Critical Reading & Literary Analysis Grades 3-8
This program complements our Creative Writing program.
Critical reading is a technique for discovering information and ideas within a text, and is an excellent skill to acquire for becoming an effective writer. It refers to careful, active, reflective, analytic reading. By absorbing the information read, and recalling it later, one can use it effectively in every aspect of life. Reading critically is a vital skill for children to master. Simply reading and easily answering questions about material found in the text is no longer enough. While critical reading is a difficult skill requiring lots of practice, following a logical process will help improve a child's reading comprehension.
We carefully hand pick age-appropriate selections each week to encourage students to explore topics not included in the school curriculum, study topics of greater complexity, analyze the significance of the subject studied, and get exposed to information pertinent to current events. We focus on topics such as historical time and setting, point of view, characters and their interactions, symbolism and messaging, and exploring the genre itself. Students build their vocabulary by grappling with highlighted terms from each piece. We ask our students the not so obvious deeper thinking questions which sparks off interesting discussions on a myriad of topics. Children often get into the character roles and inside the minds of the protagonists and antagonists. They are encouraged to ask questions too.
Topics and 'thinking' questions prepare students for standardized tests and provide valuable practice in nonfiction reading comprehension.
Students develop critical literary analysis skills, expand their appreciation of classical literature, and further increase their academic English vocabulary- all integral for success in advanced classes.
We carefully hand pick age-appropriate selections each week to encourage students to explore topics not included in the school curriculum, study topics of greater complexity, analyze the significance of the subject studied, and get exposed to information pertinent to current events. We focus on topics such as historical time and setting, point of view, characters and their interactions, symbolism and messaging, and exploring the genre itself. Students build their vocabulary by grappling with highlighted terms from each piece. We ask our students the not so obvious deeper thinking questions which sparks off interesting discussions on a myriad of topics. Children often get into the character roles and inside the minds of the protagonists and antagonists. They are encouraged to ask questions too.
Topics and 'thinking' questions prepare students for standardized tests and provide valuable practice in nonfiction reading comprehension.
Students develop critical literary analysis skills, expand their appreciation of classical literature, and further increase their academic English vocabulary- all integral for success in advanced classes.
Classic Literature- we strive to expose our students to a range of literature. Some are cultural touchstones while others are modern releases that have the timeless quality of classics.
Varied subject matter- The content includes nonfiction reading passages with comprehension questions on a variety of subjects. The variety of the selections gives students practice in reading about a wide range of subjects.
Biographies- The brief stories are accompanied by black-and-white photos showing the subject or his or her work. Preceding each story is a question that leads students to reflect on what they already know about the topic. Vocabulary words are highlighted and then defined after the reading selection.
Fact and Fiction- Each unit contains two high interest passages, linking fact to fiction. The passages are tied together with a common theme. Students are expected to differentiate between the two passages. They have to analyze the underlying connection and also figure out how they are dissimilar.
Varied subject matter- The content includes nonfiction reading passages with comprehension questions on a variety of subjects. The variety of the selections gives students practice in reading about a wide range of subjects.
Biographies- The brief stories are accompanied by black-and-white photos showing the subject or his or her work. Preceding each story is a question that leads students to reflect on what they already know about the topic. Vocabulary words are highlighted and then defined after the reading selection.
Fact and Fiction- Each unit contains two high interest passages, linking fact to fiction. The passages are tied together with a common theme. Students are expected to differentiate between the two passages. They have to analyze the underlying connection and also figure out how they are dissimilar.
Summer Collection Sampling
Grades 7/8
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, Genre: Poetry
Anne of Green Gables; a coming-of-age novel by Lucy Montgomery
The Sound of Silence by Paul Simon, Album: Immortalized; The song makes an allusion to the extreme capitalism and consumerism that is suffocating society
Behind the Scenes; an autobiographical narrative by Elizabeth Keckley
Grades 5/6
The World of Then and Now; Timely Devices
Breaking the Sound Barrier; Transportation
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Told to the Children); an anti–slavery novel by Harriet B. Stowe
Japanese folk tales; The Golden Boy, The Bamboo Cutter, The Tongue-Cut Sparrow and many more...
Grades 3/4
A Tall Story; Communication
Seven O' Clock Stories by Robert Gordon Anderson Genre: Adventure
Stories from Around the World; many poems and stories of old come to us through an oral tradition and the original authors have not been recorded.
Grades 1/2
The Little Hero Of Harlem; a boy saves a town with his quick thinking and bravery
The Invisible Boy; a story of a quiet child in a rambunctious classroom who is often overlooked.
Jataka Tales; ancient folklore which originated in India. Ellen C. Babbitt collected and retold these stories in two volumes.
Grades 7/8
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, Genre: Poetry
Anne of Green Gables; a coming-of-age novel by Lucy Montgomery
The Sound of Silence by Paul Simon, Album: Immortalized; The song makes an allusion to the extreme capitalism and consumerism that is suffocating society
Behind the Scenes; an autobiographical narrative by Elizabeth Keckley
Grades 5/6
The World of Then and Now; Timely Devices
Breaking the Sound Barrier; Transportation
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Told to the Children); an anti–slavery novel by Harriet B. Stowe
Japanese folk tales; The Golden Boy, The Bamboo Cutter, The Tongue-Cut Sparrow and many more...
Grades 3/4
A Tall Story; Communication
Seven O' Clock Stories by Robert Gordon Anderson Genre: Adventure
Stories from Around the World; many poems and stories of old come to us through an oral tradition and the original authors have not been recorded.
Grades 1/2
The Little Hero Of Harlem; a boy saves a town with his quick thinking and bravery
The Invisible Boy; a story of a quiet child in a rambunctious classroom who is often overlooked.
Jataka Tales; ancient folklore which originated in India. Ellen C. Babbitt collected and retold these stories in two volumes.
Program offered to Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Program Location: Virtual Live
Program Fee: Please contact us for details
Program Location: Virtual Live
Program Fee: Please contact us for details