choosing texts
Choosing Texts
What texts do I use for the lessons?
How does the Playbook work with my reading series/basal?
When during a lesson do I reveal the text?
Each mini-lesson follows the 4-step process. Step 1 lasts only about a minute where the skill is simply introduced/named. Step 2 is the main part of the lesson, lasting about 10 minutes. Break Step 2 into two parts: Step 2A and Step 2B. In Step 2A, you’ll tell the students the specifics and details of the skill–the instructional points included in your Playbook–and you’ll build the anchor chart. Step 2B (I do, you watch and listen) is when you will model that skill using an excerpt of text (usually one previously read). The portion of text you select is specific to the type of thinking you told them about in Step 2A. In Step 2B, you demonstrate how you do that thinking with the text. And then, you do another one in Step 3 (We do), and you ask students to help you if they can. Step 4 brings closure and their reading-time task.