The name says it all.  We all know that giving students directions and letting them go doesn't usually produce the desired results.  Sure a few of the 'good' kids will get it, then it's easy to blame the rest for not following directions when the truth is they just didn't get it!

The Gradual Release of Responsibility instruction model is totally logical and focuses on a process of modeling and practice in chunks until students are really ready and confident to do on their own.

Here are some resources-- please feel free to add more!

Web Sites

http://reading.ecb.org/downloads/itb_GradualRelease.pdf -  Chart outling process

An ASCD Study Guide for: Better Learning Through Structured Teaching: A Framework for the Gradual Release of Responsibility - Gives chapter outlines of text -  ASCD

Chart illustrating Gradual Release of Responsibility

Blog entries

http://inpractice.edublogs.org/2008/04/08/gradual-release-instruction/

http://tielead.blogspot.com/2008/03/focusing-on-gradual-release-of.html

http://portfolio.washington.edu/erinl/tep/95596.html

Books

Scaffolded Writing Instruction: Teaching With a Gradual-Release Framework -  Scholastic - by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

Better Learning Through Structured Teaching: A Framework for the Gradual Release of Responsibility - Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

An ASCD Study Guide for: Better Learning Through Structured Teaching: A Framework for the Gradual Release of Responsibility - ASCD

Subjects Matter: Every Teacher's Guide to Content-Area Reading -  Heineman - by Harvey Daniels and Steven Zemelman