Notes
| Synopsis | A story about a little, yellow alien. |
| Lesson access | via url-link or QR-Code |
| Equipment for child | tablet, phone or laptop, internet connection, perhaps headphones |
| Materials | dictionary (online or paper), craft materials |
| Language Skills | listening, vocabulary (verbs), speaking (read aloud) |
| Cross-curricular Links | science, drama, art and design |
| Values | Inclusion and acceptance, kindness, welcoming newcomers |
| World Event Day | Alien Day, International Mother Language Day |
Let’s Start
STEP 1: Look at the Cover
| Look | What do you see on the front cover? |
| Look | Describe the creature: eyes, ears, colour. |
| Think | Look at the title. What is her name? Why do you think she is looking up at the sky? Where do think she is? How does she look? |
| Predict | Look at the title page. What do you think has happened to Beegu? Where do you think she has come from? |
| Predict | How do you think aliens speak? |
| Check | Look up the meaning of these words: spaceship, lost, alone and hopeful. |
Step 2 and Step 3: Listen and Watch
| Part A | Listen and watch for general understanding and enjoyment. |
| Part B | Listen and watch again and answer the questions, pause and replay when you need to. |
| What and who are the different things Beegu tries to talk to? | |
| Who does Beegu think she hears calling? What was it? | |
| Why does Beegu want to find some friends? | |
| What does the man with the suitcase do? | |
| Which four-legged friends does she find? Does Beegu stay? Why? Why not? | |
| Who are the perfect people Beegu finds? What games does Beegu play with them? Is she happy? Why does she have to stop playing? | |
| What is the first word Beegu learns in English? | |
| Who does Beegu hear calling again? | |
| Which people does Beegu like the most on Earth? Why? | |
| How does Beegu describe big and small Earth creatures? | |
| Who does Beegu hope will remember her? |
Step 4: Add your Voice
| Review | Remember or list the different animals, things and people that Beegu tries to talk to and make friends with. |
| Review & Translate | Listen to the story again and translate what you think Beegu is saying to the different animals, things and people she meets. How would you try to make them understand you? |
| Review & Join in | Watch the story again and join in with Alexis Deacon when he speaks Beegu’s language. |
| Research | Do aliens exist? Find three examples? |
| Create | Draw your own alien. |
| Create | Draw or describe your own view of ‘Life on Earth’ on another planet or in another country. |
| Observe & Act | How does Beegu feel when her ears stand up straight and her eyes are wide open? How does she feel when her ears hang down and her eyes are closed? Act out her feelings and speak her language. |
| Personal response | How would you feel if you arrived on an unknown planet or in a new country without any friends? How would you help someone in this situation? |
| Personalise | What playground games do you play at school? Do you think Beegu would like them? How would you teach her to play the games? |
| Think | What do you think is the message of this story? |
| Your opinion | Which is your favourite illustration? Why? |
Step 5: Share and Evaluate your work
| Share | Send your work to your teacher or share in your virtual classroom. |
| Evaluate | Complete the evaluation sheet to reflect on your learning. |
Need Help ?
Part A: Read and complete. You can write or say your answers. You can do this on your own, in pairs or in a class discussion.
Part B: Think about how well you did. Choose and draw the smiley face that fits best.
Want More?
Draw along with Alexis Deacon and learn how to draw Beegu. (continue viewing video).
Learn Sign Language
Finally, if you enjoyed the read aloud, why not learn some Sign Language. Watch Leanne sign Beegu and learn how to sign: friend, earth, perfect and far away.
©Ellis, G. & Gruenbaum, T. for PEPELT 2020
Beegu by Alexis Deacon, published by Red Fox 2004
Video ©Puffin
Picturebooks in European Primary English Language Teaching 