Individualized Reading/Reading Workshop

Individualized Reading/Reading Workshop

1. preparation time

   • mini lessons
     • connection
     • teaching
     • active involvement
     • link
     • follow up
   • read alouds
     • demonstrate fluent reading
     • key strategies
     • ways to respond to others in discussions
     • ways to listen to and talk about selections

2. self selected reading and responding

   • read self selected books
     • approximately 30 minutes
   • respond to reading
     • 15 to 30 minutes or longer
   • engage in group or individual conferences
     • individual conferences
       • teacher full attention
       • direct guidance and instruction
       • valuable insight to needs of student
       • review reading journal
       • reading log
       • 5 to 10 minutes
     • group conferences
       • 5 to 6 students
       • same book
       • same author
       • common theme
       • same genre
   • using dialogue journals
     • alternative or supplement to conferences
     • students respond freely
       • teacher responds to student response

3. student sharing

   • 10 to 20 minutes
   • share reading with entire class
     • highlights
     • exciting passage
     • poem
     • recommendation
     • reader's theater performance

4. organizing the program

   • inviting browsing area
   • routines established
     • selecting books
       • max 5 students at a time
       • up to 2 books at a time
       • 1 exchange
     • keeping track of books circulated
       • students responsible for books they check out
         • card
         • sign out sheet
         • computerized system
     • taking part in conferences
       • no interruptions
       • students come prepared
       • periodic conferences to be arranged
     • independent activities
   • basic conditions
     • teacher to hold individual/group conferences without interruptions
     • students work on their own without disturbing others
     • students responsible for choosing books and reading books

5. advantages and disadvantages of reading workshop

   • advantages
     • self selection
     • moving at own pace
     • group processes
     • relating reading and writing
   • disadvantages
     • potential neglect of skills
     • possibility teacher might be spread to thin
     • unsuitable for students who have difficulty working independently
     • unsuitable for students whose skills are so limited that there are few books they can read on their own

6. adapting reading workshop

   • can be used instead of or along side basal series
   • obtain multiple copies of selected titles
   • use efficient management techniques
   • do not overextend self