Reading: What is Guided Reading?
--Information Courtesy of http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Guided_Reading and http://www.k111.k12.il.us/lafayette/fourblocks/sld001.htm
What is Guided Reading?
Guided Reading is a method of flexibly grouping children in small groups in order to address the various instructional reading needs of a classroom of students.
What are the main purposes of Guided Reading?
Guided Reading has many instructional purposes:
- Expose students to a variety of literature
- Teach effective strategies for decoding
- Teach effective strategies for comprehending text with meaning
- Teach children to read increasingly difficult texts
What is different about Guided Reading?
Guided Reading is different than other methods of reading instruction because students are engaged in reading instruction at their "just right" level. Not all students develop in reading at the same rate or the same level. Guided Reading allows for students to be grouped in small groups that are based on student abilities, needs, strengths, or interests. Groups are flexible and are changed as student levels and needs change.
What is a reading level and how is this determined?
A student's reading level is determined through a variety of assessments. These assessments are given at least three times each year. DIBELS and STAR Reading (Accelerated Reader) tests all measure reading fluency (rate, intonation, and accuracy) as well as comprehension. Reading levels can be listed as a Guided Reading level (A, B, C...) or grade-level equivalency.
What will my child be doing in a Guided Reading lesson?
Most Guided Reading lessons follow a similar format:
- Before: Most Guided Reading lessons begin with a teacher introduction of a text. This introduction may include key vocabulary, character names, et cetera. Students may also make predictions and connections prior to reading a text.
- During: During the reading of a text, students may take part in choral/group reading, partner reading, or individual reading. Reading is often accompanied by discussion of the text. Students are also engaged in a mini-lesson that focus on strategies to decode or comprehend text.
- After: Many times students also take part in an extended learning activity after the reading of a text is completed. Possible reading extensions include:
- Story Maps and Retells
- Connections to the story
- Questions and Inferences
- Identification of story elements