Ms. Colleen's Novel Study - A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

In this book study class, your child will be reading A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning (Book #1) written by Lemony Snicket.   Please note that your child will need a copy of this book.  This class will meet once a day for 4 days over the winter break.  We will be focusing on literacy each class. 

Please note that the adult characters have wine at dinner, Count Olaf strikes one of the children and the word polygamists.  Your child will need to be able to read this book on his or her own.

In each class, I will ask your child several comprehension questions to help support his or her learning.  Each class will have different comprehension questions.  Here is a list of some examples:
* How does the character feel? What words or descriptions does the author give to support your answers?
* What are you wondering? What questions do you have?
* Predict what will happen next.
* What caused (character in this chapter) to .....? What was the effect of ....?
* What was important on this page? Why?
* Summarize what you read. What's the most important part?
* How does each character react to....?
* What do you think this word means?
* Why did the character say....?
* How are ____ & ____ similar? How are they different?
* Did the character change? Why?

In each class, I will be displaying the activities on Google slides. 

Class#1:
* Your child will make predictions on what the story is going to be about.
* We will take turns reading the first chapter aloud.
* We will discuss parts of the chapter -  beginning, middle and end.
* I will ask your child several comprehension questions.
* We will make predictions on what will happen in the next chapter. 
* Character Traits Activity: Your child will write characters traits on the following characters: Violet, Klaus, Sunny, Count Olaf and Mr. Poe. Your child will illustrate each character. I will model writing. Please have pencils, markers and crayons on hand.
* Your child will be asked to read the next 3 chapters before the start of the next class.

Class #2
* We will discuss parts of the chapters -  beginning, middle and end that have occurred in the previous 3 chapters that your child has read before class.
* I will ask your child several comprehension questions.
* We will make predictions on what will happen in the next chapter.
* We will go over the vocabulary word and its meaning.
* Persuasive Letter Writing Activity: Your child will a persuasive letter to Mr. Poe or Justice Strauss to request help for the children. I will model writing. Please have pencils on hand.
* Your child will be asked to define a vocabulary word from the novel for the next class.
* Your child will be asked to read the next 4 chapters before the start of the next class.

Class #3
* We will discuss parts of the chapters -  beginning, middle and end that have occurred in the previous 3 chapters that your child has read before class.
* I will ask your child several comprehension questions.
* We will make predictions on what will happen in the next chapter.
* Story Elements Activity: This will include a description about the book's setting, title, author, characters, favourite part, least favourite part, problem and solution. I will model writing. Please have pencils, markers and crayons on hand.
* Your child will be asked to read the next 4 chapters before the start of the next class.

Class #4
* We will discuss parts of the chapters -  beginning, middle and end that have occurred in the previous 3 chapters that your child has read before class.
 * I will ask your child several comprehension questions.
* Book Review Activity: This will consist of an illustration from the novel, characters, setting, author, illustrator, opinion and genre. I will model writing. Please have pencils, markers and crayons on hand.

Please note that each student is unique. Some students may want to spend extra time outside of class working on their writing.

I am a kind, patient and friendly teacher. I look forward to helping support your child's literacy development. See you in the classroom! Ms. Colleen