Sounds great... but how do I get them there?

Arguably the toughest and the most important time in a Reader's Workshop year, is September. It's in September that mold your class from a place of indifference towards books and authors to a state of wild enthusiasm, in which each and every child is convinced that 1.) he/she is- and always has been- a reader 2.) that authors are rock stars and 3.) reading can get them things they want and take them to new places.

And it's gotta be done in September because it's with the above kind of readers that you build the rest of your year on. Check out the beginning of Growing Readers by Kathy Collins for a really really detailed, step by step, play by play explanation of how to set up your school year. Here are some blogs on the topic...

First Day of First Grade Schedule
Building a Bridge: Essential September Learnings
Growing Readers' Identities as Readers and Authors
Library GRAND OPENING!
Setting Sail: Moving into October
Dealing with Bumps Part 1
Dealing with Bumps Part II

A Place to Start: Using the concept of STORY to kick off your year