Let's Read! Reading Comprehension and Fluency Practice for Middle School

This is an ongoing class for middle school students to improve reading comprehension and fluency. Students can join at anytime since each session will have a different focus. 

We will meet once a week where we will read a text together, discuss the passage as we read, and answer comprehension questions about the text. Questions will be based on common core standards and question stems. Each class will have a focus question designed to get students thinking in a deeper and more meaningful way.

We will preview the text, make predictions, discuss the central idea and details as well as word meaning, author's purpose, and much more! 

All passages are between 800 and 1200 lexile level.

This class requires active participation and engagement since it is discussion based. Please come ready to discuss! 

Genre of texts we will explore:
- poetry
- biography
- science fiction
- realistic fiction
- memoir
- historical fiction
- fable
- folktale
- adventure
And so much more!

The teacher will post the text for learners to read before the class.

Class overview:
1. Welcome / Introductions
2. Preview the text with challenging vocabulary
3. Discuss the focus of the text (examples: point of view, main idea, evidence to support points made in the text, structure, author's purpose, etc)
4. Read the passage. Students will take turns reading a section of the text and we will then discuss. I will ask for volunteers to read. If there are no volunteers, students will read silently. The focus is on fluency (if I have volunteers to read), student engagement, participation, and explaining using the text as evidence. Students will have the opportunity to share their thinking and what they noticed about the text. 
5. Multiple choice test practice 

Week of May 12: Character Traits and Motivations
Week of May 19: Main Idea and Supporting Details
Week of May 26: Theme and Message
Week of June 2: Author’s Purpose and Perspective
Week of June 9: Point of View and Narrator’s Reliability
Week of June 16: Understanding and Analyzing Arguments