Reading+Workshop

Hi all-

Here is some info on the reading workshop approach:

Leaders in reading workshop include Lucy Calkins and Nancy Atwell. Cris Tovani also wrote an interesting book regarding workshop assessment. I came across this great video of Lucy Calkins explaining the approach and the classroom structure: []

Reading workshop is all about the premise that kids become better readers (who stand a better chance of enjoying reading) if they are given as much time as possible (in class) to READ. Reading choice is also a key component of the workshop approach. The basic structure of the reading workshop classroom is as follows: Minilesson: Reading strategy review, book talk, Independant reading time Catch and release: Time that they teacher uses to clarify or address a problem Debriefing: sharing and synthesis time

While kids are given choice and freeedom in a workshop environment, they are also held accountable. Kids keep track and confer with their teacher about books that they have finished. They emply devices such as reading response journals and book review worksheets as a method of owning their reading accomplishments and building shared knowledge. The community works together to review books and help peers find books that they might enjoy. The teacher's role is to read along side her students and to confer and mentor students in book selection and analysis. I will bring copies of the Atwell and Tovani books to class on Tuesday. Here are the citations:

Tovani, C (2011). //So What Do They Really Know?.// Pembroke Publishers Atwell, N (1998). //In The Middle//. Portsmouth, NH. Boynton/Cook Publishers. Heinemann. I also found this interesting NYT article about schools that have apopted the reading workshop approach: [] Nicky