Oh Reading Workshop...I Love You So!

I really, really do. Next to Math Problem Solving, it has transformed the way I teach more than anything else. If you're not yet familiar with Reading Workshop, it is simply a model to teach reading in which kids spend most of their time...READING! And thinking about what they read and talking about what they read and writing about what they read. It follows a standard workshop model that incorporates a mini-lesson, independent reading and response time, conferences and an opportunity for kids to share what they've discovered.

I started using a Reading Workshop model 2 years ago after reading this book...

Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller

I had been hearing about Reading Workshop for a few years, but was reluctant to make the switch. I had just gotten to the point where I had my literacy centers/guided reading groups running smoothly. And I really didn't think it was appropriate for kindergartners...after all, most of them were not even reading yet! But so much of what Debbie Miller wrote just made sense. So these are the reasons I LOVE Reading Workshop...

{ONE}

The kids spend the majority of our language arts block READING. After reading Debbie Miller's book, I realized that the only time my kids were getting quality reading time was the 30-40 minutes a week when they came to me for guided reading groups. The other time was spent doing cute little center activities, which were fun and, for the most part, kept them occupied. But were they really helping the kids learn how to read? Not particularly... Now my kids spend 30-40 minutes a day reading!

{TWO}

Reading Workshop is child-centered. The kids choose their own books, they choose where they want to read, and (most of the time) they choose how they will respond to what they've read. (Not on day one...we work up to this!) And they learn from each other during share time. They get to tell about a connection they made or a character they love. And we all know that kids learn MUCH BETTER from each other than they do from us.

{THREE}

The kids {LOVE} it! It is amazing to me that, by the end of the year, my students will happily spend 30-40 minutes at a time reading...truly reading. I love watching them--completely engrossed in a book, giggling or talking with a friend about what they've read. I was hesitant, at first, to let centers go. How could kids possibly be happy just sitting and reading for so long? But they are--I promise. And if we ever have to miss Reading Workshop, they're devastated. I truly believe I'm helping to create lifelong readers!

{FOUR}

It's naturally differentiated. Nothing is harder than trying to come up with literacy centers that meet the needs of emergent readers who are still reading very simple texts as well as advanced readers who are reading chapter books. In Reading Workshop, kids are responsible for choosing their own "just-right" books and responding to them in an appropriate way.

{FIVE}

I get to spend more quality-time listening to children read--my favorite part of Reading Workshop! Although I still pull small, flexible groups, I spend the majority of my time in individual reading conferences, helping kids with new comprehension or decoding strategies, teaching them how to problem-solve, or just listening as they tell me about their favorite part. And I don't get interrupted nearly as much because Bobby isn't using his scissors correctly or Avery doesn't know what to do...

{SIX}

It has simplified my life SO much! I no longer have to worry about coming up with new centers every week. I no longer have to copy, cut and laminate little center pieces that are sure to get lost after just a few days. I no longer have to spend precious instructional time explaining to the kids how to do the new centers, only to have them interrupt me later because they forgot. Obviously, that's not the main reason I love Reading Workshop, but it certainly doesn't hurt!
 

So, if you're ready to take that giant leap of faith and switch to a Reading Workshop model this year, I would definitely start by reading Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller.

I love these books for setting up the workshop and for mini-lessons:

 Growing Readers by Kathy Collins

Revisiting the Reading Workshop by Barbara Orehovec and Marybeth Alley

And although I do not officially do the Daily 5, I use MANY of the mini-lessons and strategies.

The Daily 5 by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser

Over the next year, I will do a series of posts that detail how I set up Reading Workshop, mini-lessons, response ideas, etc. So check back often! And I'd love to hear of any great ideas you have, or any great books you've read. Until then...

HAPPY READING!

Comments

[Tonia Vento]

I am very interested in your reading workshop. I look forward to your upcoming posts and I will become new follower.
thanks
Tonia
Mrsvento.blogspot

[Susan]

I read Reading with Meaning a few months ago, and was really intrigued by her readers workshop. I am very excited to hear that you were able to make it work in your Kindergarten class. That is my goal for the next school year. Can you tell me how you sat up your classroom to be able to supply so many books? The students were really able to pick a book that was on their level, and read the whole time? I just have some concerns. I look forward to your upcoming posts. Thanks!

[Kerri]

Love this post. I'm really interested in Reading workshop. Thanks for the book resources. Can't wait to check out more of your posts about it.
Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten

[Anjanette]

I recently read The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller and have been trying to teach my students to not just learn to read but to learn to love reading and the workshop method sounds like it would be great for that. Please post some of your ideas before fall so those of us who want to implement it can prep for it. Thanks for sharing.

[Liz Mccaw]

I love all of those books! I am writing about balanced literacy in Kindergarten (BC, Canada) and am looking forward to your posts about reading workshop. What does the rest of your literacy program look like? Would you mind if I referenced your blogs about literacy

Liz :)

[Jonelle Bell]

OK...I so want to take the plunge. I have been playing around with guided reading and Daily 5, but haven't come up with a schedule that I am in love with. So spill the beans...do you teach all day, how long is your reading workshop block, what does your reading workshop look like if you are not doing Daily 5 and what books do you use? {If you taught across the hall from me this would be sooooo much easier:)}
Jonelle

[Rhoda]

Thank you for such an inspiring post. I'm sold. Just went to amazon and purchased the first two books. Can't wait to get started!

[Christie]

You are a woman after my own heart!!! I see all these blogs and TPT with LOADS of cutesy, theme heavy, busy center work and I think Is this what our education system has become. I stopped doing centers three years ago and I have not looked back! I've recently written about this on my own blog:

http://musingsofaprimaryteacher.blogspot.com/2012/05/year-in-rewind.html

Thanks for writing such a great post, I'll be back!

[Jessica]

This is all very exciting to me! I want to know more...NOW!!!...I very much want to start this concept in my room this fall...but have so many questions...I know it is your summer too, but I would love to hear more...as Jonelle said, "this would be so much easier if you were across the hall from me!"....fingers crossed you will be inspired to tell us more!! (soon!)
Thank you for sharing your true love with all of us....

[Little People Learn]

I wonder how you manage, plan, differentiate and control kids during the reading sessions. Do you group them? How about the kids who is not familiar with phonics? Thank you in advance!

[Elissa]

Great ideas. I am blessed to get inspired by you. I am curious on the books the kids read is it literature or leveled readers? I have a district mandated reading series. I am assuming the mini lessons are things like phonics, etc??? Can't wait for more posts on this topic.

Enjoy your day,
elissa

[Erin]

I can't tell you how much I love seeing an email saying you've posted I always learn a ton!!!

Erin

[Arianne]

I love this post! My mentor teacher gave me Reading with Meaning during my first year of teaching - and my copy is literally falling apart because I love it so much. Thanks for sharing!

[beadboard]

please tell us more. im starving for this info. general guidelines & esp how to begin in kdg. thank you for getting those of us interested on the write track.

[Amy]

Thank you for sharing. Just pinned this! I can't wait to read more of your Reading Workshop posts!! : )
I am reading Growing Readers and L-O-V-E it!

[Leah]

I do Readers Workshop in my classroom and have for the past two years. My big problem is getting the kids to actually be engaged during their independent reading time. Most of my students would tell you that they don't like Readers Workshop. HELP!!!! How can I help my kids love this awesome part of their day? Can't wait to read your posts!