Guided reading encouragement

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Guided reading encouragement
By michelle

Stephanie...just jump in. This is my second year using guided reading (the Fountas and Pinnell method) and it is working very well. Last year only two out of six of the first grade teachers used it and now it is all but
one. I love being able to work with students at their instructional level and it has helped me to identify their individual needs. Read the book Guided Reading by Fountas and Pinnell. We actually used this book in a book study group. We also are continuing with a guided reading support group. This helps the teachers that are using gr to share ideas and just keep each other going.

Our district purchased a new anthology series this year but I can't bring myself to open it! I use the work board approach to centers just like in the F/P book. Just start out slow and really teach the centers and the expected behavior. this will help things to run smooth and therefore you will be more productive. Also, try to attend a workshop about guided reading. I just attended one put on by BER and it was pretty good. I was lucky enough to go to a conference with Fountas and Pinnell last year. they are great and their method really works. You will see many other programs labelled as guided reading but they all differ. Stick with F/P and then add your own twists. What I am currently doing has changed several times to meet the needs of the students, to help me out and just because the changes were easy and made sense. I have parents come in and assist children with their center work while I am working with one of my six groups. Report card time is much easier because I use running reading records to assess and I record each child's level on a chart (in F/P book). One glance at that chart and I can tell if the child has made progress, if he/she is moving slow, fast, etc. Good luck and please e-mail if you have questions.