Reading 101 is a self-paced professional development course for K-3 teachers, developed by Reading Rockets. The program provides teachers with an in-depth knowledge of reading and writing so they are prepared to guide their students into becoming skilled and enthusiastic readers and writers.
Contact the police by calling 999 to report emergencies or by calling 101 for non-emergencies. Reporting an emergency Call 999 if you are reporting a crime that is in progress or if someone is in. Guided Reading is a powerful tool to improve children's reading, writing and speaking skills. Find out more about what good guided reading looks like, how to assess with guided reading and the help for guided reading that is available. GoNoodle® engages 14 million kids every month with movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. Available for free at school, home, and everywhere kids are!
Reading 101 was produced in collaboration with the Center for Effective Reading Instruction and The International Dyslexia Association.
Our brains are hard-wired to master spoken language, but learning to read is another story. Learning to read is a very complex skill — one of the most complex things that we ask our children to take on. And for many kids, it doesn’t come easily.
As a result, teaching children to read and write well can be a very challenging job. So much so that researcher Louisa Moats called her influential article “Teaching Reading IS Rocket Science.” (This incidentally, became the inspiration for the “Reading Rockets” name!).
There are many reasons why children succeed or struggle in school, but among school-related factors, teachers matter the most. What teachers know and what they do in class every day have an enormous impact on student achievement.
It’s never easy, but when reading instruction is delivered by knowledgeable, skilled teachers, more students will be more successful, and all but the most severe reading disabilities can be addressed effectively. This is true even for students who are most at risk.
Reading 101 presents some of the core information that teachers need to help young children learn to read and write well and to support the children who struggle. You may want to start with the introductory section, How Children Learn to Read and then move on to our course modules:
Letter of completion
Reading Rockets does not offer CEUs for this self-study course. After completing the modules, you can download a Letter of Completion.
Certification
To learn how you can become certified by the Center for Effective Reading Instruction, visit Becoming a Certified Literacy Teacher.
Production credits
Reading 101 is a service of WETA/ Reading Rockets in collaboration with the Center for Effective Reading Instruction and The International Dyslexia Association. Reading 101 is made possible in part by a grant from the LD Network.
Executive Editor, Reading 101: Noel Gunther
Contributing writers and editors:
- Suzanne Carreker, PhD, CALT-QI
- Elizabeth Liptak
- Nicole Lubar
- Latrice Seals, Ed.D.
- Louise Spear-Swerling, Ph.D.
Reading 101 is a collaboration with the Center for Effective Reading Instruction and The International Dyslexia Association.
What is guided reading?It is a small group lesson, typically involving 3-6 children who are reading at the same reading level. The teacher supports the students' print negotiation and comprehension work with texts at their instructional level. The teacher introduces the new book, provides opportunities to practice reading strategies, and coaches each student. The guided reading lesson should be 10-15 minutes. It is often used to move students from one level of texts to the next.
What texts are used in guided reading?
The teacher carefully selects the texts to meet the students' needs and instructional level. Multiple copies (one for each child in the group) of leveled texts are used.
What are the parts of guided reading?
Book Introduction
-The teacher should cover the following areas: title, author, front cover, a few prior knowledge
questions, picture walk, summary, call attention to a challenging part. It is important that the teacher
leaves something for students to work on.
Reading/Prompting/Coaching
-Children read independently.
-Stagger starts. In other words, wait a few seconds before allowing each child to start reading. This
way children are forced to rely on strategies when they encounter difficulties with the text instead of
waiting for the child sitting next to them to read it for them.
-Be sure to check in with each student.
-Give lean prompts. (See below for a list of prompts for each reading level.)
-Listen in for possible teaching points.
Brief Discussion of Text
-Quick check of comprehension.
Teaching Point
-Demonstrate (often with white board).
-The teaching point should be efficient and explicit. It should also be applicable to future reading
work.
Why teach guided reading?
- Allows teachers to teach efficiently.
- Provides our students with individual support and reinforcement.
- Offers students challenges and allows them to try our their strategies and successfully 'have a go'.
- Gives teachers opportunities to observe and access each child's reading.
- Gives teachers direct access to students and their progress.
- Builds community.
- Creates connections.
- Supports students in becoming more independent.
- Enjoy reading even when texts are challenging.
- Be successful even when texts are challenging.
- Have opportunities to problem-solve while reading.
- Read for meaning even when they must do some problem solving.
- Learn strategies they can apply to their reading of other texts.
- Use their strengths.
- Have their active problem solving confirmed.
- Use what they know to get to what they do not yet know.
- Talk about and respond to what they read.
- Expand their knowledge and understanding through reading.
- Make connections between texts they have read and between their own world knowledge and reading.
Guided Reading Prompts for Reading Skills, Strategies, and Habits
(Fountas and Pinnell Levels A-K)
Level A&B
Guided Reading Level Chart
Level C&D
Level E
Level F&G
Level H&I