Building Reading Strategies and Author's Craft in Reader's Workshop

“I think this is the best one yet!" That's what Michele says every time we start a new unit in Reader's Workshop. This unit is all about hitting those word attack strategies! We have worked on strategies all year, but this is the do or die time of  year. It's our one last chance to help our kinders make the connection to what reader's do when they get to words they don't know. We’re kinda over the whole animal themed reading strategies and wanted something new that our reluctant readers, who are mostly boys, would make a connection to! I think we hit the nail on the head with our tool theme…no pun intended!

Reading Strategies

The first day, we brought in a real tool box. We wanted to build excitement!
Then, starting on day 2, we started with the first strategy, "Look at the picture." Each day we tackled another strategy.

On Day 3, we used a real tape measure to show how they stretch out to see the numerals. Then, we used our tape measure game to stretch out words. You can see a video of that lesson here.
On Day 4, we wanted kids to see that good readers don't stretch out every single word. Sometimes they drill through the word.

Authors Craft

We also spent two weeks teaching author’s craft! This is one of my most favorite things to teach during Reader’s Workshop. I love how they start using the craft in their own writing. Each day we look at a different craft that authors use. We would find evidence of that craft in mentor text and then talk about why the author chose that craft. The author writes things in a way so that the reader knows how the author wants us to read it!

Celebration

We finish the unit with this fun craftivity where the kids make the tools and a little tool box to hold them! To make the paper bag tool box....Cut the edges on all 4 sides of the bag. Put the sides and the front flaps inside the bag. Fold the back flap down to make the lid. Add a pipe cleaner to make a handle. Children add the tools. We keep the tool boxes at school for a while. When the kids come to guided reading, invite them to find a tool in their box. Lay it beside their book. When reading, see if this tool will help you!

These ideas are from the Unit 7 Reader's Workshop Building Foundations.