Reader’s Workshop Bear Branch 6th

*Reader’s Workshop is a teaching model where children improve their reading by spending time actually reading. *Strategy lessons are taught explicitly in class through whole or small group lessons. *Students are then given the time to apply the lesson to text that is on their reading and interest level. *Teachers spend time talking with students about what, and how they are reading.

What are the benefits of using Reader’s Workshop? Students select their own reading material. Students read at their own pace. Students learn to talk to one another about what they’ve read. Students not only learn how to read better, but also learn the value of reading to learn.

How can parents help? *Be a reading role model at home. Let your student see you reading so they will value the importance of reading. *Ask your student about the book they are reading. *Remind them to bring their book to school and to class. *Read to your student…even sixth graders like to be read to! Some books offer great opportunities for family discussions.

How are grades given in Reader’s Workshop? *Independent reading ~ sustained time in text, is the student able to maintain stamina during reading time? *Post-it notes, projects, vocabulary study, reading logs, etc. *Reading Conferences ~ are students able to apply skills taught in mini-lessons to their own text?

Research shows that when children spend more time reading, they become better readers. With a little guidance and encouragement from a teacher who loves to read, students can learn to select appropriate books and discover the joy in reading and become life long learners.