
Heading into 6th grade means bigger books, harder texts, and teachers who expect you to think critically — not just read.
Starts Tue, Jun 23
6:30 PM UTC · 1h
4 sessions

Crystal
Distinguish between literary genres including fables, folktales, fiction, and nonfiction — and explain what makes each one unique
Identify the defining features of fables (animal characters, moral lessons) and folktales (cultural explanations of natural phenomena)
Use nonfiction text features — tables of contents, headings, captions, charts, and graphs — to locate and understand information efficiently
Separate factual statements from opinions in a text, and explain how authors use facts strategically to support their views
Apply active reading strategies including annotation, summarizing, and questioning to deepen comprehension
Identify main ideas and supporting details, and draw inferences backed by textual evidence
Decode unfamiliar vocabulary using context clues and word study techniques

A longtime English teacher and bestselling author, Crystal wants students to learn one important message: "words have power!" Having taught language arts from kindergarten through college, she relies heavily on evidence-based teaching methods combined with some good old fashioned "you've got this" encouragement to help students read, write, and dream bigger than they've ever imagined.
Heading into 6th grade means bigger books, harder texts, and teachers who expect you to think critically — not just read. This summer course is designed to close the gap and give rising 6th graders the exact skills they need to hit the ground running. Students will explore literary genres like fables and folktales, master nonfiction text features, sharpen their ability to tell fact from opinion, and build the active reading habits that middle school demands. By the end of this course, students won't just be more prepared — they'll be more confident readers who know how to tackle any text put in front of them.
Live Q&A
Cameras / mics optional
Recordings
Available within 1 hour, kept 90 days
Materials
No special materials required
free with a Varsity Tutors membership
16
DAYS10
HRS23
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Summer Learning: Bridging the Gap to 6th Grade Reading