The+Exemplary+Reading+Environment

=THE EXEMPLARY READING ENVIRONMENT =

====Creating and maintaining a classroom that exhibits the qualities of an exemplary reading environment is not something that will happen overnight. It is a process, not unlike learning to read, that will take time. It will also consist of trial and error as well as continual refinement as you learn of new practices. The ideas included in the following checklist are a great place to start. Have fun as you transform your classroom into a high quality learning space. ====

=**Checklist for Creating an Exemplary Literacy Learning Environment** =

 **Analysis: S (Strong) WIP (Work in Progress) NI (Needs Improvement)**  _Create print-rich environment, including word walls ___Create learning Centers _____ __  _Create a classroom library with leveled books, including many genres and multicultural books ___Use turn-and-talk/think-pair-share__  _Assign student jobs and authentic responsibilities ___Create literature discussions/book clubs__  _Create peer reading and writing ___Create a safe, nurturing, risk-free environment__  _Create a comfortable, homey environment (carpets, beanbag chairs, plants and flowers) ___Generate motivation and engagement by relating learning to student’ lives__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Celebrate effort and achievement/display student work <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Provide student choice__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Use cooperative learning groups <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create interactive learning experiences__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Provide sharing opportunities <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create "Blackboard Floor" that engages students to work together to use chalk on the special floor)__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Create lots of sharing opportunitie<span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">s <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create group technology activities__ || <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">_Focus on "minds-on" learning <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Teach to high standards__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Use a balanced literacy approach <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Emphasize higher level questions (Bloom), critical thinking, and creative response__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Probe to deepen thinking <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create strategy charts for reading, writing, match, social studies, science__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Teach before reading, during reading, and after reading and writing strategies <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Emphasize “stop-and-think” during reading__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Model and demonstrate all skills and strategies <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___ Create minds-on and hands-on interactive learning experiences__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Teach students to reflect on learning (metacognition) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create authentic reading and writing experiences (reading and writing for real purposes)__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Teach students to be question generators <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Differentiate instruction to respond to individual learning needs__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Use ongoing assessment to plan instruction and monitor progress <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Integrate reading across the curriculum__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Use gradual release of responsibility <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Use technology as a tool for learning__ || <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">_Build a community of learners where all students work together <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create strong school/home connections (newsletters, email, phone calls, web site, home reading programs, backpack projects, book nights where families come for reading celebrations)__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Communicate with parents in their native language whenever possible <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Use multicultural literature__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Create multicultural festivals in class that include family participation <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Celebrate holidays around the world__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Invite families to talk about their lives and tradition <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Invited community members to talk about their jobs (police, fire fighters, postal workers, shop owners, lawyers, doctors)__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Value and celebrate all diversities <span style="background-color: #c0c0c0; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">_Create character education programs __ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Teach values that promote caring and respect <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Take field trips for real world experiences__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Create book-buddies with other classes <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create e-pals (when possible)__ <span style="color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> _Create meaningful classroom jobs <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create celebrations to value effort and achievement (Publishing parties) || Next Page
 * ==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Student Centered Environment** == || ==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Knowledge Centered Environment** == || ==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Community Centered Environment** == ||
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #9f0707; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">___Create clustered desks to facilitate student interaction__