In our continuing pursuit of providing the best research-based learning opportunities for the students in our
community, Germantown Hills School District #69 is shifting to a workshop approach to teaching and learning in
English/Language Arts (ELA). One of the benefits of the workshop approach is its organizational structure which
includes whole-group, small-group, and individualized instructional settings, thus allowing teachers to differentiate
instruction based upon students’ unique needs. While the same learning goals are pursued in the workshop
approach as in a more traditional approach, the learning goals are pursued in a more student-centered and
student-driven way.
As the shift is made, grade-level teams will be supported through regular meetings with their principal. In
addition, ongoing professional development will be provided to K-8 classroom teachers and specialists. If you have
any questions as a parent, please contact your child’s teacher or principal, both of whom would be happy to talk
with you.
Currently our K-5 classrooms have a 2-hour literacy block. Our 6-8 students will be attending a double ELA block of
instruction. Across an instructional week, this block will be divided into three types of workshops: Language
Workshops, Reading Workshops, and Writing Workshop, each of which is explained below.
Language Workshop
Language Workshop is a whole-group learning experience, involving two components. The first component is an
interactive read aloud—a read aloud in which the teacher and students interact, talking about the text.
Interactive-read-aloud conversations address learning goals related to listening, speaking, and comprehension. If
the text that is read aloud relates to science or social studies, learning goals in those areas can be addressed as
well. After the interactive read, explicit teaching occurs around an ELA concept or skill (e.g., phonics, Greek and
Latin affixes and roots words, sentence structure, parts of speech, topic sentences in paragraphs, and other
grammar concepts).
Reading Workshop
Reading Workshop typically involves three components: a mini-lesson, work time, and sharing. Work time during
Reading Workshop involves students working independently while the teacher provides small-group differentiated
instruction via guided reading lessons. During their independent work time, students read self-chosen books at
their level; write about what they’re reading in journals; complete assignments related to the ELA concept or skill
addressed in Language Workshop; and depending on the classroom, work in various ELA-related stations.
Sharing brings valuable closure to Reading Workshop. It holds students accountable, and as students share, they
learn from another. Sharing also allows the teacher to informally assess students’ understanding, providing
clarifications and extensions as necessary.
Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop is similar to Reading Workshop, typically involving a mini-lesson, work time, and sharing. At
each grade level, students will learn how to effectively share a story through writing (narrative pieces), effectively
share and explain information through writing (expository pieces), and effectively defend an opinion through
writing (persuasive/argumentative pieces). Poetry will also be addressed. Sometimes these writing pieces may be
linked to efforts in science or social studies.
community, Germantown Hills School District #69 is shifting to a workshop approach to teaching and learning in
English/Language Arts (ELA). One of the benefits of the workshop approach is its organizational structure which
includes whole-group, small-group, and individualized instructional settings, thus allowing teachers to differentiate
instruction based upon students’ unique needs. While the same learning goals are pursued in the workshop
approach as in a more traditional approach, the learning goals are pursued in a more student-centered and
student-driven way.
As the shift is made, grade-level teams will be supported through regular meetings with their principal. In
addition, ongoing professional development will be provided to K-8 classroom teachers and specialists. If you have
any questions as a parent, please contact your child’s teacher or principal, both of whom would be happy to talk
with you.
Currently our K-5 classrooms have a 2-hour literacy block. Our 6-8 students will be attending a double ELA block of
instruction. Across an instructional week, this block will be divided into three types of workshops: Language
Workshops, Reading Workshops, and Writing Workshop, each of which is explained below.
Language Workshop
Language Workshop is a whole-group learning experience, involving two components. The first component is an
interactive read aloud—a read aloud in which the teacher and students interact, talking about the text.
Interactive-read-aloud conversations address learning goals related to listening, speaking, and comprehension. If
the text that is read aloud relates to science or social studies, learning goals in those areas can be addressed as
well. After the interactive read, explicit teaching occurs around an ELA concept or skill (e.g., phonics, Greek and
Latin affixes and roots words, sentence structure, parts of speech, topic sentences in paragraphs, and other
grammar concepts).
Reading Workshop
Reading Workshop typically involves three components: a mini-lesson, work time, and sharing. Work time during
Reading Workshop involves students working independently while the teacher provides small-group differentiated
instruction via guided reading lessons. During their independent work time, students read self-chosen books at
their level; write about what they’re reading in journals; complete assignments related to the ELA concept or skill
addressed in Language Workshop; and depending on the classroom, work in various ELA-related stations.
Sharing brings valuable closure to Reading Workshop. It holds students accountable, and as students share, they
learn from another. Sharing also allows the teacher to informally assess students’ understanding, providing
clarifications and extensions as necessary.
Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop is similar to Reading Workshop, typically involving a mini-lesson, work time, and sharing. At
each grade level, students will learn how to effectively share a story through writing (narrative pieces), effectively
share and explain information through writing (expository pieces), and effectively defend an opinion through
writing (persuasive/argumentative pieces). Poetry will also be addressed. Sometimes these writing pieces may be
linked to efforts in science or social studies.