As you may know, I teach in a multi-grade level classroom in a hybrid-Montessori school. Let me tell you, reaching the needs of students in 3+ grade levels across all content areas, is a daunting task. I have tried a little of every strategy out there, and just could not find anything that I was truly able to really meet each of my students where they are, and continue to challenge them. So, out of necessity, came invention. I started to create weekly, reading strategy based reading workshops based on mentor texts (I decided on using quality picture books, as they are easily used with multiple grade levels). I put everything I had into these weekly workshops. I included very thorough interactive real-alouds for the books, vocabulary activities on various levels, Interactive Notebook pages for Google slides / classroom (TM). You name it, I included it. Why? Because I needed a completely customizable lesson each day for reading. Not only did I not know day to day whether or not we would be in person or virtual (due to COVID), but I also have the same group of children, sometimes for 3 years in a row! I NEEDED a way to quickly customize my lesson and bring new, fresh and challenging content.
Over my years of experience I have found that theme can be one of the most difficult concepts for students to grasp. This is where I dug in and created an entire week-long reading workshop centered on this skill.
Mentor Texts and Essential questions covered:
The Invisible Boy- What is the theme of a story?
Those Shoes- How do characters influence theme?
Last Stop on Market Street- What is the difference between theme and main idea
The Important Book- What is theme?
The Most Magnificent Thing- What do this character’s thoughts and actions reveal about the theme of the story?
What Do You DO With a Problem?- How can details in a story support the theme?
What details in this story support the theme?
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