we're going to ask the question, what is Elmer wearing? You might want to look at the picture to answer the question, or you can use the text to help you answer the question. When your child has found the sunglasses on Elmer, see if they can also find the word sunglasses in the text. Press pose whilst you explore the picture together. We finished our book and questions, but can you use where and what questions next time you read a book together? Press pause whilst you do this. I hope you enjoyed today's story. If you need to make it easier, you can use symbols to help you answer the key questions. If you need to make it harder, reduce the amount of support provided when finding missing words or reduce the number of symbol prompts that are used. If you'd like more ideas, why don't you find other books to read that are about the seasons or the weather? Or can you dress up in different clothes to match the different weathers in the book? That was fantastic work today, well done! If you'd like to share the work that you've done, please ask your parents or carer to share it for you on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, tagging @OakNational and #learnwithOak.

Language comprehension: 'Elmer's Weather'

Language comprehension: 'Elmer's Weather'

These resources will be removed by the end of the Spring Term 2026.

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