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We have been implementing the Workshop format of instruction at our 1st-3rd grade school. This began five years ago with teachers from one grade level investigating the new reading Grade Level Content Expectations and wondering how to teach these complex standards within the frame of individualized instruction and best practice. These teachers found that Reading Workshop provided that frame. The Workshop format includes a mini-lesson, a large time for independent reading and conferring and closes with a whole group share. The 7-10 minute mini-lesson includes direct instruction around the GLCEs. There is a consistent architecture with every mini-lesson including teacher modeling, student active engagement and a connection to the readers' independent reading lives. The 30-45 minute independent reading time is where students apply the learning at their individualized reading level with authentic texts. The teacher is actively involved with students via 1-1 conferring and small group instruction. The 5-10 minutes closing share of the Workshop allows students to explain how they applied the mini-lesson teaching to their own reading. When students hear examples from their peers it solidifies the learning in significant ways. This Workshop framework for teaching has proven to be effective according to student achievement data and is spreading to other grade levels and content areas.

Research shows that the most significant achievement occurs when students are given tightly coached time to read authentic texts at their independent level. Since reading workshop has spread to other grade levels we have noticed significant improvement in our MEAP reading scores. (find exact numbers) This is confirmation of the research behind Richard Allington’s Six Ts of effective literacy instruction. Through significant //Time//, appropriate //Texts//, exemplary //Teaching//, engaging //Talk//, appropriate //Tasks// and meaningful //Tests// we have observed a shift in our school. This format of teaching is invigorating and empowering teachers. They value this teaching that meets the standards and directly carries into their students' reading lives. This is the most authrntic form of instruction not only for the teachers but also for the students. Students have developed a love for reading and learning and have a sense of accountability to their progress. They truly wish to grow as readers! This feeling and achievement has carried over into the other curricular areas where the Workshop format has been implemented. Our Writing Workshop is finding the same results with our students. After the first year of implementation of the Writing Workshop our MEAP writing scores increased by 18%. We are truly creating lifelong learners where the students are active participants in their achievement.