As a former English Language Arts teacher I know how critical it is to get kids reading, making meaning, and discussing their ideas related to various texts. However, too often I see teachers doing the reading or playing the recording, students listening (sometimes), group discussions or lectures where teachers and just a few students are talking, and “comprehension” is relegated to answering surface level questions.
I totally understand why this happens and the urgency that many feel to get through the text, keep everyone on track, and cover the standards. I also know that those who are doing the reading and thinking are doing the learning. Sometimes we confuse teaching a novel or a short passage with teaching the skills that students need to master the desired standards.
I loved using the workshop model when I taught middle school as it allowed me to focus on important skills, model strategies, and have students practice them—often in texts of their choice.
This week’s Bright Spot highlights a school-wide focus on the workshop model, in high school!
With Gratitude,
