Reading Workshop includes the time in which students are working on their Accelerated Reader novels. The students typically spend two class periods a week working on Reading Workshop. Reading Workshop consists of more than just reading novels and taking tests on the computer. During Reading Workshop days, the students spend the majority of their time reading silently. However, Reading Workshop also consists of Books Talks in which students "advertise" what they have been reading to the class. An important part of Reading Workshop is student-teacher mini conferences which cover topics such as what the student's novel is about, student progress on their individualized plan, and book selection. Students also complete small assignments on their books in order to aid in reading comprehension and development of their understanding of literary terms and devices. Students will also be given differentiated assignments that focus on comprehension to meet their individual needs.
Reading Workshop Rules
1. Students need to select a novel within their prescribed reading level. Students will not receive credit for books significantly below their reading level.
2. The students must read and/or write about what they are reading for the entire class period during reading workshop.
3. Students cannot do homework or read any other material for another class. The reading that takes place during reading workshop is an extremely important part of our literature class. Reading workshop is not a study hall.
4. Students may not talk to or disturb others.
5. Absent students must make up lost reading time.
6. Students need to give one book talk per nine weeks.
7. Students should complete all Accelerated Reader tests by the assigned date for the nine weeks.
8. Students must complete the necessary components and review them with Mrs. Garrison PRIOR to testing. These components (book reviews and/or book projects) will be tracked in their binders, and students will need to refer to their binders to see their personal assignment. Not every student will have the same assigned book review or project due, as the program is differentiated to help each student learn at their own level. Students need to follow their individualized plan.
9. It is recommended that students finish their required components and take their tests as soon as possible after finishing the novel.
10. Students need to take their Accelerated Reader tests in Mrs. Garrison's room after getting approval from her. Accelerated Reader tests taken without permission are worth zero points.
11. Students need to be aware of the number of points they need to earn their desired grade.
12. Students will only be allowed to take ONE test per day for the last five days of the Accelerated Reader marking period. This rule is to prevent students from procrastinating and/or trying to pass the tests on several books they have not read at the end of the nine weeks.
13. Students may be asked to get daily parent signatures on a reading log if they do not show adequate progress.
14. It is advised that students earn their points as early as possible in the nine weeks.
Some of the rules are taken from:
Atwell, Nancie. In The Middle, Writing, Reading, and Learning with Adolescents.
NOTE: Honors students have an additional reading requirement to meet their AR goal, and they also have a few different rules.