Practice with Purpose: Literacy Work Stations for Grades 3-6

by Debbie Diller

In her 30 years as an educator, Debbie Diller has closely examined classroom practice, asking Why? What's the purpose? Watching primary students work successfully at literacy work stations, she wondered with teachers, Why don't we have upper-grade students doing this? Could we kick it up a notch? In her new book, Debbie shows teachers of grades three-to-six how to structure their classrooms so that all students can be successful doing meaningful independent work using literacy work stations. Practice with Purpose offers guidance on establishing routines for independent reading and response writing, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to set up and manage a variety of hands-on literacy work stations appropriate for intermediate students. Each chapter how to introduce the station;innovative ways to use materials;what to model to guarantee independence;how to troubleshoot; assessment and accountability ideas; how the station supports student achievement on state tests; reflection questions for professional development. The extensive appendix includes time-saving tools such as management board icons, graphic organizers, task cards, and recommended Web sites and children's literature.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, School

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find that many teaching resources either spend too much time with wither under-explained mini-lessons and graphic organizers, or -- the other extreme – expostulating on theory for too great a length. Fortunately, Diller’s much-used Practice with Purpose achieves a near-perfect balance between these two.

Diller not only begins by effectively defining what a literacy work station is, and grounds it in current best practices research, but she unfolds her book by offering realistic management techniques, the foundation of a well-stock classroom library, and then a chapter on each of the most essential work stations that form the core of additional individually-tailored literacy instruction (writing, word study, poetry, content-area, and drama). Within each of these last chapters, she begins by explaining why each station is necessary (this being the theory part), then into the materials needed, how to set it up, how to introduce it to the students, how the teacher needs to model its use, how to trouble-shoot real problems that students may have (based upon her real experiences), how to maintain and replenish the station throughout the year so that students don’t get bored with it, how to assess student growth, and the real impact on student achievement on state tests.

In short, Diller covers all her bases – which is something to be extremely thankful for in the often over-published world of professional teaching resources. And all in less than two hundred pages. A no mean feat is that.

[Despond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, practical, has step by step directions, how it supports student achievement test, how to differentiate in centers, and much more. The pictures are a bit outdated but it's a great book for teachers.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took away so many amazing ideas that will help students focus during independent work and stations. I have already put them in place in my 4th grade classroom, and the results have been as expected, students worked in stations and showed their learning through the community journals.

[Cathlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great ideas that overlap with Balanced Literacy (Guided Readers and Writers) as well as Daily 5/CAFE. Can't wait to use some of these great resources and more in depth centers (for upper grades) for my own students.

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I already read the one for lower grades and, while I got some ideas, this book wasn't much different. If I had purchased this book I would be disappointed that I was getting the same material again, but it was given to me during a training.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read when contemplating centers/work stations. Lots of great ideas to incorporate all subject areas while incorporating literacy practice.

[Molly Raddemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a HUGE help when developing my literacy stations. Could work in various grade levels, would just need to beef up the materials for upper grades.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my literacy center bible. A must read and have for any teacher who wants to incorporate and maintain literacy centers in their classroom.

[Charmaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is loaded with easy, practical ideas to use in the classroom.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I can't wait for school to start to implement these wonderful ideas!!

[Josie McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used it. Referenced over and over.

[Susan Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting this book for a few years. Using it to help me Improve my literacy work stations.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives good framework. Loosely ties into standardized tests. Stresses the importance of seeing them up, practicing to independence.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some isn't relevant, and I found a spelling error, but overall this is a good read. Looking forward to incorporating some of these ideas next year.