Guided Reading

September 2014
Dear Parents,

We will begin working with your son/daughter in a Guided Reading group starting next week.  We will have Guided Reading almost every day during Centers time.  Guided Reading means meeting with the teacher in a small group at the student’s “Instructional Reading” level.  “Instructional” level means the books shouldn’t be so hard that they frustrate your child and they shouldn’t be so easy that your child breezes through them.  The books should be ones your child can read at a comfortable pace with a few words they need to learn.  According to research, it is at this level – a child’s instructional reading level – where optimal reading growth occurs.  

First grade children will be formally assessed multiple times during the year to help determine the instructional level that is right for them.  Your child’s group can and will most likely change over time to meet young readers’ changing needs.  Groups will meet for approximately 15/20 minutes per session.  When your child is not meeting with their guided reading group, they will be involved in other instructional reading activities. 

Most nights your child will be bringing home a Guided Reading book in a bag.  We are asking that you sit down with your child and have them read the book to you.  Please complete the orange sheet in the Guided Reading bag and return the book/bag to school the following day.  Thank you for playing an important role in teaching your child to read.  Any questions please call or email.