Reading and Writing Workshop

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Home : 2002 : September : 12

Reading and Writing Workshop
By Brad

It is hard given only 90 minutes! Here are some tips however:

1. You say your minilesson is 30 minutes!! I hope you're not serious. The whole idea of a minilesson is that it's "mini." They should be 10-15 tops.

2.
You may think of integrating your science and social studies topics into your reading time. You don't mention what grade you teach, so I don't know if that's an issue for you.
3. Do not do summary and opinion everyday. Think about it. Every time you read something, do you write a summary and opinion? We should strive for authenticity in our classes and ask students to do very

little that will not be applied in real life. At the same time, schools are not life and occasionally you will need grades or other evidence students are reading. Nancie Atwell had her students respond to her once a week and to a friend once a week. Sharon Taberski (primary) has them respond only once a week in the latter half of the second grade year on. Myself, I'd rather have them write once a week and we can share orally the other days. (And to make it easier on yourself, divide your class 5 ways and then assign them a "day" to respond. Less to grade at one time.)

4. I am not sure what model you're following. If you are 3-6, I'd recommend "Guiding Readers and Writers" by Pinnell and Fountas. It is a thick tome but full of valuable and practical information. I follow the four blocks format, which is based on the work of Pat Cunningham. We have time for SSR, Guided REading, Writing, and Word Work, but we have 2 hours. To get it all in, they recommend integrating science and social studies as much as possible. The book, "The Teacher's Guide to the Four Blocks," by Pat Cunningham and Dot Hall. I recommend both of these.

Let us know if you have any more questions. It's an exciting and motivating way to teach when you get it up and running. Don't give up!!

Brad