1 - Launching the Reading Workshop

Unit one in kindergarten is our chance to invite children into the world of reading so that by the end of September, they see themselves as part of a larger reading community and also see themselves as readers in that community. The hope is that readers acquire confidence around selecting books, develop a sense of story and meaning through reading pictures across books and gain information as well as find numerous ways to talk and read with other readers in reading partnerships. These are all habits readers share regardless of age.

This unit inspires a love for reading while balancing the teaching of reading process work. In this unit and all that follow, teachers demonstrate that reading is always about thinking about the text while their eyes are busy looking at the text. Over time readers use pictures and words to read their text page by page to build their reading stamina. In narrative text, readers can become the characters through pictures, which adds engagement and liveliness, and also sets kindergarteners in the shoes of their characters ultimately helping them to think about the "meaning making" that runs along narrative print. In informational text, readers learn to acquire as much information as possible about their topics of interest through pictures, photographs and diagrams and in turn teach others all they have learned.

Partnerships meet the very first day of reading workshop, however these meetings initially are randomly selected by readers or the teacher (possibly, just partnered by who is sitting nearest). Partnerships may feel short lived and casual within the first weeks of unit one. However, near the third to fourth week, once the teacher has had the time to get to know readers a little deeper, partnerships lift in rigor and importance by having a partnership that lasts across numerous days or weeks. Emphasis is placed on partnerships by having partners meet after the mini-lesson with independent reading following. Readers learn strategies for planning, sustaining and utilizing their partnerships. Readers see that it is essential to share their reading and thinking with others.

The conclusion of unit one is marked by a celebration when students reflect and/or share their work and growth as readers. The purpose is to pull this community of readers together and take stock of all the learning before turning a corner toward unit two. Although most of your kindergarteners will not be conventional readers at this time of year, the intent of this unit is that they recognize themselves as people who read, share reading and share their thinking through talk!

Important Note:

As you move through this unit teachers should include instruction about procedures, management and expectations for reading workshop as needed. This instruction could take place during the mid-workshop teach or during the share. This unit does not teach students how to sit on the carpet day one and then on subsequent days teach students how to hold a book and turn the pages. Rather, this unit immerses students into the act of reading and ask teachers observe their students behaviors and make teaching decisions based on these observations.

While the information contained here is not related to Unit Level Standards, important information related to UDL is included for your reference.

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

UDL is a research-based framework that focuses on proactive design and delivery of curriculum, instruction and assessment. UDL provides opportunities for every student to learn and show what they know, with high expectations for all learners.

Each student learns in a unique manner so a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective. UDL principles create options for how instruction is presented, how students express their ideas, and how teachers can engage students in their learning. (NY DOE)

© CAST, 2013

UDL
Universal Design for Learning

1. How do readers build habits useful for a lifetime of reading?
2. How do readers use pictures and words to read their books?
3. How do readers share their reading and thinking with others?

Concept I: Readers build useful habits for a lifetime of reading.

Session 1 Readers choose books they want to read and share those books with others.

Session 2 Readers use their imagination to build adventures.

Session 3 Readers care for books by picking them up by the spine and selecting them and putting away carefully.

Session 4 Readers change their voice volume to fit their reading job.

Session 5 Readers read every day and know ways to read for longer and longer stretches of time.

Session 6 Readers make a plan for books to read based on what they feel like reading and learning about.

Concept II: Readers use pictures and words to read their books

Session 7 Readers read words they know by looking, pointing and saying one word at a time.

Session 8 Readers read the words they know and have ways of sharing their word knowledge with partners.

Session 9 Readers pretend to be the characters in their books by studying the pictures and acting out the character.

Session 10 Readers use pictures and think about what they already know to read and talk about informational text

Session 11 Readers use gestures to teach the information they’ve learned in informational reading.

Session 12 Readers read informational text by sounding like an expert.

Session 13 Readers read and sound like a storyteller when reading a book they know well.

Session 14 Readers read text by connecting what is repeated in pictures and words and by using the word THEN...

Concept III: Readers share their reading and thinking with others.

Session 15 Readers make plans for their time together by taking turns talking and reading.

Session 16 Readers make plans for their time together by choosing what to talk about; acting out characters or teaching informational text.

Session 17 Readers use familiar parts and words they know to help other readers read on.

Session 18 Readers show interest in what others are saying by looking at the person and saying something back.

Session 19 Readers celebrate their reading success by sharing it with others.