Defining Guided Reading
Back to Class Links Guided Reading provides the opportunity for the teacher to work with small groups of children on books
that present a successful challenge for children.
From careful observation of the children, the teacher selects books that are
supportive, predictable, and closely matched to the children’s needs,
abilities, and interests.
The teacher acts as a facilitator: setting the scene, arousing interest, and engaging children
in discussion that will enable them to unfold the storyline and feel confident
and capable of reading the text themselves.
Approximations are encouraged and praised. The teacher closely observes and monitors the ways in which
individual children process print and the reading strategies that are being used.
Guided Reading is reading by children. If the selected book proves too challenging, then the
teacher should read it with the children, as in Shared Reading.
For information on Literature Circles (and how they differ from Guided Reading groups) check out this site.
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Guided Reading provides the opportunity for the teacher to work with small groups of children on books that present a successful challenge for children.
From careful observation of the children, the teacher selects books that are
supportive, predictable, and closely matched to the children’s needs,
abilities, and interests.
The teacher acts as a facilitator: setting the scene, arousing interest, and engaging children
in discussion that will enable them to unfold the storyline and feel confident
and capable of reading the text themselves.