Freestyle Reading Curriculum for Grades 3-5: Bring Your Own Books

In this small-group learn to read class, students not only learn reading and comprehension strategies, but also learn to LOVE READING.  How?  They will become personally involved in their own learning by choosing their books and challenges.  In doing so, they follow their own interests, are self-motivated, and learn to apply what they learn in class to their own reading material.

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Who is it for? 
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This class is for FLUENT READERS in GRADES 3-5.  Students may be at different levels--some reading short chapter books, while others may be reading books with 300+ pages.  The common link is that the students enrolled in the class should all: 

-have the ability to decode (sound out) most words 
-have a Lexile level (if you know it) of at least 500L
-be able to read books at least 80 pgs in length  

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What will they learn?
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Just like any other reading class, students will learn comprehension, vocabulary, and literature analysis skills.  The only difference is that instead of the teacher assigning the books to read, THE STUDENT chooses their own books.  I do this through GENRE STUDIES.  Each week we learn about a different genre of literature.  As students learn about key elements of the genre, they look to their own books for examples and details.  

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FALL 2022
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If you are intrigued and think your student would thrive in a reading environment like this, below is a schedule of topics we will cover this year.  This is an ongoing class, which means your student can jump in at any time, and leave at any time.  The topics are NOT sequential and each weekly class can stand alone.  However, students who attend classes all year will naturally make connections between classes, and therefore, be building their bank of reading strategies to improve their reading level. 

WEEK of OCT 10: Author's Message
How does an author use their writing to send messages?
Genre Study: All

WEEK of OCT 17-Setting
Where and when does your story take place?
Genre Study: Realistic Fiction

WEEK of OCT 24-Real Characters
How do authors make the characters so realistic?  Who are the protagonist & antagonist? 
Genre Study: Realistic Fiction 

WEEK of OCT 31- Real Situations
What kinds of problems do characters face in a realistic fiction story?
Genre Study: Realist Fiction 

WEEK of NOV 7-Solutions
What do the solutions tell us about an author's message?
Genre Study: Realistic Fiction

WEEK of NOV 14-  Historical Fiction
What makes a historical fiction? 
Genre Study: Historical Fiction

WEEK of NOV 28-Setting
How does the setting affect the story? 
Genre Study: Historical Fiction

WEEK of DEC 5- Characters
Can you identify the protagonist and antagonist?
Genre Study: Historical Fiction

WEEK of DEC 12- Conflict
What conflicts do the characters have? 
Genre Study: Historical Fiction

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WINTER 2023
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January-March
Genre Studies:  Fantasy vs. Science Fiction

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SPRING 2023
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January-March
Genre Studies:  Mysteries & Mythology

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Class Format
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The idea of having students choose their own books in a reading class is unique.  But I have been teaching this way for over 20 years.  There are 3 important aspects of my class that make it work.  

NOTICING WORDS (15-20 min)
Any reader will tell you that the words an author uses are what make reading so consuming.  Whether it’s the particular vocabulary, the descriptions, or the art of putting the words together, words in books can be captivating.  In this class I help students to notice the words that authors use.  When they first come into class, they share words or phrases from the books they are reading.  These might be words they don’t understand, words that made them laugh, words they’ve never heard of before, words that evoke a strong image in their minds--anything!  Then we spend about 5-10 minutes talking about these words (defining them, savoring them, or maybe thinking of similar words we like.)  The purpose of this activity is to :

1. Build vocabulary
2. Give me opportunities to hear students’ reading abilities
3. Enjoy the art of written language

GENRE STUDY (15-20 min)
During the middle portion of the class, I will teach a mini-lesson (about 5-10 min) focusing on a particular genre of literature.  
Students may read an excerpt of a story in class, or be assigned to listen to a text in the Classroom before class.  Then they will use their own books to find examples.  The purpose of this activity is to:

1. Build a bank of strategies for comprehending a text
2. Make this new knowledge meaningful, since students will be applying it to something they are already interested in
3. Give me an opportunity to hear students’ reading abilities

MOTIVATION TO READ (15-20 min)
Lifelong readers have one thing in common:  they like to choose their own reading material.  This is not to say there isn’t a time for assigned reading.  But I strongly believe that if I can inspire students to read often, they will be much more willing to challenge themselves and become better readers.  Every teacher knows that students who read more become better readers.  Once students are good readers, they can tackle any reading assignment that comes their way!  I have several ways to encourage reading in this class:

(1) STUDENTS SHARE WHAT THEY'RE READING.  Nothing is a better motivator to pick up a book than a peer saying how much they loved it.  Not only that, but sharing about the book you’re reading is a very natural way for students to practice summarizing. (But don’t tell them that!)  I save time in every class for students to share what they are reading.   

(2) STUDENTS COMPLETE READING CHALLENGES. When a student enrolls in the class, they will receive a list of age-appropriate reading challenges.  These might include things like “Read outside,” or “Read to an animal--real or stuffed.”  It will also include things that help students read outside their comfort zone with challenges like, “Read a genre you don’t normally read.”  Finally, there will be some reading challenges that help students stretch their abilities with things like, “Try reading a book you think might be too hard for you,” or “Try reading a book with more than 200 pages.”  Every class includes a "Brag Time," where we cheer on students who have completed a challenge. 

(3) STUDENT CHOICE ENCOURAGES MORE READING. In my experience working with all kinds of students (including reluctant readers), students who are excited about reading will challenge themselves much more often than if they feel forced to read.  Although WE know you are enrolling your learner in this class to help them become better readers, THEY will enjoy the class because they have a sense of control. They will not only have a choice in WHAT to read, but HOW MUCH to read and how much to challenge themselves.  However, simply giving students a choice isn't a magic formula.  Instead I help students understand how to make choices.  We talk about how to choose books, why we like (and dislike) books. We talk a lot about the truths of reading. How not every book is worth finishing. How sometimes a highly recommended book doesn’t excite us, or a book that everyone seemed to hate might be just what we were looking for.  How sometimes you have to push past the slow parts of the book to get the rewards at the end.  And finally, how it is hard to find something great to read when there are so many choice, but that there are things we can do to make this easier (like keeping a list of “Want to Read” books).   The discussions and activities I use in this class are all ways to help students learn how to handle the responsibility of being in control of their own reading.  

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THE NATURAL APPROACH
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Every student learns to read differently.  I love the challenge of finding out what my students already know and figuring out how I can help them discover new techniques to become better readers.  No matter what level of reading I teach, I make sure my students are inspired to read for meaning first.  Without meaning, there is no motivation to keep reading.  I encourage students to bring what they know to the text, and then we go from there. This approach allows students to progress at their own pace. I am constantly adjusting my teaching based on what students need, so no two classes are the same.  

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FULL HOMESCHOOLING CURRICULUM
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This course may be taken alone, but is also part of a full homeschooling curriculum I offer on Outschool for grades 4-6.  If you're interested check out my Outschool schedule or this pdf of my full 2023-24 school year classes.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_qHHoWIdIQ5Edc2ryy5HPe3FZWOhxnRh/view?usp=sharing