The First 25 Days of School
Establishing Relationships and Routines
The goal of this workshop is...
Participants will understand and be able to implement research-based literacy routines that develop independent, critical and creative readers and writers.
Learning Targets
- Examine and select listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that create positive relationships and help students become members of a safe learning community.
- Define critical components and materials for reading, writing, and word workshops.
- Identify materials and lessons that must be prepared before school starts.
- Plan 25 days of routine, strategy, and craft lessons that establish a year of successful practice.
Wanted: New Friends
What is the desired result of these activities?
The 21st Century Gradual Release of Responsibility
- Engage Students with questions, predictions, and ensuring relevance and urgency
- Allow students to explore the concept, skill, or strategy
- Have students explain the critical information needed for the concept, skill, or strategy. Fill in the blanks if students don't have the critical information.
- Allow students time for guided and/or independent practice.
- Have students elaborate on the concept, skill, or strategy. What do they understand better as a result of the practice? How will this knowledge or skill be used in other situations? Ask inferential questions that require support for their thinking.
- Ask students to reflect or revise understandings.
- What new knowledge or skill have you learned? (Reflection)
- What have you added to your understanding? (Revise)
- How has your understanding changed? (Revise)
- What are you thinking now? (Revise)
What is the desired result of the workshop model?
Resources
Getting Ready
Inviting Classroom Library
Whole Group Meeting Area
Small Group Meeting Area
The First Week of School-Launch Reader's Workshop
The Second Week of School
Continue Reader's Workshop and Launch Writer's Workshop
The Third Week of School
Add Partner Reading and Research to Reader's Workshop
The Fourth Week of School
Launch Word Workshop
The Fifth Week of School
Add Listening to Reading to Reader's Workshop
Reader's Workshop
What can you do during Reader's Workshop?
- Read independently
- Record yourself reading
- Conduct research on a topic of interest
- Write about your reading or research findings
- Meet with the teacher in a small group or by yourself to read or discuss what you have read
- Meet with a reading partner to read together
- Meet with classmates to discuss what you have read
Writer's Workshop
What can you do during Writer's Workshop?
- Write independently
- Try out writing strategies using mentor texts as models
- Write about the research you are conducting on a topic of interest
- Meet with the teacher in a small group or by yourself to read or discuss what you have written
- Meet with a writing partner to write together
- Meet with classmates to discuss writing pieces
The Sixth Week of School and Beyond
What can be added to the workshops?
- Literature Circles
- Reader's Theaters
Presented by Kelly Harmon
Kelly Harmon is a national presenter who has more than 24 years of experience working with at-risk students. She presents on a wide range of topics including RTI, technology, and reading, writing, and strategies for highly effective teachers. She works as an instructional coach for schools and districts across the United States. She also works with the Bureau of Education and Research, as well as Learning Sciences Marzano Center.