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. We will start off reading books at a beginning of 5th grade reading level and slowly move up into a 6th grade level. The book levels of the books we will read correspond the following levels:

Grade level: 5th-6th grade
DRA – 40-70+
Reading Recovery – 40+
Fountas and Pinnell – S-Z

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. 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- Amazing Animal Adaptations by Susan Virgillo (November 7)
Week 2- The Amazing Undersea Food Web by Penny Atcheson and Elizabeth Fox (November 14)
Week 3- Komodo Dragons: Giant Reptiles by Kira Freed  (November 21)
Week 4- Ostriches: Giant Birds by Jeff Buckner (November 28)
Week 5- Whale Sharks: Giant Fish by Kira Freed (December 5)
Week 6-Wildlife Rescue by Kira Freed (December 12)
Week 7- Zoos: Pro and Con? By Kira Freed (December 19)
Week 8- Hoofed Animals by Kira Freed  (January 9)
Week 9- Lakes by Kira Freed  ( January 16)
Week 10- Oceans by Kira Freed (January 23)
Week 11- Puffins by Kira Freed  (January 30)
Week 12 -Apex Predators by Katherine Follett (February 6)