Last November Deedee and I had a conversation about her desire to do more with the books she was using for Read Alouds. Her kids loved many of the books she was reading to them, and they wanted to hear them again and again. She felt that she had a great foundation with writer’s workshop (more on that later) but she wanted deeper connections and interactions with the texts that she was reading to her class. So we created Guiding Readers.
What are Guiding Readers?
Guiding Readers started out as a “responding to literature” unit in our heads, but then we realized we needed to integrate phonics, interactive writing, reading comprehension, phonemic awareness and vocabulary in as well.
Vocabulary
Each week we pull a few words from our text to explore them deeper.
Heaping pile of snow |
vocabulary work |
Comprehension
I used these Guiding Readers lessons in a whole group setting. In my kindergarten classroom, I do the reading work (decoding the words) and my students do the thinking work.
Everyone participates. Working with a partner engages all of the students.
Here we are putting the story cards in order, to help us retell the story.
Interactive Writing
Students are able to focus on the mechanics of writing during our interactive writing time.
During this time, the teacher and students share the pen.
During this time, the teacher and students share the pen.
Responding to Literature
With Rubrics!
We sometimes respond with a full sheet of paper and sometimes we respond in our notebooks. Each response activity offers both options. When I was short on time, I opted for the notebook responses.
They had a picnic.
Phonics Work
Early in the year we work hard on learning our letters and sounds in the units. While kindergarten is working on learning letters and sounds, first grade is working on word families.
By January, we are ready to work on more challenging spelling patterns.
Early in the year we work hard on learning our letters and sounds in the units. While kindergarten is working on learning letters and sounds, first grade is working on word families.
By January, we are ready to work on more challenging spelling patterns.
Phonemic Awareness
Suggested Phonic Awareness activities are included.
Are they effective?
This is what Deedee said: Here is what I know…my class soared when I started these activities. Their level of engagement went through the roof! Their ability to discuss text grew exponentially. When it was time to assess my students’ reading comprehension it was so apparent that they were able to retell a story with great detail in a sequential order, they made connections, and were able to discuss the text at a deeper level.
Not only did I experience great student success, but Deedee and I heard from countless teachers saying how these units have changed their classroom. {This is where I get uncomfortable… I don’t want to sound like I am full of myself.} BUT SERIOUSLY… the feedback we received made our hearts happy. I loved hearing from teachers who were using our units when an administrators and superintendents observed them, and they were blown away.
You can read the feedback for yourself HERE.
Are they available in a bundle?
Yes! Although, our original intent was to wait until these units were finished to bundle them. However, we have several school districts who are wanting to purchase the bundle with school funds that must be used by July 31st.
I already bought a few of the months, can I get the bundle at a discount?
For those of you who have purchased the units separately, we will still continue to list the remaining units on sale for the first 48 hours so that you still get the benefit of the bundled price.
What skills and books are your going to cover?
We have created a curriculum map that should answer all of these questions. You can find it by clicking:
We plan to have all of the units completed by September 1st.
What if I loop with my class?
We are making a 2nd edition. This will include the same skills, but with different texts.
If you have a favorite book or books that you would like to see included in the 2nd edition set, please let us know!
If you have a favorite book or books that you would like to see included in the 2nd edition set, please let us know!
If you have any comments or questions, we would love to hear from you!