Guided reading with non-readers can seem pointless, but it is a must-do! See how this teacher structures her guided reading lessons with her non-readers.
Plus, I’ll send you my FREE April lesson plans for kindergarten!
In today's post, I'll share 10 quick, meaningful “follow-up” activities that you can use in your guided reading lessons - all materials are FREE!
A LOOK AT LEXILES and Text Complexity While delivering PD yesterday, a teacher asked me, "What's a Lexile?" I wanted to say, "where have you been?" But the reality is--I commend her for not being afraid to ask what we think is such a basic question. We forget that some people have been so busy working in the trenches that they haven't been able to keep up. (They've been too busy administering tests, Student Learning Objective assessments, state exams and more.) So, listed below are the basics of LEXILES 101. Essential understandings: The Common Core has defined where "college and career ready" (CCR) students should be reading and it's a 1450 Lexile. Therefore, they scaffolded in reverse levels to graduate students at the appropriate level. These Lexile levels are more difficult than where typical students are reading. Lexile is an algorithm. It is a mathematical assessment of a linguistic product. Lexiles (and other readability statistics) are fallible. (For instance, it is not valid for prose or drama and is less valid for fiction in 1000+ Lexile range.) The parent organization to the CCSS, (CCSSO formally called the Governor’s convention) recently released a white paper verifying the validity of text complexity. Therefore, we have to pay attention to this essential shift to embrace "rigor" in reading. To read the recent white paper from the Council of Chief State School Officers click here. This article compares a number of algorithms and the summarizes text complexity for the CCSS. Text complexity formulas were meant for instructional purposes. Pleasure reading should be allowed at any level and this is validated in the Common Core, Appendix A, page 9, paragraph 1: It is very interesting, to compare the variables used among the six different "approved" complexity measures. Metametrics (Lexile) uses the simplest measure of only word count and sentence length. (Lexile.com provides a search tool for books, but many are missing.) Other companies including Accelerated Reader (ATOS) and Pearson, DRP, etc... add additional measures of review such as punctuation, a 100,000-word vocabulary match, and more. Therefore, we would conclude that the ratings of the latter companies would be more accurate picture of complexity and appropriateness. This quote from page 17 of the white paper puts it diplomatically: "There is no clear "gold standard" measure of text difficulty against which to compare the various metrics. Instead, we compared each metric against various reference measures based on grade level and student comprehension data for five sets of passages gathered for the study. These are defined and discussed in the sections following. Although there are limitations in the validity of these indicators as measures of text difficulty, the variety in their construction allows us to observe the robustness of the metrics and consider how different reference measures might affect their performance." Be sure to note that Microsoft Word's Flesch-Kincaid measure has also been proven valid. This picture shows how to "turn on" readability statistics within Word: Readability statistics, is only one characteristic to examine for instructional materials. Please see the charts below to identify correct grade levels and Lexiles - or level of complexity. The Common Core has asked teachers to evaluate classroom materials for quality as well as quantity. Complexity is only one piece of the puzzle. In addition, a teacher, librarian, or educator, has to pay attention to: • Complexity - Lexile, vocabulary • Qualitative measures -value • Reader and the task -is there enough in the text to foster good discussion, value -added assignments, and begin a knowledge exploration. How can I use this novel or passage to foster critical thinking skills? Every reading program (F and P, AR, Reading Counts, etc.) uses as its baseline, some metric to measure difficulty or "readability". Here is a chart by Perma-bound, which correlates the different reading measures:
Planning your guided literacy time is bout to get so much easier. I get asked a lot about how to tie reading and writing together, while focusing on fluency, comprehension, phonics, vocabulary, writing, etc. I create this resource to get kids excited about reading and writing, and to make planning
These leveled passages are a convenient way to teach students about animals. The document includes 15 reading passages. It contains: ---(5 Passages) Guided Reading Level I (Lexile Levels 290-330) ---(5 Passages) Guided Reading Level J (Lexile Level 350) ---(5 Passages) Guided Reading Level K (Lexile Level 440) An Answer Key is Also Included Click Here To Access (Fiction) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels I,J, K (Lexiles 290-440) Click Here for 70 Leveled Guided Reading Passages (Animals) Guided Reading Levels A to N MORE LEVELS Click Here (Animals) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels A,B,C,D,E (Lexiles 0-150) Click Here (Animals) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels F,G,H (Lexiles 175-299) Click Here (Animals) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels I,J, K (Lexiles 290-440) Click Here (Animals) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels L,M, N (Lexiles 450-560) **PLANTS PASSAGES** Click Here (Plants) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels A,B,C,D,E (Lexiles 0-150) Click Here for (Plants) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels F,G,H (Lexiles 175-299) Click Here for (Plants) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels I,J,K (Lexiles 290-440) Click Here(Plants) Leveled Passages Guided Reading Levels L,M, N (Lexiles 450-560) *************************************************************************** Additional Leveled Resources Are Available *************************************************************************** {TASK CARDS} INFERENCES Click Here To Access Inference Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels A-I) Click Here To Access Inference Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels J,K,L,M) Click Here To AccessInference Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels N,O,P) MAIN IDEA Click Here To Access Main Idea Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels A-I) Click Here To Access Main Idea Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels J-M) Click Here To Access Main Idea Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels N-P) Click Here To Access Main Idea Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels Q and R) Click Here To Access Main Idea Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels S,T, U) CAUSE AND EFFECT Click Here To Access Cause and Effect Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels Q and R) COMPARE AND CONTRAST Click Here To Access Compare and Contrast Task Cards For Each Guided Reading Level (Levels Q and R)
Today I'll be sharing ideas for making your guided reading routine a bit more exciting. Because if you do it every single day in the exact same way, it can get a little tired, right?
