And a FREE Balanced Literacy Resource to get you STARTED!
2023 is the Year of LITERACY!
Because 2022 was so BAD….we get DO-OVER!
We get a “LITERACY ” do-Over”!
Keep reading to the bottom for a FUN FREEBIE
Freebie for Followers
Rethinking Literacy in 2023
Ready to UPDATE your literacy block?
Balanced Literacy: Here is your NEW YEAR’s PLAN!
*DISCLAIMER… I know the Science of Reading is the NEW “go-to” for teaching Reading.
I AM NOT AN EXPERT! I am learning. I have been teaching reading to FIRST GRADERS for 30+ Years. AND I AM ALWAYS LEARNING. SO… I hope YOU are open to new ideas & “reusing” OLD ideas to help our “littles” learn. If this helps YOU – Yeah! ( Jan. 2023).
This series will focus on the components of a complete BALANCED LITERACY program. We will focus on clear and concise definitions. Definitions that educators can discuss in collaborations. A “common language” where we can learn from each other and with each other.
The 8 components we will focus on are:
- Read Alouds
- Shared Reading
- Guided Reading
- Independent Reading
- Modeled / Interactive Writing
- Shared Writing
- Guided Writing / Writer’s Workshop
- Word Work
Each week we will focus on one area of Balanced Literacy and share experiences, teacher tips, and resources to support and expand our Balanced Literacy repertoire.
BALANCED LITERACY
This week: Guided Reading.
Week 1: We discussed Read Alouds.
Week 2: We discussed Shared Reading.
This week we jump into GUIDED READING.
Let’s talk to teachers about Guided Reading.
Gay Su Pinnell and Irene Fountas Video by: Kemberly Meriwether
Guided reading is subject to many interpretations, but Burkins & Croft (2010) identify these common elements:
- Working with small groups
- Matching student reading ability to text levels
- Giving everyone in the group the same text
- Introducing the text
- Listening to individuals read
- Prompting students to integrate their reading processes
- Engaging students in conversations about the text
The goal is to help students develop strategies to apply independently. Work focuses on processes integral to reading proficiently, such as cross-checking print and meaning information, rather than on learning a particular book’s word meanings. (For example, a student might see an illustration and say “dog” when the text says puppy, but after noticing the beginning /p/ in puppy, correct the mistake.) During guided reading, teachers monitor student reading processes and check that texts are within students’ grasps, allowing students to assemble their newly acquired skills into a smooth, integrated reading system (Clay, p.17)
There has been a LOT of new research into GUIDED READING and SMALL GROUP reading for skills and strategies. I suggest YOU do some research into HOW to make small group reading work for YOU. SOR is a great place to start. GOOGLE IT! 🙂
Here are some SOR resources to help you start:
Emily Garcia Education to the Core
Amanda Richarson Mrs. Richardson’s Class
Tara West Little Minds at Work
Guided Reading Table
What does a guided reading lesson look like?
It varies based on reading level, but here’s a general structure for a 15-20 minute lesson.
- Students re-read familiar texts for several minutes. This is a great way to promote fluency!
- For just a minute or so, the students practice previously learned sight words.
- The teacher introduces the text.
- The students read the text out loud or silently while the teacher coaches. They do not take turns reading; instead, each child reads the text in its entirety.
- The teacher leads a discussion of the text.
- The teacher makes 1-2 teaching points.
- If time allows, students do a few minutes of word work or guided writing.
Scholastic has 4 Tips for Guided Reading Success:
- Establish Routines. Routines for The Lesson format ( this helps with TIME constraints ), routines for when Guided reading happens, AND routines for what the OTHER students are doing while the teacher is teaching at the table.
2. Make SMART text choices. The text should provide multiple opportunities for students to apply strategies and skills you have identified for the group.
3. Dive into INSTRUCTION. Before, during & after reading.
3. Assess and Be Flexible. Your groups should be fluid and should change as your students’ instructional needs change. That’s where informal and formal assessments come in handy.
Scholastic.com
Guided Reading STRESS?
Learning Lessons With Amy Labrasciano
These literacy posts may help in YOUR Balanced Literacy journey.
These Guided Reading resource books for TEACHERS may be helpful for YOUR reading.
So…Leave me a comment… What does GUIDED READING look like in YOUR classroom?
Freebie for Followers
Signature
My daughter just turned 2 1/2 and loves books!
Guided Reading is my jam! Thank you for sharing such a detailed and useful article. I am sending this to a new teacher I know. This is really going to help her out!