The ingredients that make up a successful reading and literacy program have been described in numerous ways. Decades of research and numerous studies make it clear that students need lots of time to read. It's also important that the time spent reading is done in texts that are "just right" for the students. Explicit teaching of reading strategies and skills followed by meaningful tasks are at the heart of what readers need. Research also emphasizes the importance of providing time for readers to engage in authentic talk about their books and the importance of other readers in the process of growing.

These ingredients are not only essential components present in the reading workshop they are the underlying philosophy of the framework itself.  If executed effectively, it allows teachers to seamlessly incorporate these key ingredients into their reading instruction on a daily basis.

Take a look at the readers workshop in action, and see if you can spot the ingredients in action!