Counterfeit Beliefs About Conferring
Patrick A. Allen · 2023
Teachers were talking to children about their writing, but not always taking the time to have the short, meaningful types of reading conferences we were having with the children in our classrooms. Teachers have internalized lists of reasons about why conferring can’t or won’t work. Teachers obtain the most useful information in one-to-one conferences with students, and from stepping back and watching how students make choices and manage their literate activity when they are self-directed. Strategy Knowledge——Reading conferences provide the perfect opportunity to assess and uncover students’ use of the thinking strategies being taught in our crafting lessons in reader’s workshop. A conference might lend itself to the pursuit of strategy application and understanding. Effective reading conferences can provide specific and anecdotal documentation of a reader’s strengths and growth areas. Instruction is paramount to every reading conference. Conferences are preeminent when a sense of trust and tone of respect permeates the classroom.