Objective:
This ongoing course offers students the experience to read various texts and analyze them closely on a kindergarten level while applying a specific skill for each class. Students will explore vocabulary, story elements, reading strategies like: comprehension, asking/answering questions, comparing and contrast, making predictions, inferencing, reading fluency, and writing. 

Class Structure:
I will begin class by introducing the learning target for each lesson. We will explore the meaning of these concepts and make connections to develop understanding. This will lead the class to reading a story or part of a story to analyze it closely. Students will practice applying the learning target of “asking/answering questions, comprehension, compare/contrast” for example. All lessons are common core aligned. Students will also practice writing skills during each lesson as well by writing short answer responses to questions related to the content. Students will be exposed to a rich vocabulary and critical thinking skills setting the foundation for reading fluency, accuracy, and understanding. 

Teaching style:
This class will consist of meaningful discussions, engaging activities such as videos, books, interactive mini lessons, and writing activities. I am enthusiastic and full of positive energy. I enjoy having fun learning with my students and like to keep an upbeat, welcoming environment. 

Students will have access to the texts we will read prior to class. Students are encouraged to listen to a read aloud of each story prior to class. Class documents will also be provided for each student to print out for classwork as well as homework for extra practice. 

No prior knowledge is needed for this course. This is a foundational course that will start at the beginning of a kindergarten  level. 

We will read a variety of texts aloud. We will analyze each story closely as our lessons go on. We will practice different reading skills each week like: Ask and Answer Questions, Describing Characters, Describe Setting, Main Topic, describing connections. 

Standards we will cover include: 
-Key ideas and details in informational text 
-Key ideas and details in literature 
-Craft and Structure in Literature
-Craft and Structure in Informational Text

Course Outline:
Weeks 1-2: July 13-14/20-21: Lessons 1-4 Topic—Key ideas and details in literature/Theme—Ask Questions, Identifying Characters, Identifying Setting, and Identifying Events -Standards: RL.K.1, RL.K.2, RL.K.3

Weeks 3-4: July 27-28/August 3-4: Lessons 5-8 Topic—Key ideas and details in literature/Theme—Retelling Stories -Standards: RI.K.1, RI.K.2, RI.K.3

Weeks 5-6: August 10-11/17-18: Lessons 9-12 Topic—Craft and Structure in literature/Theme—Asking Questions, 
and Identifying Main Topic -Standards: RI.K.2

Weeks 7-8: August 24-25/31-Sept.1:  Lessons 13-16 Topic—Key ideas and details in informational text/Theme—Describing Connections and Identifying Unfamiliar Words -Standards: RL.K.4, RL.K.5, RL.K.6

We will have a text for every class that aligns with the skills we are learning for the week. Some example texts we will read are:
“Jamaica’s Blue Marker” 
“Chrysanthemum”
“Stone Soup” 
“Red Eyed Tree Frog”
“What’s it like to be a Fish”
“What Lives in a Shell?”