Guided Reading Lessons

Are you looking for some ideas to get some practice for your fledgling readers? Are you finding that you just don’t have the time to sit down to work with each individual reader? If so, you may want to try some guided reading in your classroom.  

What is Guided Reading?

Guided reading takes place in the language arts block and is the time when the teacher provides guidance for small, flexible groups of beginning readers. The teacher helps them learn to use reading strategies, such as context clues, letter and sound knowledge, and syntax or word structure as they read a text or a book that is unfamiliar to them. Each lesson begins with the teacher modeling a particular reading strategy. The goal of guided reading is for students to use these strategies independently on their way to becoming fluent, skilled readers.

Which Books are Best for Guided Reading?

It is a good idea to select a wide variety of books at different ability levels to use with your reading groups. The books should be easy enough for independent reading, meet the instructional goals for the group, and should be have content that will grab the interest of its readers. These books often called leveled texts, and should help your students learn at their individual ability level. As they become more skilled at using a range of reading strategies, the ability level of the texts used in guided reading lessons can be increased. It is also helpful to have previously read texts available so kids can re-read them independently, with a partner, or at home as they become fluent, confident, and self-motivated readers.

How Should I Form the Guided Reading Groups?

Grouping guided reading is based on student skill level, ability, and needs. There are many ways to determine a child's ability level, such as running records, print tests, and teacher observations. Since individuals progress at different levels, the teacher should have a plan for ongoing observation and assessment to track growth. These same considerations can be used when selecting appropriate texts. Considering the personality types of your learners can enhance the guided reading groups. I suggest you read this article by Jen Lilienstein, it will help you with identifying personality types who will work well together. Flexibility is important with this reading strategy, be ready to re-group students as their needs change, or as you see certain personalities that would have more success in a different group.

What Are the Steps For Beginning Guided Reading?

Teachers can use the following steps to begin guided reading instruction:

• Before reading: 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 for individual readers. Ideas for prompts are: Try that again, Does that make sense? Look at how the word begins.
• After reading: Strengthen comprehension skills and provide praise. Ask questions to determine and ensure comprehension and note gaps for future lessons.

This should get you and your class on their way to interesting, effective learning through guided reading. However, it would be beneficial to take some time to look at the lessons below. They will enhance your preparation and your guided reading experience.

Guided Reading Lessons:

Guided Reading Lesson Using BATS

Pupils participate in guided reading activities using books about bats. They answer questions after reading.

Guided Reading with Two Sweet Peas

Learners 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

Guided reading groups complete and participate in various guided reading activities about dinosaurs. They read poems, complete a graphic organizer, complete a close reading activity, and develop a list of dinosaur facts.

Circle of Gold: Guided Reading

Pupils 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.