Independent ReadingCompiled by Jody Sulser

ExLL PerspectiveClassroom

Environment Materials needed Atmosphere Room arrangement

ExLL PerspectivePurpose

Increase student reading stamina

Practice comprehension skills and strategies

Enable students to manage and keep records of reading

ExLL PerspectiveProcedures

Teacher Role Mini-lesson/Set purpose for reading

Confer with students about their reading

Keep records of reading behaviors

Use observations to drive further instruction

ExLL PerspectiveProcedures

Student Role Read continuously

Reflect on reading and keep own records

Confer with teacher

Think about and write responses to their reading

Conferring With Readers

Purposes of Conferences

Engage in meaningful interaction that supports the reader’s ability to process text with understanding and fluency

Teach the reader, NOT the text

Become a set of ears, a guide, a sounding board

Help the student solve problems/apply fix-up strategies

-Fountas and Pinnell, 2001

Topics for Conferences

Breaking the Ice

Sampling Oral Reading

Encouraging Monitoring and Reflection

Encouraging Connections

Encouraging Critical Reading

Extending Reading Interests

Extending Fix-Up Strategies

-Fountas and Pinnell, 2001

Anecdotal Records

Anecdotal Records

Scheduling & Record Keeping

Mark on your record sheet students you want to confer with in depth and those you want to check in with briefly

Have a place where students can sign up if they want to request a conference

Write down what you want to remember about the reader

Make note of a need for class mini-lessons

Keep short but pertinent notes to inform your teaching and assessment of a reader

Fountas and Pinnell, 2001

Reflecting and Responding

Writing About Reading

How to Respond

Sketch or drawing

Web

Chart or List

Letter

Cartoon or Story Board

Written Reflection or Summary

Where to respond

Reading Journal

Reader’s Notebook

Blog Book

Email

Literary Diary

Story Scrapbook

Sticky Notes