Teachers, trainees and learning support assistants will find this lively and accessible book combines creativity with skills teaching to stimulate and improve children's writing, both at foundation and primary levels. Based on the concepts and objectives of the National Literacy Strategy (NLS), the content is well founded in experience, research and classroom application.

Special features include advice on planning, linking to NLS objectives, and selecting texts; demonstration scripts for teachers to use in the classroom; annotated extracts from quality literature to help children read as writers; practical advice on strategies to use in guided writing; and examples of children's work that show how to assess the children's writing and set 'next step' targets.

The authors show how you can use drama techniques, story stacks, artifacts and scenarios to engage children in writing, both in fiction and non-fiction, right across the curriculum.

Teachers, trainees and learning support assistants will find this lively and accessible book combines creativity with skills teaching to stimulate and improve children's writing, both at foundation and primary levels. Based on the concepts and objectives of the National Literacy Strategy (NLS), the content is well founded in experience, research and classroom application. Special features include advice on planning, linking to NLS objectives, and selecting texts; demonstration scripts for teachers to use in the classroom; annotated extracts from quality literature to help children read as writers; practical advice on strategies to use in guided writing; and examples of children's work that show how to assess the children's writing and set 'next step' targets. The authors show how you can use drama techniques, story stacks, artifacts and scenarios to engage children in writing, both in fiction and non-fiction, right across the curriculum.

Looking for effective ways to implement the curriculum creatively. Helping you to plan and deliver drama as a key tool for improving literacy, this book is packed with "read it and run with it" activities. These show how to use stories in combination with basic drama techniques to raise standards in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Illustrated in colour, it: exploits children's love of good stories and role-play in order to make learning fun; provides clear and easy-to-use activities that will enhance understanding of basic drama techniques for teachers and children; includes a checklist to help senior managers assess the whole-school impact of these activities; and offers templates for easy planning. Fun and accessible, this book is essential for teachers and support staff in foundation settings and key stage one classrooms. It shows you how to incorporate key texts into your teaching in a creative and enjoyable way.

When the wicked Snow Queen puts a spell on Kay, Gerda is worried she will lose him forever. Follow Gerda on her adventure to the Snow Queen's home and find out if she is able to save her friend in this retelling of the traditional tale, beautifully illustrated by Kate Greenaway-winning illustrator Michael Foreman. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 4 / Blue, which provides longer, repeated patterns with sequential events, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: A retelling of a traditional story A map on pages 14 to 15 enables children to recap Gerda's journey and discuss each stage of the story. Curriculum links: Citizenship

Sam the elephant and Tim the hippopotamus think that they are more powerful than Tim the tortoise. When Tim thinks of a clever plan involving a game of tug of war, will they both be proved wrong? This retelling of a fable is written and illustrated by the award-winning author-illustrator Matt Buckingham. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1B / Pink B, which offers emergent readers simple, predictable text, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A retelling of a traditional story Children can recap the main events of the story on pages 14 to 15. Curriculum links: Citizenship

As Dog and Rabbit work hard digging, Camel just sits nearby saying "Hump!". In this beautifully illustrated retelling of the traditional story, Camel soon realises he should be careful what he wishes for! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2A / Red A, which provides predictable text, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A traditional story A story map on pages 14 to 15 enables children to recap the story and discuss each stage. Curriculum links: Citizenship

Red Hen works hard to dig, plant, cut and mill the grain while the other animals refuse to help. Will they wish they hadn't been so lazy when Red Hen has finished making her big jam buns? This beautifully illustrated retelling of the traditional tale is written by well-known author Pippa Goodhart. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2A / Red A, which provides predictable text, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: A traditional story The flow chart on pages 14 to 15 allows children to discuss and recap Red Hen's progress as she completes each of her jobs. Curriculum links: Citizenship

Find out all about two nocturnal animals - bats and rats. Learn fascinating facts about the similarities and differences of these two animals in this illustrated information book by Karen Romano Young. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 3 / Yellow, which provides varied sentence structure and natural language, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: An information book On pages 14 to 15, children can recap the information in the book. Curriculum links: Science

Looking for something fun to do one day, the Sun and the Wind begin a competition. Both try to get a man to take his coat off as he walks his dog. Find out who wins the contest in Pippa Goodhart's delightful retelling of this traditional story about teamwork. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 3 / Yellow, which provides varied sentence structure and natural language, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A traditional story A story map on pages 14 to 15 enables children to recap the story and discuss each stage. Curriculum links: Science, Citizenship

Looking at a range of different sports, from swimming and rugby to football and basketball, this photographic information book by Sasha Morton looks at how athletes get ready to kick, tuck, dip, tip and run! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1B / Pink B, which offers emergent readers simple, predictable text, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: An information book A simple pictorial summary with labels on pages 14 to 15 provides an opportunity to recap and discuss the information in the book. Curriculum links: P.E.

Children will learn how to make three different bookmarks in this instruction book by Elizabeth Galloway. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by colourful photographs to make the process easy to follow and fun. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2B / Red B, which provides simple story development and a satisfying conclusion, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: An instruction book Children can recap the stages of how to make each of the three bookmarks on pages 14 to 15. Curriculum links: Art and design

Join Sam as she goes to her first ever football game. This exciting narrative by Tom Palmer follows Sam's day from beginning to end, describing her journey to the stadium, the football songs she hears and the goals! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 4 / Blue, which provides longer, repeated patterns with sequential events, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A football story On pages 14 to 15, children can recap and discuss the main elements of Sam's first football game. Curriculum links: P.E.

