Unless otherwise noted within this book, this book is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License also known as a CC-BY license. This means you are free to copy, redistribute, modify or adapt this book. Under this license, anyone who redistributes or modifies this textbook, in whole or in part, can do so for free providing they properly attribute the book.
Additionally, if you redistribute this textbook, in whole or in part, in either a print or digital format, then you must retain on every physical and/or electronic page the following attribution:
For questions regarding this license, please contact opentext@bccampus.ca . To learn more about the B.C. Open Textbook project, visit http://open.bccampus.ca .
Cover image: Val’s Garden by Carlee Ashton Diabo is used under a CC-BY 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English - Course Pack 1 by Shantel Ivits is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Course Pack 1 was created by Shantel Ivits. This creation is a part of the B.C. Open Textbook project.
The B.C. Open Textbook project began in 2012 with the goal of making post-secondary education in British Columbia more accessible by reducing student cost through the use of openly licensed textbooks. The B.C. Open Textbook project is administered by BCcampus and funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education.
Open textbooks are open educational resources (OER); they are instructional resources created and shared in ways so that more people have access to them. This is a different model than traditionally copyrighted materials. OER are defined as teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others (Hewlett Foundation).
Our open textbooks are openly licensed using a Creative Commons license, and are offered in various e-book formats free of charge, or as printed books that are available at cost.
For more information about this project, please contact opentext@bccampus.ca.
If you are an instructor who is using this book for a course, please let us know.
These books were developed on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Huy tseep q’u! Chen kw’enmántumiyap! Kw’as hoy!
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work on this project alongside a dedicated team of basic education instructors from across British Columbia. This series was shepherded by Leanne Caillier-Smith (College of the Rockies) and benefited enormously from the insight and encouragement of Julia Dodge (University of the Fraser Valley), Chandra McCann (Okanagan College), Jan Weiten (Vancouver Community College), and Melinda Worfolk (College of New Caledonia). The above five mentioned are representatives of the BC Adult Literacy Articulation Committee and were the advisory committee members for this project. It has been a pleasure to scaffold my own learning among such brilliant and passionate educators.
Huge thanks to Lauri Aesoph of BCcampus for introducing me to the exciting open textbook movement and managing all aspects of the publication of these books — from layout and image selection to copyediting and print –so adeptly.
I am incredibly lucky to work with and have the support of the Basic Education Department at Vancouver Community College: Rita Acton, Cynthia Bluman, Andrew Candela, Lynn Horvat, Alayna Kruger, Jo Lemay, Edie Mackenzie, Rene Merkel, Tara Mollel, Leah Rasmussen, Linda Rider, Mary Thompson-Boyd, Jan Weiten, and our Dean, David Wells. I am also deeply grateful to the basic education students at Vancouver Community College for all that you teach me about dreams, resilience, and perseverance.
A special thank you to my partner, Marria, for always lending my words an eager ear, and for keeping the world around me turning even though my head was perpetually stuck in these books.
I have often struggled to find reading materials that rise to the wisdom that Level 1 learners so often bring to the classroom, while still drawing on plain language. So I sought to write texts about things that really matter: healing, discovery, survival, relationships, justice, and connection to the land. I explored these themes through the lens of the plant world.
This reader contains nine original stories written specifically for adults, and is designed to accompany the BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1. This level-1 reader, one of a series of six readers, is roughly equivalent to beginner to Grade 1.5 in the K-12 system. For an overview of the contents, please refer to the Level 1 Scope and Sequence in the Appendix.
The online version of this course pack contains audio recordings of each story in the reader. These recordings, combined with vocabulary and word pattern exercises, prepare the Level 1 student to read each paragraph-long text with greater independence.
Depending on a learner’s readiness, you may wish to use the sentences in the Word Skills sections as dictation.
Exercises on the connections between consonant sounds and letters are beyond the scope of these books. I recommend using these books alongside a structured phonics program, such as the Wilson Reading System.
Font size and line spacing can be adjusted in the online view, and have been enhanced for the print and PDF versions for easier reading. This reader has been reviewed by subject experts from colleges and universities.
I hope these pages help ignite in your students a lifelong love of reading and discovery.
