Summer, Summer Time: A year in Reflection

My first year of Middle School was a journey in itself.  I walked out of Elementary School confident, assured and  excited about my  new endeavors.  Little did I know that when I got to my new destination what was in store for me.  Middles school turned out to me a whole different world. I had to get used to the  schedules, the time crunches, the relentless other things that were required and expected.  I wasn't prepared for just how much I would have to modify and adjust.  The one thing  I refuse to modify was my belief that Reading Workshop was possible even with the 45 minute classes. Through trial and error the first semester,  I figured it out.

As a Reading teacher,  I was overwhelmed.  I have been teaching 20 plus years and was frustrated at the idea of not getting my routines down like I did when I taught Elementary.  So I had to revisit Reading Workshop components and how to best effectively implemet the components in the 45 minutes that I had.  However,  I really only had 35 to 40 minutes. I had to practice and time my mini lessons,  have all my materials and  resources picked out, layed out ready to use.  I listened to others say it was hard to do small groups and tutoring with all the other responsibilities: monitoring tardies,  checking uniforms, manning the halls until the tardy bell rings and taking attendance. I totally agreed, but knew as a teacher how precious my time was. So after the nine weeks and part of the second,  I beginning reflecting and planning how to be more strategic with my lessons.

I check off their names on paper roster as they came into the class,  I created DO NOW activities that were explained on the Morning Message slides  I created weekly. I then would start  with Independent Reading allowing me to Confer and figure out my small group or groups for the day.  I did a 5 to 7 min lesson over a skill or strategy that good readers use and began small groups.  It was  hard and took mulitple times for it to run smoothly and it did.  I found my groove as a new teacher to MS,  I felt like a first year teacher.  I knew if I was overwhelmed so were others,  I created a Beginners Reading Workshop E book. I talked about the make up of the workshop, setting up routines and procedures, materials needed and even added mini lessons that I used.

Reading workshop is possible in Middle School and High school,  It all depends on your willingness to step out your comfort zone, relinquish control and read to really understand the workshop model whether it is for Reading, Writing, Math, Science or Social Studies.  Small groups and conferring are possible in all subjects you just have to understand your standards, the curriculum and your students needs.  Do you need a starting point?  Check out my E- book by clicking the link to the right and go to my TPT store.

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