Newell Elementary School November 14, 2012 Reader’s Workshop Newell Elementary School November 14, 2012

Guiding Principles for Reader’s Workshop Readers read independently everyday (SSR). Readers select their own “just right” books (SSR). Readers have the opportunity to talk about their books in authentic ways. Teacher provides explicit mini-lessons on reading strategies. Teacher confers with students individually and in small groups. Howell

Howell

Workshop Structure Mini lesson (approx. 10-15 min.) Independent reading time (SSR – time ranges depending on grade level & class stamina) Share time (5 min.) Dreyer

Mini Lesson Purpose is to model a reading strategy or skill Clear objective Concise and to the point (no more than 10-15 minutes) 100% Teacher led SHOW, don’t tell Anchor charts Dreyer

Mini Lesson Structure Connection to prior learning  Coherence Teaching  Demonstrate/Model Active Engagement  Guided Practice Link to Work  Transfer *Mention teaching point explicitly and repeatedly throughout mini-lesson Dreyer

Video – Rick’s Reading Workshop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYdbX-kpYE0 Dreyer

Independent Reading Time Students Teacher Reading self-selected, “just-right” books Employing reading strategies taught in mini-lessons Conferring individually with students or in small groups Meeting with guided reading groups Circulating the room/monitoring students Mid-workshop teaching point Dreyer

How do students choose books for SSR? Students are given the opportunity to “shop” for books on their independent level once a week Students keep their books in a book baggie, box, or bin for the whole week Can include post-it notes for jotting thoughts, inferences, connections to mini-lesson, etc. Dreyer

Reading A-Z Reading A-Z is an excellent source for leveled readers and accompanying graphic organizers that support skills readers need to learn such as cause and effect and main idea and details. Using these materials allows for a more focused, structured guided reading and the students enjoy writing and responding to the text. They have many materials that support science/social studies integration Goral

Example of Graphic Organizer Predictions Write at least 3 I think… Questions Write at least 4 I wonder… Vocabulary What words do you not know? Using context clues, what do you think they mean? Story Elements (varies) Characters, Setting (time and place), Problem, Solution Could also be used as a summary square Goral

Scaffolding Reading Comprehension Before Reading Teach the pronunciation of difficult to read words. Teach the meaning of critical, unknown vocabulary words. Teach or activate necessary background knowledge. Preview the story or article. During Reading Utilize passage reading procedures that provide adequate reading practice. Ask appropriate questions during passage reading. Scaffold higher order questions by establishing a literal foundation. Have students generate questions. Teach strategies that can be applied to passage reading. After Reading Guide students in summarizing critical content using graphic organizers. Engage students in a discussion of the passage. Provide engaging vocabulary practice. Have students answer written questions. Have students write summaries of what they’ve read. Goral

Conferring RESEARCH-DECIDE-TEACH COACHING CONFERENCE Teachers chooses ONE specific skill that they know the student needs help with and focuses on that COACHING CONFERENCE Quick verbal or non-verbal prompts while student is reading to you Teaching point at the end of conference based on what was observed PROFICIENT PARTNER CONFERENCE Teacher acts as a reading partner Suited for higher readers that do not need much support Howell

Possible “flow” of a conference COMPLIMENT something you noticed the student doing EXPLAIN a strategy to help that particular student DEMONSTRATE the strategy Give student a chance to PRACTICE the strategy COMPLIMENT and RESTATE the teaching point The heart of reader’s workshop is the conference/individualized teaching! Howell

Share Time 5-10 minutes Whole group share Partner share Small group share (reading clubs) Refer back to mini-lesson/teaching point Howell

Questions? Howell, Goral, Dreyer

Handouts Howell, Goral, Dreyer

References “Growing Readers” by Kathy Collins Rick’s Reading Workshop