The Choir Apple Tree House

# No matter if you're young or old

# With good friends you'll never be alone

# Shining light on our joyful world

# Ain't nothing going to beat that place

# We call home

# First days, new days

# Are the very best days

# New things to discover

# New people to meet

# Fun days always

# Playing with your friend days

# Life is for the living down at Apple Tree House. #

# ..for us to see

# And when the lights go low by night

# The things we learn help us unite. #

-Shall I sing another song?

-No.

You've been singing all day!

Well, if we don't practise, we won't be ready for the school concert.

-You'll be fine.

-But Miss Barrett said we're singing with the adults.

-That sounds like fun.

-Are you going to sing?

-Well...

-Oh, no. It's like sports day all over again.

What?

Well, you know on the sports day where the teachers

let the parents do the race?

-Bella's dad takes that really seriously.

-Thank you, girls.

-There's no fear of me joining in with the singing.

-Why?

-Because...

-Mum says Dad's singing sounds like a frightened whale.

A frightened whale?

That sounds funny.

WHALE SINGS

-That doesn't sound good.

-Exactly.

-You can leave the singing to me.

-Sure.

# Come, my friend, let's fill the...

Mali!

# Reaching far across the land

# And then set sail upon the sea

# And then come home to Apple Tree. #

Can we go find my dad now?

Here we are, Kobi.

Oh, Ian! Thanks! Sweetheart!

-What have we got here?

-This is our new spelling sheet.

Ooh, spellings! Yeah, I can help with that.

We have to practise our singing for the choir performance.

Singing? Yeah, I can help with that too.

HE SINGS

Ah, well...

Maybe I'll do the spelling and Ian can do the singing.

I don't think so. Last time I sang was at school.

Everyone in assembly covered their ears.

Even the teachers.

Oh. Well, that must've been terrible.

-Anyway, I think spellings are more important.

-Well, that's not fair!

-Grown-ups never have to learn.

-Well, that's not true.

I often say you're never too old to learn. Isn't that right, Ian?

Yeah. I guess so.

Did I ever tell you I went to night school?

-Night school? What's that?

-It's school for grown-ups.

School open at night-time?

How weird.

Not at all!

After your school finishes,

often they keep their gates open for adults to attend classes.

-Did you have to wear uniforms?

-Luckily not.

You know, to run Apple Tree House, I had to learn all sorts of things,

and evening classes were perfect for me.

I learned plumbing,

electrics...

..and taekwondo.

-But how did taekwondo help to run Apple Tree House?

-It didn't.

I did that just for fun.

Well, I'd rather learn taekwondo than spelling.

Hi-ya!

Magic.

M-A-G-I-C. Magic.

Correct!

You've nearly finished all the words.

Do you want to practise some singing before bed?

-Singing?

-I know about the choir performance.

Bella was practising earlier, wasn't she?

-Could you hear her?

-When Bella sings, the whole estate can hear!

She's good, but I'm shy.

Shy? Don't be silly.

Singing is fun!

-I can't!

-Mali, sing!

Don't think about it.

Just open your mouth and let the words fly out.

I'll leave that to Bella. She's good, I'm not.

No excuses!

After three.

One, two, three.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Zainab? Are you in, Zainab?

Yes!

-Hello.

-Hi, Zainab.

I need your help, please.

What is it?

Could you check something on the computer for me?

# Come, my friend, let's build a bridge

# Reaching far across the land. #

Oh.

Everything OK?

Yeah. What were you talking about with Bella's dad?

-Oh, I think she's planning a surprise for Bella.

-A surprise?

Don't you worry about that.

Time to think about bed.

I'm just going to help Ian with the computer.

By the way,

great singing.

Good night, Mali.

Night, Gran.

-Fox.

-Oh, I know this one!

F-ox!

Correct!

Right, we're here. Bye, Bella! I'm off to work.

-Why aren't you wearing your work clothes?

-Good question.

Um...

I...

