Anita Branum- Blog 4: Chapter 10- Guided Reading

Anita Branum: Blog 4: Chapter 10- Guided Reading

    Guided reading is a topic close to my heart.  Having taught 4K through 2^nd grade, I have seen the most growth in reading when small group is a part of daily class time.  I completely agree with Routman that small group instruction cannot be the only part of a reading program but it is a very important part of a balanced program.  Guided reading is defined as a small group of children who meet with the teacher to work on a text, build on strengths and address weaknesses in order to make students independent readers.  Although grouping can be done in many ways Routman states that in K-2 it makes sense to group according to reading level.  I do occasionally  pull groups for other reasons but level grouping is beneficial when helping students who need to learn basic strategies.

    For the past few years my team has grouped students according to reading levels. Each teacher was responsible for a level. Student growth was monitored over the course of the year allowing for students to change groups as their reading became more proficient.  Second grade also took part in an early morning reading group called SOAR.  This program took place four mornings a week and had somewhere between 10-15 students at a time.  I was so proud of the growth we saw in second grade last year.  We still have small group instruction but students do not change classes and an additional reading teacher comes into the classroom to assist.  I do not feel the groups are being met with as often this way.  We have also discontinued SOAR.  I believe time and data will tell us which way was most effective.