-Shantel Ivits
In this chapter, you will learn to:
hurt | street | braid |
house | grass | break |
feelings | bend | walk |
roots |
street | house | walk | bend | break |
hurt | grass | roots | braid | feelings |
The letters a, e, i, o, and u are called vowels. The letter a says /a/ like in apple.
cap | sad | rat | sat |
fat | map | mad | nap |
1. ____________ | 2. ____________ | 3. ____________ |
4.____________ | 5.____________ | 6. ____________ |
7. ____________ | 8.____________ |
The letter i says /i/ like in itch.
lip | wig | rip |
hit | fin | dig |
9. ____________ | 10. ____________ | 11. ____________ |
12. ____________ | 13. ____________ | 14. ____________ |
15. | rit | rat | |
16. | fan | fin | |
17. | nap | nip | |
18. | wag | wig | |
19. | sad | sid | |
20. | fit | fat |
The rat had a nap.
The map has a rip.
He has a fat lip.
She sat on the cap.
I am mad.
You will see these words in the story. They all have the /a/ sound like apple.
Max | at | grass |
asks | after | that |
away | bad | happy |
You will see these words in the story. They all have the /i/ sound like itch.
live | kids | in |
is | pick | it |
if | this | will |
Listen to the story Sweetgrass. Then read Sweetgrass in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. Dan used to live on the street. | yes | no |
2. Max and Dan are both Cree. | yes | no |
3. Sweetgrass is tall. | yes | no |
4. Sweetgrass breaks when you step on it. | yes | no |
5. Max and Dan eat the sweetgrass. | yes | no |
6. Dan says sweetgrass takes away bad feelings. | yes | no |
a ___A___ | b _______ | c _______ | d _______ |
e _______ | f _______ | g _______ | h _______ |
i _______ | j _______ | k _______ | l _______ |
m _______ | n _______ | o _______ | p _______ |
q _______ | r _______ | s _______ | t _______ |
u _______ | v _______ | w _______ | x _______ |
y _______ | z _______ |
Always use an upper case letter at the beginning of a sentence.
She has a red wig. – YES
she has a red wig. – NO
What makes you feel better when you feel bad? Fill in the blanks. Your instructor will help you spell.
Example: I feel better when I go for a walk.
1. I feel better when I ________________________________________.
2. I feel better when I ________________________________________.
3. I feel better when I ________________________________________.
Word Skills | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | map |
2 | rat |
3 | nap |
4 | mad |
5 | cap |
6 | sat |
7 | fat |
8 | sad |
9 | dig |
10 | hit |
11 | wig |
12 | rip |
13 | fin |
14 | lip |
15 | rat |
16 | fin |
17 | nap |
18 | wig |
19 | sad |
20 | fat |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | no |
2 | yes |
3 | yes |
4 | no |
5 | no |
6 | yes |
Writing | |
LOWER CASE | UPPER CASE |
a | A |
b | B |
c | C |
d | D |
e | E |
f | F |
g | G |
h | H |
i | I |
j | J |
k | K |
l | L |
m | M |
n | N |
o | O |
p | P |
q | Q |
r | R |
s | S |
t | T |
u | U |
v | V |
w | W |
x | X |
y | Y |
z | Z |
Wetland
Elkwater Lakes by Plains and Prairie Potholes Landscape Conservation is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Hurt
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Street
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Braid
Braid step by step by Chris used under a CC BY SA 3.0 license.
House
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Grass
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Break
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Feelings
Image by Gadini is in the public domain.
Bend
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Walk
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Roots
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The letter a says /a/ like in apple.
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Photo 1
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Photo 2
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Photo 3
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Photo 4
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Photo 5
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Photo 6
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Photo 7
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Photo 8
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The letter i says /i/ like in itch.
