Ruff and Me Levels 1-2

In Ruff and Me, a young boy compares his features with those of his dog, Ruff, in a charming and engaging narrative that explores identity, similarities, and friendship. The text introduces early readers to high-frequency words and simple sentence structures using repetitive language such as œHere are my¦ and œHere are Ruff's¦ This repetition supports reading confidence and reinforces word recognition. Children are encouraged to reflect on their own features and those of their pets or family members. The book also highlights foundational phonemic awareness, including initial consonant sounds and plural endings, alongside punctuation such as apostrophes and full stops. Through this accessible narrative, students are introduced to comparative language and begin making meaningful connections between text and their own lives. The visual support and consistent structure provide an ideal platform for developing early literacy skills.

Educational Benefits:

• Builds early recognition of high-frequency and content words.
• Supports phonemic awareness through consonant sounds and plural forms.
• Enhances comprehension with simple comparisons and patterned sentences.
• Develops expressive and descriptive vocabulary through observation.

Classroom Ideas:

• Create a œMe and My Pet collage with labelled features using magazines.
• Use mirrors to explore and draw individual features and compare with peers.
• Write simple sentences using the structure œHere are my¦ and illustrate them.
• Practise sorting words into categories: people, animals, body parts.

Safety & Information:

• Ages: 4-6 years
• Measurements: 14.5 cm x 16.5 cm; 16 pages
• Safety: Supervise use of scissors and glue during activities.