Open Court Reading Literature
In-Depth Literary Theme Perspectives

The goal of Open Court Reading is to efficiently and effectively teach children to decode and comprehend so that they can read a variety of literature types.  All of the skills development throughout the program serve this purpose.  From the very beginning, the program has emphasized the quality of the literature students read and the organization of that literature around big ideas to promote understanding and discussion.

Each unit throughout the program explores a comprehensive theme. 

The literature in each unit of Open Court Reading is organized around one of two types of themes:
• Universal themes, such as Keep Trying, Friendship, and Survival, encourage in-depth and critical thinking.
• Research themes, such as Weather, Astronomy, and Ancient Civilizations, develop inquiry and research in science and social studies content areas. 

Inquiry and Investigation
Throughout lessons in Open Court Reading, students do more than just read literature.  They also ask questions, discuss, research, write about, and think about the concepts and ideas centered around the themes they read.