From the Back Cover
For reading and classroom teachers in grades 5-12, here is a complete, step-by-step guide to setting up and running a successful reading workshop where reading is the priority-- all conveniently organized into two parts.
Part I, "Management of the Reading Workshop," shows how to create a reading workshop, offers specific tools and strategies for classroom management, and includes reproducible handouts. Following is a brief description of the three chapters in this section:
* An overview-- Emphasizes that through reading and responding to what is read, students communicate and share ideas while they learn skills. Reproducibles include "Elements of the Reading Workshop" and "The Role of the Teacher in the Reading Workshop."
*Management-- Covers everything from beginning your day to building a positive atmosphere and organizing discussion groups. Reproducibles include "Student Responsibilities in the Reading Workshop" and "Reading Log Guidelines."
*Evaluation-- Provides descriptions of various evaluation methods, such as portfolios, daily logs of student performance, and conferencing. Reproducibles include "Book Summary Sheet" and "Self-Evaluation Questions for Teachers."
Part II, "Using Mini-Lessons in the Reading Workshop," contains 100 different mini-lessons focusing on specific reading topics and skills. Each of the lessons stands alone, can be used in any order you wish, and is accompanied by one and sometimes two reproducibles. The lessons cover:
(1) Types of Reading and Related Topics. 50 mini-lessons feature topics such as Helping Students Select Books for Reading... The Publishing Process... Book Review... Mysteries...Mythology of Native Americans...Poetry of African Americans.
(2) Story Elements. 25 mini-lessons focus on story elements like What Makes a Good Lead... Motivation... Style and Tone... Symbolism... First-Person Point of View... Foreshadowing.
(3) Specific Reading Skills. 25 mini-lessons cover a wide array of reading skills, such as Identifying Fact and Opinion... Strategies for Improving Reading Comprehension... Recalling Details... Cause and Effect...Reading Test-Taking Strategies... SQ3R.
In short, the Reading Workshop Survival Kit gives you all the guidelines and tools you need to use the workshop approach effectively, plus 100 ready-to-use mini-lessons and over 120 reproducible worksheets and handouts for teaching and reinforcing specific reading skills and topics in any program.
Gary Robert Muschla, B.A. and M.A.T., Trenton State College, has over 22 years' experience as a classroom teacher. He is a member of the Authors Guild and the National Writers Association, and currently teaches at Appelby School in Spotswood, New Jersey. He is the author of many practical resources for teachers, among them The Writing Teacher's Book of Lists (Prentice Hall, 1991), the Writing Workshop Survival Kit (C.A.R.E., 1993) and English Teacher's Great Books Activities Kit (C.A.R.E., 1994).
