Guided+Reading

=**Guided Reading**=



**What is Guided Reading?**

Guided reading is one component of a balance literacy program. It provides educators with a means of scaffolding instruction and allows for the direct teaching of reading strategies.

There are several key characteristics of guided reading: See the document below for a list of pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading strategies:
 * Small Groups of no more than 4-6 students. This allows educators to gain insight into the stregths and needs of their students: To identify the strategies students are already using, and those that still need a little work.
 * Homgeneous grouping. Students are grouped based upon their reading ability. This ensures that books are chosen based upon students instructional reading level (a text that the students can read with 90%-95% accuracy, as determined by a running record).
 * Teach appropriate reading strategies for the reading development stages of students. Focus on students-needs, not on what a prescribde program says 'what should come next'. Guided reading is about individualized and differentiated instruction!
 * Frequent and consistent monitoring of progress. Running records are simple and quick - a great website for running records is [|www.readinga-z.com] We need to monitor the improvement of our studnets - and remember, if a student is working well below grade level (2 or more years) celebrate even the smallest successes!
 * Keep the groups flexible and dynamic!
 * The goal is to foster the development of independent readers. Guided reading is about teaching reading strategies, not just about asking questions.
 * Know what reading strategy you intend upon teaching



= Guided Reading in Action =

Guided reading should be part of a daily balanced literacy program. I generally begin my guided reading program in October (after DRA assessments have been completed and students are familiar with the rules and routines of guided reading time). I refer to this time as CENTRES. I group my students according to their reading level, and generally have 3-4 ability-based (but flexible!) groups. During Centre time, I meet with one of my reading groups. My EA alsohelps out during these times. Currently my EA is available to work in my classroom every other day and she leads my struggling readers through a guided reading lesson (she has also received training in guided reading and is fantastic at following lesson plans!).

During centre time, my other students are completing various independent work, such as spelling practice, word work, independent writing, or computers (ex. academy of reading) Centres is also a great time to integrate learning in other curricular areas, such as social studies, science, and health. The possibilies are as endless as your creativity and imaginations!

A sample Guided Reading lesson by Nicole Craig for Freckle Juice (Judy Blume):

Please see this [|eWorkshop] to watch videos of guided reading in action for emergent, early, and fluent readers.