In "Christmas Holiday Story Favorites:  Ongoing Reading Comprehension Class," students will read fun, light-hearted books about traditional characters surrounding the Christmas holiday season.  We will focus on learning objectives addressing critical thinking, reading fluency, listening and written comprehension, vocabulary, speaking, and figurative language. (Note: Books will be discussed from a literary point of view.  Religious themes often associated with the holiday will not be discussed in this class.) 

The class will be taught using a guided reading structure in which the teacher guides the small group instruction before, during and after reading. Students will be assessed informally through oral reading, discussion, short writing prompts, and review games. Each class will begin with vocabulary and a creative or critical thinking question(s) related to the day's reading. Students will be invited to read the selection aloud, taking turns as they volunteer. There will be comprehension questions as well as creative activities in which students can demonstrate deeper understanding of the text.  The text will be shared through a document camera. 

Students at this age are learning to be good readers.  They are curious about the world around them, but nonfiction text can seem overwhelming with big words, pictures, and a different visual format than literary texts.  It is important for children to be able to comprehend facts they read as young researchers--but HOW does that happen?  Students must apply literal, inferential, and evaluative skills to answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions based on the text.  In this camp, we will practice answering comprehension questions based on nonfiction texts. 

During the 45 minute class:
• Students will be welcomed to class.  We will quickly review the class rules and our learning goals.  
• The teacher will present 3 excerpts or quotes from the text for students to discuss.  Emphasis will be placed on building the vocabulary and learning goals for the class.  Students will then read text and pictures to apply their skills.  
• Students will then spend approximately 20 minutes with teacher guidance, discussing their own quotes and interesting facts they drew from the text.  Teacher support will be available to all students during this time. Students should raise their hand if they have a question.
• During the last 5 minutes of class, students will review the material covered in the mini lesson and I will answer any questions prior to dismissing the class.  
 
Books Covered by Class Meeting:

<Week of November 24> Day 1: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (listening comprehension, characterization, theme, and symbolism)
<Week of November 24> Day 2: Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and J. Otto  Seibold (onomatopoeia and cause/effect) 
<Week of December 1> Day 3: Shhhhh!  By Julie Sykes and Tim Warnes (onomatopoeia and cause/effect) 
<Week of December 1>  Day 4: Merry Christmas, Splat!  by Rob Scotton (onomatopoeia and cause/effect) 
<Week of December 8>. Day 5: Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini (summarizing and comparing/contrasting text)
<Week of December 8>. Day 6: Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera (summarizing and comparing/contrasting)
<Week of December 15>. Day 7:  The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst (summarizing and comparing/contrasting)
<Week of December 15> Day 8: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston (memoirs; drawing on memories in writing)
<Week of December 22> Day 9: Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant (memoirs; drawing on memories in writing)
<Week of December 22> Day 10: Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray (memoirs; drawing on memories in writing)

Students may start, pause and stop their subscription as needed, and the topics will cycle back to the beginning once this series is complete.  Facts will be drawn directly from the text.