rutgers 47 th annual conference on reading and writing guided reading, book clubs, and literature...
TRANSCRIPT
RUTGERS 47TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON READING AND WRITING
GUIDED READING, BOOK CLUBS, AND
LITERATURE CIRCLES
Dr. Sharon McKool
Rider University
Mrs. Bev Gallagher
Princeton Day School
Our Story
Sharon and Bev
Purpose of the session
To discuss the purpose of “intentional” instruction
To discuss the different types of small group instruction
To show the differences between guided reading, book clubs, and literature circles
To discuss the essential traits of a learning environment that fosters successful small group work
It is not enough to be busy;
The question is,What are we busy
about?(Henry David Thoreau)
Teaching with Intention: Defining beliefs, aligning practices and taking actions, Debbie Miller (2008)
Non-negotiable conditions for developing readers
A teacher who models his/her own reading life
Hours and hours of time spent reading The freedom to make their own reading
choices A teacher who models his/her own thinking Reading instruction which is strategic and
focused on meaning making A classroom environment that engages in
small group reading discussions
Being a teacher of reading does not mean simply giving students access to instructional practices. It means giving students access to who you are as a reader, a teacher, and a person. Jennifer Scoggin, Be Fabulous, (2015)
One of the key factors in motivating students to read is a teacher who values reading and is enthusiastic about sharing a love of reading with students. Gambrell (1996)
“While I searched for the key to being a master reading teacher, I forgot what workshop teaching was all about—my role as master reader…” Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer (2009)
Greatest gift to students
A teacher who reads A teacher who shares his/her own identity as
a reader A teacher who recommends new and
interesting books to young readers A teacher who makes time for independent
reading everyday A teacher who reads aloud everyday A teacher who continues to expand his/her
own repertoire of books by reading and adding to his/her own classroom library.
How do we get to know about the reading lives of our students?
SurveysClass discussionsReading conferences and informal
conversationsPrevious recordsConversations with past teachersReader’s Bill of Rights
The Right to Not Read?
Why Small Groups?
Active engagement of all learners Ability to differentiate High quality interaction with teacher and
other students Provides students an opportunity to see
literate behaviors being modeled Provides voice and choice Positive social interaction
Reader’s Workshop
1. The Read Aloud and Mini lesson2. Independent Reading3. Guided Reading/Book
Clubs/Literature Circles
Gradual Release of Control
Strategies Texts
Teacher-led X INSTR level
X
Student- X IND level
led
Guided Reading Book Clubs Literature Circles
Guided Reading
Purpose: Strategy instruction Teacher led Teacher selects materials Instructional level materials Homogeneous grouping
Book Clubs
Purpose: To practice strategies while still under the guidance of the teacher
Texts can be teacher or student selected Texts can be selected because of student
interest or because of topic of study Instructional or independent level materials can
be used Homogeneous grouping Stephanie Harvey, Strategies that work and
Colonial Times: Short Nonfiction for American History (Toolkit Texts)
Literature Circles
Purpose: To give students an opportunity to practice, independently, strategies learned
Texts selected by students Authentic conversations led by students Heterogeneous grouping (ideally) Teacher’s role is to silently observe and
take notes A spirit of playfulness pervades the room
Harvey Daniels, Literature Circles (2002)
Gradual Release of Control
Strategies Texts
Teacher-led X INSTR level
X
Student- X IND level
led
Guided Reading Book Clubs Literature Circles
Books Lists
young adult fiction list https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20
15/01/02/2014-nerdy-awards-for-young-adult-fiction-announced-by-donalyn-miller-and-nerdy-nation-part-one/
middle grade fiction https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20
15/01/01/2014-nerdy-awards-for-middle-grade-fiction-announced-by-colby-sharp/
graphic novels https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/20
14/12/30/2014-nerdy-awards-for-graphic-novels-by-katherine-sokolowski/
file://localhost/Users/smckool/Documents/Book List 1 for Children.docx (Great for strategy mini-lessons)
file://localhost/Users/smckool/Documents/Book List for Children 2.docx (Book list)
http://readingandwritingproject.org/resources/book-lists (Great for book clubs and literature circles)
