Camp Gratitude: Understanding Thank You's Power by Reading Informational Texts
Learners collaboratively analyze informational stories about practicing gratitude, ultimately composing their own thank you letter. Learners develop appreciation for multi-cultural and animal kingdom gratitude expression.
Teacher Tim, M.Ed., Reading Specialist
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(237)
Rising Star
What's included
3 live meetings
2 hrs 45 mins in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. Learners will create a thank you letter and acrostic poem.Certificate of Completion
1 after class completionClass Experience
**The Power of Practicing Gratitude: Practicing gratitude is the act of being thankful for or acknowledging the good things in our lives. Gratitude is a like a muscle-the more we exercise the skill the stronger its presence. Performing gratitude benefits kids in many ways, including: ***An increase in desirable emotions, including happiness and contentment ***Strengthened friends and family relationships ***An improved ability to see the good things in life, even on a bad day. The International Literacy Association estimates that in our adult lives, 85-90% of our reading is informational. Informational texts help us understand the world around us, including our natural and social surroundings. Our success in schooling, the workplace and society depends on our ability to understand informational stories. Reading informational texts’ benefits include: • Making authentic, real-life connections to information you want or need to know. • Demonstrating higher growth in reading comprehension and writing. • Transferring reading confidence across many genres. • Understanding text features, including captions, pictures and subheadings. The goal of this three-lesson camp is to engage learners in reading and understanding informational stories about gratitude and the power of saying thank you. Learners analyze informational text structure, practice writing a thank you note and gamify their reading comprehension. ***Class Structure*** • Establish baseline knowledge and understanding of the benefits of practicing gratitude by using a KWL chart: What do I already know about the topic? What do I want to know? What did I learn after reading this story? • Collaboratively read informational text about the practice of gratitude. • Engage in critical thinking-asking “I wonder…,” I notice…,” and I think…” questions. • Analyze and apply informational text comprehension strategies when appropriate: *Cause and Effect *Compare and Contrast *Description *Problem/Solution *Sequence • Evaluate the day’s informational stories about gratitude. • Analyze captivating gratitude-related videos. • Gamify lesson review (Blooket).
Learning Goals
Students will identify and express examples of gratitude in their daily lives by reflecting on and sharing specific moments or actions for which they are thankful, fostering a positive mindset and appreciation for the people and experiences around them.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum3 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
Understanding the Social Aspects of Gratitude
Learners explore the social power of saying thank you, its importance and how it appears in the animal kingdom as well. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Contrasting How People Give Thanks Around the World and Gratitude Fables
Learners explore three different cultures and how they give thanks: Chuseok: The Korean Thanksgiving Day, Erntedankfest in Germany and Pongal in India and Sri Lanka. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Composing a Thank You Letter and Easy Acrostic Poem.
Learners will articulate their understanding of practicing gratitude by creating a simple thank you letter. They will also create an easy gratitude-themed acrostic poem. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
5.0
237reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Special Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Cleveland State University-Does not expire.
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biological Sciences from Mercyhurst University-Does not expire.
• Master’s degree in Education
• Ohio state licensed Mild-to-Moderate Intervention Specialist (Kindergarten through 12th Grade-Special Education)
• Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Reading Endorsement for teaching the Big Five of the science of reading: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency and Comprehension
• Skilled at writing individualized education plans (IEPs).
• Orton-Gillingham certified through the Dyslexia Training Institute (DTI) in San Diego, California to teach learners diagnosed with dyslexia. Orton Gillingham is a multi-sensory approach to learning, which includes auditory, kinesthetic (touch) and visual instruction.
• Six years previous employment teaching at an alternative school for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum and/or life trauma.
Professional Affiliations
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
• International Literacy Association (ILA)
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
• Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM)
***Professional Development:
^^^ Knowledge Building as the Foundation of Literacy Learning-International Literacy Association (ILA) June 20204
^^^ A New Model for Teaching Phonics, Reading and Writing: The Double Helix Theory of Teaching-International Literacy Association (ILA) June 2024
^^^ Guiding Writers: Engaging Scaffolds for Powerful Results-International Literacy Association (ILA) June 2024
^^^ Introduction to Dyslexia Certification Course: Ohio Department of Education (ODE) January 2024
^^^The Reading Brain: Building Students' Reading Muscles in the Digital Age-International Literacy Association (ILA)
February 2024
^^^ K-12 Reading Comprehension
^^^K-5 Writing Instruction-American Federation of Teachers Union-Literacy Across Ohio Training
February 2024
***8th Annual Dyslexia Virtual Conference (Dyslexia Training Institute-San Diego, California): February 26th through March 17, 2024
**Microcertification**
Education Included:
^^What Should Be Included in a Comprehensive Assessment of Dyslexia
^^Executive Functions: What Are They, Why Are They Important and How Can I Help?
^^Spelling-Meaning Correspondences are Missing in Action: A Matter of Attention
Reviews
Live Group Class
$51
for 3 classes3x per week, 1 week
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
2-6 learners per class
Financial Assistance
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