季節性讀書會：培養閱讀、聽力和對話技能

In this ongoing class, learners will develop speaking and listening skills while enjoying wonderful picture books based on the current season. 

Each lesson: 
5 min--Catch up with each other
15 min--Picture book read-aloud and discussion
5 min--Summary Discussion

We will discuss the book as I read, looking at the illustrations and talking about the characters, events, setting, etc. 
At the end, one learner may choose one or two questions from Sarah MacKenzie's Ten Compelling Questions. 
We will read another book if time allows. 

Learners will be able to see the picture book as it’s being read, and I will have a list of questions to invite conversation.

The topics covered include: 
conversation skills
critical thinking
asking questions
using illustrations to understand a story
story elements such as characters, setting, and plot

The class will be a cooperative discussion. Though I come to the conversation with questions, this is meant to be a lively conversation between learners. Most of the learning happens when learners are listening and speaking to one another.   

The picture books will evolve as the seasons change.

Winter/Spring
Week 1: In the Snow by Sharon Phillips Denslow & Frog and Toad: Down the Hill by Arnold Lobel
Week 2: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats & Over and Under the Snow by Christopher Silas Neal
Week 3: Blizzard by John Rocco & The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson
Week 4: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Week 5: Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper’s House 
Week 6: Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak & Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
Week 7: A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston
Week 8: Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble by Cynthia Rylant
Week 9: Rain School by James Rumford & Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Jon Klassen

Examples of possible picture books discussed:

Spring: 
A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Aston
Love Makes a Garden Grow by Taeeun Yoo

Summer:
Flossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

Autumn: 
Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola
Storm by Sam Usher

Winter:
Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats