In third grade, we use a reading series entitled “Good Habits, Great Readers.” The philosophy behind this program is that children learn to read by reading. In order to best accommodate this, there are multiple times during the Language Arts block where students are given the opportunity to do so. Our program encompasses several key features, which help students to achieve. In our guided reading portion, instruction occurs when the teacher meets with students both in groups and individually to assess progress and to determine specific skills to be addressed. Additionally, students will work together in a large group to share books and learn specific skills.
Guided Reading:
Highlights key vocabulary and high frequency words
Lessons focus on a single, comprehension strategy or skill.
Provides direct instruction in specific reading skills.
Gathers informal assessment information by listening to students read and discuss text.
Shared Reading:
Works on fluency and comprehension strategies, skills, and elements including expression, accuracy, attention, to punctuation, appropriate phrasing, and smooth reading
Gives opportunities for both review and reflection.
Allows students to experience various genres (types) of literature.
Read Aloud:
Books of interest to all learners are read aloud to the students. Activities and interactions that help to enhance the learning process are incorporated into the stories.
Independent Reading:
The children are encouraged to bring books of interest to school with them for daily sustained independent reading. Students are also able to take out books from our library to explore reading in genres that they enjoy and in genres that they may be unfamiliar with. I have a library of books in my classroom as well for the students to use.