Individual conferences are the most important teaching we do with student readers and writers. Though there are separate books and resources about both, they are rarely talked about in the same conversation – yet most teachers who are doing one are also doing the other.

There are many similarities between reading and writing conferences. For example, in both we follow a three-part structure of research-decide-teach; in both, we engage in careful, student-driven listening.There are also differences between the two. For one thing, a writing conference typically involves something visible, a piece of student work a teacher can look at to gauge understanding; reading comprehension happens inside a student’s head, and is invisible.

In this series of virtual workshops, Carl and Dan will discuss the differences and similarities in reading and writing conferences so that teachers may confer more effectively in both.

• a practical, step-by-step approach to reading and writing conferences, in person and virtually;
• conference friendly principles of listening;
• tips for questioning, assessing, and teaching students as we confer;
• manageable strategies for record keeping and goal setting;
• ideas for connecting reading and writing instruction through conferring.