Guided Reading Overview Grades K-2 Ginger Rowe, MISD Elementary ELAR Coordinator

Steps for Guided Reading Groups: 1. The teacher assesses the students and forms small, flexible groups based on students’ strengths and needs. Examples: F & P Benchmarks, STAR (A.R.) grade equivalent, DRA, Reading A-Z 2. The teacher selects a text at the instructional level for each group. The text provides some opportunities for learning, but not too challenging.

Guided reading: 3. The students in the group are similar in their development of a reading process and are able to read about the same level of text. 4. The teacher introduces the text, attends to meaning, language structure, and print information. They also attend to text structure, themes, literary devices, and other elements within the text that might be challenging. 5. The teacher interacts with students as they read the text, and supports them when they have trouble.

7. After the discussion, there is an opportunity for word work. Guided Reading: 6. The goal is for students to read the whole text (or assigned portions) independently, then discuss in the group. 7. After the discussion, there is an opportunity for word work. 8. The focus is on scaffolding the students to read increasingly challenging books in a variety of genres over time and across levels. 9. The teacher groups and regroups students by ongoing observation (running records) and periodic reading level assessments.

The Rest of the class: *During the guided reading lesson, the rest of the class should be engaged in center activities. Daily 5, or well planned balanced literacy centers work well.