Beginner Reader:Reading Comprehension, Phonics, Writing with Elephant and Piggie

Do you have a pre-emergent or emergent reader? Are you looking for ways to get them excited about reading and learn reading strategies and skills? 

This class is a fun, ongoing class using Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie series. These beloved characters have delightful stories that are sure to have your learner excited about reading. 

As a school librarian with a Master's in Reading, I love sharing the joy of reading. I will be reading one book each week (see schedule below).  Using the "before reading, during reading, and after reading model", learners will engage with the text as we practice reading skills like making predictions and connections. I will also select one sight word from the weekly story that we will focus on throughout the text so readers can pick up new words each week. 

Readers will connect with other learners through class discussion and interaction. This is a great way to help your learner with both oral language and social skills.  We will have time to share our favorite part and learners will have the opportunity to read some of our story to our class after the initial reading. Students will be encourage to read, but it is not a requirement.  

Time permitting, we may play a quick game to check comprehension, practice our chosen sight word, or even write a short reading response. For example, in the book, "I Love My New Toy", we may do a fill in the blank sentence writing where I have provided "I love..." and the learner writes in a word to complete the sentence. It is helpful to have a printer to print any handouts such as this, but it is not required. Students can bring along their own notebook or paper for any time we practice writing. 

At the end of the class, I will provide an activity to accompany the book. Activities will vary depending on the book and can range from a coloring sheet, craft idea, or even a reading/writing prompt. Any work completed can be submitted back to me for feedback. Please know it is not a mandatory homework assignment, but I like to provide an additional activity for families looking to continue working on the story. 

After the section completes the final book in the series, I will restart with book number one. Learners do not need to have read the book before coming to class. I will have a copy of the book to share with the class; however, if you have your own copy, feel free to bring it along. Learners can join in at any time as classes do not build on each other from week to week so come give it a try!

Note: I've included the reading Lexile level when applicable as well as the Accelerated Reader (AR) information in case you are in need of that for your reader! 

*Each section begins with week 1. If you would like to know which week we are on before joining, just message me! 

Week 1 
Book 1: Today I Will Fly!
AR: 0.5 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154575)

Week 2
Book 2:	My Friend Is Sad
AR: 0.7 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154571);  GLE: 1.5
Lexile measure: BR

Week 3 
Book 3:	There Is a Bird On Your Head!
AR: 1.0 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154573);  GLE: 1.5
F&P/GRL: G;  DRA: 12
Lexile measure: 210

Week 4 
Book 4:	I Am Invited to a Party!
AR: 0.7 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154567)
Lexile measure: 210L

Week 5 
Book 5:	I Love My New Toy!
AR: 0.5 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154568);  GLE: 1.5
Lexile measure: 180L

Week 6 
Book 6:	I Will Surprise My Friend!
AR: 0.8 (0.5 Point, Quiz #123748)

Week 7 
Book 7:	Are You Ready to Play Outside?
AR: 0.6 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154562)
F&P/GRL: G
Lexile measure: 140L

Week 8 
Book 8:	Watch Me Throw the Ball!
AR: 1.0 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154576)
Lexile measure: 280L

Week 9
Book 9:	Elephants Cannot Dance!
AR: 0.9 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154563);  GLE: 0.9
F&P/GRL: I;  DRA: 16
Lexile measure: 150L

Week 10  
Book 10:	Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
AR: 0.7 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154572)
Lexile measure: AD40L

Week 11 
Book 11:	I Am Going!
AR: 0.6 (0.5 Point, Quiz #155524)

Week 12 
Book 12:	Can I Play Too?
AR: 0.6 (0.5 Point, Quiz #138380);  GLE: 1
F&P/GRL: H;  DRA: 14
Lexile measure: 180L

Week 13
Book 13:	We Are in a Book!
AR: 0.9 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154356);  GLE: 1
Lexile measure: 200L

Week 14
Book 14:	I Broke My Trunk!
AR: 1.3 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154354)

Week 15 
Book 15:	Should I Share My Ice Cream?
AR: 1.1 (0.5 Point, Quiz #144764)
F&P/GRL: H
Lexile measure: 260L

Week 16 
Book 16:	Happy Pig Day!
AR: 0.7 (0.5 Point, Quiz #147098)
Lexile measure: 170L

Week 17 
Book 17:	Listen to My Trumpet!
AR: 0.8 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154355)

Week 18 
Book 18:	Let's Go for a Drive!
AR: 1.0 (0.5 Point, Quiz #154610)
Lexile measure: 310L

Week 19 
Book 19:	A Big Guy Took My Ball!
AR: 1.0 (0.5 Point, Quiz #158336);  GLE: 1
Lexile measure: AD270L

Week 20 
Book 20:	I'm a Frog!
AR: 1.1 (0.5 Point, Quiz #163356)
Lexile measure: 180L

Week 21 
Book 21:	My New Friend Is So Fun!
AR: 1.1 (0.5 Point, Quiz #166955);  GLE: 1.1
Lexile measure: 240L

Week 22 
Book 22:	Waiting Is Not Easy!
AR: 0.9 (0.5 Point, Quiz #170768)
Lexile measure: 250L

Week 23 
Book 23:	I Will Take A Nap!
AR: 1.2 (0.5 Point, Quiz #174535)
Lexile measure: 190L

Week 24 
Book 24:	I Really Like Slop!
AR: 1.0 (0.5 Point, Quiz #177968)
Lexile measure: 190L

Week 25 
Book 25:	The Thank You Book
AR: 1.4 (0.5 Point, Quiz #182276)
Lexile measure: 330L