Launching the Reading Workshop (Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 4)
We are very excited about the district-wide implementation of Reading Workshop in Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 4. Our work is based on the research and pedagogy of Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. This model puts "just right" books in the hands of our young learners as they build their individual stamina for reading and create their own reading life.
We know students who read for long chunks of time become proficient at reading and are readers who enjoy reading. Students learn how to choose books at their independent reading level and are of interest to them. Reading levels were determined by individualized assessments done in the Fall. Our district literacy coaches are working side by side with our classroom teachers to guide students with skills and reading strategies to transition them to the next level in their reading development.
Currently, teachers are learning how to craft mini-lessons that are explicit and focused. A mini-lesson is designed using the Common Core State Standards and the reading strategies determined to be important for students at each grade level. The goal of each mini lesson is to advance each student in his/her development. By incorporating a mini-lesson no longer than 13 minutes into the 60 minute reading block, students are given an extended time to read in their "just right" books while teachers conference individually with students. Conferences assist the teacher with researching where students are with instructed reading strategies and provides information about where to go next with moving a student up to the next reading level.
Please continue to join us along this journey of growing all students' reading life. We will update our site during each phase of implementation. Our next bend on this road will provide information about student conferences.
We are very excited about the district-wide implementation of Reading Workshop in Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 4. Our work is based on the research and pedagogy of Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. This model puts "just right" books in the hands of our young learners as they build their individual stamina for reading and create their own reading life.
We know students who read for long chunks of time become proficient at reading and are readers who enjoy reading. Students learn how to choose books at their independent reading level and are of interest to them. Reading levels were determined by individualized assessments done in the Fall. Our district literacy coaches are working side by side with our classroom teachers to guide students with skills and reading strategies to transition them to the next level in their reading development.
Currently, teachers are learning how to craft mini-lessons that are explicit and focused. A mini-lesson is designed using the Common Core State Standards and the reading strategies determined to be important for students at each grade level. The goal of each mini lesson is to advance each student in his/her development. By incorporating a mini-lesson no longer than 13 minutes into the 60 minute reading block, students are given an extended time to read in their "just right" books while teachers conference individually with students. Conferences assist the teacher with researching where students are with instructed reading strategies and provides information about where to go next with moving a student up to the next reading level.
Please continue to join us along this journey of growing all students' reading life. We will update our site during each phase of implementation. Our next bend on this road will provide information about student conferences.