Introduction

The adventures of the Wops family are closely related to the experience of every learner in Grade I, boys as well as girls. They may be exposed to a different environment if they live in towns and cities and through the stories become aware of what it is like to live in a forest without the ordinary amenities like running water and electricity.

Educators need to remember that many learners in Grade I will not have attended Grade R and consequently skills, strategies and concepts for Grade R will not have been learnt. The educator in Grade I must ensure that these are covered in the work that is done with these learners.

Listening and speaking should form a firm foundation on which to build literacy. The degree to which learners can speak their home language will vary according to circumstances, and educators should be aware of their levels of competence.

Language development is a gradual process and learners need the support of the educator to become increasingly more accurate in the use of their home language.

In Grade I learners become involved in listening to and reading stories, writing for genuine purposes, and learning phonics. The classroom environment should be a place that reflects and encourages all aspects of learning the home language.

Time scheduled for the modules 1 to 8

All learners should complete all eight modules doing approximately two modules per term. Allow the learners to proceed at their own speed.

OVERVIEW MODULE 1: Here come the Wops

This module introduces the Wops family. They are similar to people yet have different characteristics. They live in the forest and the animals are their friends.

Body parts are discussed and educators can assess the learners’ auditory perception, spatial orientation and sequencing skills.

Learners read and illustrate the sentences, poems and rhymes and are taught the writing patterns and the corresponding letters viz. v, w, n, and m.

These sounds are also taught.

Integration of themes

The Wops family live in the forest, have no amenities like electricity and spacious homes.

They live a life dependant on nature; fruit and berries, etc. They therefore look after their habitat. We should follow their example and care for our environment.

Although the Wops have no earthly riches they are warm, friendly and helpful. People do not have to be rich to gain our friendship. Be sensitive towards people who have different cultures and who lead different kinds of lives.

Everyone has the right to have shelter and food. Children should be cared for by their parents.

Educator questions the learners.

Educator’s page

Problem-solving group work

Finding solutions

Reporting back to the class

1) what their biggest problem was that they identified, and

2) what solutions (plans) they came up with.

Chapter 2: The Tree House

The Wops live in tree houses in the forest. These houses are sheltered by the leaves and are hardly visible. You have to look very carefully if you want to see them. When you go for a walk in the forest on a summer's day and look up into the tree-tops, you might think you see a bird's nest. But if you look closely, you will see smoke coming from a chimney and also tiny footprints on the ground under the tree.

Willy and his family live in a pretty little house. Daddy Wop built it himself. He used a saw to cut several long planks, and he nailed them together. Walter the friendly warthog helped Daddy to drag the planks through the forest to their tree. Willy likes to ride on Walter. He sits between his horns and then Walter takes him on long rides through the forest.

You have to walk a long way to get to Willy's house in the tree. First you must cross a deep, deep river. (The Wops built a raft, which they have hidden in a place other people don’t know about.) Then you must walk along a narrow path up a high, high hill. On the other side of the hill a winding trail leads down into the forest. In the forest you will find a tall, tall tree. Willy's tree house is in that tall, tall tree but you have to climb up a long, long rope ladder.

Willy loves the tree house and at night, as he lies in his snug little bed, he listens to the wind whistling through the leaves, the water flowing over the pebbles in the river and the wise old owl hooting up in the tree. Next time I'll tell you more about the wise old owl.

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