While the duck worked hard all day every day, the farmer used to lie in bed, eating chocolates, getting fatter and fatter. In Year1/2 children can study the importance of story structure in this book - the introduction, the middle and the end. And re-reading it now and looking at the pictures I feel this is a great book to read out loud to key stage one pupils as the story is fantastic and allows expressive reading through the animal noise. Use this fantastic resource to take the stress out of planning and inspire your Farmer and Duck themed lessons.

Farmer Duck Paperback – Picture Book, 14 Mar. 2017

I really enjoyed using this book within my class and we extended the knowledge of the character to informal letter writing which the class really enjoyed. There is a lot of repetition within the book including the word 'quack' and various farm animal noises which the children will find fun. He works hard on a farm all day and all night, while the lazy farmer lies in bed and eats chocolate.The story is a good one of a farmer who gets lazy when he learns he can send his duck to do all his work but the other animals of the farm aren’t happy with this turn of events and decide to do something about it. Children who read this story will learn how working together and helping out friends is the right thing to do and ultimately reaps rewards whereas being lazy like the farmer won’t get you very far. Furthermore, the additional activities that you could use related to the story as well are also endless - for example, the children could dress up as characters from the story and role-play parts of it, or we did a carpet session where the children thought of some fun activities for Farmer Duck to do if he had a day off - they really enjoyed this session and used their imagination well to come up with some fantastic ideas.

resources for parents lovemybooks | FREE reading resources for parents

Each activity is linked to different areas of the curriculum, making it even easier to plan a topic all about this engaging book. The illustrations go from gray and gloomy, when the duck is doing all the work, to bright and sunny, when the farmer gets his comeuppance. The illustrations are fantastic and it isn't any wonder this book got awarded Illustrated book of the year. However, the farm animals care kindly for the Duck and decide to help the Duck out while teaching the farmer a lesson.I personally enjoyed reading about the reverse roles of the Duck and the farmer duck, which beats a tradition tale of a Farmer. Farmer Duck is a short story about a hard-working, loyal duck whose good nature is taken advantage of by a very lazy farmer. Talking about the book deepens children’s enjoyment and understanding of the story and helps them to make connections with their own experience. Designed for children aged between 5 and 7 years old, this Farmer Duck comprehension is ideal to use both at home and in the classroom.

Farmer Duck | Centre for Literacy in Primary Education - CLPE Farmer Duck | Centre for Literacy in Primary Education - CLPE

It includes a short extract from the book, as well as four comprehension questions for learners to answer. All the hoeing, gardening, taking care of the other animals, ironing, washing dishes, cooking are really wearing Duck down. It is no wonder then that this book has won the Smarties Book Prize and the British Book Award's Children's Illustrated Book of the Year. In reception children can enjoy the beautiful pictures and learn all about farm animals and the sounds they make. Our lovely resource creation team have amended the resource and the new version is now available to download.I read this book to a Reception class who thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the pictures and repeating the sounds and phrases that the Farmer Duck and the Farmer made. The duck did all the work and the farmer stayed in bed all day reading the newspaper and eating chocolate.

Farmer Duck Paperback – Picture Book, 14 Mar. 2017 Farmer Duck Paperback – Picture Book, 14 Mar. 2017

Eventually, the other animals decide to do something to help Farmer Duck and they do this by sharing the jobs out equally among themselves. However it shows team work and support, and the inside back cover has the same picture but in brighter more positive colours, making us happy with the ending.Farmer Duck is a wonderfully illustrated and funny book from Martin Waddell that tells the tale of the hardworking duck who does everything from feeding the cows to shooing the hens safely into their coop at night without a rest. While the duck worked, the farmer lay in bed - until one day the other animals decided to take action! You will find many creative activities based on each book to make reading even more enjoyable and interactive.