I am linking up again with Teaching With Nancy's weekly linky - TGIF - Thank Goodness It's Free! Be sure to head over to her blog to pick up some more free stuff! We are finishing up our unit on plants and here are the greenhouses that we made. I have seen similar designs on Pinterest and decided to create one that we could use. Let me pause here to say - SEEDS ARE AMAZING! I forgot to buy bean seeds and remembered that I had pinto beans in my sensory bins! So I just grabbed some from the bins!!! And they grew!!! AMAZING! And did you know that you can use dry bean soup mix from the store to sprout? Here are the seeds on Day 1. And on Day 11. I love planting in plastic bags, because we are able to see all the plant parts! You can grab the Greenhouse pattern and directions below! Just click on the cover thumbnail! ***If you are having trouble accessing the file, please try using a non-work, non-school related account.***
Do you know how to teach guided reading in Spanish? Here are some ways that it is different from teaching guided reading in English.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates book activities unit with reading comprehension worksheets, printables, lesson ideas, craft for Kindergarten & First Grade
These free pre-writing printables give kids practice with common strokes that are found in letters, and can be used in many different ways!
Let's Celebrate Reading! A full breakdown of a guided reading block! Lesson ideas, reading lessons, literacy centers, literacy stations, word work activities, writing station ideas, ELA activities, listening station, phonics ideas, spelling activities, word study, and taking notes during guided reading are included!
Planning your guided literacy time is bout to get so much easier. I get asked a lot about how to tie reading and writing together, while focusing on fluency, comprehension, phonics, vocabulary, writing, etc. I create this resource to get kids excited about reading and writing, and to make planning
Tops and Bottoms book activities unit with literacy companion activities, worksheets, lesson ideas, printables for Kindergarten, First & Second Grade
ASL Adapted Books for Guided Reading are perfect for teaching vocabulary to emergent readers.
What is Marungko Approach? Marungko Approach was first introduced in a public elementary school in Marungko, Angat, Bulacan, devised by Nooraihan Ali and Josefina Urbano. According to Nooraihan and Urbano, the method used is called "phono syllabic“ which is teaching of correct single sounds and the blending of sounds into syllables and words. Note that the mastery of letter sounds is very important in this approach. How to use Marungko? 1.The first 5 lessons are as follows: m, s, a , i, o Teach each sound and form until mastery before a new sound is introduced: a) Ask a question to which the response will elicit the target sound. You can use pictures of words beginning with m, s, a etc. depending on the current lesson. b) Show the target letter and tell the children to sound it again as they look at the letter. c) Show them how to write it. Ask them to write it, with the fingers in the air, on their palm, on their desks, and on paper as they give the sound. e) Mastery means they know the sound and the form of the target letter. They can give the sound and write the symbol. 2. After the first 3 sounds have been mastered, these can be combined to form words, phrases or sentences. Start blending of sounds. Every new sound is introduced with previous sounds already learned and in various combinations into words. Start blending of sounds. 3. Introduce function words that cannot be taught through the phono syllabic method as whole words e.g. ang, ng, mga, ay. 4. After the first 5 sounds have been mastered, any other sound can be taught in relation to sounds already learned. Suggested sequence is as follows: b, e, u, t, k, l, y, n, g, ng, p, r, d, h, w. Remember to blend only the sounds that were taught and mastered. Unang Hakbang sa Pagbasa Gamit ang Marungko Paalala sa mga magulang na gagamit nito. Ang TUNOG ng bawat letra ang pinakamahalaga upang matutong bumasa. Pagsamahin lamang ang mga tunog upang makabasa ng salita. Sa bawat aralin ay may dagdag na bagong letra at tunog na gagamitin sa pagbasa. Halimbawa: a+s+o = aso m+a+s+a = masa FREE Printable PDF COPY: CLICK HERE FREE Printable PDF COPY: CLICK HERE Tags: Unang hakbang sa pagbasa, Marungko Booklet, reading material, reading booklet, beginning reading tagalog, free, kindergarten, Grade One, Halina at Magbasa, pagbasa, paano ang marungko, remedial reading, non-reader
Small group time is one of my favorite times of the day! I love meeting with the kids and listening to them talk about math or reading! It used to be a real grind figuring out what I would do during that time, but once I got a system down, it really became the highlight...Read More »
Finding out what a student knows about phonics is made easy with this quick and simple phonics assessment for K-3 readers! And it's FREE.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates book activities unit with reading comprehension worksheets, printables, lesson ideas, craft for Kindergarten & First Grade
Color words are included in almost every kindergarten curriculum! Kindergarten students read them, spell them, and write them! When teach...
