The One-On-One Reading and Writing Conference: Working with Students on Complex Texts

by Jennifer Berne, Sophie C. Degener (With)

Personal interactions are the single most effective way for teachers to understand and evaluate their student as learners. Responding specifically to new Common Core State Standards in reading and writing, this book introduces pre- and inservice teachers to a method of one-on-one interaction the authors refer to as the stretch conference. This book provides detailed practical advice on the logistics of implementing these conferences during the busy school day, including tips on how and when to schedule conferences and how to successfully manage the classroom during conference time. The authors argue that, rather than using valuable conference time for word-level concerns and editing, teachers should focus on more ambitious goals that will deepen (or stretch) students skills in comprehension and writing. This resources suggests where conferences fit in with other important pieces of literacy instruction; introduces a variety of high-quality cues to use during conferences; and shows how conferences can function as formative assessment for reading and writing skills.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2015

About the author

Jennifer Berne is an acclaimed children's author whose books include On a Beam of Light, Manfish, On Wings of Words (all Chronicle), and Look Up with Me (Katherine Tegen Books). Jennifer lives in Columbia County, New York, and spends her summers sailing along the coast of Maine.