A Christ-centered literature program that develops deep comprehension, literary analysis, and a love for reading through whole-class novel studies, genre exploration, and independent reading. Students analyze character development, theme, author's craft, and figurative language while building fluency, vocabulary, and the ability to evaluate literature through a biblical worldview.
Read and comprehend grade-level novels independently with 120-140 WPM fluency and 30-40 minute stamina
Analyze character development, internal/external conflict, multiple themes, and author's craft using textual evidence
Identify and interpret figurative language including personification, hyperbole, idioms, and author's word choice
Write literary response essays with thesis statements and supporting evidence from texts
Participate in Socratic seminars and lead discussions about literature using text evidence
Evaluate literature through a biblical lens, recognizing themes of redemption, courage, sacrifice, and truth
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Introduce the year's reading goals, explore the classroom library, and establish independent reading routines. Discuss why Christians value reading and learning.
Reading community buildingdiscussionLearn strategies for selecting appropriate independent reading books using the five-finger rule and interest inventories. Begin building personal reading lists.
Book selection strategieshands-onSet up reader's notebooks with reading logs, response sections, and vocabulary pages. Practice first independent reading session (20 minutes).
Reading stamina developmentindependent workStudents share favorite books from previous years and practice giving book recommendations with reasons. Discuss how stories can point us to truth.
Oral communication about textsdiscussionStudents set personal reading goals for the year including number of books, genres to explore, and skills to develop. Create visual goal trackers.
Goal setting and self-monitoringprojectRead chapters 1-2 of Because of Winn-Dixie. Identify character traits of Opal and make predictions about the story. Discuss loneliness and finding friendship.
Character trait identificationread-aloud and discussionRead chapters 3-4. Analyze Opal's feelings about her absent mother and how this affects her character. Connect to biblical themes of loss and hope.
Character motivation analysisread-aloud and discussionRead chapter 5. Examine the list of ten things about Opal's mother. Discuss what these details reveal and practice finding character information in text.
Using text evidenceread-aloud and worksheetRead chapters 6-7. Analyze the relationship between Opal and her father. Discuss how being a preacher's kid might feel and connect to living out faith.
Character relationshipsread-aloud and discussionCreate a character web for Opal showing traits, relationships, and evidence from the text. Write a paragraph describing Opal using specific examples.
Organizing textual evidencegraphic organizerRead chapters 8-9. Analyze the setting of Naomi, Florida and how it influences the story. Discuss small-town life and community.
Setting analysisread-aloud and mappingRead chapters 10-11. Meet the librarian and analyze her character traits. Discuss the importance of libraries and learning in Christian life.
Character introduction and traitsread-aloud and discussionRead chapter 12. Analyze Miss Franny's story-within-a-story. Practice identifying when characters tell stories and why authors use this technique.
Story structure recognitionread-aloud and discussionStudy vocabulary from the novel including southern dialect and expressions. Use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar words.
Context clues and dialectvocabulary studyAnalyze how the hot Florida setting, small-town atmosphere, and specific locations affect the characters and events. Create a setting map.
Setting's influence on storygraphic organizerRead chapters 13-14. Track the growing circle of Opal's friendships. Discuss how God places people in our lives and the biblical value of community.
Tracking character relationshipsread-aloud and discussionRead chapters 15-16. Meet Gloria Dump and analyze her wisdom and kindness. Discuss the symbolism of her garden and seeing with the heart.
Character analysis and symbolismread-aloud and discussionIdentify loneliness as a major theme. Find evidence of different characters experiencing loneliness and how they overcome it through connection.
Theme identification with evidencediscussion and worksheetIdentify friendship as a theme that develops throughout the story. Analyze how Winn-Dixie brings people together. Connect to Proverbs about friendship.
Theme development trackingdiscussion and graphic organizerUnderstand that stories can have multiple themes working together. Create a theme web showing loneliness, friendship, and forgiveness in the novel.
