3 Literacy Tips Related to Guided Reading

Guided Reading is tough… I always feel like I should be doing more no matter how much I am doing!  Sometimes I think we need to just remember that we ARE doing enough as long as we are always trying to improve.  I’m hoping to help make some of your Guided Reading a little easier to manage by giving some tips today!

1. Grouping for Guided Reading

I often hear, “How do I group my kids?”  Don’t beat yourself up about this.  You can always change what isn’t working.  Every year I set my groups and I haven’t gotten it right yet.  I always end up changing a few kids around and moving them.  Once I have my kiddos “trained” to do Literacy Centers, then I worry about the Guided Reading part.  It takes a good 6-8 weeks to get the kiddos independently working so that I can meet with groups.  This is KEY!  Then, I look at last years Guided Reading Benchmarks.  Yep- last year- I don’t have the time and the kiddos aren’t independent enough for me to reassess at the beginning of the year.  So, I look at last years benchmarks and go from there.  Once I start my groups, I can get a good feel if the levels are right for that child.  If the books are too easy, I move them up a level or two.  If it’s too hard, I move them down.  Here is a little video that shows how I use my Reading Benchmarks to form groups.  I use these throughout the year when I do assess after each trimester.

2. Setting Routines

After getting the Literacy Center routines down.  The first thing that I do when I meet with each group is show them what they will do when I call them to the table to read with me.  First, I have them bring their “book box” to the table with them.  They put it next to their seat.  I then give them the book that we read together the last time we met.  They read it independently as I listen in and do a running record on one of the students.  If they finish before I am finished, they can read another book from their “book box”.  They then keep the book that they just read and add it to their box.  I keep this routine for every lesson.  This eliminates the “What should I do?” question when they come to the table.  I saw this Anchor Chart and thought it was great- make sure the kids know that they cannot interrupt you when you are working with a group.

I couldn’t find who originally made this chart- if you know please send me a message so that I can give you credit!

3.  Organizing Materials

I keep all of my Guided Reading paperwork in a binder.  I have a FREEBIE binder to share with you today.  It has forms for tracking groups.  I use velcro for the student names so that I can easily change my groups around as needed.  Click {HERE} to get the Guided Reading Binder.

Head on over and get many other literacy tips and freebies from my friends at The Reading Crew!

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