weekly

or for 4 classes

Spring Reading Bootcamp

Ages 6-8

Live Group Course

Is your child ready to finish the school year strong in reading? This 4-week reading camp is designed to build confidence, foundational skills, and boost comprehension, all in a fun and supportive space. Hope to see you there!

Halley Connolly2nd Grade M.Ed - InspiredbyConnolly

Live video meetings

1x per week, 4 weeks

2-6 learners per class

40 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

4 live meetings

2 hrs 40 mins in-class hours

Homework

1-2 hours per week. To support growth at home, each week includes optional phonics activities that reinforce the sounds and patterns we learn in class. These are quick, hands-on ways for learners to practice and build confidence. Week 1: Practice sorting -at, and -a word family cards and draw spring-themed CVC words. Week 2: Use blend and digraph flashcards to read and match words to pictures. Try a weather word search for vocabulary practice. Week 3: Practice sight words with chalk outside or build simple sentences using high-frequency words. Week 4: Answer Comprehension questions about a read-aloud, write one way to help the Earth, or play phonics bingo for review.

Projects

Week 1: Plant a seed in a cup and observe its growth. Draw or journal changes each day. Week 2: Create a "Water cycle in a bag" using a plastic ziplock, water, and a sunny window. Week 3: Go on a bug hunt and draw your favorite insect, labeling its parts. Week 4: Help sort recyclables at home or create an Earth Day craft from recycled materials. Projects are optional but highly encouraged and will be shared and celebrated in class!

Certificate of Completion

This class does not include formal grading, but students will receive ongoing verbal feedback and encouragement during class. I will regularly check for understanding through games, discussion, and interactive activities. Learners will have the opportunity to share their work and ideas in class, and I will always celebrate their efforts and growth. Upon request, I'm happy to provide informal written feedback to parents about a learner's participation, reading progress, and overall engagement during the course. Certificate of Completion: At the end of the course, each learner will receive a Certificate of Completion to celebrate their participation and growth. The certificate will highlight the reading and science skills covered during the class and recognize the student's effort and achievement. It's a fun way to mark their progress and give them something to be proud of and share at home!

Class Experience

US Grade 1 - 2

Beginner - Intermediate Level

This 4-week Spring Reading Bootcamp is designed to help early elementary learners build reading confidence through guided instruction, engaging games, and joyful practice. We'll meet once a week to focus on key skills including decoding, fluency, and comprehension - all rooted in the Science of Reading best practices and made fun young minds. 

Each session will follow a familiar, supportive structure: we'll begin with a warm-up, move into an interactive mini-lesson using slides and model texts, and then practice the skill through small group discussion, short reading tasks, and playful review. We'll use platforms like Nearpod, Kahoot!, and Blooket to keep learners active and involved from start to finish. 

Throughout the course, students will read along with the teacher, participate in guided reading, and share their ideas in a low-pressure, supportive setting. Whether it's sounding out tricky words, reading with expression, or retelling what they read, your child will be gently guided to apply what they're learning each week - and have fun doing it. 

This class is best suited for 1st and 2nd grade learners who are building foundational reading skills or need a springtime boost before the end of the school year. Printables and optional at-home reading practice will be provided to support learning outside of class. I keep my teaching style warm, patient, and interactive - and I love helping young readers discover that "aha!" moment when reading starts to click. 

Let's build reading skills, confidence, and a love for learning - together!

Syllabus

4 Lessons

over 4 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Sound it Out! - Decoding & Word Work

 Focus Skills: 
Sounding out unfamiliar words
Recognizing vowel teams, digraphs, and blends 
Using word parts to read longer words 

We will read: 'Max's Dragon Shirt' 

What We'll Do: 
Students will explore decoding through games shared reading on Nearpod. They'll work with decodable passages and play an interactive "Word Builder Challenge" to practice sounding out multisyllabic words. 

Like a reading puzzle, they'll be proud to solve!

40 mins online live lesson

Lesson 2:

Read like a Star - Fluency & Expression

 Focus Skill: 
Rereading for smoothness (Automaticity) 
Using punctuation as a guide
Reading like the character (intonation) 

Text: 
"Elephants Cannot Dance!" By Mo Willems 

Activity: Students will read short texts in rhythm with me modeling. They'll use voice cards and emoji cues to bring stories to life. A Kahoot! game will check fluency terms like "pause" , "expression," and "reread." 

Like becoming a story performer with confidence!

40 mins online live lesson

Lesson 3:

What's the Big Idea? - Comprehension & Retelling

 Focus Skill: 
Identify characters, setting, and major events
Retell stories using beginning, middle, and end
Ask and answer questions about key details 

Text:
"Little Red Hen" 

We'll dive into an engaging story with built-in stopping points for predictions, retelling, and connections. Students will build a retelling map and review key ideas through a Blooket quiz game. 

Like solving a mystery with clues from the story!

40 mins online live lesson

Lesson 4:

I'm a Reader! - Stamina & Strategy Power

 Focus: 
Combine decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills 
Practice reading longer texts with focus
Share what was learned and celebrate growth

Text: 
Hi! Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold 

In our final week, learners will apply all of their skills to a text suited to their level. They'll complete a strategy badge challenge, show what they've learned with a mini game review, and receive their Reading Star Certificate! 

Like earning your reading superpower!

40 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs

This class is designed for early elementary learners who are building foundational reading skills. I'm happy to adjust support as needed- just send me a message before class begins! :)

Parental Guidance

Parental guidance is not required during live class sessions, but younger learners may benefit from having a nearby adult to assist with occasional tech needs (such as logging into Nearpod or muting/unmuting if needed). All science activities are safe and use common household materials; however, parental supervision is encouraged if learners choose to complete optional science experiments at home.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Nearpod

Meet the teacher

Halley Connolly2nd Grade M.Ed - InspiredbyConnolly

Joined March, 2025

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I am a certified elementary teacher with over eight years of experience teaching in classroom settings, primarily focused on students in kindergarten through third grade. I hold a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, which has equipped me with the tools to design engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that support early reading skills and foster a love for learning. 

Throughout my career, I have taught phonics, (SIPPS), early literacy, comprehension strategies, and foundational science in both whole-group and small-group settings. I have experience working with diverse learners, and I take pride in creating inclusive, supportive classroom environments. 

My teaching style is structured and interactive. I use storytelling, movement, discussion, and hands-on learning to help students make meaningful connections. This course combines my strengths in early literacy instruction and my love for teaching through seasonal, real-world science topics- something I've done successfully in both public school classrooms and virtual learning spaces during COVID.