What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekMastery Evaluation
includedGrading
includedClass Experience
In this class, students will develop key reading comprehension skills such as predicting, summarizing, and making connections to stories. They will also strengthen their communication skills by participating in Show-and-Tell activities where they share their own interpretations and experiences related to the stories. Additionally, students will build social confidence and learn how to engage in group discussions in a supportive environment. Class Schedule: ⇢ Week of October 4: Fall Fun with Scarecrow Topic: Understanding Characters and Setting ⇢ Week of October 11: Autumn Adventures with Apple Trouble! Topic: Sequencing and Problem-Solving ⇢ Week of October 18: Halloween Spookiness with The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything Topic: Asking Questions and Understanding Plot ⇢ Week of October 25: Bats & Friendship with Stellaluna Topic: Visualizing and Understanding Themes ⇢ Week of November 1: Magical Halloween Fun with Room on the Broom Topic: Exploring Setting and Teamwork ⇢ Week of November 8: Fall Harvest with Pumpkin Soup Topic: Summarizing and Character Interaction ⇢ Week of November 15: Thanksgiving Hero with Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving Topic: Making Connections and Understanding History ⇢ Week of November 22: Turkey Troubles with Turkey Trouble Topic: Problem-Solving and Character Motivations ⇢ Week of November 29: Macy’s Parade Fun with Balloons Over Broadway Topic: Understanding Theme and Creativity ⇢ Week of December 6: Holiday Cheer with Bear Stays Up for Christmas Topic: Comparing & Contrasting and Friendship ⇢ Week of December 13: Winter Magic with The Polar Express Topic: Inferring and Exploring Themes Each week, we will cover: Reading Comprehension Skills: Predicting, summarizing, character analysis, and identifying themes. Creative Expression: Through Show-and-Tell, students will share items or creations related to the stories, allowing them to connect the book to their own lives. Social Skills: Encouraging interaction, sharing, and listening during discussions, helping students build friendships and communicate effectively. Seasonal Themes: Each story will align with the season (fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.), making the class fun and festive. The class meets once a week for a 55-minute session. Each class is broken into the following segments: Storytime (15-20 minutes): I will read a short, engaging story aloud, pausing to ask questions, check comprehension, and get predictions from the students. Guided Discussion (15 minutes): After the story, we’ll discuss key elements such as characters, plot, and themes. I will ask open-ended questions to promote critical thinking and group interaction. Show-and-Tell (15-20 minutes): Students will present an item, drawing, or story inspired by the book during Show-and-Tell. We will rotate through a few students each week, giving everyone time to share and receive feedback. Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 minutes): We’ll end the class with a brief reflection, where students can share their favorite parts of the story or what they learned. I'll also preview the next week’s book to build excitement. I will teach through a combination of storytelling, guided discussions, and interactive activities. I’ll use questions, prompts, and creative tasks to engage students and encourage participation. The class will be highly interactive, focusing on student involvement rather than passive listening. We will also use slides or visuals for key points in the story to keep students visually engaged. My teaching style is student-centered and interactive. I create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and participating in discussions. I encourage curiosity and creativity by asking open-ended questions and allowing students to connect the stories to their own experiences through Show-and-Tell. The goal is to make learning fun, engaging, and social, fostering a love for reading. This structure ensures a balance of guided learning and social interaction, making it perfect for young readers who thrive in creative, engaging environments. Let me know if you’d like to refine any part of this!
Learning Goals
Build Social and Communication Skills – By engaging in group discussions and sharing in a supportive environment, students will improve their listening, speaking, and social interaction skills, fostering confidence and collaboration.
Develop Key Reading Comprehension Skills – Students will enhance their ability to make predictions, summarize stories, and analyze characters and themes through guided reading and discussion.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Each class session we will cover a read-aloud if the learner would like to check the books out to have on hand to read along with us in class.
"How to Get Your Teacher Ready" by Jean Reagan (Back-to-School Theme)
"Scarecrow" by Cynthia Rylant (Fall Theme)
"Apple Trouble!" by Ragnhild Scamell (Autumn Theme)
"The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" by Linda Williams (Halloween Theme)
"Stellaluna" by Janell Cannon (Bats/Fall Theme)
"Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson (Halloween Theme)
"Pumpkin Soup" by Helen Cooper (Fall/Harvest Theme)
"Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving" by Laurie Halse Anderson (Thanksgiving Theme)
"Turkey Trouble" by Wendi Silvano (Thanksgiving Theme)
"Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet (Thanksgiving/Macy’s Parade Theme)
"Bear Stays Up for Christmas" by Karma Wilson (Holiday Theme)
"The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg (Winter/Holiday Theme)
The new book, "How to Get Your Teacher Ready," is a fun, humorous choice for the back-to-school season, capturing kids' attention with its playful look at preparing for the school year.
The book list will be updated for the new season closer to December
Teacher expertise and credentials
With over 20 years of teaching experience, including 16+ years in the public school system and 6 years of homeschooling my own children, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for education to every class I teach. My diverse background allows me to blend the best of both worlds—structured, evidence-based teaching methods from the classroom with the flexibility and personalized approach of homeschooling. I have a strong focus on making learning both engaging and fun, creating a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and socially. My goal is to foster curiosity, build confidence, and help each learner discover their own love for reading and knowledge.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$16
weekly1x per week
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-9
3-9 learners per class