Setting the stage for a successful Reading Workshop is essential at the beginning of the year.   So why should you not simply jump into the reading workshop? The reading workshop is an intimate time between the teacher, the students, and books. You want to take the time to create a community; establish and model routines, procedures, and expectations. You want to explore books and get students excited about reading and talking about their reading.

It takes time to launch the reading workshop. At times you may feel that it’s taking too much time and that you need to move on. You have things to teach, right?! As easy as it would be to skip the launching, don’t do it! I promise that by taking the time to establish all the routines, procedures, and expectations, your reading workshop will aid in the smooth and efficient operation of the workshop for the rest of the year!

Two of the main components of the reading workshop are the interactive read-aloud and getting students talking about reading.  That’s why I’m sharing with you the FREE Interactive Read Aloud Start-Up Kit.

Interactive Read Aloud Start-Up Kit includes:

• Two anchor charts (Components include printable pieces, teacher version, and student version.)
• Anchor chart tips for interaction
• Turn and Talk bookmark
• Conversation stems
• Record of read alouds

To get started using the Interactive Read Aloud Start-Up Kit, check out this blog post-Interactive Read Alouds in Upper Elementary!

Launching Reading Workshop Unit

So, what are the routines, procedures, and expectations that you should teach?  I have it all done for you in this Launching Reading Workshop Unit!

The 90-page resource includes ten days of lessons paired with popular read alouds.

• Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Kevin O-Malley
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears (any version will work)
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
• My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook
• Jabari Jumps by Jabari Jumps
• The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm
• Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
• The Mermaid’s Purse by Patricia Polacco
• What if Everyone Did That? by Ellen Javernick and Colleen M. Madden

Lessons include:

• What is the reading workshop?
• How do readers choose books?
• What do readers think about when they read?
• What can we learn from talking about what we read?
• What can readers write about when reading?
• How do I keep track of what I am reading?
• What do I do if I can’t find a book that interests me?
• What do I do if I want to change the book I’m reading?
• How do readers celebrate books?
• What are the routines and expectations for Readers Workshop?

You’ll get all the handouts and materials your students need for their reading workshop notebook.

You’ll also learn how to set up your perfect reading workshop schedule with time for a mini-lesson, independent reading, and sharing with closing.

Bonus Materials:

• Extra tips and ideas
• Completed anchor charts
• Read aloud suggestions. . .and more!