Reading

Reading

Reader’s workshop is designed to build on students’ strengths and connects to their background experiences and literacy knowledge. Various grouping formats are used for students who need more support, such as buddy reading, cooperative book discussion groups, and/or turn-and-talk procedures.

The units of study for reading are meant to explore various genres. Students will be reading fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Reading time takes on a workshop format. There is a focused min-lesson designed to demonstrate different comprehension reading strategies, evaluate text structures, word-solving techniques, etc… An independent work period gives students an opportunity to practice reading strategies with “just right books”, work in literacy stations, respond to literature in response journals and discuss books with each other. Small group instruction and conferences is also a part of this time where students focus on more specific needs to help improve their personal reading skills. At the end of reader’s workshop, there is a short period where children share something they read, a strategy they used, written literature responses.

We will continue doing guided reading groups this year. Students are in groups of 4 to 5 according to reading level. This small group instruction is meant to guide them through their journey at becoming good readers, build their stamina and confidence in reading and help them reach their reading goals.

DRA- Third graders should come in at a 28 DRA and leave at a 38 DRA. This number is arbitrary, however, if you go to Scholastic Book website and go to book wizard, you can click on DRA level and type in the book name to check and see if it is a Just Right Book for your child.