Each week students will download and read a different nonfiction book about animals before class. During the class we will discuss the animals in the book, what they learned from the book, and things they found interesting. Students will have the opportunity to also share any interesting information that they know about the topic that wasn't in the book. At the end of each class students will be given optional activities that they may complete to build upon what they learned from each book.

All books used in Part 1 will be written at a beginning 3rd grade reading level. For each additional part the books will get slightly more difficult until we get to Part 4 and are reading books that are written at an end of 3rd grade level. You may sign up for just 1 part, which lasts 8 weeks, or you may continue on and sign up for additional parts to work your way through the reading levels of a full year of 3rd grade.

The books will be provided as a PDF download 1 week before each class.  They may be read online or printed off in a traditional book format. The books for this part are all written at a beginning 3rd grade level, approximately equivalent to the following levels:
DRA – 30
Reading Recovery – 30
Fountas and Pinnell – N

Students who are not able to read the books by themselves can have someone help them.
The Book List (Please note that you do NOT need to get these books yourself. They will be provided in PDF format the week before each class.

Week 1- Sharks by Cende Hill
Week 2- Coral Reefs by Paula Schricker
Week 3-Extreme Animals by Kathie Lester
Week 4-Puffins by Kira Freed
Week 5-Komodo Dragons by Louanne Silver
Week 6-Return of the Jaguar by Mike Stark
Week 7-Plight of the Polar Bear by Ned Jensen
Week 8-Glow-in-the-Dark Animals by Ron Fridell