Paulette Bourgeois & Brenda Clark - Franklin Goes to School

With his new pencil case packed with a ruler, eraser and 12 coloured pencils, Franklin is ready for his first day of school — until it’s time to board the bus. In this Franklin Classic Storybook, Franklin faces the excitement and fear of starting school.

Genre: bravery, friendship

Themes: friendship, fear, identity, friendship, family, new experiences

Age: 5+

Activities

  1. WORLD TURTLE DAY: Franklin is in fact a tortoise, and people commonly muddle up turtles and tortoises. Using pictures or research, play a spot the difference game between turtles and tortoises. What do they look like? Where do they live? What do they eat? (CC: Science)
  2. Starting school can be daunting! Ask pupils as new school experts to send Franklin a supportive picture or write an advice postcard to reassure him about starting school. (CC: PSHE, English, Art)
  3. There’s lots of things you need to make sure you do before going to school. Ask pupils in groups or as a class to write a to-do list for going to school. What do they need to do when they wake up? What must they remember to wear? What kind of breakfast could they eat? What must they remember in their bags? 
  4. Franklin is worried about being late to school. Telling the time is an important skill and can help with getting to school on time. Using your school day ask pupils to draw clocks or tell the time from pre-drawn clocks for your school day. What time do they arrive? What time is break? Lunch? What time do they go home? (CC: Math)
  5. Create a gingerbread character for one of the characters. On the inside describe their feelings, thoughts and emotions and on the outside describe their actions, behaviours and what they say. (CC links: English, PSHE) (Use ‘Gingerbread character’ resource)
Download free resource

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