You, Me, & the Book! Ant and Grasshopper, Shared Reading for Ages 5-7 (K/1st Gr)

Shared Reading is an interactive reading experience that occurs when students join in or share the reading of a book or other text while guided and supported by a teacher. Shared Reading supports a balanced literacy instructional approach and allows students to enjoy materials that they may not be able to read on their own. Through modelling and class discussion, students will become better readers. 
 
In this class students will:
       - Learn the skills of proficient readers, including reading with fluency and expression. 
       - Learn close reading, text-dependent questioning, and strategies for asking and answering questions with each shared book. 
       - Build foundational skills important for early readers, including print concepts and reading strategies.
       - Develop literary skills including, vocabulary, phonics, and comprehension.

      The lessons will model for even the youngest learners how to read text more closely. Students will participate in a variety of tasks that allow them to practice citing evidence in support of their answers. After observing the teacher modelling the reading skills, students will have an opportunity to practice them independently.
 
   This class uses the book Ant and Grasshopper. "In this traditional retelling of the fable of the ant and the grasshopper, Grasshopper plays his fiddle through the summer and fall while Ant works hard gathering food. In winter, Grasshopper is out in the cold looking for food. Ant sees him and invites him in for a meal. Grasshopper vows he will work the next summer so he'll have food to eat in winter." from Reading A to Z's website.

Students will also learn skills such as: 
      - Making predictions, Sequencing events, Story elements: Problem and solution, Text-to-text connections, Author's purpose, 
      - Phonological Awareness: Blend phonemes, capitalization, book vocabulary, print concepts

    The shared reading lesson uses Reading A to Z's shared reading books and lessons. This research-based leveled reading resource is very engaging and is used at developmentally appropriate levels.  The book will be projected into the classroom for easy viewing by all students.