When a small hunting falcon soars off into the sky and disappears, the people she belongs to are heartbroken to lose her. Months later and miles away, some kind people come to her rescue.

Year Level: 4

Reading Level: Q

Text Type: Narrative

Curriculum link: Science: Biological sciences

Content vocabulary: Verbs: circled flapped flew grabbed soar struck swooped veeredLanguage to build suspense: as fast as they could in close pursuit suddenly they waited. And waited. Words related to setting: Animal Control aviary birds of prey falcon/er/ry hawk jesses peregrine falcon raptor raptor rehab center red-tailed hawk talons The Department of Fish and Wildlife

Key concepts: A character’s attitude can be revealed by their actions and words. People who participate in the sport of falconry keep birds of prey. Some trained volunteers care for injured birds of prey.

Reading strategies: Identifying characters’ attitudes and the actions that reveal these

Paired text: Behind the Scenes at the Zoo

Paired title ISBN: 9781761073052

Supporting material:  Lesson Plan - Behind the Scenes at the Zoo / So Far from Home (9781761073410)

Series: Flying Start to Literacy

Alternative purchasing options: This title is available in one of several value packs. Speak to your Oxford Education consultant today to learn more www.oup.com.au/contact

Digital sample pages: can be viewed at www.flyingstarttoliteracy.com.au/online-sample

Series information: 

Flying Start to Literacy is an award-winning comprehensive literacy program. It reflects best practice in literacy instruction and supports the systematic development of students’ reading strategies and skills.

Each Student Book is part of connected pair, a narrative book and an informative book, both presenting the same key concepts and vocabulary. These titles have been trialled with a range of readers, including English language learners.

Each pair of Student Books is supported by a Lesson Plan. These visually appealing resources are durable and easy-to-use. They integrate oral language, vocabulary development, fluency and comprehension, writing and phonics.

Reading strategies, phonics and phonemic awareness and repetition of high-frequency words are all developed through this series, enhancing the reader’s fluency and comprehension. With an array of engaging titles to choose from, readers will laugh, explore and share in the adventure whilst learning and expanding their vocabulary.

Flying Start to Literacy resources are suitable for use as part of an early intervention program and provide effective support for English language learners.

This series is supported by a wealth of teacher resources, which can be obtained by visiting www.flyingstarttoliteracy.com.au.

Flying Start to Literacy is supported by an array of free teacher resources, including:

• scope and sequence documents
• phonics and phonemic overviews for each reading stage
• reading and writing across the curriculum overviews of text types, text features, curriculum links, key concepts, and content vocabulary for the books at each of the reading stages
• records of reading behaviour are provided for books at each stage
• ongoing assessment checklist forms
• getting started tips and guidance
• title-level correlations to the Australian Curriculum
• information about the research that underpins the series
• percentage of decodable words tables for Levels 1—10.

Visit www.flyingstarttoliteracy.com.au to access these free resources.