Ep 62 // Why You Need a "Share Chair" In Your Reading and Writing Workshop
Inside This Week’s Episode: What is one of the most valuable components of your readers and writers workshop? It might not be what you think — It’s the “Share Chair"! How can a simple chair in your classroom be so powerful in your elementary classroom? Simple - it promotes classroom community, accountable talk, student engagement, (and not to mention helps create stronger readers and writers). All that from a chair? Yep! If you need some convincing, then tune in to this week’s episode.
There might be something missing from your Readers and Writers Workshop.
A Chair.
Oh - not just any chair. A ‘Share Chair.’
If you’re not using a share chair in your classroom, you’re missing out - BIG TIME.
There is so much power in this chair.
It has the power to build a positive classroom community. It has the power to help students develop the art of accountable talk, promote student engagement — and I haven’t even mentioned the fact that it will help create stronger readers and writers (well, now I have…)
No longer does the feedback come from just you, the teacher. Instead this approach empowers students to be the experts, to own their abilities and tap into their knowledge and skills. A share chair is your secret weapon to getting your students to BEG to share their thinking as it related to reading and writing.
This episode is a must-listen for any elementary teacher who wants to build student thought-leaders in your readers and writers workshops.
Ready to unlock the power of a simple chair?
Here’s a Snapshot:
[01:01] "Share Chair" just might be the most valuable part of your readers and writers workshop. I’ll explain exactly WHAT it is and WHY you need this piece of furniture in your classroom.
[03:00] This chair MUST be fancy, with a capital F. You want your students to want to, even beg to sit in the share chair. I’ll give you some simple ways to turn an ordinary chair into the best seat in the house that your students won’t be able to resist!
[04:51] Students will need guidance on what to share during this super valuable time during your reading and writing workshops. Giving specific guidelines will help keep this time at the end of your literacy block a little more focused, structured, and of course more beneficial. I’ll outline exactly what you need to get started.
[7:27] You’ll also need to teach your students how to be an effective audience member during share chair time. They’ll need to be taught how to provide constructive feedback and how to help their classmates improve their reading and writing. I’ve got simple tips and strategies to help you guide your students into make the most of this time in your classroom.
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
EPISODE 29: How to Launch Reader's Workshop in Your Classroom
EPISODE 30: How to Launch Writer's Workshop in the Upper Elementary Classroom
EPISODE 57: Accountable Talk: A Teacher's Guide to Encouraging Deeper & More Meaningful Talk Among Students
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