"What does a reading block look like?"
My typical reading block includes a whole group lesson, differentiated small group lessons, and meaningful independent/partner centers. I also include literature circles, book studies, and mini lessons in our routine throughout the year in upper elementary classes.Whole Group Lesson
- Warm Up - Activate student interest by asking questions or reviewing previous skills
- Set a Goal - Define our goals for the lesson (Common Core Standards and Curriculum Objectives
- Model the Skill - Introduce the skill or strategy of the lesson. Explicitly model how to use the strategy to become better readers.
- Scaffold Instruction - Provide students an opportunity to practice the skill in the whole group setting with immediate feedback (formative assessment opportunity)
Differentiated Small Group Lesson
I meet with a small group of students and provide instruction at their level and designed to best support their individual needs.
Meaningful Reading Centers
While working with differentiated small groups, the rest of the class will participate in reading centers to practice the strategies and skills learned in the whole group lesson. The reading centers will differ for each grade level. Below are a few reading center options.
- Independent Reading - students build reading stamina, complete stop and jots, reading logs, or reading reflections
- Work work
- Examples for Primary grades- rainbow writing, word stamping, magnetic letters, word wall writing, and word sorting
- Examples for Upper Elementary - vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes
- Work on Writing
- Listening to Reading/Reading to Someone - primary
- Comprehension and Grammar Activities - upper elementary
