In the early days of the paddleboat era, Charlie dreams of becoming a paddleboat pilot, like his elusive uncle. In his quest to follow his dream, Charlie gives up the familiar life he knows and embarks on an adventure.

Year Level: 4

Reading Level: R

Text Type:  Historical narrative

Curriculum link: Geography: The Earth's environment sustains all life

Content vocabulary: Adjectives: crisp fertile first-class glistening heartfelt treacherous unreliable Figurative language: a dangerous beast as dark as night heart sank like a flooded river breaking its banks like a leaf in the wind Words related to setting: cargo deckhands dock Natchez navigated paddleboat pilot pilothouse port stowaways wharf

Key concepts: Fictional stories can be set in a real place and at a particular time in history. Characters have a certain way of acting and speaking that reflect the historical setting of the narrative.

Reading strategies: Identifying the historical facts within a narrative

Paired text: The Mighty Murray

Paired title ISBN: 9781761073090

Supporting material:  Lesson Plan - The Mighty Murray / River Boy (9781761073434)

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.