Now that your child has mastered some fundamental reading skills in Kindergarten, allow them to embark on the exciting journey of enhancing reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections. In this online class, we will explore a diverse range of genres and texts that are relevant to students!

What are the course objectives? 

Develop Reading Skills: Students will engage with various genres of text, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. They will practice decoding, fluency, and comprehension strategies to become proficient readers.

Expand Vocabulary: Students will deepen their understanding of language. Vocabulary development will be integrated into every lesson to support comprehension and background knowledge building.

Cultivate Critical Thinking: We don't just want students to recall what happens in a text; we want students to think critically, ask questions, make predictions, and draw connections between ideas. They will foster a deeper understanding of the text that they read.

Build Background Knowledge: The Science of Reading tells us that as students learn more about a topic, they can read about that topic at a higher level. Background knowledge is essential! Students will explore new concepts and ideas through text-based discussions and activities.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Extension activities will connect literacy with other subject areas. Students will explore connections between literature and science, social studies, art, and more.

How will the class be structured?

1. Background knowledge builder/vocabulary introduction
2. Read the text, focusing on using comprehension strategies and critical thinking
3. Skills Practice-students will be sent printables to use during the lesson 
4. Extension activity/Interdisciplinary connection

Week 1: Picture This: students will identify nonfiction information using diagrams and labels
Week 2: Background Builder: build background knowledge that will aid in comprehension of a text the following week
Week 3: Narrative Nonfiction: practice using comprehension skills with a highly engaging text connected to science and social studies
Week 4: Mini Graphic: focuses on social-emotional development while students also practice fluency
Week 5: Paired text: students read two texts united by one topic in order to practice comparing and contrasting
Week 6: Fiction: students focus on comprehension and story elements
Week 7: Poetry: students read and discuss a poem to foster a love of rhythm in language

Cycle repeats after 7 weeks.