Guided Reading: Responsive Teaching in Grades 3-8
Learn how to use Guided Reading with your students in grades 3-8.
In this 5-day training for teachers and literacy educators, learn how to plan and teach effective Guided Reading lessons in intermediate and middle school classrooms.
Register to participate in-person at Lesley University or virtually!
- Classroom Teachers, Interventionists, & Specialists
- Literacy Coaches & Teacher Leaders
- Literacy Collaborative Affiliation Discount available
- Additional fees for graduate credit
Guided Reading is an instructional context in which teachers work with small groups of students to support each reader’s development of systems of strategic actions. In this course, you’ll take an in-depth look at how to use Guided Reading to support readers in the intermediate and middle grades.
Discover how to observe and assess intermediate and middle school students’ reading behaviors. Learn how to analyze and select appropriate texts. Build an understanding of how to form flexible groups, and how to plan Guided Reading lessons that address the needs of each reader within the group.
We’ll also discuss the complex nature of the reading process. Learn how each element of a Guided Reading lesson presents opportunities for teaching and learning that supports the varying needs of all students, including students whose first language is not English.
Course Outcomes
- Build knowledge of the reading process and the strategic actions that enable students to become effective readers
- Observe, assess, and analyze reading behaviors in order to plan for instruction taking into consideration the diverse needs of all students including English learners
- Use the 10 characteristics of texts to analyze books along a gradient of difficulty to consider the supports and challenges that texts offer to readers
- Choose and introduce appropriate books for Guided Reading instruction based on assessment data
- Explain how each part of a Guided Reading lesson presents opportunities for teaching and learning with attention to the needs of English learners
- Group students dynamically for Guided Reading instruction based on assessment data
- Identify characteristics of fiction and nonfiction to support students effectively as they read in a variety of genres
- Learn how the reading workshop provides a structure and management system that allows for whole-group, small-group, and individual teaching
You can take this course for noncredit and earn 35 professional development hours, or you can take it for 3 graduate credits.
Please visit the Requirements, Policies & Graduate Credit tab for the professional texts you are responsible for purchasing/having access to for this course.
Looking for Guided Reading: Responsive Teaching in Grades K-2? Click here.
Linda Murphy, Associate Director, Literacy Programs
Linda has worked in school districts in New York in a variety of roles and settings. Prior to her joining the center at Lesley University, Linda held positions as a principal of an intermediate school, a Director of English Language Arts, Social Studies and Reading, a district trainer for Literacy Collaborative Intermediate, a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader and a classroom teacher. Linda holds licenses in Elementary Education and School District Administration.
Transition from In-Person to Virtual:
In-person training is currently available to a limited number of participants and you may choose that option. Should any of the conditions change and it is determined the training can be offered online only, you will be notified as soon as possible.
At this point in time, participants who have opted to come to Lesley University for the in-person format of professional learning must be prepared to follow Lesley University’s protocols (click for more information). Check this page for the most up-to-date information about safety protocols before you arrive and during your time on-campus.
Required Texts
You are responsible for purchasing/having access to the following professional texts for this course:
- Fountas, I.C. and Pinnell, G.S. (2017). Guided reading: Responsive teaching for all grades. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
- Pinnell, G.S. and Fountas, I.C. (2017). The Fountas and Pinnell literacy continuum: A tool for assessment, planning, and teaching. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann
Recommended Texts
- Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. (2012). Fountas & Pinnell prompting guide, part one for oral reading and early writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
- Fountas, I.C. & Pinnell, G.S. (2012). Fountas & Pinnell prompting guide, part two for comprehension: Thinking, talking, and writing. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies
Non-credit
You must cancel in writing two weeks before the start of the course to get a refund, minus a $50 processing fee. Email CRRLC@lesley.edu to cancel. If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute at any time. Regardless of weather conditions, if the event is held but you cannot attend, you will be billed for the full amount.
Graduate Credit
Review the university’s cancellation and refund policies for credit bearing courses.
Registration Deadline & Shipping Policies
The registration portal closes two business days before the first day of training to allow the minimum amount of time to ship training materials.
If you register within two weeks before the registration portal closes, you may incur additional fees for expedited shipping. You may still experience delays in receiving your materials.
Requirements for Participation
After the training, you will receive a certificate of attendance for your participation. To receive a complete certificate, participation during the specified times is required. Additional work may be assigned to meet the professional development hours.
Graduate Credit Option
With additional assignments and fees, this course can be taken for 3 graduate credits. Contact CRRLC@lesley.edu to register for credit.
- $1,990 ($650*/credit + $40 registration fee) *subject to change
- Course number: EEDUC 6045.34
With Your Colleagues Option
We can deliver this training to your school/district. This option can be delivered virtually or in-person for a group within your school/district.
Fees & Policies
- Fees are determined by the number of participants and the duration of training.
- If applicable, travel expenses for each trainer (airfare, hotel, meals, and rental car) are an additional cost to be paid by the district.
- Professional development sessions that require extensive travel or overnight stays (if applicable) may incur an additional surcharge.
- If the number of participants exceeds the maximum, another trainer may be needed. This will increase training costs and travel expenses.
- Unless otherwise noted, fees do not include the cost of any required books or materials. The faculty trainer will consult with the district to select books based on the topics and the district’s needs.
- School districts in the same geographic area participating in the same training may combine their resources to meet participant minimums. Payment must be on one district’s purchase order.
For detailed costs, complete our online form to request this training for your school/district and we will contact you.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers.
“Thank you for an extraordinary workshop. I am a seasoned teacher and it is truly one of the best I have had. The trainer was clear and the use of break out rooms, reflection time and collaboration was fantastic.”
Cristina Salazar, Interventionist/Specialist, Academia Cotopaxi, Ecuador
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