Genre Explorers: Reading Comprehension Small Group (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Learners will discover the magic of stories and develop a love of reading in "Genre Explorers: Reading Comprehension Small Group (1st, 2nd, 3rd)!"

Research consistently shows that strong reading skills in the early grades are critical predictors of future academic achievement. We now know that children who read proficiently by third grade are more likely to excel in school, as nearly every subject relies on the ability to process and comprehend text. Early reading helps develop essential skills such as decoding, fluency, and comprehension while strengthening vocabulary and critical thinking. It also fosters creativity and curiosity, helping children build confidence in their ability to learn and succeed.

In this class, learners will embark on a captivating journey through fairytales, tall tales, fables, and myths. They will develop critical reading comprehension skills while discovering the magic and wisdom within these timeless stories. Students will master reading comprehension strategies, including asking and answering questions, identifying story genres, analyzing key story elements (characters, setting, and plot), discerning central messages or morals, and supporting their answers with text evidence.

This class meets for 30 minutes once a week. Each genre will remain the focus for a 5-week period before moving on to the next, ensuring learners have a thorough understanding of each literary style. Reading comprehension strategies will be rotated and taught multiple times to reinforce understanding, using new stories each time. 

Students will engage in reading activities, participate in small-group discussions, share their ideas, and respond to comprehension questions in this fun and engaging class!

***Homework***

After each live lesson, families will be provided with an optional extra practice activity to reinforce the skills we learned together at home. 

***Parent Communication***

Parents will periodically be sent updates on how their child's learning is progressing, including the strengths and weaknesses that I'm noticing during our sessions. 

***Class Schedule***

1 - Week of March 3rd - Fairytales - What is a fairytale? (RL.2.2)
2 - Week of March 10th - Fairytales - Ask and answer questions (RL.2.1)
3 - Week of March 17th - Fairytales - Story structure (RL.2.5)
4 - Week of March 24th - Fairytales - Central message or moral (RL.2.2)
5 - Week of March 31st - Fairytales - Understanding characters (RL.2.3)
6 - Week of April 7th - Tall Tales - What is a folktale? (RL.2.2)
7 - Week of April 14th - Tall Tales - Ask and answer questions (RL.2.1)
8 - Week of April 21st - Tall Tales - Story structure (RL.2.5)
9 - Week of April 28th - Tall Tales - Central message or moral (RL.2.2)
10 - Week of May 5th - Tall Tales - Understanding characters (RL.2.3)
11 - Week of May 12th - Fables - What is a fable? (RL.2.2)
12 - Week of May 19th - Fables - Ask and answer questions (RL.2.1)
13 - Week of May 26th - Fables - Story structure (RL.2.5)
14 - Week of June 2nd - Fables - Central message or moral (RL.2.2)
15 - Week of June 9th - Fables - Understanding characters (RL.2.3)
16 - Week of May 12th - Myths - What is a myth? (RL.2.2)
17 - Week of May 19th - Myths - Ask and answer questions (RL.2.1)
18 - Week of May 26th - Myths - Story structure (RL.2.5)
19 - Week of June 2nd - Myths - Central message or moral (RL.2.2)
20 - Week of June 9th - Myths - Understanding characters (RL.2.3)

***Common Core Standards***

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2
Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7   *Integrated throughout all lessons*
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.