A Place to Listen, Connect, and Belong: Why I Created READS!
I created My Learning Farm READS! because I wanted children to experience the joy of getting lost in a wonderful book—to meet unforgettable characters, explore big ideas, and have that “just one more chapter!” feeling.
For children who find reading difficult, enjoying a novel can take a back seat to the hard work of figuring out the words. I wanted to create a space where they could settle in, listen to rich language, make connections, and discover how much they have to contribute.
In READS!, Ms. Sara does ALL of the reading. Children are never required to read aloud. They can get comfortable and enjoy the story without worrying about whose turn is coming next.
We Slow Down and Bring Books to Life
We take time to wonder, ask questions, and talk about what we notice. Why did a character make that choice? Have we ever felt that way? What would we have done differently?
Through conversation, writing, crafts, games, and projects inspired by the book, children explore the story in different ways. Here on the farm, connections to animals and nature make those experiences even more meaningful.
We aren’t rushing to finish a book. We’re enjoying the adventure together.
Writing With Support, One Step at a Time
READS! is also a welcoming place for children who have plenty of ideas but need help getting them onto paper.
We explore different kinds of writing, with support along the way: fill-in responses, sentence starters, complete sentences, descriptive writing, comparisons, creative responses, and paragraphs. There is room for everything in between.
Some days, a child’s next step might be completing a sentence. Another day, it might be adding a wonderful detail or organizing several ideas into a paragraph. I meet students where they are and help them stretch from there. Their ideas matter, and I want them to feel confident sharing them.
A Place to Feel Comfortable and Make Friends
Just as much as I want children to grow as readers, thinkers, and writers, I want them to feel that they belong. I created READS! to be a warm, supportive space where children can ask questions, try something challenging, make mistakes, laugh, and build friendships through a shared story.
This makes the class an especially good fit for reluctant readers, children who love stories but aren’t ready to read longer novels independently, and students who need encouragement and support with writing.
Our Spring Adventure: My Side of the Mountain
This spring, we’ll step into the world of Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain. Sam’s adventure in the Catskill Mountains gives us so much to wonder about: independence, resourcefulness, friendship, nature, and what it takes to make a home in the wilderness.
We’ll connect with the novel through meaningful conversations, supported writing, nature observations, and hands-on projects. What would you bring into the wilderness? What skills would you need? How would your choices compare with Sam’s?
There will be plenty to imagine, create, and discover together.
Spring READS! details
Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.–noon
January 5–April 6, 2027
12 two-hour sessions
$600 per student
Grades 2–6
My Learning Farm in Penryn
My Learning Farm is a vendor with Harvest Ridge, South Sutter, Feather River, Cottonwood, Clarksville, Forest, Sequoia Grove, Sutter Peak, and PCI/Valley View. Private-pay families are welcome, too.
I’d love for your child to experience the joy of a good book, the pride of sharing an idea, and the comfort of learning alongside friends.
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