So! You're in the lion's den. You've been told to teach guided reading, given some materials and set free to create reading miracles. Cool. But as you sit at your desk, do you ask yourself, "How do I do guided reading anyway?" You are not alone!
I struggled for months trying to get it right. I went to workshop after workshop, read everything I had time to read about guided reading, (not a ton of time, I assure you) and set to work trying one thing and then another to find strategies that work with my reading groups.
To answer the question posed by this post, guided reading is small group reading instruction that uses a group of strategies to help students increase to higher and higher levels of difficulty and achievement. Sounds straight forward, but it takes knowledge about the process. It's not magic, it's teaching at its best.
Take a deep breath. Your guided reading program may be a little different from other teachers. That's ok. Like everything else in teaching, it's an art. There are basic principals that work, and elevate your instruction to a level that helps student learning not only take place, but soar. Guided reading really does work, and it works well. Below are links to five guided reading posts that take on five areas that will set you on the right path to guided reading mastery. There are freebies included with most posts, and lots of information you can implement today. So, if you are just starting your guided reading program, or if you are looking to make it run better and smoother, The posts below will take you step-by-step through the process.
Getting Started!
Searching for Guided Reading Materials
Don't Hide from Running Records
Guided Reading: What Are the Other Kids Doing?
Creating a Guided Reading Schedule That Works
Take a Closer Look At Guided Reading
If you want a detailed resource that will lead you step-by-step through the guided reading process, check out:
