So here's the story of what happened to my district in regards to reading. At the beginning of last year, we got a new director of elementary education (yay! - no sarcasm). She's brought a lot of needed change to our district and although it has been overwhelming at times, it is good change. The first change was to implement Word Study and give teachers the freedom to NOT use the basal series. Before hand, every 2nd grade teacher had to be on the same page, same story throughout the district. If you were so much as a day off, it was noted on an observation. The year before this, my grade level had begun doing literacy work stations and were excited to have more freedom with our stations. I've enjoyed implementing Word Study (even took the class through the University of Virginia, which employs one of the main authors of Word Study as a member of their faculty and education department...) I love being able to work where my students' needs are...I can assess and see what they need...
But when it comes to doing guided reading... I'm lost. Seriously. I've been told so many different things as far as you are supposed to do a different book at each lesson, you do skills and games, you hang from the ceiling by your big toe (just kidding...but may as well for all the different ideas that have been thrown out). I keep hearing about gradual release and doing graphic organizers, running records and reading levels. But what is right?
My week usually looks like this: whole group lesson on Monday to introduce a reading skill (right now we are working on story elements using graphic organizers). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we do literacy stations and guided reading, Friday is assessment day and free choice reading.
Well, I finally broke down and am going to read in all my spare time Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children by Fountas and Pinnell. I figured at least go to the source and get it straight from them. It's pretty thick...so hopefully a lot of answers will be answered.
I have a state assessment that I use to determine my groups and instructional reading levels. I feel pretty confident with that, as far as picking books and matching them to my students. I have all my books in my room leveled by GRL. My school even has a bookroom full of books for guided reading. It's just what to do when you have 6-8 kids looking at you at the kidney table for reading...
My question to you is: how do you do your guided reading lessons? Do you use the same book or change them every day? Do you work on fluency, phonics, or comprehension strategies, or all components? How long are you there?
Short of giving me lesson plans, I'd love to see a glimpse of what you do at your guided reading table. Help a poor teacher out :)
Also, as a reward for reading all the way to the end (for everyone this time!) I'm giving you my newly created Word Hunt template. The graphics are from Scrappin' Doodles...love the giraffes!
Word Hunt Template (1)
I am planning on using this for my word hunts in Word Study with the features for each group. I also have one with 4 columns...if you would like that one, just comment me and I'll send it. But I'm sure you could use it for other things as well :) Download away :)
