Read Aloud: I begin Reading Workshop with our Read Aloud. Students bring their Reading is Thinking journal so that as we read together we can write down our thoughts and ideas as well as tips for reading. We also collect "Delicious Words". As we come across great vocabulary we write them down and use them with our Word Study to grow our vocabulary. The Read Aloud lessons and discussions become part of how we respond in our iRead Journals about the books that we read independently during "iRead" time.
iRead Time: Read Aloud time is always followed by a sustained silent reading time for students! Students spend 20 minutes reading independently. This time will increase as the year and our stamina progress. This is an opportunity for students to read, reflect and practice their reading independence and proficiency. I conference with students during this time.
"i Read" Response Journals: Students will write daily in their iRead Journals as part of their reading assignments. The goal is for students is to use the things that they learn during Read Aloud and class as they write in the journal. By having the students write to me in their journals I am able to have a continual conversation with your child and individualize instruction for each student. I respond to each student's journal weekly.
Book Talks: We will begin the year reading Frindle as a class. This is a great way to share as a community how we will work during Reading Workshop. After Frindle, I work to get students reading individual "Just Right Books". I one to one match books based on student level and interest. I have found students show more interest and effort when they are reading a book they enjoy and had input with choice. Through "Book Talks", I share with students books that make up our "choices" for DEAR. It is a great way for them to get excited about books. They keep track of the title, if it is a "maybe", "no", or "yes", as well as notes to remind them about the book. We have so many wonderful titles to choose from!!!