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Photo 9
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Photo 10
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Photo 11
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Photo 12
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Photo 13
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Photo 14
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Photo 15
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Photo 16
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Photo 17
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Photo 18
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Photo 19
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Photo 20
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In this chapter, you will learn to:
grandma | plane | flowers |
garden | club | know |
long | time | home |
smile |
time | garden | smile | home | club |
flowers | long | know | plane | grandma |
The letters a, e, i, o, and u are called vowels. The letter o makes an /o/ sound like in octopus.
log | mop | dot | jog | hot |
cot | cop | pot | top | box |
1. ____________ | 2. ____________ | 3. ____________ |
4. ____________ | 5. ____________ | 6. ____________ |
7. ____________ | 8. ____________ | 9. ____________ |
10. ____________ |
The letter u says /u/ like in up.
sun | mud | rug | mug | pup |
bug | cup | gum | nut |
11. ____________ | 12. ____________ | 13. ____________ |
14. ____________ | 15. ____________ | 16. ____________ |
17. ____________ | 18.____________ | 19. ____________ |
20. | mup | mop | |
21. | bug | bog | |
22. | gum | gom | |
23. | jog | jug | |
24. | cop | cup | |
25. | bux | box |
The mug is hot.
Is this gum on the rug?
Can you mop up the mud?
The pup had a nap on the cot.
The cop sat on the log.
You will see these words in the story. They all have the /o/ sound like octopus.
lot | not | on |
You will see these words in the story. They all have the /u/ sound like up.
clubs | but | hunt |
Listen to A New Flower. Then read A New Flower in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. Who goes on a plane for the first time?
________________ goes on a plane for the first time.
2. What does the grandma see that she has never seen before?
The grandma sees a ________________.
3. What three things do men do back home?
Back home, men ________________, ________________, and ________________.
4. What makes Dave different from the men back home?
Dave is different from the men back home because he knows about ________________.
5. Do you think the grandma likes Dave? Why or why not? Discuss with a classmate.
A ___a___ | B _______ | C _______ | D _______ |
E _______ | F _______ | G _______ | H _______ |
I _______ | J _______ | K _______ | L _______ |
M _______ | N _______ | O _______ | P _______ |
Q _______ | R _______ | S _______ | T _______ |
U _______ | V _______ | W _______ | X _______ |
Y _______ | Z _______ |
A sentence can be a question or a statement.
A question asks for information. It ends with a question mark.
What is your name? – YES
What is your name – NO
What is your name. – NO
A statement gives information. It ends with a period.
My name is Ted. – YES
My name is Ted – NO
Think of a time when you acted differently from how people expect a man or woman to act. Tell the story to your instructor. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | cop |
2 | box |
3 | mop |
4 | dot |
5 | top |
6 | cot |
7 | jog |
8 | pot |
9 | log |
10 | hot |
11 | pup |
12 | nut |
13 | bug |
14 | mud |
15 | sun |
16 | gum |
17 | rug |
18 | mug |
19 | cup |
20 | mop |
21 | bug |
22 | gum |
23 | jog |
24 | cup |
25 | box |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | The grandma |
2 | flower |
3 | hunt, fish, farm |
4 | flowers |
Writing | |
UPPER CASE | LOWER CASE |
A | a |
B | b |
C | c |
D | d |
E | e |
F | f |
G | g |
H | h |
I | i |
J | j |
K | k |
L | l |
M | m |
N | n |
O | o |
P | p |
Q | q |
R | r |
S | s |
T | t |
U | u |
V | v |
W | w |
X | x |
Y | y |
Z | z |
Grandma
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Plane
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Flowers
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Garden
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Club
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Know
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Long
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Time
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Home
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Smile
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The letter o says /o/ like in octopus.
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Photo 1
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Photo 2
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The letter u says /u/ like in up.
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Photo 12
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Photo 23
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In this chapter, you will learn to:
South Africa | three | white |
farm | money | land |
sack | rock | middle |
dirt | one | hole |
one | sack | land | dirt |
South Africa | hole | money | three |
white | middle | farm | rock |
The letters a, e, i, o, and u are called vowels. Vowels have short sounds and long sounds. So far, you have looked at short vowel sounds:
A short /e/ makes an /e/ sound like in Expo.
bed | pet | net | red |
web | pen | wet | vet |
1. ____________ | 2. ____________ | 3. ____________ |
4. ____________ | 5. ____________ | 6. ____________ |
7. ____________ | 8. ____________ |
Vowels can also make a long sound. The letters ee make a long /e/ sound like in jeep.
see | bee | green | weed |
tree | feet | three | feed |
9. __________ | 10. __________ | 11. __________ |
12. __________ | 13. __________ | 14. __________ |
15. __________ | 16. __________ |
17. | wet | weet | |
18. | neet | net | |
19. | weed | wed | |
20. | se | see | |
21. | web | weeb | |
22. | peet | pet |
My pet is at the vet.
