Coach: Shannon Jamicich, James Monroe Elementary Adaptable for grade levels: 1-8 Key Subject Area(s): Language Arts Also incorporates: Art, Music, Drama
Study Group Teaching Method Description:
Encourage students to develop their identities as readers by allowing them to self-select texts, maintain records of their reading, and ultimately create a plan for future reading experiences. During Independent Reading Workshop, readers will have time to read books that they self-select, will keep records of their reading, will plan for future reading, and will write letters to the teacher about their reading. When the students finish books, they will create book celebrations (instead of traditional book reports) and listen to texts read aloud by the teacher.
Independent Reading Workshop increases student motivation, self confidence, and academic success. This project also helps students to collectively build classroom community by encouraging students to share books and support each other’s thinking through reading. Each individual aspect of Independent Reading Workshop helps to create a classroom climate that shapes and supports life-long reading lovers.
Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks:
State Goal 1B: Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency State Goal 1C: Comprehend a broad range of reading material State Goal 2A: Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning State Goal 3A: Write using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and structure State Goal 3B: Compose well-organized and coherent writing for a specific purpose and audience State Goal 4A: Listen effectively in formal and informal situations State Goal 5C: Apply acquired information, concepts, and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats Social Emotional LearningGoal 1: Develop self-awareness and self-management skills to achieve school and life success
About the Coach:
Shannon Jamicich has many leadership experiences including previously leading a CFE Study Group, a Rochelle Lee Study Group, grade team leader, and a writing teacher leader to support other teachers at her school. Her experience with Independent Reading Workshop has strengthened her passion for teaching kids how to develop their identities as readers, as she is excited to pass on this expertise to other teachers.
Meeting Times:
The Study Group meeting schedules are determined together at the Study Group Program Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
