Practice With Purpose: Literacy Work stations for Grades 3-6

This is just what I've needed. Excellent source for getting kids motivated and on tasks that help THEM to learn. Outlines possible problems and solutions ahead of time. Great ideas for taking centers I already want and making them real learning stations in the classroom.

Other teachers on my floor are already looking to "borrow" it.

This book, like Diller's companion book for K-2 teachers, is a wealth of information for those teachers who recognize the importance of differentiating instruction, engaging the learner, and losing mindless worksheets that only serve the purpose of occupying the student's time while the teacher teaches small groups. Whether you are experienced with managing literacy workstations or a new convert, you will get an in-depth look at management of stations, keeping the stations meaningful and engaging throughout the year, and assessing the students' work. This book is the best I have seen for practical, easy to implement, true literacy activities. I highly recommend it for teachers and administrators of students in grades 3-6.

I went for this book as soon as I saw it on line - there is little out there for grades 5&6 when it comes to centers. While I got some good ideas, I was disappointed overall. The examples seem to focus on the lower grades, 3rd and 4th, and it left me wanting more information and examples for older kids. I am also unclear on how the novel we might be using in class fits into this concept. One area I did find especially helpful was how to organize and get started at the beginning of the year. It eased some fears for this first time work station user.

Better than the "Literacy Work Stations for K-2"! Excellent and practical strategies for teaching, especially for the new teacher trying to figure it all out. A book worth having in the classroom professional library.

This book has answered all of the questions I have had about organizing centers during my literacy block. During my reading groups, I have wanted to have centers going at the intermediate level, but have been intimidated by the amount of work involved in setting them up. The author has shared ideas in creating centers that are logical, smart, efficient, necessary and don't involve staying up until midnight each night. Too bad I didn't have this 10 years ago!