[MOSAIC] Questions for Reading Specialists

[Shannon Winkler]

I am a Title I Reading Specialist for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade 
students in my building.  Typically I am pulling these children out 
of their regular classrooms into a small group setting of 5-7 
students in my classroom.  This is my first year in this position (I 
taught both 1st and 3rd grades prior to this) and have two questions 
for any others on the list who might be in a similar teaching 
position.

1.  I would like to get ideas on what your time with students in your 
groups 'typically' looks like.  Specifically, how do you incorporate 
word work, teaching the comprehension strategies, decoding 
strategies, writing, etc., etc. throughout the week?  When I was in 
the regular classroom, I always used the reading/writing workshop 
models to guide my instruction--I am trying to continue that same 
'style' of teaching within my groups and would like to hear how 
others might be doing this.

2.  I would also like to know if anyone has used a "push-in" format 
vs. the "pull-out" format I am currently using.  What are pros/cons 
you have found, and if you did find it beneficial (I have a 4th grade 
teacher wanting to do this with me--she does reading workshop) what 
was your role in the classroom when you went in?  How much time did 
you spend in the classroom and what did your time in there "look 
like" with the teacher and his/her students (specifically your 
'group' students)?

Thank you in advance for your time and ideas!

-Shannon