Guided Reading: Part II

Today's class was extremely helpful. After watching Dr. Dave's impressive guided reading lesson,I was excited, but at the same time a little intimidated. Today, we continued discussing guided reading and what it entails. We began by reviewing the Apt 3 lesson and went over the importance of having a beginning, during, and after in your guided reading lesson. One of the most important parts of a guided reading lesson is the review/background activity that you have your class do before reading the story. Dr. Dave really stressed to us the importance of teaching and reviewing content in order to find out what they already know, or what they need to know. This part of the lesson is essential in order for students to understand the story that they will be reading. Reviewing and going over the background information is also important in order for students to gain mental images and sounds in their heads. This way, students are prepared to read the story. Then, during the story, they are able to visually see images in their heads that will help them follow along with the story.
A lot of classroom teachers feel that it is easier to read the entire story to a class. When this happens, students are more than likely zone out, and not pay as much attention. As a teacher, I plan to do things differently. I will take turns with my students in reading out loud, with partners, and silently. This way, my students will be more likely to comprehend the story, and the overall message.
As important as it is to read the story, it is just as important to set a purpose. Rather than asking questions after reading the story, I will ask my students to look for something in particular. This way, while we are reading, they will be paying close attention to the content and the pictures, and it will give us something to discuss afterwards.
The idea of using different types of genres never occurred to me. Before, I had always thought to use story books when doing reading and language arts lessons. Why restrict my students with story books, when there is so much more to offer? Dr. Dave introduced us to other genres that are great to use during guided reading lessons, and that will reach across all of your students interests. These genres include: non-fiction, fiction, poetry, directions, and plays. When I was in elementary school, one of the most interesting and fun experiences I can remember was a directions lesson. In this lesson we were asked to create a receipt with specific directions for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We quickly learned how important it was to be specific when we had to make our own sandwiches using our directions that lacked important detail.
As a teacher, I want to be able to meet all of my student's needs. Not all of my students are going to be interested in fiction or poetry. It is going to be important for me to have a variety of books in my classroom that will cover a wide spread of genres. I want my students to be motivated to read a variety of books, and not feel limited to a particular genre that does not interest them.