[LIT] Ideal Middle School Reading and Writing Program

[Stephanie Bartell]

Hello all,
   
  I am a reading specialist at a school that is currently expanding.  We started as a K-4 school and have expanded one grade level every year since. Next year we will add 7th grade and we are trying to work out the best structure for our middle school students. 
   
  If you could design the IDEAL middle school schedule & program, what would it look like?  Self-contained classrooms?  A seperate reading workshop & writing workshop teacher?  Longer periods of reading?  
   
  I have never been a middle school classroom teacher, so it is hard for me to give recommendations.  I am interested in what works for you, what you would change if you could, and what is neccessary for a successful middle school reading and writing program.  I'd also be interested to hear the types of materials you are using.  In the rest of our school we use a workshop approach, but there is some push for a more traditional curriculum in middle school.  
   
  I really appreciate any thoughts or advice you can give me.  Thanks in advance!
   
  ~Stephanie Bartell, Galapagos Charter School

       
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