Effective Conferencing

Talking to students about their reading

and providing strategies that work.

What I am reading

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Turn and talk to the person next to you about the book that you are currently reading.

Reflect on the following:

What did that conversation feel like?

What is it?

It’s unscripted

Casual, yet purposeful conversation

Different for each student and each book

Reinforce or teach strategies and skills to enhance reading

Suggestions to Consider

Sit beside the student, DO NOT HOVER

Make it a comfortable conversation

Don’t be overly critical

Encourage the reader to challenge themselves

Purposes of Conferencing

Support the reader’s ability to process a text with understanding and fluency

Teach the reader, NOT THE TEXT

Help the reader become a better reader, not simply help them read the this book

Become a set of ears, a guide, a sounding board

Help the student solve problems

Roles During Conference

Teacher

Solve problems of reader

Gather information

Listen to reader

Discuss the story, writers craft

Connect to Mini-lesson

Set Goals

Discuss response journals

Reader

Discuss the story

Share Post-it notes

Share graphic organizers

Explain connections or justify thinking

Information GatheredAre text levels appropriate? Is there a text you should recommend to the student? (Sell it to them!!)

Arrange groupings

Plan mini-lessons

Evaluate effectiveness of mini-lessons

Determine strategies or skills that student needs

Balance it out

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Student talk and teacher talk should be balanced.

Don’t try to tell the student everything that you want them to know.

Be a good listener—What are they thinking? How can you help?

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Keep records from each conference to help you stay on track with each student.

Record Keeping