Workshop Structure

Focus Lesson- The teacher models a skill or reading habit that students will work to develop and demonstrate in their reading/writing. These focus lessons target skills in Common Core Standards and in our district’s curriculum plan.

Independent Reading or Writing- Students read or write independently (at the independent level to develop fluency and stamina while applying skills and habits taught in the focus lesson). During this time, teachers may be conferring and/or working with small groups.

Conferencing- Teachers conference with individual readers to assess and guide their work during independent reading/writing. Conferences inform teacher decisions about future instruction and help teachers monitor student progress.

Small Group- Teachers gather small groups of students to reinforce skills during independent reading. Small groups might take the form of strategy groups, book clubs, partnerships, or centers, and might meet once or a number of times over a few weeks.

Share- Teachers guide students in sharing their reflections of skill applications that took place during independent reading. Sharing may be done in pairs, small groups or as a whole class.

DCSD ELA Curriculum Maps

How You Can Help at Home

• Show that you value reading in your home. Have books available in places where your children spend a lot of time. Let them see you reading for pleasure and for information. Talk about what you have enjoyed or found interesting, as well as what you do when reading gets challenging.

• Read with your children and talk about what you’re reading. Have conversations about the characters, events and/or information, your reactions to what you are reading, and what you notice about the way the book is written.

  • 7 Comprehension Strategies to Teach Students Text Comprehension

  • Reading Comprehension Questions (Leveled Text) (Website)

• Provide books written at your children's independent level. Encourage them to spend time reading alone, but also make time to listen to them read. Encourage them to reread familiar texts to develop fluency and expression.

• Read books to your children that are beyond their independent reading level. This is an important way to expose them to new ideas and vocabulary that can’t be experienced when only reading at their independent level, while avoiding having children reading books that are too hard and not beneficial.