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Guided reading is the piece during the language arts block in which the teacher provides guidance for small, flexible groups of beginning readers. The teacher helps students learn to use reading strategies, such as context clues, letter and sound knowledge, and syntax or word structure as they read a text or book that is unfamiliar to them. The teacher starts each lesson by modeling the strategy that the students are to learn. The goal of guided reading is for students to use these strategies independently on their way to becoming fluent, skilled readers.
Teachers should select a wide variety of books at different ability levels to use with the groups. The books should be easy enough for independent reading, meet the instructional goals for the group, and should be interesting and motivating to students. These books are known as "leveled texts", and help the students learn at their ability level. As students become more skilled at using a range of reading strategies, the ability level of the texts used in guided reading lessons can be increased. Previously read texts should always be available so that students can reread them independently, with a partner, or at home as they become fluent, confident, and self-motivated readers.
Flexible groupings are based on student abilities and needs. There are many ways to determine a child's ability level, such as running records, print tests, and teacher observations. Since students progress at different levels, the teacher will need to have a plan for ongoing observation and assessment to track student growth, select appropriate texts, and regroup students as their needs change.
Teachers can use the following steps to begin guided reading instruction:
Before reading: A teacher should set the purpose for reading, introduce vocabulary, make predictions, talk about the strategies good readers use, and discuss ideas that will help the group to begin to develop background knowledge regarding the text.
During reading: Guide students as they read, provide wait time, give prompts or clues as needed by individual students, such as "Try that again. Does that make sense? Look at how the word begins."
After reading: Strengthen comprehension skills and provide praise for strategies used by students during the reading. Ask questions to determine and ensure comprehension and note gaps for future lessons.
Some lesson plans follow that can help teachers use guided reading strategies.
Guided Reading Lessons:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Guided Reading
Students read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", and then discuss it.
Guided Reading Lesson Using BATS
Students participate in guided reading activities using books about bats. They answer questions after reading.
Guided Reading with Two Sweet Peas
Students explore the book "Two Sweet Peas". Working in guided reading groups, they discuss moving, making friends, and the differences between poems and stories. They read the book silently and discuss the importance of being kind and appreciating others.
Dinosaur Themed Guided Reading
Students complete and participate in various guided reading activities about dinosaurs. They read poems, complete a graphic organizer, complete a Cloze activity, and develop a list of dinosaur facts.
Circle of Gold: Guided Reading
Students participate in eight guided reading sessions in which they read the novel "Circle of Gold" by Candy Dawson Boyd. They focus on and discuss characterization, synthesis, analysis, and predicting. They complete journal entries and worksheets.
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