Guided reading is a great way to help students improve their reading skills.It is a great way for students to get to know their classmates since they work on reading together in a small group.There are a lot of different strategies you can use to support your students.Don't be afraid to experiment with different activities until you find the right one for your class.You and your students can try different things.
Step 1: Guided reading is used to teach reading comprehension.
Guided reading helps small groups of students read aloud.They are learing to better understand what they are reading.It's a great way to improve their pronunciation.A good tool for students is guided reading.You can change your readings and questions according to your level of teaching.If you are teaching guided reading for the first time, try not to be overwhelmed.It's difficult to do it right.Appropriate reading materials for your students is the most important thing.The teachers are great at that.
Step 2: Determine the level of instruction for each student.
Determine the student's instructional reading level.If you do this for every student in your class, you can make sure to assign them readings that they can handle.A chart provided by your school can be used to identify what level each student is at.You will have to rely on your knowledge of how well each student reads, so go back over notes that you have about them.Each student should be matched to a level on the chart.It's fine if you're just getting to know the students.They can be assessed by having them read a sample paragraph.Once you start guided reading, you can determine if they need something harder or easier.Most elementary schools in the US use an alphabetical system that places students in one of 26 levels.Students will progress through the levels starting at A and ending with Z.If you don't have a copy of the assessment at your school, you should get one from someone there.
Step 3: Depending on their reading level, divide your students into small groups.
Students in the same grade can be at different levels.That is normal and fine!Once you know what level everyone is on, place them in small groups with other students that are on the same level.The ideal size is groups of 3-6 students.When there are less than 6 students, guided reading works best.If your school has large class sizes, you could go up to 8 students in a group.Don't have more than 5 groups of students.You will be interacting with and assessing each group, so anything more than 5 groups might be difficult for you.No matter what grade level you're teaching, keep these groups small.Older students can get overwhelmed in larger groups.Make sure your groups are flexible.If students are progressing quickly or are struggling, you might need to move them.
Step 4: The text should be matched to each group's reading level.
The book or piece of writing that you pick for each group is key to helping your students succeed.The assessment chart that you are using should have examples of texts that are appropriate for each level.It is possible that you will need to assign a different book for each group.That is normal.Students at B level can read Have You Seen My Duckling?The Magic Treehouse series is fun for students at M level.If you want options that aren't on your chart, you can ask other teachers if they have any good recommendations.Students could also be asked for ideas.If you have avid readers in your class, they could tell you about their favorites.
Step 5: If you can, set up a reading area in your classroom.
It is helpful to make a special area for reading if you have enough space.It is time for the students to work on their reading when they are in that area.It can help them stay focused.This area can be fun and effective at the same time.There are items to place in the reading area.
Step 6: Students will answer the questions while they read.
You should ask the questions for each group in advance.Write down questions as you read through the text.Refer to your notes as you write in the student's text.You can write in the books of the students.Post-it notes or notecards can be placed in the text for your students to find as they read.Encourage your students to understand the story structure, make connections, and make predictions.For example, you can ask questions like, "Is this book fiction or non-fiction?" "Who are the main characters?" and "How do you think they can solve this problem?"For more advanced students, you can ask about the author's purpose.What is the intended audience?What sources did the author use to write the book?
Step 7: If a group is struggling try a new strategy.
It is okay if what works for one group doesn't work for another.If your group seems to be having a hard time reading out loud, try something else.There are different ways to read aloud, including two students reading the same text out loud.
Step 8: Give the students time to read aloud.
Ask your students to get into their groups when you are ready to start the guided reading.If you want all of the groups to work on this at the same time, or if you only want one group to read, that is up to you.How long guided reading lasts is up to you.Make sure your students have enough time to work on the text.First graders might only be able to concentrate on reading for 15 minutes, while older students can read for 30 minutes.Different groups can get different amounts of time.It's important for guided reading to be flexible.
Step 9: The option of highlighting important information can be given to students.
Many students are visual learners and this will be helpful to them.Give the students permission to mark up the book or pages they are reading by giving them highlighters.They should be told to highlight the words they don't understand.
Step 10: Listen to the students as they read.
The best way to tell how your students are doing is to hear them read aloud.You can help them on the spot.When they read quietly out loud, they probably won't bother the other people in the group.Give feedback to each student as you listen.Point it out nicely if someone makes an error.Try to say something like, "Hey, Taylor, I think you missed a few words there."Praise is an important form of feedback as well.Taylor will say that he is doing great with the new words.
Step 11: Students should discuss the text loud.
You can either give the students written questions to answer, or you can join the group to do so.Students are asked to answer specific questions about what they just read.Encourage everyone in the group to speak.You can ask a question like, "What were some of the things Clifford found on his walk in the story?""How do you think Clifford felt about that?"They can use questions to gauge their comprehension.Direct the group to the point in the story where they can find the answer if they cannot answer all of the questions.
Step 12: Everyone should be given some basic questions to answer.
Even though they are sitting in a group, students will start reading quietly.Point them towards some questions that will get them going.Some good questions to start with are, "Who is the main character?" or "What is this book about?"What are the main themes in the first chapter?If the students are using a computer, you can have them type their answers on paper or on a whiteboard.
Step 13: Tell the groups how to summarize the paragraph or chapter.
Make your expectations clear from the beginning, and the students will need to give a brief summary of the text.Show them examples of helpful notes that they can take while reading.It is important to be able to talk about what we have just read.A short summary of the book is the best way to do that.
Step 14: Write activities to measure comprehension.
You will definitely want to keep track of their progress in addition to giving oral feedback.Try to create a way for students to fill out their work after reading.You can give the students space to write their answers.Students can make up a creative story about one of the characters, or create a different ending for the story, if they are given other activities.For elementary school kids, you could have them think up new adventures for the Big Red Dog.An alternate ending for Harry Potter could be created by high school students.Refer back to the past to see how the student is doing.You can find a sample on the internet.Younger students will find basic worksheets very useful.Some of your more advanced students might like the challenge of creating their own work.
Step 15: The student may engage with you and the rest of the group.
If the student is eager to interact with you and others in the group, you should pay attention.Try to give them some feedback or support if they don't participate much.If they are struggling or bored with the material, you should note that.You might have to move students to different groups if they are doing well.If you are observing guided reading, hang on to a small notebook.You can use notes to make more formal assessments.
Step 16: Older students can write about the story.
Writing cements what students have learned.They should write about what they just read after the group has finished.Give them a writing prompt or have them write a summary of the paragraph.For example, you could ask, "Why do you think Harry, Ron, and Hermione thought that Snape was not good?"Specific examples from Chapter 5 can be used to explain.Make sure that writing assignments are appropriate for the reading level of each group.
Step 17: Discuss their progress with each group after reading the book.
After the reading, talk to each group to see how it went.Informal feedback and words of encouragement can be provided during the chat.It's a good time to give them tips for success.Students can ask questions and express their feelings about guided reading during this time.You can learn a lot from listening to them.