2 Teachers - 3 R's (Reading, Responding, Routines)

For the third year, I have had the pleasure of co-teaching Reading with Mrs. Hall in 1st grade. We plan our lessons together and discuss our daily roles to maximize the benefit of having 2 teachers in the classroom. Our English Learners benefit because they are exposed to grade level reading instruction while getting support from the EL teacher.

1st grade reading skills establish a foundation for reading fluency and critical thinking. Instruction is implemented through the Reading Workshop model. This model ensures that all language domains are addressed during the reading block; speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Mrs. Hall reviews word endings with whole class.

Mrs. Hall and I alternate presenting whole group mini-lessons.This is when we introduce some aspect of literature or a reading strategy to the entire class. While one teacher is presenting the lesson, the other might be creating an anchor chart or informally assessing students' work to determine what needs to be explained again.

Informal assessment of student work by Mrs. Gamez

Next, students move onto Independent Reading. They can whisper read to themselves or read silently. Each student has a journal and responds to a prompt. It’s during this time that they apply the strategy that was taught in the mini-lesson or describe their favorite part of a story. During this time, Mrs. Hall and I confer with individual students or small groups.

Students then share their journal entries with each other. This encourages collaboration, feedback and inquiry.

 

As you can see, students transition from one component of the reading workshop to another. They are aware of the expectations for transitioning.  We practice how to gather materials and put them away; how to move from desks to reading spots, how to work with a partner, etc.  They are learning the importance of routines to be safe in the classroom, responsible for their own learning and respectful of their classmates' learning.  After all, that is the #GatorWay!