Series Reading

The winter term is one in which we see children grow quite a lot academically.  They know the classroom routines and have developed into a community of learners. They have developed skills as readers, writers, and mathematicians.  Now they are ready to go deeper in their learning.

It's the perfect time to read books in a series, so that is what we are doing during our literacy times this month. During our reading, we see that there are predictable patterns, and we watch how our characters develop. We consider the problem of the story, and think of how it is solved (plot). Because we know the characters so well, it is easier to read through many books in the series. Each student has chosen a series:

(2nd and 3rd Grade)
Nate the Great
Fox
Cam Jansen
Franklin
Henry and Mudge

It's a "rite of passage" that Third Graders start reading from the Dragon Slayers' Academy (DSA). Many read the first, and then continue to read many more.  Some third graders switch to another series after reading the first book in the DSA series.

Each day, there is a mini-lesson that draws children to think about something specific as they are reading--and to write their thoughts as or after they read. For example, children might write about...

...how a character is feeling--and why
...what they predict would or could happen next
...why a certain part of the book could be important
...what is the problem and solution
...something that was surprising
...if they would like to be friends with the character, and why/why not
...(something else)

Here, Ryli is reading from the Nate the Great series, and he notices something that he thinks might be important, so he writes it down, before he forgets.

Mae has written many characteristics of Fox--that he over exaggerates, that he cheats, and he is a klutz!  She writes that things happen to Fox, because he does not "notice stuff"!

Juliana has worked diligently on a character web of Wiglaf, the main character in The Dragon Slayers' Academy (DSA) series. She writes about ways that she is like Wiglaf, and imagines herself fighting his "battles" in life--wanting to protect life, but having to slay a dragon.

Gianna is eager to read all 20 books in the series, and she has already read 3 books. She is keeping track. Here, she is taking a break, to imagine and write about herself in the DSA yearbook, modeling it after the yearbook found in the back of the book. What is she often heard saying? What are her dreams and realities? Her favorite subjects?

Roma has named at least four different 'predictable patterns'.  She has also written, "It sounds fun to go to slaying class!" If Roma were in the slaying class with Wiglaf, no doubt he would have a strong and brave friend in Roma!

Children are excited, they feel successful, they have a shared experience with their peers, and they have grown as readers and thinkers along the way! You could ask your child about the series s/he is reading. Maybe you could go to the library and find more books in that series to read at home. Don't forget to write your thoughts as you do!