When you’re guiding a discussion during Guided Reading small group, do you ever have that feeling like you’re stuck in a hospital elevator that’s stopping on every floor? It’s quiet (except for that cheesy elevator music), and all eyes are focused straight ahead on those shiny metal doors. Meaningful conversations and deep discussions are rare …

Guided Reading Questions to Prompt Discussion Read More »

Independent reading–is it an effective use of classroom time? The goal of Guided Reading is to help students learn to read independently and fluently. The skills and strategies we teach during whole class lessons and small group instruction are put into practice during independent reading. For this reason I’m a firm believer in allowing young …

Independent Reading – 3 Tips for Success Read More »

Hi teacher peeps! Let’s talk about the various types of assessment that are available for you to use in the classroom. Fascinating subject, don’t you think? What? You don’t find the topic fascinating?? That’s ok, my teacher friend–neither do I, most of the time. I know that few of us in the teaching profession chose …

Types of Assessment: An Overview Read More »

Hey teacher peeps! Time to address the elephant in the room of Guided Reading–or more appropriately, the ants. Do your whole class to small group transition times resemble the process of kicking an ant hill and watching them scatter? Do you secretly wish you could just leave students where they are and not “disturb the …

Classroom Transition Strategies for Guided Reading Read More »

Student engagement: it’s a high and lofty goal for every teacher. And it’s essential for meaningful learning and progress. As teachers we can’t force it or manufacture student engagement; but we can incorporate some effective and fun engagement strategies in the classroom to keep our students connected, excited and involved in meaningful learning. What Does Student Engagement Look Like? What …

How to Use Engagement Strategies to Promote Learning in the Classroom Read More »

Leveled books are the key to your success when it comes to teaching Guided Reading lessons. It’s important to ensure the students in your classroom are reading books at the appropriate reading levels. So how do you accurately and effectively assign reading levels AND choose the correct Guided Reading level books? Let’s take a look. …

Leveled Books for Guided Reading Instruction Read More »