Simple Starts: Making the Move to a Reader-Centered Classroom

by Kari Yates

"You can do this!
You can help kids fall in love with reading.
You can fill your classroom with piles of amazing books kids will be itching to get their hands on.
You can find stretches of time every single day during which kids read books they care about.
You can observe, respond, and interact with your readers in powerful and meaningful ways.
You can make it happen, starting today."
-Kari Yates You don't become an amazing reading teacher all at once. Someone shows you where to begin. Someone who has taught every kind of reader and coached teachers just like you. Someone like Kari Yates. Simple Starts is Kari's getting-started guide to creating the reading classroom of your dreams-and your students'. Teacher to teacher, she distills research and best practice into essentials that help Conversational, practical, and inspirational, Simple Starts is filled with teaching strategies, quick reflection charts, example anchor charts, and teacher know-how from thirty years in classrooms and schools. "What's next is simple," writes Kari Yates. "You don't have to know everything about books or reading. You just need to follow a few simple steps." With Kari and Simple Starts you'll do it. So come on in! Your kids are counting on you, and it's time to bravely begin.

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2015

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good review of ways to increase effectiveness in a literacy focused classroom. Much of this book was review for me, might be better for less experienced workshop teachers, but I still gleaned a number of suggestions that I'm going to implement this year.

[Nichole Ponzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for pre-service teachers. May also be helpful for first year teachers wrapping their minds around getting all the essential reader's workshop components off the ground.

[April Connelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for teachers who are new to a workshop classroom or new to teaching. It is filled with practical suggestions, is easy to read, and keeps things simple.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect introduction to the workshop model of literacy instruction. Kari writes in a way that invites you into the process of building powerful literacy practices.

[Kakia Ohlfs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas to get started with independent reading in your classroom. Can be applied to many levels.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!!

[Mary Beth Revesz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good ideas about setting up a literacy focused classroom.