The First Lessons unit of study, Essential Concepts and Practices To Build a Community of Readers, focuses on developing a community of readers and fostering positive routines and behaviors during reading workshop. The unit is divided into seven essential groups of lessons and strategies that support students and teachers as they establish their reading community. These essentials are interconnected and could be implemented vertically and horizontally as the teacher determines the needs of the classroom and his/her context. Although not one of the essentials, we have also included a "First Lessons Overview" as an introduction.

First Lessons Overview

Essential 1: A Reader Identity

Essential 2: Reading Procedures and Academic Routines

Essential 3: Organizing, Categorizing and Selecting Text 

Essential 4: Reading Is Thinking 

Essential 5: Recording, Communicating and Planning 

Essential 6: Talking About Text 

Essential 7: Writing About Text