A Teacher's Ruminations

Every year I struggle with how to organize reading workshop. Even though I've been teaching for over 25 years and not new to workshop teaching, each new group of students makes me rethink the reading workshop. How do I help students set up their notebooks? How do I make sure students are using their notebooks in meaningful ways? How do I allow for lots of reading time? How do I structure my individual conferences with students? What do I teach? How do I assess students in a workshop format? I also rethink my focus lessons so that I can maximize my time with students. And, I particularly struggle with invitations vs. requirements. So, I read professional books, talk to other teachers and reflect on my practice. Recently I read Donallyn Miller's The Book Whisperer  which provides readers with an intimate look at this author's well-though out reading workshop format. Now, I am diving into  Notebook Connections  by Aimee Buckner. You may be familiar with  Notebook Know...