Guided Reading Organization

Well, as promised, I am back with how I organize my Guided Reading Groups.  This is key to how I plan and prepare my reading group materials.  And, of course, the use of binders!  :) .

Today, our local Walmart had a Teacher Appreciation event.  The first 300 teachers received a reusable bag with coupons and a few "goodies" to help us start the year off.  It was very thoughtful of them to remember teachers as we begin to think about our Back to School needs.  While I was there, I picked up the materials to start organizing my reading groups for this school year!

Here is a picture of what I picked up:

Items from Walmart plus book and materials for reading group.

So, to organize my Guided Reading Groups, I start with the binder.  I have found the tab dividers with pockets work best for me.  You are welcome to choose the regular tab dividers if that works better for you.  Put the tab dividers into the 3 ring binder.  The one pictured is a one inch white binder with clear sleeve on the outside.  Once I have the dividers inside the binder, I am ready to put my materials in the pockets.

Since we are talking about materials I use for reading groups, let's visit what materials I use during my reading time!  Reading a-z is an incredible website!  They have an amazing selection of stories ranging from levels aa to z.  I am fortunate that my district gets us a subscription to this site for the year.  It is sooo worth the money!  Before the district purchased this for me, I bought my own subscription!  The resources are excellent!

Click this link to go to their site for a preview of what they have to offer!  They also have a FREE trial!  Reading a-z

For my reading groups, I print out and put together the books for each member of my group.  I also print and copy enough of the Comprehension quiz that goes along with the story for each group member.  This can be a little time consuming.  If you have a trusted volunteer, they will have no problem doing this for you!  I allow myself one day a week to stay late and make my copies for the next week.  This is when I prepare my materials.

Ok.  So I have the books made and the Comprehension quiz copied.  I put one copy of the book and all of the comprehension pages in my tab divider pocket.  On the inside of each book is a list of vocabulary words students can work on to help them read the story.  I write these out on flashcards.  These also go in the pocket.

Now I have the rest of the student books.  What do I do with them?  Well, I have purchased two pocket folders in different colors.  Each color is a different reading group.  I mark on the outside of each folder the group number.  If you use names for your groups, the names would go on the outside of the folder.

When I open the folders, I place the student books on the right side pocket.  On the right side, I put the month and list the students names who are in the group for that time.  Sometimes, the names will change as the kids learn and grow!  I make the changes as needed.  On the pocket on the left, I write the title of the book we are reading and what level it is.  Each month, I write the new names in the group.  However, I continue to list the books I use.  This helps me to not repeat a story for the same group.

I am almost ready to begin working with my groups!  The materials they need are ready to go.  The last piece to my organization is a log.  I like to keep a log of what I did with each group each day I work with them.  This helps when I have parents ask about what their child is working on or another staff member wants to know what a particular child is struggling with.  It provides me with another level of documentation.  Below is the form I created that I use:

Guided Reading Log Here!

In my binder, each reading group (tab) will have several copies of this log.  I fill out this log as the children are doing a picture walk at the beginning of the group time.  As we work through the story, I will jot notes where I find space when I want to remember something they did well on or what they struggled with.  I really like having the check boxes at the bottom.  These keep me accountable for making sure I work on the various parts of reading, especially, vocabulary!

Below is a picture of one I have filled out for a made up group.  Our focus is on Vocabulary.

I usually spend a week per story with the groups.  At the end of the week, the can add their story to their book boxes or take them home to read to their parents.  Parents love to hear their children read to them and see how much they grow!

It is my hope this helps you organize your Guided Reading time for a successful year!

4 Years...Where have I been?!

Wow!  4 years have passed since I last blogged!  Where have I been and why so long?  Well, that's a loaded question!  I have still been here but in a kind of "frump".  Since the last post, I have switched classrooms and even buildings!  Still teaching first grade!  :)

Well, I am hoping to be more diligent with my posts.  I was encouraged this summer by a fellow colleague.  She was very encouraging about ideas I have and asked me to share them.  So, in the coming posts, I hope to share some of these teaching and organization tips.

Don't know about you, but my summer is flying fast.  It is July already and stores are getting out their Back to School stuff already.  Yes, I confess.  When I see the crayons hit the shelves, I get a little excited about the start of a new school year.  Looking through the teacher catalogs becomes a favorite past time. This is the time to start taking inventory of what you have and what you need for the coming year.

One such item I use each year for my organization is the binder!  I love how binders keep papers neatly kept.  Tomorrow, I hope to show how I organize my Guided Reading time using a binder and 2-pocket folders.  So, for now...To Be Continued!  Stay tuned!