Drawn into the Heart of Reading
Level 2/3
Drawn into the Heart of Reading Level 2/3 is the perfect place to begin if your child is done with phonics, is a newly independent reader, and is new to formal literature study. Level 2/3 provides you with complete plans, fun activities, and enjoyable literature from 9 different genres – everything you need to get started! With engaging books and Godly character lessons at its core, this program is crafted to promote thoughtful discussion and draw your student right into the heart of reading.
Overview
Equipped with our multi-level Teacher’s Guide, our graphic organizer-style Student Book, and a variety of great literature, you’re ready for an exciting year of reading. Let’s have a look at what you can expect from this level!
Level 2/3...
- Provides a solid introduction to literature study
- Guides students in grades 2-4
- Focuses on 9 different types of literature
- Includes prereading activities to introduce ideas
- Teaches classic story elements
- Points out Godly character lessons
- Fosters literature appreciation and inspires enthusiasm for reading
- Develops reading, writing, and read-aloud skills
- Builds higher order thinking skills and prompts discussion
- Provides creative and memorable projects
- Uses a variety of book selections
- Allows you to customize your book choices
(Note: You can see our book choices for this level in the provided picture.)
Level 2/3...
- Provides a solid introduction to literature study
- Guides students in grades 2-4
- Focuses on 9 different types of literature
- Includes prereading activities to introduce ideas
- Teaches classic story elements
- Points out Godly character lessons
- Fosters literature appreciation and inspires enthusiasm for reading
- Develops reading, writing, and read-aloud skills
- Builds higher order thinking skills and prompts discussion
- Provides creative and memorable projects
- Uses a variety of book selections
- Allows you to customize your book choices
(Note: You can see our book choices for this level in the provided picture.)
Features
Level 2/3 includes 9 units with complete plans organized around 9 different genres of literature. The nine units, totaling 180 days, can be flexibly paced to suit your needs. Each of the nine units contains 20 days of instruction, beginning with a “genre kickoff,” followed by 15 days of readings paired with activities, and ending with 5 days of project work. Each unit focuses on one literary genre, one story element, and one major Godly character trait. To learn more about each feature, have a look below!
What's Included in
My Guide and Student Book?
Genre Studies
In the “genre kickoff” part of the program, your child will be introduced to each new genre in a fun and entertaining way. If you have more than one student, students in all levels join together for the “genre kickoff.” A list of inventive kickoffs is provided at the beginning of each unit, so you can pick the one you like best!
Here is a sampling of kickoff ideas for the “biography” genre. You can choose to have your child gather 5 special objects, show one object at a time, and share why it’s important. Or, maybe you have an artistic child, so you’ll choose the kickoff that has your child make a scrapbook page sharing biographical details. Or, perhaps you’ve got a child who is a “mover and a shaker,” so you’ll choose the kickoff that has your child take a tour of your house and note what can be discovered about each family member. Whatever kickoff you choose, your child is sure to enjoy it and find out more about the upcoming genre at the same time!
As part of the genre studies in Drawn into the Heart of Reading, your child will read from every type of literature, creatively learn needed skills for each genre, respond using various learning styles, and discover new kinds of books to love! This level of our program is designed to help your newly independent reader understand, appreciate, and enjoy different types of literature.
The nine types of literature included in our program are as follows:
- Biography
- Adventure
- Historical Fiction
- Fantasy
- Mystery
- Folk Tales
- Nonfiction
- Humor
- Realistic Fiction
Story Elements
In the “story elements” part of the program, students are taught to identify and analyze a different story element for each genre. Lessons connect story elements with the genres they’d most naturally match. So in the “biography” genre, “character” is studied, in the “adventure” genre, “problem/conflict” is studied, in the “mystery” genre, “prediction/inference” is studied and so on. Story element instruction taught in this natural and meaningful way with younger students, paves the way for success with future, in-depth literature studies.
Likewise, a few well-chosen discussion questions instill the cozy feeling of taking part in a book club. As students describe what they are reading and share connections they’ve made, their comprehension and understanding improves too.
The story elements emphasized in the nine units include the following:
- Character
- Problem/Conflict
- Setting
- Mood
- Prediction and Inference
- Compare and Contrast
- Main Idea or Theme
- Cause and Effect
- Perspective and Point of View
Godly Character Traits
In the “Godly character traits” part of the program, your children will learn important character traits with each genre. Each trait is paired with a matching definition and a key Scripture verse. Children use their Bibles to read about a biblical character who showed the trait, listen to you as you share a time in your life when you’ve shown that trait, search for characters in their books who are – or are not – showing the trait, and finally search their own hearts for evidence of that trait.
