The Little House Level 15-16

The Little House is a lively retelling of a Russian folktale presented in play format, encouraging students to actively engage with the text through drama and performance. The story follows a group of animals who discover an empty house and all wish to move in-until the arrival of Mr Bear changes everything! This title features a range of literary and dramatic devices such as a character list, stage directions, and punctuation to guide expression. The use of repetition supports comprehension and oral fluency, while capitalised character names and dialogue formatting provide an early introduction to script reading conventions. Photographs of students preparing for the play, alongside actor interviews, add a real-world connection to the dramatic experience. This book is perfect for classroom performance, oral language development, and text structure analysis.

Educational Benefits:

• Develops expressive reading and oral fluency through script format
• Enhances comprehension through character analysis and plot identification
• Introduces conventions of plays and stage directions
• Supports punctuation awareness including exclamation and question marks

Classroom Ideas:

• Perform the play in small groups using props and simple costumes
• Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters
• Discuss the moral or lesson of the folktale
• Create an alternative ending where the house isn't destroyed

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages: 6-7
• Book dimensions: 16.5 cm x 14.5 cm
• Extent: 8 pages
• Safety: Photographic content only; suitable for young readers