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Learning Studio / 03

Reading Session Planner

Start with a purpose. Shape a session. Take a useful plan into your next reading conversation.

Save the three original learning tools for this browser, then reopen them without a connection.

Only this browser is saved. External publisher resources, enquiries, and the content editor need a connection. Removing downloads keeps your local plans.

A little preparation. A better conversation.

Make room for reading.

Choose a story, shape a session, and leave with a plan you can use. No account, learner names, or scores required.

20minutes in your plan4 editable activities

Opening your planner…

01 / Set the scene

Your reading session

Plan nameGrade or phaseLearning aimStory or resource

Lindi traces a borrowed book and returns it to the library. Open the story ↗

Resource language

Plan in English and choose resources in the language that suits your group.

Group sizeIntended minutes

Session materialsAn adult or assistant can support a small group

This rebuilds activities from the selected aim and time. Existing edits are replaced only after confirmation.

02 / Shape the conversation

Your session, step by step.

20 / 20 min

Drag a step or use its move buttons. Replacing an activity changes its suggested text; edits to other steps stay in place.

01
Prepare language & context
Look closely at the picture
ActivityMinutes
Activity titleQuestions & promptsWhat do you notice in the picture? Point to a detail that helps you think about the story. Invite several ideas before offering your own.
Materials & ways to include everyone
MaterialsStory cover or first illustrationAdaptationsDescribe the picture aloud. Allow pointing, drawing, or a response in a familiar language.
02
Read together
Share the reading
ActivityMinutes
Activity titleQuestions & promptsRead together, pausing at meaningful points. Invite learners to follow the pictures and join a familiar phrase if they choose.
Materials & ways to include everyone
MaterialsChosen story or authorised resourceAdaptationsJoining aloud is optional. Keep the text visible and provide another reading when useful.
03
Make meaning
Put events in order
ActivityMinutes
Activity titleQuestions & promptsChoose the first, next, and last events. Ask: “Which part of the story helps us decide?” Invite learners to change the order when the text gives a reason.
Materials & ways to include everyone
MaterialsStory event cards or six labelled pieces of paperAdaptationsStart with three events before using all six. Use spoken descriptions when cards are unavailable.
04
Respond & reflect
Reflect and look ahead
ActivityMinutes
Activity titleQuestions & promptsWhat helped you understand this story? What would you like to reread or ask next time? Close by returning to an early prediction or question.
Materials & ways to include everyone
MaterialsStory and optional notesAdaptationsAllow a quiet response or a simple choice. Avoid public scores or comparisons between children.

General class notesThese notes stay on this device and appear in your exports. They are never added to a shared preset link.

03 / Take it to the reading mat

Ready when you are.

Save here for next time, or take your edited plan with you.

Your device library

Keep a good session close.

Saved plans belong to this browser on this device. They do not sync to an account. Export JSON for a backup or to move a plan to another device. The working plan saves automatically.

Your next good reading conversation can start here. Give the current plan a name, then choose Save plan.

Activity guidance & credits

Original activity templates created for the Julia Maphutha Learning Studio, 2026. Designed for adult-led reading conversations; adapt the plan to your learners and setting.

The library contains 13 distinct templates: Look closely at the picture; Make a prediction; Connect with experience; Model reading and thinking; Share the reading; Read, pause, and retell; Put events in order; Explore a word in context; Find a detail in the story; Explain why; Think, pair, and share; Draw or write a response; Reflect and look ahead. Choose and adapt activities to suit your group.

For Sepedi sessions, pair your plan with the publisher’s authorised materials and appropriate language guidance. The prompts help an adult organise a reading conversation and can be adapted to the setting.

Your plans and notes stay on your device. Export a PDF to take into a session, or a JSON file to keep a backup. Read the privacy notice.

My reading session

Foundation Phase · 8 participants · 20 minutes actual / 20 intended

Learning aim

Sequence events and explain what happened

Resource: The Missing Library Book · English

https://juliamaphutha.com/learn/story-table?story=missing-library-book

Materials

A shared story; six event cards; paper and pencils

Small-group adult support: Not available

1. Look closely at the picture · 4 min

What do you notice in the picture? Point to a detail that helps you think about the story. Invite several ideas before offering your own.

Materials: Story cover or first illustration

Adaptations: Describe the picture aloud. Allow pointing, drawing, or a response in a familiar language.

2. Share the reading · 7 min

Read together, pausing at meaningful points. Invite learners to follow the pictures and join a familiar phrase if they choose.

Materials: Chosen story or authorised resource

Adaptations: Joining aloud is optional. Keep the text visible and provide another reading when useful.

3. Put events in order · 6 min

Choose the first, next, and last events. Ask: “Which part of the story helps us decide?” Invite learners to change the order when the text gives a reason.

Materials: Story event cards or six labelled pieces of paper

Adaptations: Start with three events before using all six. Use spoken descriptions when cards are unavailable.

4. Reflect and look ahead · 3 min

What helped you understand this story? What would you like to reread or ask next time? Close by returning to an early prediction or question.

Materials: Story and optional notes

Adaptations: Allow a quiet response or a simple choice. Avoid public scores or comparisons between children.