Readers' Workshop Introduction
What is Readers’ Workshop?
Readers’ Workshop is a structure for teaching reading that combines explicit, teacher-directed instruction in reading strategies and literary elements with lots of time for children to practice reading independently with books of their own choosing at an appropriate independent or instructional level. The structure is designed to facilitate differentiated instruction in reading strategies, provide plenty of time for children to read, expose children to quality literature in a variety of genres, and create a classroom community in which reading becomes a source of excitement and joy.
Readers’ Workshop is a structure for teaching reading that combines explicit, teacher-directed instruction in reading strategies and literary elements with lots of time for children to practice reading independently with books of their own choosing at an appropriate independent or instructional level. The structure is designed to facilitate differentiated instruction in reading strategies, provide plenty of time for children to read, expose children to quality literature in a variety of genres, and create a classroom community in which reading becomes a source of excitement and joy.
What is essential about Readers’ Workshop?
Explicit Instruction
The teacher models effective reading strategies, explains literary elements, and teaches workshop management routines. This instruction includes brief, clear explanations or definitions of terms (e.g., strategy, inference, genre) as well as demonstrations by the teacher.
Differentiated Instruction
Teachers take full advantage of the many opportunities the workshop structure provides for differentiating instruction. Whole-class, small-group, and individual lessons meet the needs of all the learners.
Time Reading
Students spend 30–40 minutes of the Readers’ Workshop reading independently, while the teacher confers with individual students or instructs small groups. (Students may begin the year with shorter independent reading periods and gradually work up to 30–40 minutes as their reading stamina increases; kindergarten students are usually introduced to independent reading during the second half of the year and typically read for shorter periods of time.)
Books Matched to Readers
Students read books that have been carefully matched to their interests, strategy needs, and independent reading levels. Students freely choose their independent reading books from the classroom library, learning how to select books that are “just right” for them. (Teachers may occasionally narrow student choice to a specific genre when the class is engaged in a particular unit of study.)
Quality Literature
Students choose their independent reading books from a rich and varied classroom library that contains quality literature (both fiction and nonfiction) with a wide range of genres, topics, and reading levels.
Community
The classroom community is warm and supportive. Everyone is a reader. Students approach reading with enthusiasm and joy.
Teacher Ownership and Collaboration
Teachers bring their own voice, style, and expertise to Readers’ Workshop. They collaborate with each other, sharing ideas and resources and working together to craft lessons and plan units of study that meet the needs of their students.
Explicit Instruction
The teacher models effective reading strategies, explains literary elements, and teaches workshop management routines. This instruction includes brief, clear explanations or definitions of terms (e.g., strategy, inference, genre) as well as demonstrations by the teacher.
Differentiated Instruction
Teachers take full advantage of the many opportunities the workshop structure provides for differentiating instruction. Whole-class, small-group, and individual lessons meet the needs of all the learners.
Time Reading
Students spend 30–40 minutes of the Readers’ Workshop reading independently, while the teacher confers with individual students or instructs small groups. (Students may begin the year with shorter independent reading periods and gradually work up to 30–40 minutes as their reading stamina increases; kindergarten students are usually introduced to independent reading during the second half of the year and typically read for shorter periods of time.)
Books Matched to Readers
Students read books that have been carefully matched to their interests, strategy needs, and independent reading levels. Students freely choose their independent reading books from the classroom library, learning how to select books that are “just right” for them. (Teachers may occasionally narrow student choice to a specific genre when the class is engaged in a particular unit of study.)
Quality Literature
Students choose their independent reading books from a rich and varied classroom library that contains quality literature (both fiction and nonfiction) with a wide range of genres, topics, and reading levels.
Community
The classroom community is warm and supportive. Everyone is a reader. Students approach reading with enthusiasm and joy.
Teacher Ownership and Collaboration
Teachers bring their own voice, style, and expertise to Readers’ Workshop. They collaborate with each other, sharing ideas and resources and working together to craft lessons and plan units of study that meet the needs of their students.
