Guided Reading

Common Definition: Small group instructional context in which the teacher supports each reader’s development of strategic actions for processing new texts at increasingly challenging levels. Students in group are similar in their reading development so it is appropriate and efficient for them to have an individual copy and read the same text. Students should be engaged with the text the majority of the time.

Benefits: Students are able to read text on their instructional level and receive personalized support from the teacher. Effective guided reading practices encourages students to build fluency, expand vocabulary knowledge, develop comprehension skills and identify weaknesses and strengthen specific reading behaviors to support reading.

When: Guided reading is an integral component of balanced literacy and occurs daily during the literacy block. The minimum recommended time to meet with each group is 15-20 minutes.

Assessment: Running records, anecdotal notes, cold reads, and observation of reading behaviors

Teacher Actions

Selects and introduces a new text (literary or informational)
Provides a brief, explicit teaching point focused on an aspect of the reading process (strategic action)
Listens in while students are reading and provides a high level of support to scaffold students' reading behaviors
Engages students with before, during and after lessons to support reading and comprehension development
Provide opportunities for students to respond to questions that focus about, within and beyond the text

Student Actions

Ask questions about the text and actively participates in conversations about the text
Reads the text and uses focused strategies to make meaning from the text
Discusses the meaning of the text with the teacher and peers by sharing opinions, ideas,and interpretations
Answer questions using evidence from the text and responds to the text orally and in written form

Literacy Documents & Protocols

Professional Resources

The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading, Jan Richardson, 2017

Guided Readers and Writers, Irene C. Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell

The Next Step in Guided Reading, Jan Richardson, 2009

Teaching Reading in Small Groups, Jennifer Serravallo, 2010

Great Habits, Great Readers: A Practical Guide for K-4 Reading in the Light of the Common Core, Bambrick-Santoyo, Settles, & Worrell

When Readers Struggle: Teaching that Work, Irene C. Fountas & Gay Su Pinnell, 2009

The Reading Strategies Book: Your Everything Guide to Developing Skilled Readers, Jennifer Serravallo, 2015 (to help with mini-lessons for your workshop)

Implementation Guide for the Scholastic Bookroom