Guided Reading Tools and Management at a Distance

Guided reading can be a real challenge in a virtual setting. We all know how crucial it is to provide differentiated instruction to our students, regardless of the environment in which we’re teaching. Many schools have faced the obstacles of remote or distance learning with their classes, and as we get more settled online, we begin to wonder what strategies and tools are available for us to provide differentiated instruction. Below are some of the common tools and strategies I’ve shared with educators this year.

Tools for Guided Reading

Assessment Management
As educators, before we begin small group instruction, we usually gain information about our students through an assessment. These assessments can be running records, progress monitoring or benchmark-level assessments that our district provides. Through these assessments, we collect information on students so that we can provide differentiated instruction.

One tool that I find particularly helpful for using running records is the Running Record Toolbox. 

This app has a one-time fee of $0.99, but the cost is minimal with all that it provides. All you have to do is click a button and it helps you manage and track your students’ words per minute, errors and self- corrections. It also calculates accuracy. A timer is also embedded in this app. Everything is at your fingertips for you to jump online with a student one-on-one and conduct some reading assessments.

Mini Lessons
What I find most beneficial in grouping my students for guided reading is to group them by strategy instead of level. This enables my mini-lesson to be focused around the central skill that all of my students need instead of trying to reach 4-5 learners at the same level with different needs. This philosophy is supported by both the Two Sisters and Jennifer Servavallo. 

Scanning Anchor Charts 

Use this free scanner to create PDFs of your anchor charts. After scanning the anchor chart, you can share it virtually and project it in your virtual meeting. Then you can navigate the chart and refer to it time and time again because it’s electronic.

Word Work Activities
I love using these three apps to support word work. The first one is wonderful for formulating letters and reviewing uppercase and lowercase. The second app is a virtual magnetic board that you can use for instruction or your students can manipulate and make words. The last app is Quizlet, which you can use to support any type of word work, high frequency words, vocabulary instruction or flashcards. It’s all there! 

Trying to teach littles how to write lowercase and uppercase letters? Students can download this free app to practice the direction of each letter and have fun making letters by choosing a color to write with. 

This is a virtual magnetic board! Use this app to model making words with students or to have them make their own words. Students can take a screenshot and share with the class! 

Want your students to practice high-frequency words or vocabulary concepts? Quizlet is free app that you and your students can use. All you do is create an account and begin! This app offers you opportunities to scan pictures already created, find lists that others have shared, or create your own.

Managing Guided Reading at a Distance

Now that you have some tools to use for your guided reading, there is still the question of the best way to manage guided reading groups at a distance or virtually. Once groups are designed, there are six management options a teacher can consider for virtual guided reading.

Round Robin
The first option is round robin. If you’re not familiar with this term, it’s where one student reads a page or two and then the next student reads. Thus, the reading takes place around the “table” and the teacher can hear each student read a portion of the book. This strategy usually is not regarded as best practice because students are not modeling fluent reading for one other, and typically those who are listening become disengaged or have anxiety about reading in front of their peers. However, it is a starting point for you and your students if listening to each student read aloud is your priority. 

Choral and Echo Reading
In my opinion, choral and/or echo reading is a better option for students who are beginning to read or who need to practice fluency. In a choral reading session, the teacher and students are all reading together at the same time. This promotes fluency and helps with word knowledge. Typically, when I use the choral reading strategy, I also have students echo read the portion I modeled. I like using poetry or nursery rhymes with this strategy. I model the first part of a stanza and then have students echo the portion I read back to me. This is an “I do, we do”-type strategy, where all students are participating at the same time.

Lit Circles
For older students I would suggest providing lit circles for guided reading groups. Typically, a lit circle is done with novels or chapter books; however, it does not have to be! You can provide any text you want to students and have them discuss the text. In a lit circle model, each student usually has a task. For instance, one student could be the word collector and identify vocabulary words, and another student could summarize the reading. A third student could develop questions to ask the group, and another student could share a visual of a part of the text. These are just a few examples of what students can do during their group time, and if you trust your students, have them do this in a breakout room.

Breakout Rooms
Breakout rooms are an alternative to round robin reading – if you have students who can manage themselves appropriately or have a co-teacher to work with them. Have students read independently on their own as you jump into those rooms and listen to each student read the text. After you listen to each student read, you can bring them back to the main session and complete a mini-lesson to support your learners along the way. This also gives students an opportunity to collaborate with their peers and have discussions together. When using breakout rooms, I suggest putting students into strategy groups and work on one strategy at a time. This is different from grouping your students by level and supporting students with multiple strategies. For more information you can visit the Dynamic Educators Club for guided reading resources and courses. 

One-on-One
This is a time-consuming strategy, but it’s one that is available. You can schedule one-on-one meetings with individual students. I support this strategy for those learners who need additional support, or if you want to have one-on-one conferences with your students periodically throughout the year. 

Flip Your Guided Reading
In this model, students would work asynchronously. First, the teacher provides the text to the student. Next, the student practices reading the text on their own and records themselves reading. The teacher then listens to the recording and provides feedback to the student electronically. This can look like the teacher recording a short video with feedback, writing an email or sharing a comment in a Google Doc. 

Our goal as teachers should be to support all of our learners and meet their needs regardless of the environment. Even so, we face certain challenges in a distance learning environment. Whatever strategy you try, you can always change it as you and your students get more comfortable with the routine. At the very least, give yourself a pat on the back for taking the time to do guided reading because you’re able to provide feedback for improvement, listen to students read and encourage everyone to participate, which is what we strive for in our guided reading sessions.

Nicole Stroup
Regional Office of Education
Lake County, IL

With over 10 years of experience in education, Nicole Stroup has been instrumental in supporting staff development, leading teachers, and developing curriculum for districts throughout Lake County. She has rich experience as both an instructional coach and ELA Content Facilitator. She has enhanced the professional learning experience of teachers throughout our area and brings both enthusiasm and a passion for instructional coaching and literacy to her new role. With a Master’s Degree in both Reading Instruction and Educational Leadership, she is committed to serving Lake County schools and districts as a support for English Language Arts curriculum, school improvement, and professional development. Nicole’s broad experience includes teaching at the elementary level as well as supporting school library media staff on library improvements. She emphasizes flexible learning environments, passion for content, and a desire to support the professional learning needs of Lake County educators. Nicole resides in Volo, IL with her husband and young daughter. In her leisure, Nicole enjoys golfing and supports her local girl’s gymnastics team as a coach.