Guided Reading Linky

Earlier this week I posted about how my Daily 5 rotations were going.  Well my friend Jen over at The Teacher's Cauldron in having a Guided Reading linky and I thought I would share what I do while my kiddos are hard at work at their centers.

 
Even though I have just started Daily 5 this year, I have been doing centers and guided reading groups for a long time.  I use a few different resources, but generally stick to the same format.
I only have time for my reading groups Tuesday through Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays we do whole group activities.
 
I start out the year assessing and working with all my students to figure out how to group them.  I have been using Reading A-Z for the past few years and it has been a wonderful resource for me.
 
Reading A-Z.com - Your Reading Resource Center
 
I set up a binder which I use to administer running records and find a reading level for each student.
 
 
 
I also keep the comprehension sheets and resources for each of the books that I use to read with certain groups all from this site:)
 



 


Once I figure out what level my students are reading at I create different groups which change throughout the year.
 
 
This quarter I have just used our Reading series that the school provides.
 
 
This is sooo old, but the stories are easy to read for the beginning of the year and I don't have to go looking for new resources.  However I do change up the  activities for each group depending upon the skills that they need.
 
My guided reading table has everything I need to work with each group.
 
 
I don't have a fancy smancy planner that I use for each group.  I keep a general plan of the skills that I need to work on.
 
I use this simple sheet to plan for my groups.
 

This is my version of what The Sisters suggest to use for Daily 5.  We all meet first and I go over what I would like them to work on during their rotations. I might review a particular activity that some students found difficult or remind them of a certain skill I want them to work on for spelling or writing. Click on the pic to grab this in google docs.
 
 
The students go to their spots and I get started with my group.
 
 
 
I really enjoy this small group time. I learn so much about each student and I can assess their strengths and weaknesses very quickly.  The students love this time too.  We read, but we also do a lot of writing and discussion.  My shy ones are willing to share a lot more during this time.  We did a sequencing activity recently and my little guy here in the grey shirt left the table saying "That was so fun!"  That's what I want to hear them say everyday!
 
This next quarter I plan to differentiate a bit more.  I have copied many different levels of books from the Reading A-Z library.
 
 I have my books organized in one of these little containers.  No fancy makeover here, yet!

 
They are grouped by levels and I have 6 of each copy.  I can quickly find a story that I need based on ability or theme.  What I also like is that there are lots of Non-Fiction options as well.
 
I use these readers quite a bit, but also mix it up with multiple book copies that I have collected over the years. As my students progress through the year I try to change my groups to keep them on level but also to challenge some that may need more.
 
So there you have it my Guided Reading time in a nutshell.  Do you do guided reading groups?  I'd love to hear about any fantastic things you do during this time. 
 
Don't forget to link up over at The Teacher's Cauldron!
 
I am also linking up with Darling Little Learners.
Darling Little Learners
 
 

22 comments

  1. Love your approach to Guided Reading...

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  2. I use reading a-z as well and I wanted to know how exactly you determine each child's level. I've tried to do this, but I feel like it takes forever (and to be honest I don't know what I'm doing. I'm the only second grade teacher at my school...I must be doing something wrong. Any help? THANKS!! ~ Loren

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  3. OH! And also, I would love to know how long you meet with each group since you meet 2 times a week. I feel like I don't do my reading groups well. I'm so excited to find someone who uses A-Z! Sorry for picking your brain! :) ~ Loren

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    1. Loren I do a running record with each student at the beginning of the year. I can only do 2-3 perday. I start them out on Level J. That gives me a good idea who is reading on level or who is below. I don't level to an exact letter but I have a good idea of their range. I take into acount their fluency and comprehension too. I only meet with each group for about 20 minutes right now 3 times per week. It's actually just the right amount of time before they start to lose interest. I hope this is helpful:)

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  4. Guided reading time is my favorite time of the day. I agree that you get to know your kids a little better, even those shy ones. It's like they are completely different children. I think that's where most of my relationships and trust grow, from my guided reading table. I started a new weekly link up over at my blog. I think your post would be a perfect match for linking up. Head on over and link up if you are interested. :-)
    Jennifer
    Darling Little Learners

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    1. Thanks Jennifer I will surf over and check it out:)

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  5. Awwww! Look at your hat, that is so adorable! Your students will never forget that about you :)

    http://primarypointe.blogspot.com/

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  6. Love the hat :) I am looking forward to starting Guided Reading. We are working on Reading to Self....we had a very busy day with Fair Art (our county fair is next week and entering student work is very exciting for my little ones). At the end of the day my Rachel exclaimed "we forgot to build stamina Mrs. Filek !!!!" Too cute.....I am working on assessment 1:1 right now, we must evaluate each student by Oct. 12th. We use the DRA and that gives us the child's reading level and we form our groups from that. I have a sweet class this year but some very weak, low readers. Guided reading will be so valuable for them ...hope to be up and running in the next week or two. I am excited about Daily 5 too, found some cute mats at Dollarama for Buddy Reading and Read to Self. Thanks for the inspiration !

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    1. We used DRA at the last school that I taught in. It was pretty thorough. Your county fair sounds so fun. I love community gatherings like that:)

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  7. Oh my gosh, we use Trophies too; it's sooooo old! I'm getting a bit tired of the stories, but at least I know it well.

    I love how you've stored your A-Z readers. I may borrow that idea!

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

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    1. I know every trophies story by heart, so sometimes I don't have to even think about the lesson;)

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  8. We have Readinga-z.com resources here too.

    I store our books in 3 tubs. Feel free to come have a peek.
    http://adepts.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Reading%20A-Z


    The Paper Maid

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  9. Your GR sounds identical to mine:) I use to rely on A to Z books but a few years ago we got the Literacy Place GR books from Scholastic. I love 'em!
    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers

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    1. I would love some new resources Barb, but everything is on hold until Common Core is fully implemented!

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  10. Thanks for sharing your guided reading approach! Your students are lucky to have such an organized teacher!
    Teach With Laughter

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  11. I love Reading A-Z...I just odn't like how i have to use all my copy numbers to make the books :(
    and your organization is a lot like mine...NONE of my organization is cutely labeled...lol..BUT it is all organized, and that's the point, right? lol

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    1. I am very spoiled Jen, we get two cases of paper each year and I have my own laser printer in my room. I honestly don't make a lot of copies, so I have like 4 cases of paper in my room and we don't have copy limits...

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  12. Ok, you convinced me! I need to invest in A-Z Teacher! Thanks for the encouragement! Glad to see it's working s well in your room, and love your guided reading table. So cute!
    Nicole
    <"Teaching With Style"

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Mahalo Nui Loa For Commenting!!

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