The Clerc Center
Connection

Essential Components of Guided Reading

ON September 29th, teachers and staff at the both MSSD and KDES participated in an all day training on Guided Reading and Writing provided by trainers from Rigby. This training was the first step in a two year process to develop the best ways to use Guided Reading and Writing to improve the literacy of deaf students.

The workshops provided a basic foundation on guided reading and writing, including the following essential components of guided reading.

1. Guided reading should take place in small groups of 3-6 students. Groups can be formed by reading level or students' need to practice a specific skill.
2. Groups should be dynamic and flexible and will change often based on each child and the rate they are learning. The same group should not stay together for the entire year.
3. Selection of a book is often a trial and error process. Try and find a book that is right on the edge of students' reading level.
4. Through guided reading, students can focus on meaning construction-comprehension. This is a good opportunity for students to practice their reading skills.
5. Guided reading can be used for ongoing systematic assessment. Use strategies such as anecdotal reading, retelling of story, and reading aloud to check errors/comprehension. This is done before, during and after the reading of the book.
6. The teacher's role in guided reading is to know the students and what skills and strategies they are using and to push them further. The teacher determines an appropriate book and acts as coach through the guided reading process.