This class is student-driven and extremely effective for learning reading comprehension skills. This class is suitable for students who read at an advanced 1st grade level (Guided Reading levels H, I, J). If you are not sure of your child's Guided Reading level, please let me know and I can send you a sample text(s) of what we will be reading in class.

During each class a fictional text is divided up into logical chunks (a couple of paragraphs or a page, depending upon how dense the text is). We start the class by thinking about the title and picture on the cover of the day's story, and make a prediction about what might happen. We review story elements- characters, setting, problem and solution. Then, students read one chunk of text, discuss it, and then move onto the next chunk of text until the entire text has been read and discussed. While reading, decoding strategies will be pointed out as well as definitions of new vocabulary.

Each student is assigned one of the following roles, and then roles are switched after each section of text is discussed: 
 
1. Summarizer- summarize the portion of text
2. Questioner- ask questions, either about parts that are unclear, or to engage the group in a conversation about the meaning of the text

Once students understand their “jobs,” they begin reading the first section of the text. Once they are finished, the students enact their roles in the order described above. The kids act as the discussion leaders, and my role is to help students extend their thinking and use specific language.

The following books will be read in class: 

Week of Jan. 9: Brother Messy, Brother Neat
Week of Jan. 16: Cool as a Cuke
Week of Jan. 23: Leap Year Birthday
Week of Jan. 30: Nami's Gifts
Week of Feb. 6: The Empty Pot