READS! Starts Today: Charlotte’s Web, Here We Come!

Today is the day! My Learning Farm READS! officially begins, and I am so excited to welcome this wonderful group of 10 students to the farm for an intentionally small-group 12 weeks of reading, writing, creating, exploring, and—most importantly—having FUN with a great book.

This fall, we are diving into Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, and I can’t think of a more perfect story for My Learning Farm. Friendship, animals, growing up, courage, kindness, farm life…it feels right at home here.

READS! is a little different from a traditional book club or literature class because students don’t have to do the reading—I do! Ms. Sara reads the entire novel aloud, which makes this class a wonderful fit for reluctant readers, struggling readers, and kids who simply love listening to a great story. Students get to enjoy rich, age-appropriate literature without decoding difficulties getting in the way of comprehension, conversation, or creativity.

And we do so much more than read!

Throughout Charlotte’s Web, we’ll take a deep dive into vocabulary and word meanings, make connections between the story and our own lives, explore characters and themes, build critical-thinking skills, and practice writing in approachable, supportive ways. We’ll also bring the story to life through games, crafts, farm animals, hands-on activities, creative projects, and plenty of laughter.

One of my favorite things about READS! is that children can experience what it feels like to be part of a community of readers—even if reading has not always felt easy for them. There is no pressure to read aloud and no expectation that everyone writes or learns in exactly the same way. We meet kids where they are, give them opportunities to participate successfully, and let their confidence grow right alongside their skills.

I can't wait to see where Charlotte's Web takes us over the next 12 weeks. I have a feeling there will be plenty of webs, words, animals, projects, friendships, and farm adventures along the way.

And looking ahead… Spring READS! is coming!

There are still a few spots available for our Spring READS! session, when we’ll head into the wilderness with My Side of the Mountain. It will be another adventure filled with literature, vocabulary, writing, projects, creativity, nature, and hands-on learning—My Learning Farm style.

Here’s to a wonderful first day of READS! and a season of helping kids discover that there is so much JOY waiting inside a great story.

Happy reading from the farm!