reading groups

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Home : 2002 : December : 8

reading groups
By Brooke

Hey, I know how you feel - it is very hard to get reading groups going and finding out what works and what doesn't! I went out and bought about 4 or 5 whiteboards and markers for the kids to use. First, I introduce our
new book. We discuss what the title is about, what we think will happen, sometimes do a picture walk (where you look at the pictures in sequence and talk about what is happening), then I ask them to make a prediction about the story. They write it down on their whiteboard. Try to get away from round robin reading - it does not work. Consult your reading coach or the Gay Su Pinnell books

for ways to teach reading strategies to your kids - they need to know what they should do and can do if they come to a word they don't know. While my kids are reading, I get up and walk around, tap one of them on the shoulder and ask them to whisper read to me. It gives me a good indication of what strategies they are using and which ones should be taught. I also ask them questions about what words mean and what's going on in the story. If one of the students finishes early, they either answer a question I've given on their whiteboard or they reread. They also use the whiteboards for writing down words they weren't sure of. We go back over them and talk about them.

If your kids are super slow, I would try to stress that picture walk and even give them phonics mini-lessons if possible. For those words they are getting mixed up on, build flashcards for them to take home.

Hope this helps - if you need any other help, let me know!! : )