6 Steps of Guided Reading and How to Save Time

Did you know that a successful guided reading lesson has 6 easy steps to follow? Today's blog post will break down each one of these steps and show you how these guided reading lessons will make your job much easier for you. Each step is provided in a one-page format for the teacher to use with the lesson.

The Introduction- Step 1 of Guided Reading

During the introduction, the teacher shares helpful information with students about the text they are about to read and discuss. This is often planned in advance and designed to help students navigate their way through any potential places in the text where they may become stuck. Here are some ways that the teacher can prepare for the introduction:

• Jot down a few sentences and plan to read them to the group.
• Include a brief summary of what is about to be read.
• Find a way to get students excited about reading the text.
• Decode and define any vocabulary you believe the group may struggle reading.
• Tell students to anticipate a group discussion after reading.
• Instruct students what to do when finished reading.

Read the Text- Step 2

Decide how you will engage students in step 2, the reading of the text. This is KEY in ensuring reading success. There are many forms of reading: teacher reading, silent reading, partner reading, choral reading, echo reading, silent reading prep, or re-reading. Each one of these is broken down for suggested use inside the product. Things to consider:

• Read the text in advance. Consider the needs and abilities of the readers when choosing how you will read the text.
• If the text appears too challenging, it is still OKAY to use the text in a small group! Simply choose either teacher read or echo reading. The key is that students discuss and practice sharing their thinking after reading and consider the comprehension skill.

Students will follow along with their own copy of the text. They will respond and write their answers on this sheet. It is available both as a digital download or you can print it in color or black and white.

Talk About the Text- Step 3

The teacher asks open-ended questions to the group immediately after reading. Do not skip this step! It’s important to ask these questions immediately after reading so that you can see what exactly each reader is thinking about the text immediately after reading. Tips to consider:

• Use student responses to drive your future instruction and answer reflective teaching questions like, “what are the readers noticing and what are they missing?”
• Students can type responses into their student page while one or two answers aloud.
• You can certainly have them type their answer and then turn in their student page after the lesson is complete. This is a great accountability check and gives you the opportunity to read everyone’s thoughts, even if there is not enough time for each reader to share verbally during the group.

Targeted Skill- Step 4 of Guided Reading

Now that you have heard what the students were thinking about the text immediately after reading, it’s time to teach the targeted skill. Ask a few specific comprehension questions about the skill. Things that the teacher can do:

• Remind students what the skill is and define how readers use the skill.
• Students can type or write their responses on their student page while one or two answers aloud.
• Pay attention to whether the students are mastering the skill or if they need more whole group or small group support.

Word Work- Step 5

The teacher will introduce either a spelling, phonics, grammar, or vocabulary activity. Next, the teacher will begin building word work for students to see word patterns. Finally, students will add ideas to each word pattern. Here are some things you can try:

• Use an anchor chart to create the chart of word patterns.
• Dry erase boards work too!
• The teacher creates the chart, asking students to chime in and help build word patterns and understandings.
• Keep this time brief and to the point so that you do not isolate words too much and take away from the meaning of the text as a whole.

Independent Practice- Step 6

The teacher will instruct students to complete the independent page after reading. Next, students will immediately apply the targeted skill to a text they are reading independently. Finally, they will submit their independent work to the teacher when complete. Here are some tips:

• This is an excellent way to determine if students can apply the targeted skill to their own independent reading.
• It works to differentiate, as students read books they have chosen based on preferences and ability. They can apply the skill to their own independent level.
• Review the independent work, making teaching decisions on whether students need additional teaching support, or have mastered the reading skill.

The total time takes anywhere from 10-18 minutes to teach. All of these steps are completely designed and prepared for you in each lesson. No more running to find sets of guided reading books and figuring out what to teach. These lessons are grab-and-go. They can be printed and used with a teacher in small groups, or assigned digitally. To see more, refer to this blog post How to Make Guided Reading Easy For You

What's included in Guided Reading Lessons?

• 6 complete guided reading lessons for teaching summarizing.
• IMPORTANT: There are two passages. One fiction and one nonfiction. The passages are adjusted to be used in 3 levels. In each level the word work, vocabulary, and text complexity changes. The reading levels are: Basic (grades 1-2), Average (grades 3-4), Advanced (grades 5-6).
• Small group summary lesson page.
• Detailed description with time suggestions for each of the 6 small group steps.
• Teacher strategy guide for differentiating within each lesson.
• A complete teacher page for each lesson.
• 2 student pages for each lesson.
• Digital and printable (black and white) formats included.
• ANSWER KEYS!

Guided Reading Lesson Plans for Purchase