With vibrant and lively photographs, this non-fiction book explores various movements in sport including spinning, skidding, dragging and stopping. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2A / Red A, which provides predictable text, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: An information book A simple pictorial summary with labels on pages 14 to 15 provides an opportunity to recap and discuss the information in the book. Curriculum links: Science, P.E.

Using simple explanations and vibrant photographs, this engaging information book by Greg Cook looks at the process of making mats in India and goes on to show different mats from around the world. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1A / Pink A, which offers emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: An information book Children can recap the process of making a mat on pages 14 to 15. Curriculum links: Geography

This engaging information book explores life in the British seas through the eyes of real-life diver and professional photographer Arthur Kingdon. Vibrant and colourful photographs show the varied nature of life under the sea, looking at big sharks, shoals of small fish, jellyfish and extremely playful seals! Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 4 / Blue, which provides longer, repeated patterns with sequential events, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A non-fiction recount On pages 14 to 15, photographs and labels of different things that can be found in the British seas help children to recap the information from the book and provide a wealth of speaking and listening opportunities. Curriculum links: Geography

Looking for effective ways to implement the curriculum creatively. Helping you to plan and deliver drama as a key tool for improving literacy, this book is packed with "read it and run with it" activities. These show how to use stories in combination with basic drama techniques to raise standards in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Illustrated in colour, it: exploits children's love of good stories and role-play in order to make learning fun; provides clear and easy-to-use activities that will enhance understanding of basic drama techniques for teachers and children; includes a checklist to help senior managers assess the whole-school impact of these activities; and offers templates for easy planning. Fun and accessible, this book is essential for teachers and support staff in foundation settings and key stage one classrooms. It shows you how to incorporate key texts into your teaching in a creative and enjoyable way.

Dog and Cat are both thirsty, but neither is able to reach the shallow water in the bowl. Find out what happens when Dog thinks of a clever plan. This funny retelling of the Aesop's fable The Crow and the Pitcher is written by June Crebbin. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1B / Pink B, which offers emergent readers simple, predictable text, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: A traditional story A story map on pages 14 to 15 ensures children can recap the story and discuss each stage. Curriculum links: Science, Citizenship

This non-fiction book by Sue Graves looks at festivals around the world, from Jamaica and China to India and Thailand. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1A / Pink A, which offers emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: An information book A world map on pages 14 to 15 shows where the countries in the book are located to give children context and to help them recap information. Curriculum links: Geography, Citizenship

Follow Dan as he uses his computer Map Pad to guide him on a treasure hunt. This funny story is written by well-known children's author and illustrator Shoo Rayner. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1A / Pink A, which offers emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: A humorous story Children can recap Dan's treasure hunt using the story map on pages 14 to 15. Curriculum links: Citizenship

Written by the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, this quirky poem will get children thinking about what it is they really want, from pop star friends and pet camels to homes in treetops or even teapots!. Beautifully written and extremely entertaining, the poem will undoubtedly get children's imaginations running wild. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 3 / Yellow, which provides varied sentence structure and natural language, and an interest level of Band 10 / White. Text type: A poem On pages 14 to 15, children will be able to recap the exotic and diverse choice of pals, pets and homes! Curriculum links: Citizenship

This photographic information book takes a look at the men's Heptathlon - a contest with seven different athletic events focused around running, jumping and throwing. Looking at technique, training, diet and rest, Mary Colson's book shows how athletes become the best runners, jumpers and throwers in the world. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 3 / Yellow, which provides varied sentence structure and natural language, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: An information book A simple pictorial summary with labels on pages 14 to 15 provides an opportunity to recap and discuss the information in the book. Curriculum links: P.E.

Trees are found all around the world, but how much do we really know about them? This photographic non-fiction book explains where trees can be found, how they grow and change, and how they are used by both animals and people. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2B / Red B, which provides simple story development and a satisfying conclusion, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: An information book A diagram on pages 14 to 15 summarises all the different things we get from trees. Curriculum links: Science

When Dan dips his net into a rock pool, he finds Nip. Will Dan successfully reunite Nip and Nip's dad? This beautifully illustrated story is written by Jane Clarke. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 1A / Pink A, which offers emergent readers very simple text supported by illustrations, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A humorous story A story map on pages 14 to 15 enables children to recap the story and discuss each stage. Curriculum links: Citizenship

Find out what happens when Sinbad the sailor is left stranded on an island with a giant seagull. Will he find a way to get back to his ship? This entertaining narrative is written by award-winning authors Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. Collins Big Cat Phonics Progress books are specifically designed for struggling readers, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading. This title has a text level of Band 2B / Red B, which provides simple story development and a satisfying conclusion, and an interest level of Band 8 / Purple. Text type: A traditional story An illustrated map on pages 14 to 15 helps children to recap Sinbad's journey and discuss the story. Curriculum links: Citizenship

Collins Big Cat Teacher resources offer practical planning support, with book-by-book information, assessment support, photocopiable activity sheets to help practice literacy objectives and support for writing. Developed by teachers for teachers, Collins Big Cat Phonics is easy to use and be sure you are getting it right. Every session runs automatically - so you can concentrate on observing and assessing your children's progress. Structured daily sessions provide fast, focused phonic fun, with lots of repetition and practice for reading and writing. Big Cat and his friends introduce you to 42+ phonemes through 10 minute daily sessions, helping every child learn how to become readers and writers. In this Handbook you will find: a detailed explanation of the five sections of the daily 10-minute session so you know what the children will be learning a session-by-session outline of the programme to save you time planning book-by-book information for the Collins Big Cat Phonics Readers to support you guided reading sessions assessment support with photocopiable masters to help your children consolidate and practise their new skills.