As students search their hearts for traits they need to work on, they set personal goals to do just that. This soul-searching part of the program not only helps children want to develop Godly character, it also helps you as a parent have a biblical method in place for discussing book characters and their behavior. Through this process children are taught to weigh the actions and attitudes of book characters and themselves in light of the Bible.
The Godly character traits emphasized in Level 2/3 include the following:
- Responsibility (Subquality: Diligence)
- Fear of the Lord (Subquality: Respect for Authority)
- Faith (Subquality: Perseverance)
- Brotherly Love (Subqaulity: Compassion)
- Loyalty (Subquality: Fairness)
- Virtue (Subquality: Truthfulness)
- Obedience (Subquality: Attentiveness)
- Joy (Subquality: Thankfulness)
- Integrity (Subquality: Dependability)
Creative Projects
The “creative projects” part of the program will have your child ending each genre unit study with one of three project options. These options ensure your child can find a project to get excited about! Each project is designed to reinforce the genre while also celebrating completion of the unit. One of the options is always Godly character trait-based, another option is book-based (using Book Projects to Send Home), and the final option is a group project.
For example, when completing the genre “historical fiction,” your child might create a faith encouragement card for someone experiencing hardship, or make a mask representing an integral character from the book, or work with you or other family members to perform a character role play of an event from the historical time period studied.
Five days of plans at the end of each unit are set aside for the creative project that is chosen, which gives more than enough time for completion. Each of these projects also has simple, detailed directions and a reflection form to do at the end, making this creative project time truly doable and enjoyable for both the child and the parent!
Can I Tailor This to
Fit My Child?
Yes! This program is built to work with every learning style. You can customize the books your child will read, and also choose the amount to be read each day. Or, if you would like our help, you can use our hand-picked books for a selection of excellent literature that covers all nine genres and fits seamlessly into the plans. With our carefully chosen classics, you’ll receive time-tested gems that will leave both you and your child smiling!
What Do Other
People Have to Say?
“With Drawn Into the Heart of Reading, we absolutely can’t wait for reading every day.”
Debbie in Denton, TX
Look Inside
The Teacher’s Guide and Student Book combination in Level 2/3 provides everything you need to have an inspiring first year of literature study. Let’s have a better look inside, so you can see what using Drawn into the Heart of Reading is like.
Daily Format
Genre studies, story elements, and character training are all brought together in our simple and effective daily format. Our clear, multi-level plans draw students of different ages together for genre kickoffs and prereading activities. The plans also provide individual instruction through unique book selections and daily lessons. Take a look at the creative format that ties our program together!
Reading Calendar
Our “Assigned Reading Calendar” is used to organize your child’s reading schedule. Each genre-based unit is 15 days long. Depending on how fast your child likes to read, he/she can read up to 3 books for each genre. At the beginning of each unit, simply write the page numbers to read each day in the calendar, and you’ll be set for success! To see how this works, take a look at our “Assigned Reading Calendar.”
Teacher's Guide
The Teacher’s Guide shows you the plan for every day of reading and specifies whether the lesson is teacher directed or independent. Each day of plans is divided into three levels of instruction: Level 2/3, Level 4/5, and Level 6/7/8. In Level 2/3 of the program, lessons are always teacher-directed. In Level 4/5 and Level 6/7/8, independence gradually increases.
Level 2/3 Student Book
Our Level 2/3 Student Book is a wonderful tool to get young minds thinking about the books they’re reading. Graphic organizer style pages, paired with teacher-guided lessons, prompt students to share what they’ve learned. Visually representing thoughts, ideas, and information in this way helps students make connections before, during, and after reading.
In Level 2/3, students are expected to do some writing on approximately half the days in each unit. The Student Book includes pages for each of these assignments, lining up with lessons in the Teacher’s Guide. Have a look at the “Sample Pages” to see our graphic organizer style pages for this level.
Shop
Now that you’ve seen a little bit about this level, are you ready to shop? We can’t wait for you to see what’s in store!
Not sure you’re in the right place? If your child is too young or too old for Level 2/3, we’ve got you covered.
Need something younger?
Visit our “Little Hearts” series. It includes phonics and books for emerging readers.
Need something older?
Visit Level 4/5 of Drawn into the Heart of Reading. It might be just right for your child.
Need something younger?
Visit our “Little Hearts” series. It includes phonics and books for emerging readers.
Need something older?
Visit Level 4/5 of Drawn into the Heart of Reading. It might be just right for your child.
Dig Deeper
Still want to know more about Drawn into the Heart of Reading? Have no fear – there’s more here! See the following excellent resources for more in-depth information about this program.
