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Goal

The goal of “Rooted in Reading” is for the teacher to read purposefully-selected picture books to the students each week that align with grade level standards as well as target specific skills. Students will be actively engaged by listening to and discussing each mentor text throughout the week. Before, during, and after the read-aloud, the teacher will guide meaningful and in-depth conversations through thought provoking discussion questions and hands-on activities. The “Rooted in Reading” picture books will be used as a reading curriculum enhancement to provide students with the opportunity to deepen comprehension, expand vocabulary, integrate additional language skills, and develop a love for reading through creativity!  

What will be done with my students

The teacher will use supplemental lesson plan ideas that include activities for comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and art. Skills and standards will not be taught in isolation; rather, students will be given ample exposure and practice allowing for literary connections to be made and metacognition to occur. The weekly “Rooted in Reading” read-alouds will prompt students to deepen their understanding, focus on the structure of the story, and apply different reading strategies and skills to independent learning. Students will watch the teacher model fluency, expression, thinking out loud, and understanding the text. This will ensure that students take all of these best practices and put them into place when they are reading independently. Lesson plans throughout the week will be aligned to the grade-level state standards, and students will refer to the weekly read-aloud as they engage in journaling activities, additional reading passages, vocabulary activities, directed drawings with writing prompts, and small group literary activities.  

Benefits to my students

There are exponential benefits that come from using picture books and read-alouds within the classroom. Students will make deep and meaningful connections while expanding their background information. The students’ interest in reading will increase along with an increased opportunity for reflection and development of an interactive classroom community. Read-alouds provide a safe space for children, and picture book read-alouds provide a non-threatening environment where both reluctant and skilled readers can flourish together. Incorporating these read-alouds will expose students to multiple genres that they may not gravitate towards on their own and will show students how language works in a variety of contexts. Research shows that read-alouds in the classroom help create a bridge between prior knowledge and the newly introduced (Keith Schoch, MA in Curriculum Design and Instruction). Further research also indicated that writing in a classroom can only be as good as the literature that surrounds it; therefore, reading aloud is an essential way to foster a vision for what strong writing looks like, sounds like, and feels like (Ralph Fletcher, children’s picture book author). “Rooted in Reading” will allow students to reap the benefits of interacting with picture books while deepening their understanding of the literary process through fun lessons! 

Budget Narrative

The “Rooted in Reading” bundle includes comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing resources aligned to state grade level standards. The bundle also includes questioning cards to deepen thinking and questioning, interactive notebook activities, small group activities, and writing with drawing options. The IRIS portable project cases would ensure that picture books and teaching materials were kept organized and intact for recurring use yearly. Each picture book serves a purpose for teaching targeted skills while simultaneously exposing students to positive social, emotional, and cultural norms.  

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