Reading Workshop Helps Develop Life-Long Passionate Readers
Readers Workshop in our classroom is an extended period of time during our Language Arts Block devoted to reading and responding to literature. A mini lesson begins the workshop everyday. Children are then released to their “book nook” to read literary and informational text at their level and practice the skill that was highlighted. The teacher then circulates the room to listen to individuals read and will discuss the book with the child. The teacher then makes anecdotal notes about the reader and uses the information to form lessons in the future. At the end of the lesson, the students and the teacher come back together to discuss how the strategy was implemented during reading and what worked for them. They share this information with their peers to become better readers.
Challenges or Obstacles:
- Materials to implement Readers Workshop (books, book bins, time Frame)
- Readers need to book shop about once a week. They choose 8 books to place in their bins.
- A teacher must have a large library of books to allow children a new variety each week.
- Bookbins or bookbags are needed to keep materials organized.
- 30 minutes a day is needed to implement this properly. As children practice their stamina in readers workshop, the time must increase.
- Finding enough time during the day can be a struggle.
Benefits and Successes:
- Readers Workshop allows students to read at their personal reading level.
- It allows students to read authentic text, respond and discuss literature.
- We are developing life long readers.
- Students can feel success when they take responsibility for their own learning.
- Reading levels are discussed frequently so that the students know where they are, and know where they need to be.
Submitted by: Mary Hendricks and Shannon Oliver, Rhoades Elementary School