-Oh, look at the time.

-You lot better get in.

You better go, you'll be late.

-BOTH: Bye!

-Bye!

How do you spell no?

That's easy. N-O. No!

No, I mean, the other kind of no.

Erm...

Like...

I don't know.

Exactly.

-No, I'm telling you I don't know.

-You don't know.

-No!

Spoon.

Hmm.

What else does this need?

Maybe some more fish.

Fish.

Well done, Mali.

# Across the land... #

Hey, we had a deal!

Not now, Dad, I'm still singing.

If you learn your spelling first,

I promise I will listen to your singing.

Really? Do you promise?

PHONE RINGS

Oh, I have to go. I have an appointment.

Again? But what about my singing?

Your mum should be back soon. She must be running late from yoga.

I'll drop you off at Zainab's,

-and then she can help you with your sp-...

-Singing!

Spelling.

Bear.

B-...

Go on!

-Mali, what are you doing?

-Bouncing up and down.

It helps me remember the spelling.

Everyone has different ways of learning.

You just have to find what works for you.

Well, I'd rather be doing singing.

Actually, that's not a bad idea.

That's very good.

And you've got nine right. That's great!

Hiya!

Kobi, we need your help.

Bella's trying to learn her spellings,

and I think I know what'll help.

-You'll need your guitar.

-My guitar?

Oh!

I love it already.

-Sam, you get the drum.

-Can I help?

-I've got the very thing for you.

SHAKER RATTLES

Right, we ready?

Bella, since you love music, that's what we're going to do.

-To help you learn how to spell.

-I like the sound of that!

Take it away, Kobi!

The first word is long.

# Let's make a spelling sing-along

# Words can be so easy when you put them in a song

# Stop, look and listen to me

# I say, listen to the words that make a simple melody

# Let's start with...

# A, B, C

# So let's write a spelling sing-along

# Words are really easy if you put them in a song. #

-That was fantabulous!

-Yeah!

-Hey, we do what we can.

Hello, everyone.

Dad, Dad, we're learning our spellings by singing them.

I thought you didn't like singing.

I didn't, but I do now.

You know, you're never too old to learn.

-Has anyone seen Ian?

-I-I thought he was at football with you.

That's where I've been. He wasn't there.

He should be here. He promised he'd help me with my singing.

If he's not at football with you, where is he?

He's planning a very special surprise,

and you'll all see what it is very soon.

I can't wait to find out!

Here goes.

"Night time and evening classes for adults."

Remember, Bella, words are really easy you put them in a song.

Yeah.

Hello!

-Hiya!

-Hi!

How are you?

Sorry, I just... I'll tidy the bedroom.

-Guess who got 10 out of 10 on their spelling test.

-Me!

Yes, but who else?

Uh, Kobi?

-No, me!

-That's amazing, Bella!

-I knew you could do it!

Come on, you lot. You're supposed to be in the hall.

Hello, everyone. Thanks for coming to our annual performance.

Please put your hands together for the choir!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-WHISPERS:

-Hi!

# Come, my friends, and learn with me

# So much here for us to see

# Come, my friends, let's build a bridge

# Reaching out across the land

# And then sail upon the sea

# And then come home to Apple Tree. #

Dad, when did you learn to sing?

I wanted to surprise you both, but I was too scared to sing,

so I've been attending night classes to improve my confidence.

You've been to night school? Cool.

I am proud of you, Ian,

and I'm sorry I said you sounded like a frightened whale.

He didn't sound like a frightened whale, he sounded like a happy one.

-Maybe now, we could all sing together.

-Um...

No, I think I'm done with singing.

I want to learn taekwondo.

Hi-ya!

Mali, you really did well with your singing, just like Ian.

I'm really happy Bella passed her spelling test.

It was great we all helped each other.

GIGGLING

If spellings are hard and you're getting them wrong...

# Try and turn them into a song. #

-You're a good friend, Mali.

-And you're a great friend, Sam.