Middle School Language Arts, Middle School Reading

Reading Mini-Lessons for Reading Workshop: How to Create and Implement

Linda Asaro
September 15, 2023

This is the third in a blog post in a mini-series on starting reading workshop in middle school. This post will look at reading mini-lessons for middle school reading workshop.

Reading mini-lessons are the heart of reading workshop. Why? Because this is when you will teach specific skills to your students. The idea is that they will go off to implement them. Although preparing your reading mini-lessons will take some time upfront, it is time well spent. A good mini-lesson will set the stage for a successful reading program. Let’s dive into mini lessons for middle school reading workshop.

blog on creating reading mini-lessons for middle school reading workshop

A More “Skills Based” Reading Workshop

I also want to mention here that there are many people who hear the term “reading workshop” and they see it as something that is too vague. They also might view it as something that is only for students who are at grade level with their reading. Please know that I have used units of study by Lucy Calkins, but I modified them completely to be more skills-based and practical. So I hear you, but what I am going to be discussing here is something that can be used for all levels of kids. It is not just a series of fabulous lessons to engage high-level readers.

What Are Reading Mini-Lessons?

Reading mini-lessons are short, direct teaching that will clearly explain skills. They should last 10-15 minutes, because the point of the workshop is to get kids reading, not just to talk about reading. They are led by the teacher and teach the skill that you want in an engaging, fast-paced manner.

Reading mini-lessons should be designed to give clear direction to the independent work portion of the reading workshop. They can be delivered digitally or on a board or chart paper. You will also anchor charts, which is when you write important notes on large chart paper or digitally. You then post for kids to see (more to come on this later in this slideshow).

Components of Reading Mini-Lessons

Each reading mini-lesson follows a pattern. In this way, students not only know what to expect but you will have a “blueprint” for when you begin to create. Here are the components:

Connect: Here you link what you have learned to where you are going in the lesson. Example: you might say, “When we last met we talked about how objects are important in your novels. Today we will look at how these objects can possibly symbolize something important.”
Teaching Objective: It is crucial to explicitly state to your students what you want them to learn. Example: “Today’s goal is to understand how your symbols might reveal your theme.”
Strategies: Here you will give kids a strategy or strategies to meet the objective.
Engagement: This is where you want to show a real-life example and then have students practice during the lesson. Use “turn and talk” here so that students use the skill in a partnership. Example: “Turn and talk to your partner about an important object in your novel and what it might symbolize.”
Student Objective: This is very important; it’s where students are given directions for their workshop time. Keep it brief and specific. It is always best to note that students should be doing this every time they read, not just in this lesson. Example: “Today and every time you are reading a novel, notice any objects and think about what they might symbolize.”

If this seems overwhelming, I have a bunch of ready-made mini-lessons in my TPT store. I also have 2 free mini-lessons that you will definitely want to grab. One is on starting literature circles (book clubs), and the other is on literary terms and plot structure.

free starting literature circles reading lesson for middle school — This will help you when forming your groups, and it has a free reading plan as well!

free literary terms and plot structure lesson for middle school — This is a paid product, but is free to my subscribers.

Teaching Reading Mini-Lessons

Before you begin, you will first need to decide the method that you are delivering the lesson. Some teachers prefer to use paper copies and chart paper. Many teachers also now use digital slideshows. I do suggest making slideshows, as you can attach to your digital learning platform. This way, kids can refer to them as needed. I project the lesson for kids to see. You can also easily print them for kids to have in their reader’s notebooks.

Here are some key points when teaching reading mini-lessons:

When you begin, I highly recommend that you gather kids around you. I usually just say, “Let’s gather for our mini-lesson.” They know to move their chairs to a particular place. Having movement is a good thing. It signals something important and that you want their full attention.
I recommend that kids gather with only their reader’s notebook and a pen or pencil. Having their computers is very distracting.
Keep your lesson fast-paced. Reading mini-lessons should last 10-15 minutes, and this will take some practice on your part. This is NOT a time for kids to interject with their thoughts and anecdotes. The only time they will be talking is when you tell them to turn and talk.
As you are teaching, you might be creating an anchor chart (more to come on this next).

Anchor Charts

Anchor charts are a place to record specific pieces of learning. They will later be used by students as a reference for their writing.
As you go through the mini-lessons, you will want to record information on an anchor chart.
I have done anchor charts on both large chart paper as well as on a Google Document.
I do recommend that if you are doing your charts on paper you also provide a digital copy so that kids have it to refer to throughout the year. I make a special folder on my Google Classroom for all of the lessons.
Do NOT just have a pre-made anchor chart. The idea is to create it with the students. However, you should definitely have an idea of your anchor chart and what it should include before beginning the lesson.