Literacy: What is Guided Reading?

Guided reading is when the educator works with a group of students at similar ability levels to improve their overall literacy skills (decoding, fluency, comprehension, etc.) I work with a minimum of 2 students and a maximum of 4 at my desk for approximately 20 minutes every day (during this time, Miss Smith works with students on their writing). Due to the fact they are receiving teacher support, we will read a book that is higher than the level they can read at independently (home reading). Each guided reading session has the same format:

Word Work/Phonics

We will start by reviewing sounds that have been taught in a whole-class literacy lesson. Then, we will try sounding out words with these sounds in them (ex: review the /sh/ sound and sound out words like ship, shape, etc.)

Sight Word Review

We review our very important sight words: popcorn and balloon words.

Shared Reading

We will then move onto a poem. I will read it to them once, modelling how to read print properly, read fluently, enunciate rhyme, etc. Then, we will read the poem together, and students draw a picture to match the poem.

Independent Reading

I will introduce a book to students and we will have a brief discussion about the book prior to reading it (ex: doing a picture walk, looking and guessing what might happen). Students will read the book by themselves as I listen and provide support where needed. Students will reread the book and, if the book has a storyline to it, we will have a discussion afterwards.

Please make sure you continue reading at home. You see them way more than I do!