Do you use the reading workshop AND writing workshop models in your K-2 classroom? I love the workshop model because it: Promotes student choice (which is motivating!) Gives students lots of real reading and writing time—not worksheets Creates time for us teachers to meet with students one-on-one or in small groups If you’d like to…… Continue Reading
If you know me, you know I love running records! Taking running records of students’ oral reading (and asking them comprehension questions) is a fantastic way to learn about students’ decoding abilities … fluency … comprehension … and even vocabulary knowledge. All of this information is fantastic and helps us plan instruction. The better we…… Continue Reading
I’ve always loved reading—as a kid and as an adult. I also want my students to develop a love of reading, and if you’re reading this post, you must feel the same way! Unfortunately, not all our students love reading when they enter our classrooms. Maybe they’ve struggled with reading in the past. Maybe reading…… Continue Reading
If you teach guided reading, you probably choose leveled texts for your groups. But how do you know when to move a student (or an entire group) “up” a level? In this post, I share some tips to help you make that decision! Photo Credits: Beata Becia, Shutterstock Tip #1: Take running records consistently. Running…… Continue Reading
Are you ready to SUPERCHARGE your reading workshop or literacy block? 😃 Shared reading can be the rocket fuel that launches your students toward reading success! 🚀🚀I’ve seen the results with my own K, 1st, and 2nd grade students: shared reading has helped them move up reading levels and become more strategic readers. Because I believe…… Continue Reading
You might already know that a reading conference is one-on-one reading instruction. But how do you conduct a reading conference? And are they really worth the time they take? Every school day is packed, and it seems as if there’s never enough time to “fit it all in.” I feel like reading conferences are one…… Continue Reading
Over the past weeks, I’ve shared ideas and tips for teaching shared reading. Today we are going to shift focus (kind of!). Shared reading is an important component of reading workshop, but so is independent reading! I usually provide time for my students to read independently after shared reading / a minilesson. Independent reading is…… Continue Reading
Want your students to “do something” with the shared reading text after shared reading is over? Sure, they can draw or write about the text, but sometimes it’s fun to do something a little different! In today’s quick post, I share 12 activities that students can complete after a shared reading experience. Most of these…… Continue Reading
When I think about teaching vocabulary, I often think about readalouds. Quality readalouds are often filled with interesting, useful vocabulary words that we can teach our students. However, another great time to teach vocabulary (and vocabulary strategies) is during shared reading. In today’s post, I’ll share tips for teaching vocabulary during shared reading, as well…… Continue Reading
Any time we read a book with students, comprehension is a priority! However, comprehension instruction and practice take different forms, depending on the type of instructional activity we are doing. In today’s post, I focus on how to address comprehension during shared reading activities. Photo Credits: weedezign, Shutterstock 1. The first time you read a…… Continue Reading