Identifying multiple themesgraphic organizerRead chapters 17-18. Analyze the symbolism of Gloria Dump's bottle tree representing past mistakes. Discuss forgiveness and letting go of the past.
Symbolism interpretationread-aloud and discussionRead chapters 19-20. Identify Opal's internal conflict about her mother leaving. Distinguish between internal and external conflict in the story.
Internal vs. external conflictread-aloud and chartRead chapters 21-22. Analyze how Opal plans to bring her friends together. Discuss hospitality and community-building as Christian values.
Plot development analysisread-aloud and discussionRead chapters 23-24. Analyze the climax of the story when Winn-Dixie goes missing during the storm. Discuss fear and trust during difficult times.
Plot structure: climaxread-aloud and discussionAnalyze how Opal has changed from the beginning to near the end of the story. Track specific examples of her growth and development.
Character development over timegraphic organizerRead chapters 25-26 (conclusion). Analyze the resolution and how Opal learns to accept what she has rather than mourn what she's lost.
Resolution and theme completionread-aloud and discussionTrace how the themes of loneliness, friendship, and forgiveness develop from beginning to end. Create a theme timeline with evidence.
Theme development analysistimeline creationAnalyze Kate DiCamillo's writing choices including first-person narration, dialogue, and descriptive language. Discuss how these affect the story.
Author's craft analysisdiscussion and examplesConnect the novel's themes to Scripture passages about community (Acts 2:42-47) and forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). Discuss living these values.
Biblical worldview applicationdiscussionPlan a literary response essay about a theme in Because of Winn-Dixie. Create thesis statement and gather textual evidence.
Essay planning with thesiswriting processDefine historical fiction genre and identify its key characteristics: real historical setting, period accuracy, fictional characters, and authentic details.
Genre identificationdiscussion and chartLearn to distinguish between historical facts and fictional elements in stories. Practice identifying each in sample texts.
Distinguishing fact from fictionsorting activityDiscuss why authors set stories in the past and what we can learn from historical fiction. Connect to learning from history in Scripture.
Author's purpose analysisdiscussionExperience several short historical fiction texts from different time periods. Identify the historical setting and fictional elements in each.
Genre recognition practiceread-aloud and discussionExplore historical fiction options for independent reading. Create a personal list of historical periods and events to explore through fiction.
Book selection and planninglibrary explorationBuild background knowledge about WWII, Nazi occupation, and the Holocaust. View age-appropriate photos and timeline. Discuss evil and courage.
Historical context buildingmultimedia presentationLearn specific information about Denmark during WWII and the Danish resistance. Locate Denmark on a map and understand the geographical context.
Historical and geographical contextdiscussion and mappingRead chapters 1-2 of Number the Stars. Meet Annemarie and Ellen, analyze their friendship, and identify the historical setting details.
Character introduction and settingread-aloud and discussionRead chapter 3. Analyze how the occupation affects daily life through details about food, soldiers, and fear. Discuss courage in difficult circumstances.
Setting's influence on charactersread-aloud and discussionIdentify historical facts in the first three chapters (rationing, soldier presence, fear). Research to verify these details were accurate to 1943 Denmark.
Verifying historical accuracyresearch and discussionRead chapters 4-5. Analyze how the danger to Jewish families increases and how characters respond. Discuss what it means to stand up for others.
Plot development and rising actionread-aloud and discussionRead chapter 6. Identify Annemarie's internal conflict between fear and the need to help Ellen. Analyze what motivates her to act despite fear.
Internal conflict analysisread-aloud and character analysisDefine courage as acting rightly despite fear. Find examples in the text and connect to biblical examples of courage (David, Esther, Daniel).
Theme identification and biblical connectiondiscussion and comparisonRead chapters 7-8. Analyze why the Johansen family chooses to risk their lives to help Ellen. Discuss sacrificial love and Christian duty.
Character motivation analysisread-aloud and discussionDistinguish between courage (wise action despite fear) and recklessness (foolish risk-taking). Analyze characters' decisions using this distinction.
Critical thinking and evaluationdiscussion and examplesRead chapters 9-10. Analyze the family's deception to protect Ellen. Discuss when lying might be morally justified to protect innocent lives.
Moral reasoning and ethicsread-aloud and discussionRead chapter 11. Analyze the tense scene with soldiers. Discuss how the author builds suspense and how characters maintain their deception.
Suspense and tension analysisread-aloud and discussionAnalyze how the third-person limited point of view (following Annemarie) affects what we know and how we experience the story.
Point of view analysisdiscussion and examplesAnalyze what characters leave unsaid to protect each other. Discuss how the author reveals information through what's not said.
Inference and subtextdiscussion and text analysisRead the story of Rahab (Joshua 2) who lied to protect God's people. Compare to the Johansens' situation and discuss moral complexity.
Biblical connection and comparisondiscussionRead chapters 12-13. Follow the journey to Uncle Henrik's house. Map the journey and analyze how the author builds tension through the trip.
Plot progression and settingread-aloud and mappingRead chapter 14. Analyze Uncle Henrik's conversation with Annemarie about bravery. Discuss his wisdom about not knowing too much.
Character wisdom and themeread-aloud and discussionRead chapters 15-16. Analyze the fake funeral as a cover for the escape plan. Discuss the cleverness of the resistance.
Plot analysis and inferenceread-aloud and discussionIdentify the rising action throughout the novel leading to the climactic moments. Create a plot diagram showing tension building.
Plot structure analysisgraphic organizerStudy vocabulary related to war, occupation, and resistance. Use Greek and Latin roots to understand words like 'occupation' and 'resistance.'
Vocabulary through morphologyvocabulary studyRead chapter 17. Analyze Annemarie's dangerous mission to deliver the packet. Discuss how fear and courage coexist in this moment.
Climax analysisread-aloud and discussionRead chapter 18. Analyze Annemarie's encounter with soldiers and how she uses her wits to survive. Discuss quick thinking under pressure.
Character action analysisread-aloud and discussionCompare Annemarie at the beginning of the novel to Annemarie at the climax. Chart her character development and growth in courage.
Character development over timecomparison chartDefine heroism using examples from the novel. Discuss ordinary people doing extraordinary things and connect to biblical heroes of faith.
Theme analysis and definitiondiscussion and writingRead the author's note explaining the historical basis for the handkerchief. Discuss how authors research and blend fact with fiction.
Historical accuracy and author's researchdiscussionRead the Afterword. Discuss the resolution and what happened to characters after the war. Reflect on hope after darkness.
Resolution analysisread-aloud and discussionIdentify and analyze multiple themes: courage, sacrifice, standing for right, friendship during crisis. Find evidence for each theme.
Multiple theme identificationgraphic organizerCompare Because of Winn-Dixie and Number the Stars for themes, characters, and settings. Discuss how different genres explore similar themes.
Cross-text comparisoncomparison chartDiscuss Christian responsibility to stand against evil and protect the vulnerable. Connect to Scripture passages about justice and mercy.
Biblical worldview applicationdiscussionWrite a literary response essay analyzing how the theme of courage develops in Number the Stars. Use thesis statement and textual evidence.
Essay writing with evidencewritingDefine mystery genre and identify key elements: problem to solve, clues, red herrings, suspects, logical deduction, and resolution.
Genre characteristics identificationdiscussion and chartRead a short mystery story together. Practice identifying and tracking clues. Discuss how readers become detectives alongside characters.
Clue identification and trackingread-aloud and tracking sheetLearn about red herrings (false clues) and how authors use misdirection. Practice identifying red herrings in sample texts.
Critical reading and analysisdiscussion and examplesPractice using clues and logic to solve mini-mysteries. Discuss how God gave us minds to think critically and seek truth.
Logical reasoningproblem-solving activityExplore age-appropriate mystery series and books. Create a mystery reading list for independent reading time.
Book selectionlibrary explorationIdentify characteristics of poetry: line breaks, stanzas, rhythm, rhyme, figurative language, and compressed meaning. Compare to prose.
Genre distinctioncomparison and examplesExplore rhythm and rhyme schemes in poetry. Read various poems aloud to hear patterns. Discuss how sound contributes to meaning.
Poetry elements identificationread-aloud and analysisReview similes and metaphors and find examples in poems. Analyze how poets use comparisons to create vivid images and meaning.
Figurative language identificationpoetry analysisLearn personification (giving human qualities to non-human things) and hyperbole (exaggeration). Find examples in poems.
Figurative language identificationpoetry analysisRead several Psalms and identify poetic elements: parallelism, imagery, figurative language, emotion. Discuss poetry as praise to God.
Biblical poetry analysisdiscussion and analysisLearn haiku form (5-7-5 syllables, nature focus, present moment). Read examples and write original haikus about God's creation.
Poetry form and syllable countingpoetry writingLearn limerick form (AABBA rhyme scheme, humorous). Read examples and write original limericks practicing rhyme and rhythm.
Poetry form and rhyme schemepoetry writingExplore free verse poetry without set rhyme or rhythm. Discuss how poets use line breaks and word choice to create meaning.
Free verse analysispoetry analysis and writingSelect a favorite poem and create an illustrated version. Discuss how visual art and poetry work together to create meaning.
Visual response to textart projectPractice reading poetry aloud with expression, pacing, and emphasis. Perform selected poems for the class.
Oral interpretation and fluencyperformanceDistinguish between biography (written about someone) and autobiography (written by someone about themselves). Discuss point of view differences.
Genre distinctioncomparison and discussionIdentify text features common in biographies: timelines, photographs, captions, headings, maps, glossaries. Practice using features to locate information.
Text features navigationtext feature scavenger huntUnderstand how biographies are typically organized chronologically. Create timelines of subjects' lives showing major events in order.
Chronological organizationtimeline creationRead a short biography of a Christian missionary or historical figure. Discuss how their faith influenced their life choices and impact.
Reading biography for themeread-aloud and discussionDiscuss criteria for selecting biography subjects: impact, overcoming obstacles, character qualities. Brainstorm people students would like to read about.
Critical thinking and evaluationdiscussionReview character analysis skills: traits, motivations, internal/external conflict, and character development. Practice with familiar texts.
Character analysis synthesisreview and practiceReview identifying themes and supporting with textual evidence. Practice finding multiple themes in texts and tracking their development.
Theme analysis synthesisreview and practiceReview all figurative language learned: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idioms. Practice identifying and interpreting in texts.
Figurative language identificationreview gameReview characteristics of genres studied: realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, poetry, biography. Sort texts by genre.
Genre identificationsorting activityReview reading logs and work from first semester. Reflect on growth, favorite books, and goals for second semester.
Self-assessment and goal-settingreflection and discussionRead Prologue and Chapter 1 of Tuck Everlasting. Introduce the wheel/cycle as a central symbol. Discuss natural cycles God created.
Symbolism introductionread-aloud and discussionRead Chapters 2-3. Analyze Winnie's character and her feelings about her controlled life. Discuss growing up and making choices.
Character introduction and analysisread-aloud and discussionRead Chapters 4-5. Meet the mysterious man in the yellow suit. Make predictions about his role and discuss how authors create mysterious characters.
Prediction and character analysisread-aloud and discussionRead Chapters 6-7. Discover the secret of the spring and the Tuck family's immortality. Discuss initial reactions to living forever.
Plot development and theme introductionread-aloud and discussionCompare the Tucks' earthly immortality to biblical eternal life. Discuss why God designed life with a beginning and end.
Biblical worldview comparisondiscussionRead Chapters 8-10. Analyze Angus Tuck's conversation with Winnie about life, death, and the natural order. Discuss his perspective.
Character perspective analysisread-aloud and discussionRead Chapter 12. Analyze Tuck's rowboat conversation with Winnie about being part of life's cycle versus stuck outside it.
Symbolism and theme analysisread-aloud and discussionAnalyze Natalie Babbitt's careful word choices in describing life, death, and nature. Discuss how specific words create meaning and mood.
Author's craft: word choicetext analysisIdentify multiple themes developing: natural order, freedom vs. safety, growing up, consequences of choices. Track evidence for each.
Multiple theme identificationtheme web creationRead Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 about times and seasons. Compare to the novel's themes about life's natural cycle and God's design.
Biblical connectiondiscussionRead Chapters 13-15. Analyze the man in the yellow suit's plan to sell the spring water. Discuss greed and exploitation.
Antagonist motivation analysisread-aloud and discussionRead Chapters 16-17. Analyze Mae's choice to strike the man to protect her family. Discuss moral complexity and desperate situations.
Character motivation and ethicsread-aloud and discussionRead Chapters 18-20. Track Winnie's character development from sheltered child to brave helper. Analyze what causes her growth.
Character development analysischaracter change chartRead Chapters 21-22. Analyze the plan to help Mae escape and Winnie's crucial role. Discuss courage and sacrifice.
Plot analysis and character actionread-aloud and discussionIdentify and analyze external conflicts: Tucks vs. man in yellow suit, Mae vs. law, Winnie vs. her family's restrictions.
External conflict identificationconflict chartRead Chapters 23-24. Analyze the successful jailbreak and Winnie's brave actions. Discuss how she has changed from the beginning.
Climax analysisread-aloud and discussionRead Chapter 25 and Epilogue. Analyze Winnie's choice not to drink from the spring. Discuss her reasons and what this reveals about theme.
Resolution and theme analysisread-aloud and discussionAnalyze the epilogue set decades later. Discuss how the Tucks discover Winnie's choice and what her gravestone reveals.
Resolution interpretationdiscussionTrace how major themes develop from beginning to end. Create a timeline showing how each theme is introduced, developed, and resolved.
Theme development trackingtimeline creationAnalyze major symbols: the wheel, the spring, the wood, the music box. Discuss how symbols carry meaning throughout the story.
Symbolism analysissymbol chartAnalyze Babbitt's writing style: lyrical language, philosophical tone, nature descriptions, careful word choice. Find examples.
Author's style analysistext analysisReread the prologue and identify how it foreshadows the entire story. Discuss how authors plant clues for careful readers.
Foreshadowing identificationanalysis and discussionAnalyze the omniscient narrator who knows all characters' thoughts. Compare to limited third-person in previous novels.
Point of view analysiscomparison and discussionCompare themes, characters, and styles across Because of Winn-Dixie, Number the Stars, and Tuck Everlasting. Identify similarities and differences.
Cross-text comparisoncomparison chartWrite an essay analyzing the theme of eternal life in Tuck Everlasting and comparing it to biblical eternal life. Use textual evidence.
Analytical essay writingwritingLearn common Greek roots: bio (life), graph (write), photo (light), tele (far), auto (self). Build word families from each root.
Greek root recognitionvocabulary studyLearn common Latin roots: port (carry), dict (say), scribe (write), spect (see), ject (throw). Build word families from each root.
Latin root recognitionvocabulary studyStudy prefixes that change meaning: un-, re-, pre-, post-, mis-, dis-. Practice adding prefixes to root words.
Prefix applicationvocabulary practiceStudy suffixes that change parts of speech: -tion, -ness, -ly, -ful, -less. Practice transforming words with suffixes.
Suffix applicationvocabulary practicePractice breaking down complex words into prefix + root + suffix to determine meaning. Apply to vocabulary from novels read.
Word analysis strategyvocabulary practiceDefine idioms as expressions that mean something different from literal words. Explore common idioms and their meanings.
Idiom identificationdiscussion and examplesPractice using context clues to determine idiom meanings in sentences and passages. Discuss how idioms add color to language.
Context clues for idiomspractice activityStudy proverbs (wise sayings) from the Book of Proverbs. Compare biblical proverbs to common idioms and discuss wisdom.
Proverb interpretationdiscussionCreate illustrations showing literal vs. figurative meanings of idioms (e.g., 'raining cats and dogs'). Discuss why idioms can confuse.
Literal vs. figurative understandingart projectReview all figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idioms. Practice identifying each type in mixed examples.
Figurative language identificationreview gameIntroduce book club options: The Cricket in Times Square, Shiloh, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Students select based on interest.
Book selectionbook talks and selectionLearn book club roles: discussion leader, passage picker, word finder, connector. Understand expectations for preparation and participation.
Collaborative learninginstruction and practiceCreate reading schedules for book clubs. Set personal goals for reading pace and comprehension. Begin first reading assignment.
Goal setting and planningplanning and readingSustained independent reading of book club selection. Practice monitoring comprehension and marking interesting passages for discussion.
Independent reading staminaindependent readingPrepare for first book club meeting by completing assigned role. Practice writing discussion questions and finding evidence.
Discussion preparationpreparation workConduct first book club discussions. Practice active listening, building on others' ideas, and supporting opinions with text evidence.
Discussion participationsmall group discussionFocus book club discussions on character analysis. Compare characters across different book club selections in whole-class sharing.
Character analysis and comparisondiscussionContinue reading book club selections independently. Write response journal entries about interesting moments, questions, or connections.
Written response to readingindependent reading and writingShare interesting or challenging vocabulary from book club novels. Use context clues and word analysis to determine meanings.
Vocabulary in contextvocabulary studyComplete next reading assignment and prepare for second book club meeting. Rotate roles so different students lead.
Discussion preparationreading and preparationConduct second book club discussions with new discussion leaders. Practice asking follow-up questions and probing deeper.
Advanced discussion skillssmall group discussionFocus discussions on identifying themes in each book club selection. Share themes across groups and find commonalities.
Theme identificationdiscussionAnalyze author's craft in book club selections: writing style, dialogue, description, structure. Compare techniques across books.
Author's craft analysisanalysis and discussionContinue reading book club selections. Monitor comprehension and adjust reading strategies as needed. Share progress with group.
Self-monitoring comprehensionindependent readingComplete book club novels and prepare for final discussions. Develop thoughtful questions about overall themes and messages.
Discussion preparationreading and preparationConduct final book club discussions focusing on overall themes, character development, and personal responses to the books.
Synthesis and evaluationsmall group discussionEach book club presents their novel to the class: summary, themes, favorite parts, and recommendations. Practice presentation skills.
Oral presentationpresentationsCompare themes, characters, and messages across all three book club selections. Discuss what made each unique and valuable.
Cross-text comparisondiscussionReflect on the book club experience: What worked well? What was challenging? How did discussing books deepen understanding?
Self-reflectionreflection and discussionWrite book recommendation reviews for book club selections. Practice persuasive writing to encourage others to read these books.
Persuasive writingwritingAssess current reading fluency rate (goal: 120-140 WPM). Discuss the connection between fluency and comprehension.
Fluency rateassessmentPractice reading with appropriate expression, pacing, and intonation. Record readings and self-evaluate for prosody.
Prosody and expressionpractice and recordingPractice adjusting reading rate based on text type and purpose: slower for complex text, faster for familiar material.
Rate adjustmentpracticePractice reading dialogue with different character voices and appropriate expression. Perform scenes from familiar novels.
Expressive oral readingperformancePractice sustained independent reading for 40 minutes. Discuss strategies for maintaining focus and comprehension during extended reading.
Reading staminaindependent readingReview differences between fiction and nonfiction. Discuss purposes for reading each type and different comprehension strategies needed.
Genre distinctioncomparison and discussionLearn common nonfiction text structures: description, sequence, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution. Identify in sample texts.
Text structure identificationanalysis and practiceReview and practice using text features: headings, subheadings, bold words, captions, diagrams, glossaries, indexes to locate information.
Text feature navigationpractice activityPractice identifying main ideas and supporting details in nonfiction passages. Distinguish between main ideas and interesting details.
Main idea identificationpractice and discussionLearn note-taking strategies for nonfiction: main ideas, key details, vocabulary, questions. Practice with informational articles.
Note-takingpracticeRead multiple short texts about the same topic. Compare information across sources and note what each adds to understanding.
Multiple source comparisonreading and comparisonPractice synthesizing information from multiple sources into coherent understanding. Create synthesis charts combining information.
Information synthesischart creationDiscuss how to evaluate whether information sources are reliable and accurate. Compare to testing everything against Scripture (1 Thess 5:21).
Source evaluationdiscussion and practiceCompare firsthand accounts (eyewitness) to secondhand accounts (retelling). Discuss differences in perspective and detail. Connect to Gospel accounts.
Account type comparisoncomparison and discussionChoose a topic of interest and gather information from multiple sources. Organize information and prepare to share findings.
Research and organizationresearch projectLearn characteristics of literary essays: thesis statement, textual evidence, analysis, formal structure. Read and analyze examples.
Literary essay structureinstruction and examplesLearn to write clear thesis statements that make claims about literature. Practice writing thesis statements about familiar novels.
Thesis statement writinginstruction and practicePractice finding specific textual evidence to support thesis statements. Learn to quote accurately and cite page numbers.
Evidence gatheringpracticeLearn essay structure: introduction with thesis, body paragraphs with evidence and analysis, conclusion. Create outlines for essays.
Essay organizationoutliningLearn body paragraph structure: topic sentence, evidence, analysis, connection to thesis. Draft body paragraphs with evidence.
Paragraph writingwritingLearn about Socratic seminars: asking questions, building on ideas, using evidence, respectful disagreement. Discuss guidelines.
Seminar format understandinginstructionRead and annotate the seminar text. Prepare questions and find evidence to support ideas. Practice question types.
Seminar preparationreading and preparationConduct Socratic seminar with half the class in inner circle discussing while outer circle observes and takes notes.
Discussion participationseminar discussionSwitch circles so all students participate in discussion. Practice building on others' ideas and asking follow-up questions.
Discussion participationseminar discussionReflect on seminar experience: quality of discussion, use of evidence, listening skills, areas for growth. Set goals for future discussions.
Self-evaluationreflection and discussionReview the three whole-class novels studied. Compare themes, characters, and lessons learned. Discuss favorite moments and insights.
Synthesis and comparisondiscussionReview literary analysis skills learned: character development, theme, conflict, figurative language, author's craft. Celebrate growth.
Skill reviewreview and discussionCount total books read during the year. Share favorite independent reading books and create class favorites list.
Reflection and sharingdiscussion and celebrationAssess final fluency rate and stamina. Compare to beginning of year and celebrate growth. Discuss strategies that helped improvement.
Self-assessmentassessment and reflectionReview biblical themes found in literature: redemption, courage, sacrifice, forgiveness, community. Discuss how stories point to God's truth.
Biblical integration synthesisdiscussionCreate summer reading lists with variety of genres. Set summer reading goals. Discuss importance of reading for pleasure year-round.
Goal-setting and planningplanningPreview skills for fifth grade: symbolism, complex analysis, literary criticism. Discuss books that might be studied next year.
Preview and preparationdiscussionStudents present their favorite book from the year, explaining why they loved it and recommending it to others.
Oral presentationpresentationsReview portfolios of work from the year. Write reflections about growth as readers and literary analysts. Set goals for continued growth.
Self-reflectionreflection and writingCelebrate the year as a reading community. Share favorite memories, give awards, and thank God for the gift of stories and reading.
Community buildingcelebrationStart with Day 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the last!