Teaching guided reading is one method to help children learn to read

Usually teaching guided reading is a kindergarten activity as the children are in small groups. Before the children start reading you explain the new

words and the meaning of the story. Alternatively the children read the story first then you give them a chance to ask questions.

This way you get an understanding of how much the children understand.

If you are using the Montessori approach to learning reading, first you would make up the words in sandpaper letters. The children would trace the new words in the sandpaper letters while saying the new word. This way they already know the words before they start reading the story. I let the children read at their own pace then when they are all finished I will ask questions related to the story to see if they understand the story.

Teaching guided reading can be used in early primary school with the students divided into groups of 4 to 6 students each preferable with one good reader in charge of the group.

This way the teacher can easily move between groups correcting mistakes. Before you start a teaching guided reading session always explain what is going on in the story as some students just don’t know. And always keep it simple. Try and use a series of books that are related so you can build on the words the children already know.

Repetition is the key to success so keep adding to the words the students already know. Try not to bring in too many new words at once without repeating the old words. You will notice it usually goes in one ear and out the other but keep repeating and it should stick.

For more information about phonics courses I recommend including a Montessori course see our Teach Reading page.