Paleontologists have proven T. Rex was ruthless in their predatory ways. It could be said they were the originators of antisocial behavior! It also makes T.Rex a perfect character to use to talk about how to be, or make, a friend! As children become more familiar with the book, encourage children to join in with the words in bold and also what the characters say to each other. Talk about the story Max’s favourite dinosaur is a T-Rex. Which is your child’s favourite, and why? Find the dinosaur facts in the story eg the size of a T-Rex or its teeth. What else do you both know? What would your child like ask a dinosaur? See links below to help find answers to children’s questions. If you have been to a dinosaur museum or display talk about what your child remembers about the visit. If Max is a ‘Maxosaurus’ what would your child or other members of your family be called if they were dinosaurs? Have fun talking about this. Does your child think Dinosaur Dora is writing the letters or is it really the T-Rex? I’m long past my early childhood years, but it didn’t matter. I was thrilled to received a copy of Dear Dinosaur by Chae Strathie from B-E-S Publishing. This book introduced me to the characters. B-E-S Publishing had recently sent me the sequel, Dear Dinosaur: T.Rex on Tour that I’d reviewed. I read this to my brother. I loved it when I was younger. It’s good because it’s all letters from Max to a TRex and they write to each other. I like it when the triceratops gets dressed up as a ballerina in a tutu Use italics (lyric) and bold (lyric) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part

Max drew a picture of a sausageosaurus. Children could draw their own funny dinosaur, and think up a name for it.Dinosaur Multiples Game - Kids will love this interactive dinosaur game, which tests their Maths skills. Use it at school or home on an interactive whiteboard or computer. The 1 st letter Max receives from T-Rex is far from friendly! Little by little, Max’s genuine caring and kindness ultimately lay the foundation for true friendship. The unique aspect of the book, though, is also the same thing that makes it not appropriate for all children. I wouldn’t recommend using Dear Dinosaur—either in a classroom library or home setting—with children younger than 4. The risk of tearing out a letter or postcard is just too great. But if you have a 4 year and older kiddo that loves dinosaurs or need a gift for a dino-crazed kidlet, this is the book for you!

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has a spectacular virtual tour of its exhibits – which include many prehistoric fossils and recreations of dinosaurs. Children could make a set of dinosaur ‘did you know?’ cards. Using facts from the story and from more things you find out about, T-Rex, Compsognathus or any other dinosaur (see links below). They could try out their cards on members of the family or friends. Make a dinosaur museum Prehistoric: Dinosaurs, Megalodons and Other Fascinating Creatures of the Deep Past by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld & Julius Csotonyi & The Smithsonian MuseumDinosaur e-book - Teach children all about the wonderful world of dinosaurs with this interactive e-book, which includes vivid illustrations and photos to capture children’s attention. BBC Teach has a useful set of videos and resources to support teaching a dinosaur topic in EYFS, KS1 and KS2. All children are obsessed with dinosaurs some time during their early childhood years. Whether it’s during their older toddler or preschool years or more into their 1 st or 2 nd years of elementary school, dinosaurs take up a lot of their time, energy and focus.

Lesson 1 - About Dinosaurs and museums - hook and grab for book ( MP4 of moving T Rex and sounds provided) Teach letter writing, punctuation, spelling, personal pronouns, capitals for proper nouns and sentence construction. Linked to Dear Dinosaur book (with real letters.) Wider world - about museums and dinosaurs. A simple, warm hearted and humorous book with charming illustrations. The correspondence could spark ideas for letter writing in the classroom setting.I loved this book because there were letters and postcards to open up and read. I also liked how the Triceratops wore a tutu. My favourite character was Max because he was a kind, little boy who loved dinosaurs. I would definitely recommend this story because it is a good story with interesting pictures.