It’s Animal Week at READy for the Grade Killlingly. We’re visiting the program at the library today, but we’d get to see a similar scenario at the Village at Killingly. Both sites follow the same curriculum and the same format.

We begin by listening to the instructor read ABC Animal Riddles aloud to the group. Many children are clutching a favorite stuffed animal from the toy bin, enjoying the chance to share the reading with a special friend.

When the reading ends, students work in small groups, each with a different focus animal: coyotes, ostriches, or frogs. Each group leader primes their students for the upcoming nonfiction reading by inviting them to share their knowledge on the creature. As the group leader reads the book, she pauses regularly to initiate group discussion, assess comprehension, and reinforce vocabulary. Now, children take turns reading aloud. When they finish the book, every child gets to create their own mini-book about the animal their group studied. Younger students fill out a simple worksheet, writing four facts and drawing a picture. Rising second- and third- graders complete worksheets with more complicated details about the animal’s habitat and physical features. All of the children can refer to the nonfiction book their group read for help completing their mini-book. Everyone will get to bring their creation home today.

Most days, children also have fun with a hands-on craft related to the book they read.

Today, we spent extra time on the group activities. Before going home, children will enjoy individualized sight word games, then choose a book and practice independent reading.