It's going to be very tempting to get caught up in the structures of the classrooms - that's natural, so give yourself a few minutes to get over that. Then pay careful attention to what the kids are doing and the language they are using. Jot down specific words and actions. Also look closely at what the teacher is doing and saying, and again write that down. If you have time, be sure to ask lots of questions about how he/she designed their reading/writing workshop, what professional literature they read, and what they've learned along the way. Look at the way they've set up their classroom library and how it's used in the classroom. Look for student ownership and self direction. Look for ways the teacher has become the facilitator and how they have ensured student engagement. Ask if you can take pictures when the room is empty so you can remember the set-up of the room and remember the kind of the anchor charts that have been created.
Above all, enjoy seeing the other side of the fence. Kathy -------------- Original message from [email protected]: -------------- I am going to visit a school in another district on Tuesday to see how that school does reading/writing workshop. I use a bit of reading/writing workshop, > but to my knowledge no one else in my district does. > They do not seem familiar with different reading strategies. I think I'm > going > to see students and teachers using the strategies. > What should I look for in this other school? What kinds of questions should I > ask? I know there will be time to talk with the literacy coach. There may not > be time to talk to the teachers or students, but if there is, what should I > ask? > I want to make the most of this visit because I do not think my district will > arrange another visit. > Thanks! > Jan > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