I did not see the bee.
I got my feet wet.
This is a red pen.
She is not in bed.
You will see these words in the reading. They have the short /e/ sound like Expo.
Meg | rest | eggplant |
You will see these words in the reading. They have the long /e/ sound like jeep.
three | feed | weeds |
green | need |
Listen to The Sack Garden. Then read The Sack Garden in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. Where does Meg live?
Meg lives in _____________________.
2. Who owns most of the farmland in South Africa?
_____________________ own most of the farmland in South Africa.
3. What does Meg use to grow a garden?
Meg uses a _____________________ to grow a garden.
4. A sack garden costs a lot of money. | yes | no |
5. A sack garden takes up a lot of room. | yes | no |
6. A sack garden does not have many weeds. | yes | no |
7. How do you make a sack garden? Put these steps in the right order (1, 2, 3).
_____ Make little holes in the side of the sack.
_____ Put dirt and rocks in the sack.
_____ Put plants in the holes.
Write all the letters of the alphabet in order. Use upper case letters.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Use an upper case letter at the beginning of a person’s name.
This is Meg. – YES
This is meg. – NO
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Have you ever had a garden?
If so, tell your instructor about your garden. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
If not, imagine you were going to plant a garden. Think about what you would want to grow. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | web |
2 | net |
3 | red |
4 | vet |
5 | pen |
6 | bed |
7 | pet |
8 | wet |
9 | green |
10 | bee |
11 | feet |
12 | see |
13 | feed |
14 | tree |
15 | three |
16 | weed |
17 | wet |
18 | net |
19 | weed |
20 | see |
21 | web |
22 | pet |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | South Africa |
2 | white people |
3 | sack |
4 | no |
5 | no |
6 | yes |
7 | 2, 1, 3 |
Writing | |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Sack garden
Sack garden by Engineering for Change is used under a CC BY SA 2.0 license.
South Africa
Map of South Africa by Alvaro1984 18 is in the public domain.
Three
Image by PeteLinforth is in the public domain.
White
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Farm
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Money
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Land
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Sack
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Rock
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Middle
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Dirt
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One
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Hole
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The letter e says /e/ like in Expo.
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The letters ee make a long e sound like in jeep.
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In this chapter, you will learn to:
new | city | vegetables |
woman | sidewalk | carrots |
tomatoes | beans | peas |
talk | family | door |
sidewalk | peas | carrots | family |
door | city | woman | vegetables |
talk | beans | new | tomatoes |
Words can have endings. Some common word endings are –s, –ing, and –ed.
–s | –ing | –ed | |
look | looks | looking | looked |
pull | pulls | pulling | pulled |
talk | talks | talking | talked |
–s | –ing | –ed | |
bill | |||
fill | |||
walk | |||
pick | |||
kick |
The word ending –s can show there is more than one of something.
carrot | carrots |
bean | beans |
pea | peas |
2. | egg or eggs? | |
3. | rock or rocks? | |
4. | bug or bugs? | |
5. | pen or pens? | |
6. | tree or trees? | |
7. | rat or rats? |
The dog naps with the cats.
This log has bugs on it.
Tim jogs a lot.
The kids got on the bus.
Can you get the red cups?
Listen to Val’s Garden. Then read Val’s Garden in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
garden | family | new | vegetables |
box | passes on | Val | sidewalk |
1. I am _______________ to the city.
2. A woman named _______________ lives next door.
3. She grows a vegetable garden by the _______________.
4. She gives me a _______________ of vegetables.
5. She _______________.
6. I take care of her _______________.
7. A _______________ moves next door.
8. I give them a box of _______________ from Val’s garden.
You can use words from a question to make your own sentence.
