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Independent Reading and Conferencing Desoto County Schools 2012 Symposium Brianne Howard . Definition: What Independent reading is……. Self-selected text Application of skills Safe and comfortable environment . What independent reading time is not….
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Independent Reading and ConferencingDesoto County Schools2012 Symposium Brianne Howard
Definition:What Independent reading is…… • Self-selected text • Application of skills • Safe and comfortable • environment
Why should we place importance on independent reading ? • Builds fluency • Increases vocabulary • Builds schema • Allows students to practice strategies • Motivates students • Gives student’s ownership
Why don’t we see more independent reading in the classroom? • Scheduling and other time constraints • Classroom management issues • Students do not have enough stamina • Access to text is limited
Our first issue: Not enough time • Create a schedule that will work • Stick to the schedule • Use classroom timers
Problem: I have to spend all of my time dealing with behavior issues. • Allow students to role play expectations (good behavior VS: bad) • Create anchor charts together • Conference with students who are not meeting expectations
Problem: Our students do not have enough stamina to read independently. • Continually model expectations • Create anchor charts • Create “stamina” chart
Problem: Access to text is limited… • Use bookrooms (if available) • School library • Public library • Goodwill • Bookhaven • Scholastic points • Scholastic warehouse sales • Switch book bins with other teachers • Have school-wide book drives
Beginning of the year mini-lessons ideas: • How to select books • Response Journals • Organizing resource notebooks • Keeping a reading log • Comfy- seating
So what do we do during this time? Confer: con·fer verb/ con·ferred, con·fer·ring. • 1. to consult together; compare opinions; carry on a discussion
Why conference? • Promotes growth by addressing strengths and weaknesses • Differentiates learning • Helps build rapport with students • Guides future instructional goals • Promotes listening and speaking standards
What do students do while I’m conferencing? • Students will……read, read, and read some more. • Students will also write responses to the text and discuss the text.
Conferencing with Students • The typical flow of a conference: • 1:1 conferencing • Students read a portion of the book • Discussion about text • Teacher assesses student’s needs • Teacher and student set future goals • Document
Types of Conferences: • First few weeks of school • Reading inventory • Fluency reads • Book Choice • Throughout the year • Address standards • Set future goals • Check for comprehension
How to keep it organized: • 3-Ring Binder • Divider tabs to separate students • Conferencing forms behind each student’s tab • Documentation sheet • Calendar • Bag with sticky notes, pens, question cards, ect
Conferencing Tips • Keep a nurturing tone • Give students think time • Follow up with more questions, not answers • Set goals! • Keep simple records • Keep the student’s needs driving the conference
More Resources: • http://www1.cbsd.org/sites/teachers/elementary/kcarter/Pages/Book-Conferencing.aspx • http://www1.cbsd.org/sites/teachers/elementary/kcarter/Pages/Independent-Reading.aspx • https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/personalize-reading-workshop
Contact Information: E-mail: BrianneHoward@DesotoCountySchools.org