Reading one-to-one or in a small group is imperative for helping beginning readers. Reading conferences are a great way to connect with students and parents. Here are a few tips for an easier and more engaging Reader’s Workshop.
Tip One
I get a mini “high” shopping at The Dollar Store or in Target’s Dollar ($3) Section where I can always find adorable treasures to give my students. I am always on the hunt for something mini cute and inexpensive to give to the kiddos to use as reading pointers. Here are some of the pointers I have given out to my readers this year. (drink stirrers, mini erasers, plastic fingers, mini flashlights, dollar store tiny animals…) I pass out a new reading pointer every other week to the students when I read with them one on one. And, my students get so excited to receive this small gift. Because of this, the reading pointer encourages beginning readers to focus on the text and point to the words as they read.
Tip Two
Change things up. Have a dessert tub. We call books that are not leveled our Dessert Books. So, we read these books for pure enjoyment. This tub includes science and social studies literature that I have already read to the class, seasonal books, and even books the children wrote on their own (a classroom favorite). Sometimes the students like to read for enjoyment and not always their “just right” leveled texts.
Tip Three
Send home books to read weekly and/or assign books through RAZ Kids or EPIC. EPIC is a free service we use in the classroom on our iPads. EPIC has fiction books, non-fiction books, “read to me” audiobooks, and videos too! My students especially love reading non-fiction books about animals.
EPICTip Four
When reading with children one on one or in a very small group, I send home a positive note to parents and caretakers showcasing the student’s strengths. But, I also give suggestions for things to do at home. Because the note says great things while giving reminders on how to improve as a reader, students love bringing them home. Parents love and appreciate this easy-to-fill-out communication tool.
Here is an example of one of my reading conference forms.
Grab this Reading Parent Communication FREEBIE HERE
If you like this freebie, check out my Reading Conference Forms Parent Communication Resource. It is such an easy and organized way to communicate with families about their student’s reading progress. Thousands of teachers have purchased it and it has over 2,000 4 STARS. These forms include specific decoding strategies and comprehension strategies for both fiction and non-fiction texts. These communication forms help parents and caretakers have a better understanding of what expectations are important for beginning readers.
I hope you found these classroom reading tips and this reading conference FREEBIE helpful.
Bottom Line: Reading with students on one one or within small groups is so important for student reading growth. Parents are our biggest ally. Communicating with them effectively and quickly to support reading at home can be a game changer.
You can always “COUNT ON ME” for engaging, differentiated math resources to help every student shine!
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