READER'S WORKSHOP

A reader’s workshop model offers a framework for classroom reading and the teaching of skills and strategies that allows students time and space to engage in the same kinds of authentic reading experiences that all readers enjoy.

During reader’s workshop students:

• explore a variety of different genres, authors and text types

• share book recommendations

• select books to read

• talk about the books they are reading within a community of readers

• ask questions and make connections (to their own experiences, to other texts, and to bigger issues in the world)

• respond to what they have read in a variety of ways

During reader’s workshop, teachers:

• provide a model for students as they explicitly teach the kind of thinking readers do

SETTING UP THE READER'S WORKSHOP

Mini lessons as part of the workshop allow teachers to model the kind of thinking readers do. Students practice these strategies with the texts they choose to read. Workshops may vary in length and include time for teaching, selecting and reading books, writing about books and sharing ideas about books with partners or in group discussions.

While there is no one way to implement reader’s workshop, there are a number of components that remain consistent.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Journal of Instructional Pedagogies has an excellent article for secondary teachers on implementing a reader’s workshop.

In this Choice Literacy podcast, Franki Sibberson chats with Cris Tovani about using a reader’s workshop model with high school students.

References

Anderson, Hiebert, Scott, & Wilkinson. Becoming a Nation of Readers. (1985)

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