MSirmans

          Chapter 7 explores the elements of independent reading.  Students respect each other's reading in a quiet, inviting classroom while the  teacher is conferencing,  guiding a reading group or observing a group having a story chat.  The authors stress the importance of  the teacher's  conveying  his/her passion for reading and providing opportunities to demonstrate this.

          Guidance through the conference procedure, points about behaviors and roles of the student and teacher, a conference form and descriptions of different types of conferences were offered in this chapter. Interventions for students with reading difficulties were shown on easy to read and comprehend charts.  The sample conferences showed how the teacher is constantly involved in assessment.

          The quote from Sharon Taberske that, " After all, the primary purpose of responding to books is to move children into a richer and a broader reading experience.  And as children read more widely and proficiently, they  can respond more effectively",  shows the basis for encompassing all of the elements in Reading Workshops.  Each element strengthens another element which results in a more fluent capable reader. 

          Sharing one's reading provides the student the opportunity to connect the day's mini-lesson to independent reading, to hear what their peers do when they have trouble reading, and they can evaluate what has led to success or what they need to improve.  For the teacher this element of sharing is a time of closure and another opportunity for assessment . 

          Chapter eight provides suggestions, opportunities, step-by-step instructions, and charts and forms to be copied by Reading Workshop teachers to assess and evaluate students' reading.  The teacher is given guidelines for observing reading behaviors, use of strategies, comprehension, fluency, and gives plans for instruction and how to take/administer a reading inventory.

          This book was a good resource for me and gave me new insight on The America's Choice Program which is used at one of my schools where I instruct.  Being familiar with the procedures, strategies and plans will hopefully enable me to be a more capable partner in my inclusion classes which are involved in Reader's Workshop.  I should be able to use the strategies, guidelines, and suggestions offered throughout the book with my language students who exhibit  weak or below level reading skills.