Overview:
In this class, we will look at a wordless picture book. The learners will participate in describing what they see in the pictures. As we go through the book discussing and answering questions, we will discover the story that the author tried to convey in the book. Once we understand what the book is about, we will begin again at the beginning of the book and use our own words to "write" the story. Each learner will be encouraged to participate so that the end product is a class story. 

Note: The "write" is in quotes because we will be unable to actually write the story during class. This class will focus on oral skills and does not promise a transcribed story. If your learner would like to save the class story, the video recording usually has a transcript attached.

Class Focus:
This class is meant to encourage children to tell their own story based on the pictures in a book. The class will encourage them to speak their ideas and connect words and descriptions to pictures. This exercise will also help the learners to increase vocabulary, describe story scenes, and follow a story's plot and sequence. These books also encourage imagination to describe and interpret a story's illustrations

Class structure:
This class will be all discussion-based, with each child being encouraged to participate. As a class, we will describe the happenings on each page in the book. When necessary, I will ask questions to help facilitate the discussion, especially focusing on questions that help the learners to notice crucial aspects of the storyline. We will discuss things like, how the character feels, what is happening, where the character is going, etc. Discussing all of the details helps us to plan our story. It will also give us a view of the whole story and assist us in understanding the story's plot, the sequence of events, and the story's conflict and resolution. This discussion also increases the learners' vocabulary, language skills, and critical thinking, while having fun. As we return to the beginning of the book, I will model how an author might write part of a story (if needed). My goal is to make sure they understand that many books use words and pictures to tell a full story. They are writing the words to accompany the pictures to tell a full story. I intend for my examples to help them practice finding the main point or thought for each page. However, this is a class story and I do not want to limit their creativity too much. To finish the story, I may need to give a time limitation for each page. Our class story will not conclude with each learner mastering the skills I discussed above, but it will assist them in practicing these skills without even realizing it. Our goal is to complete each class session with a class story. If there is enough extra time in class, we will complete a drawing activity that goes along with the book or we will discuss how to extend the book we just read.

Books we will use:
The books we will use are subject to change as I confirm the publisher's temporary read-aloud permission details. Currently, I have permission to use these titles. 

Day One: 5-24-2021
"The Red Book" and "Red Again" by Barbara Lehman published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers

Day Two: 5-26-2021
"Rainstorm" or "The Secret Box" by Barbara Lehman published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers

Day Three: 5-28-2021
"Trainstop" or "Museum" by Barbara Lehman published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers

Day Four: 5-31-2021
"Pancakes for Breakfast" by Tomie DePaola published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers

Day Five: 06-02-2021
"The Neighbor Kid" by Daniel Miyares published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Day Six: 06-04-2021
"The Balcony" by Melissa Castrillon published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers