Literature - Week 1

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

Show the cover of "Corduroy" and ask: "What do you see on the cover?" Point out Corduroy, the small bear in green overalls. Ask: "Do you have a favorite stuffed animal or toy? How does it make you feel?"

Say: "Today we're going to read about a toy bear named Corduroy who lives in a store and wants something very special—a home and a friend. As we read, let's think about who is in the story (characters), where it happens (setting), and what problem Corduroy needs to solve."

Main Activity (10-12 minutes)

Read-Aloud (8-10 minutes):

Read "Corduroy" aloud with expression. Pause at key moments to show illustrations clearly. Use different voices for Corduroy, Lisa, and the night watchman to bring characters to life.

Key pauses for discussion:

• When Lisa first sees Corduroy: "How do you think Lisa feels about Corduroy?"
• When Corduroy's button is missing: "What is Corduroy's problem?"
• When Corduroy searches at night: "Where is Corduroy looking? What does he think the escalator is?"
• When Lisa takes Corduroy home: "How does Corduroy feel now? How do you know?"

Post-Reading Discussion (2 minutes):

• "Who is the main character?" (Corduroy, the teddy bear)
• "Where does the story happen?" (A department store, then Lisa's home)
• "What was Corduroy's problem?" (He was missing a button and wanted a friend and home)
• "How did the problem get solved?" (Lisa bought him and sewed on a new button)

Practice (3-5 minutes)

Story Sequence Activity: Help your student retell the story in order using "beginning, middle, end" structure.

• Beginning: "First, Corduroy was in the toy department and Lisa saw him..."
• Middle: "Then, Corduroy went on an adventure at night looking for his button..."
• End: "Finally, Lisa brought Corduroy home and they became friends..."

If time allows, have your student draw Corduroy and label his missing button, then show him with his new button.

Closure (1-2 minutes)

Ask: "Why do you think Lisa wanted Corduroy even though he was missing a button?" (She saw that he was special, she wanted to be his friend.)

Connect to values: "This story shows us that friends care about each other and accept us even when we're not perfect. Lisa didn't care that Corduroy was missing a button—she loved him just the way he was."

Preview: "Tomorrow we'll read about a boy who wakes up to find snow! It's called 'The Snowy Day.'"

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

Ask: "Have you ever played in the snow? What did you do?" Let your student share experiences. Show the book cover and say: "Today we're reading about a boy named Peter who wakes up to fresh snow and has a wonderful day exploring."

Main Activity (10-12 minutes)

Read "The Snowy Day" aloud, showing the beautiful collage illustrations. Pause to discuss Peter's activities: making tracks, making snow angels, knocking snow off trees, making a snowman, and trying to save a snowball in his pocket.

Discussion questions during reading:

• "What different things does Peter do in the snow?"
• "What happens when he tries to save the snowball? Why did it melt?"
• "How does Peter feel about the snow? How do you know?"

Practice (3-5 minutes)

Have your student retell the story: "What did Peter do first? Then what? What happened at the end?"

Discuss the lesson about snow melting (science connection): "Why couldn't Peter keep the snowball? What happened to it indoors?"

Closure (1-2 minutes)

Ask: "What was your favorite thing Peter did in the snow?" Connect to the joy of discovery and exploration: "Peter used his imagination and had fun exploring the snow. We can have adventures and make discoveries right in our own neighborhood!"

Preview: "Tomorrow we'll read about a boy who sails away to where the wild things are!"

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

Ask: "Have you ever pretended to be somewhere else? Where did you imagine you were?" Show the cover and say: "Today we're reading about Max, who imagines sailing away to an island full of wild monsters. Let's find out if it's real or make-believe."

Main Activity (10-12 minutes)

Read "Where the Wild Things Are" aloud with dramatic voice for the wild things. Notice how the pictures get bigger as Max goes deeper into his imagination, then smaller as he comes back home.

Discussion questions during reading:

• "Why did Max get sent to his room? What did he do?"
• "Is Max really sailing to an island, or is he imagining it?"
• "Why does Max decide to come home? What does he smell?"

Practice (3-5 minutes)

Discuss Max's feelings: "How did Max feel at the beginning when he was sent to his room? How did he feel as king of the wild things? How did he feel at the end when he came home?"

Talk about imagination: "This story shows that we can imagine amazing adventures in our minds, but home and family are always special."

Closure (1-2 minutes)

Ask: "Why do you think Max's mother left him dinner even though he was naughty?" (She loves him.) "This shows us that families love us even when we make mistakes."

Preview: "Tomorrow we'll read about a family of ducks trying to cross a busy street in Boston!"

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

Ask: "Have you ever seen ducks? Where do ducks live?" Show the cover and explain: "This is a true story (written in 1941) about a family of ducks looking for a safe place to raise their babies in Boston, a big city."

Main Activity (10-12 minutes)

Read "Make Way for Ducklings" aloud. This is a longer picture book, so pace yourself and show the detailed illustrations of Boston landmarks. Note the names of all eight ducklings (Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack).

Discussion questions during reading:

• "What problem do Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have?" (Finding a safe place for their eggs)
• "Why don't they like some of the places they visit?"
• "Who helps Mrs. Mallard and the ducklings cross the street?"
• "Why do you think the policeman stops traffic for the ducks?"

Practice (3-5 minutes)

Practice retelling: "What happened first? Where did the ducks go? How did they get across the busy street? Where did they end up?"

Discuss community helpers: "The policeman was kind and helpful. He made sure the ducks were safe. Who are some helpers in your community?"

Closure (1-2 minutes)

Ask: "What makes a good home for the ducks?" (Safe, has food, has water, peaceful.) "The Mallards worked hard to find the right place and protect their family."

Preview: "Tomorrow we'll read a quiet, peaceful bedtime story called 'Goodnight Moon.'"

Introduction (2-3 minutes)

Ask: "What do you do before you go to bed? Do you say goodnight to anyone?" Show the cover and say: "This is a gentle bedtime story about a little bunny saying goodnight to everything in his room."

Main Activity (8-10 minutes)

Read "Goodnight Moon" slowly and peacefully. Point out details in the room as the bunny says goodnight to each one. Notice how the room gets darker with each page.

Discussion questions during reading:

• "What pattern do you notice? What does the bunny keep saying?"
• "Can you find the mouse on each page? Where is it hiding?"
• "Why is the room getting darker?"

Practice (5-7 minutes)

Week 1 Story Review: Help your student remember all the books from this week.

• "Monday we read about _____ (Corduroy). Who was the main character? What was the problem?"
• "Tuesday we read about _____ (Peter in The Snowy Day). What did he do?"
• "Wednesday we read about _____ (Max and Where the Wild Things Are). Was his adventure real or imaginary?"
• "Thursday we read about _____ (The ducks in Make Way for Ducklings). Who helped them?"
• "Today we read about _____ (The bunny in Goodnight Moon). What did the bunny do?"

Celebrate: "You learned about characters, settings, and story sequence this week! You're becoming an excellent listener and thinker!"

Closure (2-3 minutes)

Ask: "Which story was your favorite this week? Why?" Let your student explain their thinking.

Say: "Every story has characters (who), a setting (where), and a plot (what happens). You learned to identify all these parts! Next week we'll read about American heroes and folk tales."

Optional: "Tonight at bedtime, try saying goodnight to things in your room just like the bunny did!"