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Guided reading is a method of teaching children to read using small groups of children at similar reading levels. Each small group works with the teacher on a book that is selected just for that group.
The first part of guided reading is spent introducing the book to the students. It includes a picture walk, (previewing the illustrations and making predictions) developing prior knowledge, discussing new concepts in the book and implanting difficult or new vocabulary.
After the introduction, the teacher may read the book to the students the first time through if they are just beginning to read, or they may read the book together as a group. More advanced readers may read at their own pace, aloud but quietly enough so they don't disturb others in the group. The teacher then listens to each child individually to informally assess their reading progress. This is also a great time to teach reading strategies on an individual basis. Of coarse, some children will finish quickly and others will take longer, to deal with this it works well to have them read the book again until everyone has had a chance to read the book at least once.
After the book has been read, the children then focus back on the teacher for discussion of the book and possibly a mini-lesson on concepts of print or concepts of literature. A follow-up activity, usually including some type of writing may be included at this time or the following day after the book has been reread.
After the book has been read at least once, a running record can be done to assess how fluently the student is at this reading level. After the running record is taken the teacher can make the decision to keep the students at this level or possibly move the students to a more difficult or less difficult text. The groups must be kept very fluid to keep the students in their zone of proximal development. To keep the student at that level they should be able to read the book with at least 90% accuracy.
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