Wonderful Workshops
Our Workshops are up and running! Each day we have a Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop. The first few weeks we’ve focused on developing routines and stamina.
Reader’s Workshop:
Reading is Thinking! This is an important concept that we will work on throughout the year. At this time of the year we are practicing reading “just right” books independently. Earlier this week we created a chart to help us remember how to pick a “just right” book. Here’s what we decided:
- Read most of the words
- Read fluently (like conversation, not speed reading)
- We enjoy the book
- We understand the story
We use the 5 finger test to help us determine if our book is “just right”. If we have to work at solving or can’t solve 5 words on one full page of text, it’s probably too hard and not just right. At this point, we are reading for 20-25 minutes independently and will continue to increase our stamina with a goal of reading 40 minutes independently. Once we are able to read independently, we will begin guided reading groups.
Writer’s Workshop:
We had a blast this week personalizing our writer’s notebooks. We covered our notebooks with scrapbook paper and wallpaper samples. Then we added our family photos, stickers, and magazine cutouts. This weekend I will add contact paper to preserve these important notebooks. We’ve also been practicing our independent writing skills. We write in our notebooks most days. Some days I give a journal topic and some days students choose their own topics.
