This week, teachers across our school district participated in professional development using a "demonstration lesson" model. We benefitted from this experience today at Dryden. A teacher consultant provided a demonstration of a reading workshop lesson for the teachers to observe. Before observing the lesson, there was discussion about what to anticipate during the lesson. The teachers and I then spent time in the classroom observing the actual lesson and taking notes. Afterwards, we all met to debrief by asking questions and noting what new ideas we can bring to the classroom to make our reading instruction even more impactful. It was such a great experience for our students and staff!
This lesson on the comprehension strategy of visualization ("making a movie in my mind") began with the teacher explaining how to use the strategy and why it is helpful. She demonstrated to the students how she used this strategy as she read aloud to the class.
After the students observed the teacher using the strategy, the teacher read another passage from the text and encouraged the students to practice visualizing the text. Students then were instructed to "turn and talk" about what they were visualizing.
The gradual release of responsibility for utilizing this reading strategy from teacher to student continued. As students read books of their choice independently, they jotted notes and simple sketches of their visualizations of text.
The teacher conferenced with individual students and small groups while the rest of the class read independently, noting the different reading skills and strategies the students were applying and providing individualized guided instruction.
At the end of the reading workshop period, students were encouraged to share their notes and sketches with their peers. It was so rewarding to see their interest and excitement about reading and sharing their understandings and interpretations of text!
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