Guided Reading is when the teacher and students read together in a small group, and the teacher introduces strategies specific to that particular group of students. Small groups are crucial when teaching reading. It is important to be able to tailor instruction for a specific group of students. All children are different and learn differently, so it is important to teach it different ways. In guided reading, when working with the small groups, the teacher can use the most effective strategies that work for each group.
This semester I have seen guided reading done in a magnificent fashion. The reading teacher I was under this semester was amazing and I observed her closely during small groups. She knew exactly how each of her students learned, and during small groups, she tailored her instruction to their needs. Another important thing to watch during guided reading is using the time effectively. It is easy for time to get away when working with small groups. I will absolutely use guided reading in my future classroom because I truly believe it is essential if you want to tailor your teaching for your students so they can learn.