Question: | Who has a garden? |
Answer: | Val has a garden. |
Question: | What vegetables are in Val’s garden? |
Answer: | Carrots, tomatoes, beans, and peas are in Val’s garden. |
Question: | Who moves next door when Val passes on? |
Answer: | A family moves next door when Val passes on. |
Question: | What is given to the family next door? |
Answer: | A box of vegetables is given to the family next door. |
1. Who talks to plants?
____________________________________________________
2. What gets dry after Val passes on?
____________________________________________________
3. What looks sad after Val passes on?
____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Think of a time when a neighbour was nice to you, or a time when you were nice to a neighbour. Tell the story to your instructor. Your instructor will write down what you say. Then copy the story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUESTION | ANSWER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | eggs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | rocks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | bug | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | pens | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | tree | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | rat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Check Your Understanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUESTION | ANSWER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | new | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | Val | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | sidewalk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | box | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | passes on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | garden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | family | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | vegetables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Writing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUESTION | ANSWER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | Val talks to plants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | The dirt gets dry after Val passes on. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | The plants looks sad after Val passes on. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z |
Box of vegetables
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New
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
City
Image by geralt is in the public domain.
Vegetables
Vegetables salad mandolin root vegetables by Le living and co is used under the CC BY 2.0 license.
Woman
Image by ErikaWittlieb is in the public domain.
sidewalk
Image by Pat Pilon is used under the CC BY 2.0 license
carrots
Image by jackmac34 is in the public domain.
tomatoes
Image by nataliaaggiato is in the public domain.
beans
Image by young_amyc is in the public domain.
peas
Image by PublicDomainPictures is in the public domain.
talk
Image by mikegi is in the public domain.
family
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
door
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
carrot
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
carrots
Image by folkart101 is in the public domain.
bean
Four Bean Pod byUnited Soybean Board is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
beans
Image by young_amyc is in the public domain.
pea
one pea by Erich Ferdinand is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
peas
Plate of Peas by Kari Söderholm is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
egg or eggs?
Image by Mangoon is in the public domain.
rock or rocks?
Image by sarajuggernaut is in the public domain.
bug or bugs?
Image by Ben_Kerckx is in the public domain.
pen or pens?
Image by succo is in the public domain.
tree or trees?
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
rat or rats?
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
In this chapter, you will learn to:
hard | cold | weather |
crop | rain | fruits |
sold | change | company |
help | bird | test |
sold | test | fruits | crop |
hard | help | weather | rain |
bird | change | company | cold |
A consonant is any letter that is not a vowel. For example, the letters b, c, d, f, g, h, and j are consonants. A blend is when two consonants go together and each consonant makes a sound.
The letters dr in drip are a blend.
1. clap | 2. frog | 3. step |
4. plum | 5. drum | 6. stop |
7. club | 8. crib | 9. star |
10. flag | 11. crab | 12. stem |
crab | star | club |
stem | plum | clap |
step | flag | crib |
frog | stop | drum |
crop | fruit | grow |
dry | stay | cold |
sold | test |
Stop the car.
Do not step on the bug.
We put up a flag.
Was she bitten by a crab?
He hit the drum.
Listen to GM Food. Then read GM Food in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. GM food can grow in cold weather. | good | bad |
2. GM food may kill bugs we need, like butterflies. | good | bad |
3. GM food may make birds sick. | good | bad |
4. GM food can stop bugs from eating it. | good | bad |
5. GM food may make people sick. | good | bad |
6. There have not been many tests on GM food. | good | bad |
7. GM food may grow in dry land in Africa. | good | bad |
8. GM food can stay good longer. | good | bad |
9. Do you think farmers should grow GM food? Use the underlined words to help form your answer.
____________________________________________________
You can use words from a question to form an answer.
Question: Why is farming a hard job?
Answer: Farming is a hard job because cold weather can kill your crops.
Two things changed from the question to the answer:
Why is farming a hard job?
1. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Have you ever visited a farm? Or have you ever visited a farmers’ market? Tell your instructor about your visit. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Patterns | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | clap |
2 | frog |
3 | step |
4 | plum |
5 | drum |
6 | stop |
7 | club |
8 | crib |
9 | star |
10 | flag |
11 | crab |
12 | stem |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | good |
2 | bad |
3 | bad |
4 | good |
5 | bad |
6 | bad |
7 | good |
8 | good |
Writing | |
(Any three of the sentences below are correct.) | |
Farming is a hard job because bugs can eat your crops. | |
Farming is a hard job because weeds can hurt your crops. | |
Farming is a hard job because your crops may need more rain than they get. | |
Farming is a hard job because fruits and vegetables can go bad before they are sold. |
Making GM food
Image by felixioncool is in the public domain.
