■ Big Box Adventures - Pirate Pat - Skills Book 1

This Skills Book is based on Core Book 1 for First Class: 'Pirate Pat..and more.'

• The skills books assist with the acquisition of early literacy skills
• Activities are designed to develop word recognition, comprehension and oral language
• The books support and extend reading of storybooks and core books
• A wide variety of literacy activities is included
• Activities are designed to develop skills in the three areas of fiction, non-fiction and poetry
• A structured approach is used throughout

Big Box Adventures is a New English Language Programme from The Educational Company of Ireland, fully integrating ICT. It has been written in line with the most up-to-date guidelines from the Department of Education and Skills, The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011–2020. It is an exciting, new and original programme, for Junior Infants to Second Class and has been written specifically for the Irish market, to meet the needs of primary schools, teachers and pupils.

Big Box Adventures combines the elements of oral language, reading and writing, and fully integrates ICT and digital resources into all elements of the series. The attractive design and presentation of the books and resources, ensures an enjoyable experience for the children. Each element in this programme has been written and designed to incorporate all aspects of literacy in the 21st century. The programme has been extensively reviewed by practising teachers from a broad spectrum of schools nationwide. It can be used in conjunction with existing phonic programmes widely available in primary schools.

At Junior and Senior Infants levels, Big Box Adventures focuses specifically on children's enjoyment of play, drawing extensively on the Aistear Early Childhood framework. It provides teachers with strategies to improve literacy and language skills, including sustained symbolic play, role-play, and imaginative play, as well as playing with language.

At First and Second Class levels, Big Box Adventures enables children to engage with different kinds of reading – Fiction, Non-fiction and Poetry, as recommended The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011–2020.