A Peek Inside My Reader's Workshop Folder + Reading Log Freebie!

I mentioned this earlier, but I am calling my Daily 5 time this year "Reader's Workshop" to avoid any confusion as to why "reading" wasn't on my schedule ;)

The set-up is basically the same as it's always been (read more about how I use Daily 5 in my classroom HERE) and I love using this folder to help keep track of it all.

Each kiddo has one of these blue folders that they keep in their Ikea Book Bins (read about how we personalized those at the beginning of the year HERE). When it's Reader's Workshop time, they grab their bin and keep it near them as they go through the different Daily 5 choices in my room:

• Read to Self
• Read With Someone
• Word Work
• Listen to Reading
• Teacher Time

This folder keeps everything they need in easy grasp. On the inside, you will see:

Each left-hand pocket is labeled for Teacher Time. This keeps reading work, passages we're working on, recording sheets, Scholastic News magazines, and more. It makes it (somewhat) easy to keep it in a place where we can access it every day during Teacher Time.

In the middle, you will find their in-class Reading Log. I call it their "Read to Self Log" because I wanted to stress the importance of choosing Just-Right books and staying accountable during Read to Self time.

Here's an up-close of the top of the RTS Log:

Each time they choose a Just Right book from our class library, school library, or one from home, they add it to the list. If they abandon it, that's okay, but I still want them to write it down so I have a record of it :) The "Letter" refers to the Guided Reading Letter that's on their book and I added a small sticker to the back of each book in our class a few years ago with the AR Quiz # to help avoid errors and make sure they have the right quiz :)

When it comes time to take their AR Quiz, I have them bring this blue folder to our computers and use the quiz number to look up the book and start the quiz. For more on how I track AR Progress (this year with bookmarks) click HERE for a post & freebie.

When they finish the quiz, they let me know and then I record their total percent correct in the last box. This allows me to check in on their progress and also gives me time to touch base with them about the "Just Right-ness" of their book choice. For example, if they just bombed the most recent quiz, that gives us pretty good evidence that it may not be "Just Right" and I can help them make a better choice ;)

This Read to Self Log is copied front-back so they can write all of their books down throughout the year and keep a record going so they, too, can see their progress and accomplishments as the year progresses. When one sheet is filled, I will add a new one to the back and they can keep recording.

The back of my Reader's Workshop folder looks like this:

In the Word Work section, students keep their Word Work Bingo and center recording sheets. I took them out of this folder to show you what is in the very back: A pocket!

This has been a lifesaver for me and I wish I had thought about putting one of these in every folder! These are super-cheap, small mailers I picked up at Walmart (I think it was about $1-$2 for a pack of 25). All I did was put some clear packing tape across the top and stick it inside of the back pocket. Now, when kids are working on cutting and gluing from my Word Work Centers, they have a place to put the extra pieces for next time. LOVE!

If you're interested in picking up the Read to Self Log Freebie, it's available as a feeebie HERE. Enjoy!

Happy Monday!