The ultimate goal in guided reading is to help children learn how to use independent reading strategies successfully.
~ Fountas & Pinnell, Guided Reading
~ Fountas & Pinnell, Guided Reading
Guided Reading
As part of a balanced literacy program that includes reading aloud, shared reading, and literature circles, guided reading is the component that helps students to read independently for meaning. Teachers guide students by helping them to effectively implement necessary strategies to read with at least 96% accuracy at their independent reading level.
As part of a balanced literacy program that includes reading aloud, shared reading, and literature circles, guided reading is the component that helps students to read independently for meaning. Teachers guide students by helping them to effectively implement necessary strategies to read with at least 96% accuracy at their independent reading level.
Guided Reading Resources
Guided reading is a process where students are placed in similarly leveled groups and read the same
fiction or non-fiction texts, based on their guided reading levels. Guided reading levels are about one level higher than independent reading levels, hence requiring guidance. These groupings are not static, they are dynamic in that running records monitor student reading progress in order to re-evaluate reading levels and to adjust groupings accordingly.
Guided Reading Steps
1. Teacher selects a book appropriate for a group of 2-6 students based on Characteristics of Texts and Reading Behaviors.
2. Teacher introduces the text by front loading with an introduction of the book or section as well as any possible troublesome vocabulary.
3. Students read the text passage - silently and individually. The text is not read aloud as a group. The teacher may, however, ask certain students to whisper read to the teacher, in order to monitor fluency. Students can also read the text aloud to the whole group, after interacting with it independently -ex. "Read your favorite part to the group."
4. Throughout the week, teacher guides instruction with about, within, and beyond the text activities and focus on reading strategies and comprehension. Phonics and spelling can also be addressed in these groups. Higher groups can be met with less frequently than with lower groups.
5. A variety of before, during, and after guided reading strategies can be used to implement these guided reading steps.
6. Teacher monitors progress based on Characteristics of Texts and Reading Behaviors
fiction or non-fiction texts, based on their guided reading levels. Guided reading levels are about one level higher than independent reading levels, hence requiring guidance. These groupings are not static, they are dynamic in that running records monitor student reading progress in order to re-evaluate reading levels and to adjust groupings accordingly.
Guided Reading Steps
1. Teacher selects a book appropriate for a group of 2-6 students based on Characteristics of Texts and Reading Behaviors.
2. Teacher introduces the text by front loading with an introduction of the book or section as well as any possible troublesome vocabulary.
3. Students read the text passage - silently and individually. The text is not read aloud as a group. The teacher may, however, ask certain students to whisper read to the teacher, in order to monitor fluency. Students can also read the text aloud to the whole group, after interacting with it independently -ex. "Read your favorite part to the group."
4. Throughout the week, teacher guides instruction with about, within, and beyond the text activities and focus on reading strategies and comprehension. Phonics and spelling can also be addressed in these groups. Higher groups can be met with less frequently than with lower groups.
5. A variety of before, during, and after guided reading strategies can be used to implement these guided reading steps.
6. Teacher monitors progress based on Characteristics of Texts and Reading Behaviors
Here are some resources for implementing guided reading....
Research Base for Guided Reading as an Instructional Approach
Excellent article highlighting research base and benefits.
The Balanced Literacy Diet
Collection of resources, videos, virtual tours, activities, and lesson plans.
Mrs. Meacham's Guided Reading Suggestions and Resources
Lots of great ideas and downloads.
Fountas and Pinnell Blog
Filled with all of the expert advice.
Leveled Book Lists
Leveled lists for all grade levels.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Tool for leveling books.
Guided Reading Lesson Plans
Hundreds of Lesson Plan Ideas
Characteristics of Texts and Reading Behaviors - Here is a great link to text descriptions for each F&P level as well as descriptions of reading behaviors at each level. Using this information will help in choosing guided reading and independent text selections. It will also aid in monitoring student progress when used as a checklist to help as part of the process to identify when students should move up in reading levels and to formatively assess what reading behaviors need to be addressed instructionally.
Research Base for Guided Reading as an Instructional Approach
Excellent article highlighting research base and benefits.
The Balanced Literacy Diet
Collection of resources, videos, virtual tours, activities, and lesson plans.
Mrs. Meacham's Guided Reading Suggestions and Resources
Lots of great ideas and downloads.
Fountas and Pinnell Blog
Filled with all of the expert advice.
Leveled Book Lists
Leveled lists for all grade levels.
Scholastic Book Wizard
Tool for leveling books.
Guided Reading Lesson Plans
Hundreds of Lesson Plan Ideas
Characteristics of Texts and Reading Behaviors - Here is a great link to text descriptions for each F&P level as well as descriptions of reading behaviors at each level. Using this information will help in choosing guided reading and independent text selections. It will also aid in monitoring student progress when used as a checklist to help as part of the process to identify when students should move up in reading levels and to formatively assess what reading behaviors need to be addressed instructionally.
Materials for Guided Reading
Great tips from Guided Reading 101
Great tips from Guided Reading 101
Ways to Structure a 90 Minute Literacy Block
A flexible guideline to setting up the literacy block
A flexible guideline to setting up the literacy block
Forming Small Groups
Example of creating homogeneous small groups and scheduling to meet with them.
Example of creating homogeneous small groups and scheduling to meet with them.
ReadWorks.org
A collection of reading lessons, sorted by Common Core standards
Newsela
Great, current articles, leveled by Lexile level.
A collection of reading lessons, sorted by Common Core standards
Newsela
Great, current articles, leveled by Lexile level.
What Goes On During Guided Reading
A description of the types of engagement that take place for students not invloved in guided reading.
A description of the types of engagement that take place for students not invloved in guided reading.
Guided Reading Materials and Resources
A list of downloadable printables.
Guided Reading Activity Ideas
Collection of before, during, and after activities
A list of downloadable printables.
Guided Reading Activity Ideas
Collection of before, during, and after activities
Literature Discussion Groups
During and after reading activities that prompt students to write about their reading and then talk about their reading.
"Book Club" (Primary)
"Reciprocal Teaching" (Elementary/Middle)
During and after reading activities that prompt students to write about their reading and then talk about their reading.
"Book Club" (Primary)
"Reciprocal Teaching" (Elementary/Middle)
Grade Level Guided Reading Resources
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
~ Video - Guided Reading Model Lesson on Inferencing
~ Video - Guided Reading Model Lesson on Inferencing
Grade 3
Grade 4