Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [Before the Read]
Today is an exciting day for us readers! We are going to learn what reading workshop is all about. Reading workshop is a special time each day for us to focus on ourselves as readers.
We will have a time each day when I will teach you a skill or strategy to help you grow as readers. You will have time to read independently while I confer with you individually or in small groups. Then we will come back together as a class and share our thinking or work.
During reading workshop, both you and I have different jobs to do. Let’s talk about what my roles are as the teacher, and what your roles are as students in a reading workshop.
Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [Before the Read]
Display and discuss the Appendix “What Is a Reading
Workshop?”
Today we are going to read a wonderful book called “The
Hard-Times Jar” by Ethel Footman Smothers. This book is about a girl named Emma who loves to read. We are going to read and pay attention to what we learn about Emma as a reader and how we learn that reading is important in Emma’s life. As I read aloud, I am going to share my thinking with you.
At some points, I will ask you to turn and talk with a partner about your thinking. This means you turn to the partner you are working with today (and are sitting next to) and share your ideas, question, or noticing out loud to him or her. Each person has a turn to share and to say something back to the other person. It is like a quick conversation!

Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [During the Read]
As I read “The Hard-Times Jar” aloud today, I’m going to share my thinking and personal connections.
Begin reading The Hard-Times Jar, sharing the story and the illustrations with students. After reading the fourth page of text (ending with “’No extras,’ Emma whispered to the hard-times jar”), stop and think aloud.
Emma wants to use her extra money to buy a book.
There’s no doubt that reading is important in her life and that she thinks about what she is going to read.
Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [During the Read]
Continue to read up until the page where Emma is introduced to the library at school. Ask students to turn and talk with a partner to share their thinking about this part and what they have learned about Emma as a reader.
Guide and prompt students with turn-and-talk as needed. Finish reading the book.
Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [After the Read]
Start the conversation by sharing an idea.
Emma has such a love of reading that it seems to be the thing she thinks about most in her life.
Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [During the Read]
Continue reading up until the page when Emma finishes her story while the family is picking apples.
I noticed that almost everyone around Emma thinks her love of reading and writing is a waste of time. They always seem to be looking for her, but she would rather be reading than doing anything else-including working!
Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [After the Read]
Let’s think and talk together about what we have learned about the importance of reading in Emma’s life.
Let’s share our thinking about this story. I will start by sharing an idea I have, and then you will have a chance to share your thinking about my idea. Then we will think about other ideas, as well.
Lesson 1 :: What Is a Reading Workshop?
The Hard-Times Jar [After the Read]
Invite students to respond and then share their own ideas about hits thought and others.
As we continue to learn about reading workshop, we are going to read many different books about a variety of topics in different genres. There will be a special time each day in school to read, think, and talk about books with each other. I can’t wait to go on our very own reading adventure!