Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Workshop Wednesday: Independent Reading

Hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday...time to link up with my sweet BBB Jivey for her Workshop Wednesday!
My students started on Monday and we wasted no time diving into reading! Before I start independent reading, I talk about expectations with my students. I ask them, "What kind of expectations do you have as readers in our classroom during independent reading? What do you want our classroom to look like? Sound like? What do you think I expect?"
Here is their list they came up with on their own:
These responses excited me!
(Disclaimer: they didn't know the word stamina, but before we started reading I told them we would add a few minutes each day to our time so we could build stamina...at least someone was listening!)
After our first day of independent reading (15 minutes), I knew we had to talk about what "real" reading looks like. More importantly, I wanted my students to know that I know what "fake" reading looks like! LOL! Here is the anchor chart we made today before we read.

The great thing about this mini lesson? They know I know all their tricks!!!
Great discussions and perfect time to discuss my expectations for independent reading.
Does your school have independent reading built in your school day?
Go check out Jivey's post and link ups for other great ideas!

9 comments:

  1. You are so sneaky with your real vs fake reading anchor chart. I love it!!! (It is good to know all the tricks, isn't it?)

    I make a commitment to DEAR time for at least 30 minutes a day. This is non-negotiable time. After reading The Book Whisperer, my team really made a commitment to this time and it paid off well for everyone!

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  2. We have independent reading time everyday, only the students are allowed to snack at the same time (I have some children with health concerns and they need to eat, so we all eat!). I love your anchor charts - we do fake vs. real reading too. Good luck building that stamina (I am working on mine too :) )

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  3. I love your Fake Reading anchor chart... I'm totally going to copy your brilliant idea...
    -Lisa
    Grade 4 Buzz

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  4. I'm with Lisa - I am totally copying that lesson, too! First, I've got to get my babies to choose their independent reading books tomorrow, then I'll teach them I know all the tricks! Love it!
    Brooke

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  5. I love the real vs. fake reading anchor chart. The "only read when teacher looks" cracks me up...you've got to love the the ones that stare. Lol
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  6. We begin each of our ELA blocks with independent reading. Thank you for this post, it is right on time. We just began our independent reading today. Tomorrow we will be discussing expectations and creating anchor charts; thanks to your post.

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  7. We are still talking about how I know they aren't really reading! :-P It's so funny how they think I won't catch them. But we're up to 19 minutes of REAL reading now!! YAY!
    Jivey
    ideas by jivey
    Follow me on Facebook!

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  8. What a great post! I always have those few students who think they can pull one over on me!!

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  9. I love the real vs. fake reading! Great anchor chart idea!

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