Guided Reading: Differentiating Literacy Instruction in Grades 3-8
Learn how to use Guided Reading with your students in grades 3-8.
In this 8-week online graduate course for teachers and literacy educators, learn how to plan and teach effective small group, differentiated instruction lessons in intermediate and middle school classrooms.
- Classroom Teachers & Interventionists
- Literacy Coaches & Teacher Leaders
- Course Number: EEDUC 6045.80
- Fees are subject to change
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 language 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 language 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
Nikki Drury, Literacy Trainer
Nikki worked as a literacy coach and teacher in public school for many years before joining the Center for Reading Recovery and Literacy Collaborative as an Intermediate Trainer. She has experience as a primary and intermediate classroom teacher and literacy instructional coach at the intermediate level. Over the years, she has worked with students, educators, and administrators to improve literacy outcomes.
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. Heinemann.
- Pinnell, G.S. and Fountas, I.C. (2017). The Fountas and Pinnell literacy continuum: A tool for assessment, planning, and teaching. Heinemann
This option must be taken for 3 graduate credits. Take the course individually or as a required course in our 18-credit Online Graduate Certificate in Developing Literacy Expertise Through Responsive Classroom Teaching.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our trainers.
Early Literacy Success: Building Language, Sounds, and Print Knowledge in PreK (Webinar)
This session will focus on how to provide rich, engaging experiences with language, sounds, and print in the PreK classroom.
Quick Tips for Test Prep: Supporting Your Students for Success!
Are you working to support your students to excel on standardized tests? In this 2-day training, learn how to deepen students’ understanding of the demands of standardized tests so they can respond confidently and successfully!
The New Benchmark Assessment System 2.0 (System 2, Levels K-Z)
Join us for this two-day institute to learn how to use BAS 2.0 to pinpoint student proficiencies and needs, including word-solving, fluency, comprehension and writing about reading, and examining how to transition from assessment to instruction.