In this semester long course, we will learn about and practice using important literacy skills. This class will cover all the ELA skills learners need!

We will meet two days each week for half an hour. During the first meeting we will discuss the novel we are reading and introduce the literacy skill for the week. During the semester we will read The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander and Wonder by RJ Palacio. During the second meeting of the week we will continue to explore that week's literary skill using informational texts and short stories.

We will practice and learn using a wide variety of activities! We will utilize some direct instruction, some games, a little writing, and a lot of discussion! All kids learn best in different ways and I do my best to provide good learning experiences for all students in the class. 

Students will be assigned to read some chapters (around 40-50 pages) of the novels we are studying each week outside of class. We will not be reading large portions of the novels in class. They will also be assigned to complete a Google Form with a few questions. At the end of each novel, students will complete a project of their choice to show off what they have learned! We will also use this time to work on our skills as presenters and audience members. I will give them some ideas of what types of projects they can do, but they can also create something that is completely unique to them!

*Please note, a $25 refund will be given to learners who pay for the class upfront.

Our schedule will go as follows:

The Book of Three and Short stories 

Week 1: Genre
Day 1: Introduction to genre and The Book of Three
Day 2: Review genre with short stories
Assignments: Read chapters 1-5 and complete Google Form

Week 2: Character Traits
Day 1: Character traits in The Book of Three
Day 2: Characters in Tamitha and the Dragon by Elizabeth C. Desimone
Assignments: Read chapters 6-10 and complete Google Form

Week 3: Similes and Metaphors
Day 1: Similes and Metaphors in The Book of Three
Day 2: Similes and Metaphors in The Day it Rained Cats and Dogs by S. Blais
Assignments: Read chapters 11-15 and complete Google Form

Week 4: Compare and Contrast
Day 1 : Compare and contrast characters in The Book of Three
Day 2: Compare and contrast The Book of Three and Into the Wind by Pamela Love
Assignment: Read chapters 16-20 and complete Google Form

Week 5: Project Introduction
Day 1: Introduce project and jeopardy review game
Day 2: Review and reteach short stories as needed
Assignment: Complete a project

Week 6: Project Presentations and Genre Review
Day 1: Project Presentations
Day 2: Genre review focusing on nonfiction


Wonder & Informational Texts

Week 7: Text features
Day 1: Explore text features in a novel
Day 2: Explore text features in The World's Weirdest Natural Disasters by Marcia Amidon Lusted and Standing Strong by Marty Kaminsky
Assignments: Read chapters 1-20 and complete Google Form

Week 8: Facts and Opinions
Day 1: Explore facts and opinions in fiction
Day 2: Explore Facts and opinions in Hungry, Happy Ramadan by Um Yaqoob and Is Jurassic Park Possible by T.J. Resler
Assignments: Read chapters 21-40 and complete Google Form

Week 9:Main idea & supporting details
Day 1: Identifying main ideas in Wonder
Day 2: Identifying main ideas in A Sweet Invention by by Tracy Vonder Brink and Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood? by Marie Droual
Assignments: Read chapters 41-60 and complete Google Form

Week 10: Point of View
Day 1: Point of view in Wonder
Day 2: Point of view in Shyla, the Seeing Eye Puppy by Susan Yoder Ackerman and Hello, I'm an Earthquake by Marcia Amidon Lusted
Assignments: Read chapters 81-100 and complete Google Form

Week 11: Compare and Contrast Points of View
Day 1: Compare and contrast different points of view in Wonder
Day 2: Compare and contrast different points of view in Soccer Speaks Many Languages by Dianna Geers and Diary of a Teenage Refugee by Amira
Assignments: Read chapters 61-80 and complete Google Form 

Week 12: Creating empathy
Day 1: How authors create empathy in novels
Day 2: How authors create empathy in Ruby Bridges by Kio Herrera and Chocolate from Children by Deb Dunn
Assignments: Read chapters 100-121 and complete Google Form

Week 13: Review
Day 1: Project Introduction
Day 2: Review and reteach informational texts as needed

Week 14: Project Presentations
Day 1: Wonder Wheel of Fortune Review
Day 2: Class party

*short stories and informational texts are subject to changes, based on the needs and interests of the students