Objective:
This ongoing course offers students the experience to read various texts and analyze them closely on a first grade level while applying a specific skill for each class. Students will explore vocabulary, story elements, reading strategies like: comprehension, asking/answering questions, comparing and contrast, making predictions, inferencing, reading fluency, and writing. This class will repeat after 8 weeks.

Class Structure:
I will begin class by introducing the learning target for each lesson. We will explore the meaning of these concepts and make connections to develop understanding. I will then display the text. I will read the title, author's name, and illustrator. We will discuss how the title adds meaning to the text. Students will learn the genre of this text. Before we read our text, I will introduce unfamiliar vocabulary that we will come across while we read. We will then read together aloud and listen closely to identify characters, vocabulary, and important events. We will use context clues from the sentences/illustrations to help us define/remember the meaning of vocabulary words as well as describe characters and their actions. Students will practice applying the learning target of “asking/answering questions, comprehension, compare/contrast” for example. All lessons are common core aligned. Students will also practice writing skills during each lesson as well by writing short answer responses to questions related to the content. Students will be exposed to a rich vocabulary and critical thinking skills setting the foundation for reading fluency, accuracy, and understanding.  

Teaching style:
This class will consist of meaningful discussions, engaging activities such as videos, books, interactive mini lessons, and writing activities. I am enthusiastic and full of positive energy. I enjoy having fun learning with my students and like to keep an upbeat, welcoming environment. 

Students will have access to the texts we will read prior to class. Students are encouraged to listen to a read aloud of each story prior to class. Class documents will also be provided for each student to print out for classwork as well as homework for extra practice. 

No prior knowledge is needed for this course. This is a foundational course that will start at the beginning of a first grade level. 

Course outline: We will read a variety of texts aloud. We will analyze each story closely as our lessons go on. Different reading skills will be practiced each week like: Ask and Answer Questions, Describing Characters, Describe Setting, Central Message. For each class, we will read and focus on a specific text. We will analyze one text over 4 classes then move on to a new story. Each time we look back at a specific text, we will dive deeper into sections of the story to help us better understand the meaning of the story and how the progress of characters and their feelings can change over time. 
Day 1 (introduction/first read)
Day 2 (Analyze the beginning of the text) 
Day 3 (analyze the middle of the text) 
Day 4 (analyze the ending of the text.)  
We will practice different reading skills each class by closely reading certain parts of the text. Skills we will focus on are: asking and answering questions, identifying characters, setting, vocabulary, and developing comprehension through critical thinking. 

We will read the following text throughout our 16 weeks:
"The Empty Pot" by: Demi
"The Polar Bear Son: Inuit Tale" retold by: Lydia Dabcovich
"Mice and Beans" by: Pam Munoz Ryan 
"Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel" by: Virginia Lee Burton
"My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother" by: Patrica Polacco
"Earthworms" by: Barrie Watts
"Nic Bishop: Moths and Butterflies" by: Nic Bishop
"Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote" by: Tanya Lee Stone