Kristina Krops, M.Ed. Reading Specialist Walnut Ridge Primary School

 Readers workshop is an instructional strategy where the teacher explicitly models a reading skill or reading strategy. Then students practice the skill/strategy whole group with the teachers guided support. Each day students are provided time to read independently as they try using the reading skill/reading strategy they just watched their teacher model. The books they read are on their independent reading level.  Guided Reading is an instructional strategy where the teacher works with small groups of students to practice the reading skills and strategies they were introduced to in readers workshop. The books they read in their guided reading group are at their instructional reading level.

Guided Reading is an instructional strategy that provides support for small groups of students as they learn how to use reading skills and strategies. Guided Reading ensures that every student spends time reading text strategically with individualized attention and support. Guided reading fosters:  Confidence  Independence  Reading competence  Fluency

 During a readers workshop mini lesson, students are read texts that are often 1-2 grade levels above their independent reading level. This builds vocabulary, provides a lens into text structure, and author’s craft.  During the independent portion of readers workshop, students are reading texts at their independent level so that they can read fluently and attend to the skill or strategy that requires their attention.  During guided reading, students are reading texts at their instructional level. This level is not frustrating to the child but it is also not too easy for them.  Too Hard/Frustration- working SO hard to decode a word, the comprehension is often lost  Too Easy- there is no real “work” to do.. They can decode and comprehend independently so there is no reason to try a strategy to figure something out. The instructional level always has something that is slightly difficult for the reader so that they need to tap into a strategy to figure something out.. For example what is going on, why someone did what they did, what a word says or means..

 Prior to working with students in guided reading groups, your child’s teacher first determines where each student is as a reader. Using the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) and classroom observations during readers workshop, they identify what strategies and skills each student can and can not use independently as they read as well as their guided reading level.  What do they know how to do as a reader?  What decoding strategies are they using independently when they get stuck on a word?  What comprehension strategies do they use when they discuss and answer questions about a book?

 Once the instructional level is identified, teachers create small groups based on their guided reading level and the skills and strategies that they need support on at that level.  For example, there can be 3 groups of students reading at a level 1 but with varying needs:  Group 1- needs support with oral reading ONLY  Group 2 – needs support with comprehension ONLY  Group 3 – needs support in both oral reading & comprehension

 Do I need to know my child’s guided reading level?- No. The level is strictly for instructional purposes. Your child’s teacher will be happy to share their DRA results with you but there is nothing you need to do with the level.  What about Scholastic Book Orders? What do all the codes mean under the books?  Lex- Lexile ( An equation of the # of words and level of text complexity)  GRL- guided reading level by letter  DRA (guided reading level by number Should I order books for my child based on these guidelines?- NO! Purchase books for your child based on INTEREST first and foremost. The excitement of having a book you can not wait to read in your hands is the purest form of motivation!  How can I support my child’s reading development at home? – READ, READ, READ! To your child, with your child, listen to your child. Show excitement about reading, show them real life purposes for reading ( cooking, street signs, shopping…), buy books as gifts, create a reading nook in your home/child’s bedroom…