Found in Hong Kong by Joanne O’Callaghan
Found in Hong Kong is a picture book about counting, and a story about so much more. One of the most important things this book is about is friendship. The thing you do with new friends is exploring together and that’s exactly what happens here in Hong Kong. It is a story in pictures about things you will find in Hong Kong: egg tarts, dumplings, lucky cats, umbrellas, panda bears, lanterns, trams, taxis, and fireflies – count them all! It is also a story about Hong Kong sites and scenery: The Peak, Ocean Park, the beach, the parks, neon lights, and fireworks. The two friends, a boy and a girl, share adventures in this amazing city.
The beautifully composed illustrations are by award winning illustrator Kori Song, a freelance illustrator living in Hong Kong, who captures the enchantment of vibrant Hong Kong.
About the author
Joanne O'Callaghan was born in Melbourne, brought up in Perth, and lived in Hong Kong for 11 years until 2012. When she is not writing she is busy with her family. Joanne can otherwise be found exploring an art gallery or at a yoga class where she sometimes thinks about stories while standing on her head. She has a career in Marketing that has enabled her to meet many inspiring people and travel extensively throughout Asia. Her first children's book, My Hong Kong, become a best seller and has been re-printed three times. She is passionate about children's literacy and the arts. She has written four books and produced a book of children's artwork.
Joanne now lives in Melbourne.
Unit Lesson plan
Book Title: Found in Hong Kong: A Counting Adventure
Author: Joanna O’Callaghan
Illustrator: Kori Song
ISBN: 978-988-19134-2-5
Publisher: Peak Publishing, Hong Kong, 2015
Reading Level*: Lexile 300L-400L / Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level reading Test 1.1
Suitable for Ages: 6 to 7 years
Proposed grade level: P1
Themes: Hong Kong sights and activities, counting book
Connection to Hong Kong Curriculum: English Language, Language Education KLA
Values: Numeracy
Modules: Places and activities
General Studies Curriculum: Community and citizenship
Lesson duration: 30 minutes per lesson
Skill Allocation
Reading
L2 (Fireflies)
L6 (Pandas)
Listening
L5 (Numbers)
L9 (Info gap)
Writing
L1 (Transport)
L8 (boardgame)
L9 (Info gap)
L10 (Writing caption)
Speaking
L1 (Transport)
L9 (Info gap)
Grammar
L4 (Rhymes)
L7 (Plural/Singular)
L8 (Plural/Singular2)
Craft
L3 (Lantern)
Download complete set of lesson plan and teaching materials
( Please email to engl.rcpce@polyu.edu.hk for the ZIP decompression password. )
Download individual lesson plan and teaching materials
( Please email to engl.rcpce@polyu.edu.hk for the ZIP decompression password. )
Lesson plans and teaching materials
Lesson 1 - Transport
Aims:
To reinforce and expand students’ knowledge of Hong Kong transport
To increase students’ participation via speaking
Focused skill: Speaking
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to identify and match the pictures with their names.
Students are able to explain why they choose particular items as the odd ones.
Lesson 2 - Fireflies
Aims:
To practise reading skills for spotting key information in a text
To practise critical thinking habits
Focused skill: Reading
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to show their comprehension through answering questions.
Students are able to provide reasons for their opinion.
Lesson 3 - Paper lanterns
Aims:
To practise reading instructions for making a paper lantern
Focused skill: Crafting
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to fill in the blanks in the instructions.
Students are able to follow the instructions and make a paper lantern.
Lesson 4 - Rhymes
Aims:
To be able to identify rhymes and reuse words to form rhyming words
Focused skill: Literary devices
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to identify the rhyming words in the book.
Students are able to use the words they know to complete part B and C.
Lesson 5 - Numbers
Aims:
To be able to identify and practise listening skills for numbers
Focused skill: Listening
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to complete part A and B of the worksheet correctly.
Students are able to collect the correct number of objects asked by the teacher.
Lesson 6 - Pandas
Aims:
To be able to practise the skill of identifying and locating key words
Focused skill: Reading
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to circle or underline key words in comprehension text and questions.
Students are able to answer the comprehension questions correctly.
Lesson 7 - Plural/Singular
Aims:
To be able to describe the numbers of things with the use of the correct plural or singular nouns and auxiliary verbs
Focused skill: Grammar
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to number the things correctly.
Students are able to differentiate between ‘There is’ and ‘There are’.
Lesson 8 - Plural/Singular 2
Aims:
To be able to consolidate the knowledge of plural and singular nouns through a boardgame and worksheet
Focused skill: Grammar
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to choose the correct plural and singular nouns on the worksheet.
Students are able to follow the instructions and play the boardgame correctly.
Lesson 9 - Plural/Singular 3
Aims:
To be able to apply the knowledge of singular and plural nouns in the context of finding a route.
Focused skills: Speaking and listening
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to ask and give answers in the route task.
Lesson 10 - Photo caption
Aims:
To be able to apply the knowledge of numbers, colours and present continuous tense in writing caption
Focused skill: Writing
Assessment Criteria:
Students are able to include numbers, colours and correct grammar in their writing.