Choosing and using texts

Choosing the right text and deciding on the best way to use it to engage the students are both crucial to a successful and meaningful guided reading session.

Texts should:

• be at a level where the students have no more than 5-10 difficulties per hundred running words;
• usually be new to the students
• reflect students' interests and experiences;
• affirm their social and cultural identities;
• challenge the students;
• use authentic language;
• be varied (fiction and non-fiction);
• are interesting, enjoyable, and informative.