Curriculum

Children will compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in different stories. For example, using Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" and Ezra Jack Keats' "The Snowy Day," a teacher might guide a discussion on how each character's adventure differs. They could discuss how Max sails to an island of Wild Things and becomes their king, full of wild rumpuses, while Peter explores his neighborhood after a snowfall, experiencing the quiet and peaceful scenes of winter.

(Not applicable to literature)

Children will learn to identify who is telling the story at various points in a text by using familiar books. For example, using "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, a teacher can ask the children, "Who is telling the story here?" The children will notice that the story is told by a narrator who describes Max's adventures in a third-person perspective.

Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types.

Children will identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses. For instance, in reading the classic poem "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat" by Edward Lear, a teacher might ask the children to listen closely for words that describe how the characters feel or what they see, hear, or touch. The teacher could then ask, "What words tell us how the owl feels about the pussycat?" or "What phrases describe the boat they sail in?" The children might respond with phrases like "beautiful pea green boat," which appeals to the sense of sight, or "they danced by the light of the moon," which suggests a joyful feeling.

Children will describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. For example, after reading "Corduroy" by Don Freeman, a teacher might ask a 6-year-old to tell about the main character. The child might say, "Corduroy is a small teddy bear who wears green overalls and lives in a department store." Moving on to the setting, the teacher could prompt, "Where does the story happen?" to which the child might respond, "First in the department store and then in a little girl’s home." Discussing the major events, the child might recount, "Corduroy tries to find a button for his overalls, gets in trouble, but then a girl named Lisa buys him and takes him home.”

Children will retell stories including key details and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. For example, after reading "The Tortoise and the Hare," a teacher can ask a 6-year-old to recount the story. The child might say, "The tortoise walked very slowly but didn't stop, and the hare ran fast and then took a nap." The teacher might then lead the child to discuss the lesson by asking, "What does the story teach us?"

Children will ask and answer questions about key details in a text, enhancing their comprehension. For instance, after reading "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss, a teacher might ask a 6-year-old, "What mess did the Cat make?" The child can respond based on the story. Additionally, the child might ask, "Why did the Cat come to the house?"

Children will actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. This means they will participate in reading sessions where they listen attentively, ask questions, and discuss the story with their peers and teachers. For example, during a group reading of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," the teacher might pause to ask the children about the caterpillar's food choices and their consequences.

With prompting and support, children will compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories. For example, a teacher might read two stories like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and "The Three Little Pigs." Afterward, the teacher can ask the children, "How are Goldilocks' adventures different from those of the three pigs?" and "What similar things happened to Goldilocks and the pigs in their stories?" This activity helps children understand the characters' actions and experiences, encouraging them to think about stories in a deeper way and notice similarities and differences.