Guided Reading Time!

Here at UPA Ellen Thompson, we teach reading using a program called "Guided Reading." In a nutshell, guided reading involves small (four to six, but sometimes fewer) groups of students meeting with the teacher to read and discuss a book that is just a little too hard for them to read on their own.

In the lower grades, this involves a book that can be read in one sitting. In grades three through five, though, Guided Reading is done with chapter books.

It's a wonderful program that helps kids become better readers. Our teachers work really, really hard planning Guided Reading lessons and making sure that students are on the right track. Our students work really, really hard, too, not just during their Guided Reading meetings, but during the other parts of reading time such as centers (for students in grades K-2) and independent reading (for students in 3-5). Teachers and students working hard together...that's when great things happen!

I'm sharing this info with you because all teachers started Guided Reading groups this week. Your child will be meeting with their groups regularly from now on. In the upper grades (3-5) this even involves switching teachers, so your child may have a different teacher for reading and writing (be sure to ask him or her!).

Here are some photos of three groups hard at work during Guided Reading time:

Be sure to ask your son or daughter how things are going during reading time at school! The more you talk about books, the more excited they'll get about them!!!