Hard
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Cold
Image by PublicDomainPictures is in the public domain.
Weather
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Crop
Corn Fields by Don Graham is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Rain
weather symbols By sivvus is in the public domain.
Fruits
Image by jarmoluk is in the public domain.
Sold
Image by tkoch is in the public domain.
Change
Image by aleksandra85foto is in the public domain.
Company
Image by Texas A&M University-Commerce Marketing Communications Photography is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Help
Image by SurFeRGiRL30 is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Bird
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Test
Student writing by lmproulx is in the public domain.
The letters dr in drip are a blend.
Image by tpsdave is in the public domain.
Clap
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Frog
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Step
Image by Unsplash is in the public domain.
Plum
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Drum
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Stop
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Club
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Crib
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Star
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Flag
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Crab
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Stem
Stem morphology type scape by RoRo is in the public domain.
In this chapter, you will learn to:
South America | Europe | doctor |
world | sauce | soup |
juice | salsa | ketchup |
leaf | stem | space |
fight | Spain | taste |
doctor | sauce | leaf | taste | fight |
juice | soup | world | stem | Europe |
South America | Spain | space | ketchup | salsa |
A digraph is when two letters together make one sound. Here are some common digraphs.
sh like in ship | |
ch like in chin | |
th like in thumb | |
ck like in sock |
1 | 2 | 3 |
sh ch th ck | sh ch th ck | sh ch th ck |
4 | 5 | 6 |
sh ch th ck | sh ch th ck | sh ch th ck |
7 | 8 | 9 |
sh ch th ck | sh ch th ck | sh ch th ck |
10 | mop | 3 |
11 | sun | _______ |
12 | web | _______ |
13 | fish | _______ |
14 | lock | _______ |
15 | crab | _______ |
16 | _______ |
Get in the bath.
The fish is wet.
Do not lock me in!
I cut my chin.
Listen to Tomatoes. Then read Tomatoes in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. Who used to tell people that tomatoes would make them sick?
____________________________________________
2. What part of the tomato plant will make people sick?
____________________________________________
3. What place has a big tomato fight every year?
____________________________________________
4. Why do farms pick tomatoes before they are ripe?
____________________________________________
This is how to write an address:
639 Sun Street
Golden, British Columbia V0A 1H0
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
equals | dollars | and |
at | plus |
& | $ | + | = | @ |
1. _____ | 2. _____ | 3. _____ | 4. _____ | 5. _____ |
6. The bill came to ___ 10.00.
7. My email is tim___gmail.com.
8. Kim ___ Sam got a cat.
9. One ___ one = two.
10. Two + two ___ 4.
Think of a food you like to make using tomatoes. Tell your instructor how you make this food. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | fish, sh |
2 | rock, ck |
3 | duck, ck |
4 | chip, ch |
5 | bath, th |
6 | cheese, ch |
7 | sheep, sh |
8 | three, th |
9 | lock, ck |
10 | 3 |
11 | 3 |
12 | 3 |
13 | 3 |
14 | 3 |
15 | 4 |
16 | 4 |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | Doctors used to tell people that tomatoes would make them sick. |
2 | A tomato leaf or stem will make people sick. |
3 | Spain has a big tomato fight every year. |
4 | Farms pick tomatoes before they are ripe because they last longer this way. |
Writing | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | and |
2 | dollars |
3 | plus |
4 | equals |
5 | at |
6 | $ |
7 | @ |
8 | & |
9 | + |
10 | = |
Tomatoes
Image by byrev is in the public domain.
South America
World map depicting South America by Central Intelligence Agency is in the public domain.
Europe
Map of Europe by Ssolbergj is used under a CC BY SA 3.0 license.
Doctor
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
World
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Sauce
Image by Catkin is in the public domain.
Soup
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Juice
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Salsa
Fresh Salsa by Jon sullivan is in the public domain.