Handy worksheets to help students find the meaning of words based on context. Includes 50 examples that feature important vocabulary words for first through third graders and a word box to guide students and improve spelling and vocabulary usage. Upon purchase, you will download a PDF with all 5 worksheets that is print ready.
Wondering how to teach blending? Or have a few students who are struggling? This post has tons of ideas to help!
Enemy Pie book activities unit with literacy printables, reading companion worksheets, lesson ideas, and a craft for First Grade and Second Grade
"It was like herding cats!" That was my answer to my husband the other day when he asked how my day had gone. Seriously, the days I have first and second graders are just hard - fun, but exhausting. That is until I found the SECRET to STEM and the littles! Are you ready for
Woot woot! This post was featured on the TpT blog! You can see it here. Never underestimate the importance of teaching routines. In every classroom and every grade level... but ESPECIALLY in Kindergaten. And in Kindergarten,
Pigeon HAS to Go to School book activities unit with reading comprehension worksheets, book companion activities, printables, lesson ideas, and craft
We started the year with a new idea for our Language Arts. We are doing themes this year, which I just LOVE! We started out the year with Kevin Henkes. {More will be coming soon about that! I have a packet created, it just needs the finishing "TPT" touches when I can find the time...} I quickly realized that my kiddos were having a difficult time with the words "Character" and "Setting." I whipped these up and the kids had a blast! You can pick up a copy of these activities on the For Fans Only Tab on my FB page! We group sorted picture cards. I made a set for each table. The kids had a great time discussing and working together. It was the first "group" activity I had them do! To assess all the learning, I created these cards to hang around the room. The students got to use clipboards and go to each numbered card and circle whether it was Character or Setting. They did such a fabulous job for their first time! I think I only had a handful that were circling the same thing over and over, even though they were telling me the right answer! lol I actually created 20 cards. We did 1-10 the first day. On the back I copied my page for students to draw a character and draw a setting. Here's a closeup of the worksheets: The next week, I put up 11-20 and they walked around again circling. They did a MUCH better job this time and were super speedy! :) Click on the picture to go to my FB page to grab it! Hope you enjoy it! :)
Do you know how to teach guided reading in Spanish? Here are some ways that it is different from teaching guided reading in English.
Follow these five steps to teach a child to read. Helpful for parents, homeschoolers, and teachers that are teaching beginning readers.
I'm here to share my favorite go-to fairy tale activities my preschool and pre-k students want to play again and again.
I'm joining in with The First Grade Parade's Favorite Pins Friday. I love pinning all the creative ideas out there....makes me realize how artistic people are! Here are my favorites: Love this idea by Teacher Bits & Bobs. I have tons of cabinets and not much wall or bulletin board space so this will work perfectly! I love this quick view of how kids are doing. They can keep it close to their hearts so no one else can see. Thanks DifferKinder! This idea is by Fun Science Project Ideas. I love this for introducing inferring! I love this idea because it gives your students ownership. We decorate and organize at the beginning of the year without even knowing them. I love giving them a part of the room that is all for them. This idea is from Classroom DIY. Now on to home stuff! I moved in with my boyfriend in May and I've been working hard to make this house a home. This idea is from Lolalina. I love the simplicity of it. I love this door. I REALLY want it for our bathroom! This is a great blog I found this week and I am obsessed! Check out In My Own Style! So we definitely need to attack our garage! My boyfriend is a bit of a collector....*sigh*. I would love this and plan on doing it this summer. This is by diy Design Fanatic. What are your favorite pins from the week?
Little Red Hen book activities unit with literacy printables, reading companion activities, lesson ideas, and a craft for Kindergarten and First Grade
Make practicing reading FUN with over 50 Free Emergent Readers! Simply download printable and have fun reading with Kindergarten, pre k, and grade 1 kids!
Use this color-coded schedule to help your five groups navigate through Daily 5 Rotations. The "meet with teacher" time is built in to facilitate guided reading.
This post breaks down how I teach reading in 5th grade and how my reading block is structured, including the materials needed.
Hello and welcome to Kindergarten Chaos, my online classroom and your new online professional development from a passionate teacher! I’m Abigail and am so happy that you are here! I am a wife of 22 years to my ultra-supportive husband, as well as Mama to my 3 kids, ages 19, 13, & 11! I previously […]
Looking for tips to achieve differentiated reading instruction in K-3? You're in the right place! (This post contains affiliate links.) Differentiation. It's the big buzz word these days, isn't it? But what does it really
These FREE Math Folders for K-5 learners are jam-packed FULL of helpful resources to help your struggling learners. Wow! When we think of math and literacy, we think of them as two separate things. I mean numbers are numbers and letters are letters. Right? Well, sort of… This is subscriber freebie. Not a subscriber? Subscribe HERE. ... Read More about Free Math Folders for K-5 Learners
