By PAT KORDALSKI

Literacy Specialist

Adult readers make choices about what they read, make time to read, and then share what they have read with others. Reading Workshop replicates that experience for students. Reading Workshop includes four basic components: a mini-lesson and a book that is read aloud, independent reading and conferencing, response and reflection, and a sharing time.

Teachers begin with a 10-15 minute mini-lesson. These mini-lessons often use literature as a model to discuss good reading strategies and literary elements, or to focus on a particular skill such as cause and effect relationships. The teacher provides direct instruction on skills and strategies. She also discusses with students what good readers do throughout the reading process. The overall goal of the mini-lesson and read aloud is to encourage students to enjoy literature while at the same time increasing their awareness of good reading strategies.

After the mini-lesson, students engage in independent reading. This is really the heart of the Reading Workshop because it is when students practice their reading. They may read alone, in pairs, or in small groups. During this time, the students also actively engage with the teacher in conferences – either individually or in small groups. The teacher may also teach a guided reading lesson, teach a small group lesson on a specific skill or strategy, or conduct some informal assessment. These assessments provide teachers with information and feedback they need to plan for future instruction.

Students benefit from responding to and reflecting on what they are reading. Their conversations with a teacher and other students before, during, or after reading help them clarify their thinking, ask questions, and develop divergent thinking. These verbal and written reflections offer ways for students to respond, while providing the teacher with substantial information for assessment and evaluation.

After the reading and reflection period, students come together for about five or ten minutes of sharing time. During this time, students describe their reading successes to one another, and share their enthusiasm for literature and for listening to and appreciating the ideas of others.