Ketchup
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Leaf
Image by Alexas_Fotos is in the public domain.
Stem
Stem morphology type scape by RoRo is in the public domain.
Space
Image by DasWortgewand is in the public domain.
Fight
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Spain
Flag map of Spain with Plus Ultra coat of arms by Soerfm is used under a CC BY SA 3.0 license.
Taste
concentrating on taste by lifescript is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
shlike ship
Image by martinme2d is in the public domain.
chlike chin
Image by Giuliamar is in the public domain.
thlike thumb
Image by niekverlaan is in the public domain.
cklike sock
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Photo 1
Image by skeeze is in the public domain.
Photo 2
Clochoderick Stone by Rosser1954 is in the public domain.
Photo 3
Image by stux is in the public domain.
Photo 5
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 6
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Photo 7
Image by rhae is in the public domain.
Photo 8
Image by geralt is in the public domain.
Photo 9
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 10
Image by MICHELLE ASHER is in the public domain.
Photo 11
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Photo 12
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 13
Image by skeeze is in the public domain.
Photo 14
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 15
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 16
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
In this chapter, you will learn to:
potting soil | warm | window |
hour | tie | stick |
colour | bottom |
hour | stick | bottom | colour |
window | warm | potting soil | tie |
You have learned to read these vowel sounds:
a says /a/ like apple
e says /e/ like Expo
i says /i/ like itch
o says /o/ like octopus
u says /u/ like up
pot | big | sun | wet | bit |
yet | top | add | pack | pick |
/a/ like apple | /e/ like Expo | /i/ like itch | /o/ like octopus | /u/ like up |
|
|
Is the pot hot?
Did you pack yet?
The bug bit me.
Do not pop the zit.
We sat in the sun.
Listen to Grow Your Own Tomatoes. Then read Grow Your Own Tomatoes in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
sun | ripe | pot | seed | wet |
1. Fill the _____________ with soil.
2. Put a _____________ in the soil.
3. Add water. Keep the soil _____________.
4. Put the pot by a window with lots of _____________.
5. Pick the tomatoes when they are _____________.
Have you ever picked fruit, such as berries, in a field, forest, or orchard? Tell the story to your instructor. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Check Your Understanding | |||||||||||
QUESTION | ANSWER | ||||||||||
1 | pot | ||||||||||
2 | seed | ||||||||||
3 | wet | ||||||||||
4 | sun | ||||||||||
5 | ripe |
Growing tomatoes
Tomato plant by Suzette is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Potting soil
a handful by Pat Dumas is used under a CC BY NC SA 2.0 license.
Warm
Image by Unsplash is in the public domain.
Window
Image by
Hour
Image by Unsplash is in the public domain.
Tie
Image by HebiFot is in the public domain.
Stick
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Colour
Image by inspiredimages is in the public domain.
Bottom
Image by PublicDomainPictures is in the public domain.
In this chapter, you will learn to:
hunt | Vancouver Island | logger |
path | forest | tall |
awe | park | risk |
down |
forest | awe | down | hunt | tall |
risk | Vancouver Island | logger | park | path |
Many words end in e. The e is silent but can make the first vowel in the word say its name.
cap | cape |
kit | kite |
rob | robe |
rake | dime | nose | cake |
nine | home | rice | gate |
1. _____________ | 2. _____________ | 3. _____________ |
4. _____________ | 5. _____________ | 6. _____________ |
7. _____________ | 8. _____________ |
name | like | made |
take | more | save |
Meg has nine cats.
Lock the gate.
What is your name?
Save me!
Can I have more cake?
Listen to Canada’s Tallest Tree. Then read Canada’s Tallest Tree in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. Where is Canada’s tallest tree?
___________________________________________________
2. How tall is Canada’s tallest tree?
___________________________________________________
3. Who was the first person to find Canada’s tallest tree?
___________________________________________________
4. What did the forest with Canada’s tallest tree become?
___________________________________________________
5. What are many of BC’s old forests at risk of?
___________________________________________________
Think of a time something in nature filled you with awe, or made you feel amazed. Tell the story to your instructor. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | rice |
2 | dime |
3 | gate |
4 | home |
5 | rake |
6 | nose |
7 | nine |
8 | cake |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | Canada’s tallest tree is on Vancouver Island. |
2 | Canada’s tallest tree is 314 feet tall. |
3 | A logger was the first person to find Canada’s tallest tree. |
4 | The forest with Canada’s tallest tree is now a park. |
5 | Many of BC’s old forests are at risk of being cut down. |
Tall trees
Image by Unsplash is in the public domain.
