I understand your "mommy brain" comment! I am about to welcome my second child in March, and I'm sure it only gets worse with 2 little ones:)
You asked about when my students fill their book bins. You specifically asked if they do it every Monday. Actually, there is no specific day that students are asked to fill their book boxes. Since readers are finishing books at different times, it does not work for me to have "shopping" days. Instead, my readers can opt to switch their books during morning work time any morning that it is necessary. Our morning work time lasts for about 15 minutes, and any student who needs to switch books can choose to do it during this time. Students are not allowed to shop for books during reading workshop because it often disrupts other students who are trying to read independently or meet in small groups.
You also asked about my read aloud time. This is a time of the day that is separate from reading workshop. However, it is often related to the skills I am teaching my readers and writers in reading and writing workshops. I choose books that lend themselves to the modeling of skills I am teaching in reading workshop or the author's craft we are studying in writing workshop. While students are not usually required to do any written work at this time, I do make my read-alouds interactive. Students are expected to participate in the discussions and turn and talk to their "talk partners" when asked to do so.
I hope that my feedback has helped answer your questions! Thanks for posting on the blog!
Linda,
I understand your "mommy brain" comment! I am about to welcome my second child in March, and I'm sure it only gets worse with 2 little ones:)
You asked about when my students fill their book bins. You specifically asked if they do it every Monday. Actually, there is no specific day that students are asked to fill their book boxes. Since readers are finishing books at different times, it does not work for me to have "shopping" days. Instead, my readers can opt to switch their books during morning work time any morning that it is necessary. Our morning work time lasts for about 15 minutes, and any student who needs to switch books can choose to do it during this time. Students are not allowed to shop for books during reading workshop because it often disrupts other students who are trying to read independently or meet in small groups.
You also asked about my read aloud time. This is a time of the day that is separate from reading workshop. However, it is often related to the skills I am teaching my readers and writers in reading and writing workshops. I choose books that lend themselves to the modeling of skills I am teaching in reading workshop or the author's craft we are studying in writing workshop. While students are not usually required to do any written work at this time, I do make my read-alouds interactive. Students are expected to participate in the discussions and turn and talk to their "talk partners" when asked to do so.
I hope that my feedback has helped answer your questions! Thanks for posting on the blog!
-Beth