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Chapter 10: Organizing for Instruction
I: Overview
There’s no one best way to teach reading and writing. Because students have diverse needs,
effective teachers create balanced literacy programs by using two or more instructional
approaches. Chapter 10 addresses four of the most commonly used literacy programs: basal
reading programs, literature focus units, literature circles, and reading and writing workshop.
Definitions and guidance in organizing classrooms for literacy instruction are provided.
Chapter 10 Objectives
After reading chapter 10, students should be able to:
1 Describe ways in which effective teacher use basal reading programs.
Chapter 10 Outline
Vignette: Fourth Graders Participate in a Yearlong Author Study
Introduction
TEACHING WITH BASAL READING PROGRAMS
• Components of Basal Reading Programs
TEACHING WITH LITERATURE FOCUS UNITS
• Steps in Developing a Unit
• Units Featuring Picture Books
ORCHESTRATING LITERATURE CIRCLES
• Key Features of Literature Circles
IMPLEMENTING READING AND WRITING WORKSHOP
• Reading Workshop
• Writing Workshop
II. Teaching Suggestions
Preview Questions
Chapter 10 explains the ways in which effective teachers use basal reading programs, literature
focus units, literature circles, and reading and writing workshop. As the class begins a study of
chapter 10, invite the students to discuss the questions which follow.
1 Reflect upon the literacy instruction you received in the elementary grades. What materials
were used? Was there predominantly whole group instruction, small group instruction, or
individualized instruction?
Focus Questions
Pre-service teachers should consider the questions which follow as they read chapter 10.
1 What are the advantages and disadvantages of basal reading programs?
Class Activities
1. When teachers participate in literature circles, they broaden their understanding of this
effective instructional practice and learn management techniques. Select four to five chapter
2. Bring a selection of basal reading materials to the college classroom for your students to
examine and discuss.
After Class Activities
1. Teachers plan literature focus units featuring popular and award-winning stories,
informational books, or books of poetry. Encourage the pre-service teachers in your class to
select a book to use in an elementary literature focus unit. In addition to the selected text,
III. Resources
Related Readings
Encourage students to explore the topics presented in chapter 10 in more depth by reading the
following professional literature.
Daniels, H. (2006). What’s the next big thing with literature circles? Voices from the Middle,13,
10-15.
Online Resources
I’ve Got It Covered! Creating Magazine Covers to Summarize Texts
This lesson plan, published on the Read Write Think website, helps students summarize content
Kappa Delta Pi
Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education, maintains a website which helps
Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators
