We started with some basics - getting to know each other, learning about effort grades, starting a list of books read, and making index cards to share books.
One big idea of our program is that the work we do as readers is invisible, and if we are going to help each other grow, we have to make that work visible. We do this by either sharing our thinking aloud or by marking our thinking on a text. We practiced both approaches.
At the start of each class, students will tell what books they are reading and what pages they have reached. This is intended to establish an expectation that kids are reading on a regular basis and a sense of pride in doing so.
We will periodically do something called a book pass. Students pass around books, taking a few minutes to explore each one. This exposes them to different genres and styles, and helps them broaden their reading horizons.
Students will often have time for what we call IR+. This is independent reading with an added expectation. At this point, that expectation is a reflective log, where readers make observations about their reading while they read. This helps them be more thoughtful and self-aware.
While students read, I will often have conferences with them, listening in on their reading and thinking. This helps me know how to best support their growth, so it is important for students to be open and honest.
