Reading Workshop (Teaching-Learning-Language)

I learned that the six most important words are: Engage, Demonstration, Discussion, Transformation, Application and Evaluation.

In order for learning to take place these parts need to be incorporated:

1) The person must have a need to learn and must actively seek demonstrations and actively engage in the demonstrations.
2) In learning, transformation must happen by the learner adding new information to old and reflect upon and think about what had been demonstrated and said.
3) There needs to be a discussion between the learner and teacher. The language needs to be accessible to both parties.
4) There need to be multiple opportunities for application to take place which will enforce the learning.
5) Evaluation needs to occur. This means reflecting on and subsequently modifying my ways of operating as I make new connections and add new knowledge.

These are not to represent a linear sequence and some of them will co-occur.


There is a tenuous link between language and learning. Also each subject are uses distinctive phrases and words to fram its concepts and relationships. When we are teaching we need to be very careful we don't slip into Englishese, Biology-ese, Geology-ese, or Math-ese because most of our students will be lost. Teachers and learners also have to share a common set of meanings and there is a need for access to the same patterns of language. Lastly, teachers have the responsibility of helping their learners get control of those forms of language that they themselves had learned to control.


Here are the most important aspects of each word:

1. Demonstration: actions vs. artifacts
Action: someone ironing a shirt
Artifact: a shirt folded perfectly in a drawer, a shirt without any creases on a hanger

2. Engagement: fundamental to learning
Buzz words: attention, attending, active participation

In order for engagement to occur the learner has to believe that the that they will eventually be capable of learning and doing the expected activity. They will be increasingly engaged if they feel whatever they are learning has purpose, value, use for them, and if there is no pressure or anxiety associated with learning it and if the teacher shows them respect and trust.

3. Transformation: Creating personal paraphrases and a unique style based on your worldview.

4. Discussion: Exchange/interchange of interpretation

5. Application: approximation

The teacher needs to allow the learners to go from amateur to expert. They must not evaluate a student as highly from the beginning if the skill is new or if it is common for them to start in an amateur way.

6. Evaluation: Engage, discuss, transform, apply

There needs to be a authentic supportive relationship between the teacher and learner.

In conclusion: This article stressed a lot of the same principles that were covered in other articles but in more detail. I really like the idea that the teacher needs to have a good relationship and should be viewed as mentor, friend, and trusted source.

Learners will learn best when they do not feel threatened or undervalued. it is imperative that the teacher foster this type of environment.