Jeanne, Thanks for letting me know how you set up your workshop. We have block scheduling so I have each class for 85 minutes every other day. Currently we spend 35 minutes in silent reading and about 10- 15 in read aloud. The rest of the class is spent either in literature circles, mini-lessons, or reading articles or interest, etc. What do you base your grades on? My grading is based on their reading logs, mini-lesson assignments, literature circle journals, and the dreaded AR (a school requirement). My biggest concern is how to conference with all 35 students on a somewhat regular basis. Thanks for your input so far. Amanda

Amanda, It was interesting to hear you talk about grading and the AR -Accelerated Reader- component. Calling it "dreaded"... I just got back from a 2 day work shop on Reading Renaissance (RR) (it is the scaffold in which AR functions).

Before i went to the work shop i didn't even know that there was a framework. At my school the principal just said, "We have Accelerated Reader, put it on your computer and use it." Then she changed the subject and we all forgot about it, some (me) put it on our computers, some (me plus a few) had kids test on a few books. Then most (me) ditched the program because it was just a piece of software which restricted child choice and book selection.

Amanda you are right to dread the AR software by itself. There are definite benefits to the RR program which is facilitated by the AR and STAR software. Ask your principal if anyone on campus has been to a Reading Renaissance training, if so pick their brains and look over their materials, if not, ask to go.

I am still not sure how i am going to incorporate RR into my Free Voluntary Reading but there are aspects which do merit inclusion.

Justin