Reading
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." — Frederick Douglass
What is Reading Workshop?
Reader's Workshop is a comprehensive language and literacy framework designed to support young readers and writers.
Reading Workshop is an organized set of language and literacy experiences (minilesson, individualized reading, one-on-one conferences and sharing) designed to help students become more effective readers. Students become more active in their own learning and are exposed to a greater variety of texts. Daily conferences allow the teacher to tailor instruction to the individual needs of the student.(Fountas & Pinell, 2001)
We will use three types of reading models in our Reading Workshop - Independent Reading, Guided Reading, and Literature Circles.
Independent Reading:
The teacher begins with a book talk to present a new book or a book that might interest particular members of the class, followed by a brief minilesson to model a reading strategy or skill. Following the minilesson, students read a "just right" book independently, then respond to what they have read in their Response Journals. During independent reading, the teacher confers with students individually to assess and document the reading progress of individual students. Students may choose a book from our classroom library or bring a book from home if appropriate. Students will be assigned a reading contract on Monday that is due each Friday.
Students will be assigned independent reading to be completed at home each evening. Parents are encouraged to ask questions about the book or have their child read an excerpt of the text out loud.
Literature Circles
During our literature circles the students choose one of several leveled books from a theme (such as survival). Each member of the literature circle will have an assigned job throughout the book. Students talk with one another about the book and develop a deeper understanding of the things they read. Literature circles help students connect complex concepts and ideas to their own lives and encourages them to become lifelong readers.
Guided Reading:
During guided reading the teacher pulls together small groups of students to explicitly teach effective reading strategies. The students read the same text, which is selected to maximize opportunities for learning and is leveled to their specific reading abilities. The teacher selects teaching points based on readers' needs and sometimes assigns oral and/or written response tasks.
