Lindsey Harris Blog #4-Chapter 10

“How is what I am doing today going to help students become more independent readers?”  This quote from Routman in chapter 10 is something I have asked myself for years.  Reading was a weakness for me as a child and now as a teacher I have made it my passion to teach.  I can identify with those struggling readers and remember my own personal feelings towards guided reading groups.  I have been working with guided reading groups for five years, and while it has been a learning process and a lot of work it is my favorite time of the day.  It allows me time to work with my students in a small group setting reading, collaborating, and applying strategies we have worked on during shared and whole group reading.  After reading this chapter I realized that I am already doing most of things Routman wrote about. I group my students homogenously, this helps with my students learning to read and focusing on reading strategies.  I was also very excited to read about using literature circles for flexible grouping opportunities.  This is something new I have tried this year with one of my small groups.  My students seem to be enjoying their group and are having a lot of meaningful conversation with what they are reading.  Scheduling and materials are both areas that I struggled with in the past.  While we have a literacy closet have found some books are not appropriately leveled or can’t seem to find the time to go and look for the “right” book.  I try to use a lot of nonfiction text or paired text (nonfiction and fiction on same topic) for my guided reading groups.  I have found the Reading A-Z to be the best source for these types of books.  They have an easy to follow lesson plan as well as strategy and comprehension activities.  Since I can make copies of these books, I allow my students to write and highlight in the books to help show comprehension or for hands on strategy practice.  My scheduling of guided reading groups is something I try to keep flexible.  Routman reminded me that it is okay if you don’t meet with every group every day, and some days you may not have groups at all.  I tend to get so caught up and getting to every group that I lose focus of the end picture.  In the next few weeks before Christmas break I am hoping to let some groups go and allow for more independent reading and conferencing.