It’s the beginning of January, and if you haven’t started guided reading groups yet, don’t panic—it’s never too late to begin!
In my first year of teaching Grade 3, I was so intimidated by the idea of “doing it wrong” that I didn’t even start guided reading. Instead, I met with students one-on-one throughout the year, too worried that someone would walk in and catch me making a mistake.
Looking back, I realize I should have just started. The heart of guided reading is simple: meet students where they’re at and scaffold effective reading strategies to help them grow.
We group students in guided reading to make our lives easier as teachers. When we notice that a few students are struggling with decoding, we group them together for targeted practice. They benefit from shared exposure, and we streamline our teaching.
Feeling nervous to start? Here are 3 simple tips:
- Start small: Begin with two students and one book. Sit with them, listen to each read a page, and offer gentle support.
- Keep it short: Ten-minute sessions are a great starting point to build confidence for both you and your students.
- Build as you go: Once you're comfortable, start grouping students more intentionally based on their needs.
I hope these tips help you feel confident to start guided reading with your students. Remember, the goal is simply to meet students where they are, understand their reading struggles, and give them the tools to grow into more competent readers.
Cheers until next time,
— Maryana