Hunt
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Vancouver Island
Vancouver island relief is used under a CC BY SA 3.0 license.
Logger
Logger working near Z Canyon by Seattle Municipal Archives is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Path
Image by bertvthul is in the public domain.
Forest
Image by Bergadder is in the public domain.
Tall
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Awe
Image by Kevin Dooley is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Park
Image by Unsplash is in the public domain.
Risk
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Down
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Cap
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Cape
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Kit
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Kite
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Rob
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Robe
bathrobe by David Ring is in the public domain.
Photo 1
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Photo 2
1992 Canadian Dime (Reverse) by yaybiscuits123 is used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Photo 3
Image by sipa is in the public domain.
Photo 4
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Photo 5
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 6
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Photo 7
Image by geralt is in the public domain.
Photo 8
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
In this chapter, you will learn to:
arctic | beautiful | winter |
dark | summer | ice |
water | heat | together |
wind | willow | poppy |
bright |
beautiful | dark | winter | wind | willow |
bright | heat | together | water | summer |
arctic | ice | poppy |
Two words rhyme when the endings sound the same. For example, these words rhyme:
land | try | mice | ||
lot | ice | hand | sky | dot |
1. sun run
2. ______________ ______________
3. ______________ ______________
4. ______________ ______________
5. ______________ ______________
The mice hid in the hole.
Do you like this dish?
Do not slip on the ice.
Can we chat?
We had a lot of fun.
Listen to Arctic Plants. Then read Arctic Plants in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 1.
1. How long does summer in the arctic last?
___________________________________________________
2. What plant adds a bit of heat to the ground so other plants can grow?
___________________________________________________
3. What do the plants do to last in the cold wind?
___________________________________________________
4. Why is the arctic willow different from other trees?
___________________________________________________
5. What does the arctic poppy always face?
___________________________________________________
6. What plant do you like best?
___________________________________________________
Think of a time when you had to be strong and brave. Tell the story to your instructor. Your instructor will write down your words. Then copy your story into your notebook.
When you are done, read your story.
Word Skills | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | sun, run |
2 | land, hand |
3 | try, sky |
4 | mice, ice |
5 | lot, dot |
Check Your Understanding | |
QUESTION | ANSWER |
1 | Summer in the arctic lasts for just a few weeks. |
2 | Arctic moss adds a bit of heat to the ground so other plants can grow. |
3 | Plants stay together to last in the cold wind. |
4 | The arctic willow is different from other trees because it grows on its side. |
5 | The arctic poppy always faces the sun. |
6 | Answers will vary. |
Arctic poppies
Arctic Poppy by Ansgar Walk is used under a CC BY SA 3.0 license.
Arctic
Canadian Arctic Archipelago by Connormah is used under a CC BY SA 3.0 license.
Beautiful
Image by Bessi is in the public domain.
Winter
Image by jill111 is in the public domain.
Dark
Image by SplitShire is in the public domain.
Summer
Image by OpenClipartVectors is in the public domain.
Ice
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Water
Image by ronymichaud is in the public domain.
Heat
Image by A-r-e-s is in the public domain.
Together
Image by PublicDomainPictures is in the public domain.
Wind
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Willow
Image by ADD is in the public domain.
Poppy
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
Bright
Image by ClkerFreeVectorImages is in the public domain.
For detailed information on the contents of each chapter in this course pack, please refer to the Level 1 Scope and Sequence document. A print-friendly version is provided below.
Gould, L. & Weiten, J. (1997). Ideas, activities, and exercises for fundamental level English. Vancouver: Basic Education Dept., Vancouver Community College.
School District No. 44. (1999). Reading 44: A core framework. North Vancouver, BC: Leo Marshall Curriculum Centre.
Wilson, B. A. (1996). Wilson reading system instructor manual. Oxford, MA: Wilson Language Training.