Reading Workshop

Reading Workshop is a management tool for effectively teaching reading in a Comprehensive Literacy Approach.  The workshop approach was first developed by literacy leaders such as Nancie Atwell in the 1980's and has been adapted to fit the needs of many Kindergarten - 12 classrooms.  In short, the workshop is a dedicated block of reading instruction that is characterized by a whole group minilesson on some aspect of literacy development, followed by a period of independent reading for most students that serves as the management system that allows the teacher to work with small groups in guided reading and/or to meet with individuals for assessment or conferencing. The 60 minute period is concluded with a brief class meeting for status of the class or debriefing.

This management tool works very well in that it allows for teachers to reach all students daily through expert minilessons, then work with some students in small, flexible guided groups for intensive, differentiated instruction while others have substantial time for independent reading practice that increases stamina for testing, vocabulary development, fluency, comprehension, and motivation through personal choice.

For a heuristic of the components of a Reading Workshop, click here.

For documents that support the implementation of Reading Workshop, click here.

For research that supports the use of elements of a Reading Workshop, click here.