Encouraging Independent Work

There are times throughout the week when it's just not possible to follow your small group reading schedule to a "t."  There are scheduling interruptions at times or just unexpected situations that arise that require your full attention.  When this happens, I have found that giving students a purpose for reading part of a story independently with the intention of sharing their thoughts when the group meets next is a great way to make sure your students are becoming better readers.  After all, we want our students to become independent readers and thinkers.

Depending on the student and text they're reading, you might have them read a whole chapter, a few pages, or even reread what they have read so far.   Additionally, I like to use a simple organizer entitled "My Ideas" that a 3rd grade teacher shared with me so students can write about their reading.  Oftentimes, I will briefly discuss with students what they should be doing while they're reading and what they should write about before, during, or after reading.

For example, they may write their prediction of what's going to happen next in the story before they read and then explain if their prediction was correct or not after reading.  Because the boxes are blank, teachers or students can easily write their own directions at the top of box to serve as a reminder during their independent work time.  The next time I meet with the group, each student would share their predictions and results.  This would serve as a review before we continue reading.

Click picture to enlarge.

This way of writing about reading doesn't only have to be used when you are unable to meet with groups.  In fact, it's a good idea to model and introduce it to students before sending them to do it on their own.