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Guided Reading Organization

Hi there, friends!  I’m here today with a peek into my guided reading block.  I’ll be sharing how I organize my guided reading materials, schedule out my guided reading groups, as well as how I plan my guided reading lessons!  Psst…. I have a guided reading freebie for you at the end!

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

 

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First, let’s take a look at my guided reading area.  I absolutely LOVE my table, shelves and drawers!  Everything I need is right at my fingertips!

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

Here’s a close up of the Sterilite drawers behind my table.  They house all of my guided reading supplies and group books.  The labels came from the sweet Rachel over at The Tattooed Teacher.  I customized them with my own font and wording.  You can check out more of my classroom here!

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

Let’s peek into some of the drawers… shall we?!?  I have five reading groups, with approximately 3-6 students in each group.  Each group’s book for the week and reading activity supplies are kept inside the appropriate drawer.  This keeps my OCD heart happy… organized and out of sight!

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!
Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!
Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!
Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

I keep all of my tracking supplies, digital timers, and sand timers inside a separate drawer.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

We use some type of “tracker,” including eyeball rings, witch fingers, or finger lights, each time we read.  They really help my struggling students with one-to-one correspondence.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

My kiddos’ favorite are the finger lights!  I purchased mine from Amazon.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

My favorite are these “Reading Trackers” from Lakeshore .  They are perfect for tracking multiple lines of text.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

Another tool we use a ton during guided reading is our “Check-A-Roo” checkmarks from Learning Loft.  I actually ordered mine years ago from Scholastic.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

They serve as a great reminder to check for understanding while we are reading with a partner.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

We also use our reading strategy bookmarks and Five Finger Retelling cards almost every time we meet.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

Now that we’ve taken a look at how I organize my guided reading area, let’s take a look at my guided reading binder.  I customized this cover using a freebie from the fabulous Maria over at Kinder Craze.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

The first insert is a copy of my weekly guided reading schedule, which you can snag below.  As mentioned earlier, I have five guided reading groups with 3-6 students per group.  I meet with my low group every day, my low-med and medium groups three times per week, and my high-med and high groups twice per week.  I would love to meet with all of these groups every day, but I also meet with guided math groups throughout the day.  To quote the two sisters, “Fair isn’t always equal.”  The groups who need me the most, see me the most.  I apologize if you do not agree with these sentiments, but I do quickly check-in with my other students during our Daily 5 time.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

My guided reading binder has five sections, one for each group.  I keep each group’s weekly guided reading plan behind each tab.

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

I break up my guided reading time into three parts, much like a workout.  First, we warm-up the brain with an alphabet or phonemic awareness activity (depending on that group’s needs).  Then, we complete the workout or reading activity.  Lastly, we cool down with a sight word or fluency activity.  All of this occurs in approximately 15-18 minutes.  Here’s a brief rundown of some activities.

Warm-Up:  Alphabet or Phonemic Awareness Activity (3 minutes)

Workout:  Reading Activity (8-10 minutes)

  • Picture Walk and Predictions
  • Focus Reading Strategy
  • Story Elements Organizer
  • Five Finger Retell
  • Check for Understanding
  • Sequence It
  • Character Analysis or Comparison
  • Stop, Think and Make a Link

Cool Down:  Sight Word or Fluency Activity (3-5 minutes)

Believe me when I say I have changed the layout of this plan almost every single year I have taught, but I am happy to say that I think I have finally found a schedule and plan that works!  Grab a copy of my Guided Reading Schedule and Guided Reading Plan below!

Do you struggle with how to plan out your guided reading block? Come take a look at how this Kindergarten teacher organizes her guided reading activities and tackles guided reading in her Kindergarten classroom! Don’t forget to grab the FREE guided reading lesson plan template and guided reading schedule!

Find some of our favorite guided reading resources below:

Amazon.com Widgets

Don’t forget to check out my “Guided Reading / Small Group Instruction” board on Pinterest for more ideas!

Happy organizing, scheduling and reading!

 

Ashley Sharp Pos Bio Image

Ashley Sharp

As a dedicated Kindergarten teacher for nearly 20 years, I believe the words “fun, play, and creativity” can sit right alongside the words “developmentally appropriate, engaging, and rigorous.” Learning is meant to be fun and messy!

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27 responses to “Guided Reading Organization”

  1. Stephanie at Fishing for Education Blog Avatar
    Stephanie at Fishing for Education Blog

    I absolutely LOVE how organised everything is! So easy to find what you need. (Taking tips!)

    ♥ Stephanie
    FishingforEducation.com

    1. Ashley Avatar
      Ashley

      Thank you so much, Stephanie! I'm glad you could find some useful organizational tips for your own classroom! 🙂

  2. Sarah.Oreficé Avatar
    Sarah.Oreficé

    When do they actually read the book? Like if the reading activity is a picture walk, when do they read it? Do they read the same book all week and you do different activities with them from the book each session? Do you have summarizes of each activity or a TPT with all of you activities?

  3. Princess {me} Avatar
    Princess {me}

    Love your table!!!! Where'd you get it? What's it called!!!??

  4. Unknown Avatar
    Unknown

    Hi Ashley,
    I love your guided reading schedule and the plan. I was wondering if their was any way you could email/share with me an editable version of the guided reading table. It's so awesome!

    mmeola@euclidschools.org

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Sarah Avatar
      Sarah

      Ashley,

      I also would love an editable version.

      sarah.ostrander@pgcps.org

  5. g Avatar
    g

    I, too, would like to know about your table: gking@nacisd.org
    Thanks!

  6. Lasondra Crocker Avatar
    Lasondra Crocker

    Where did you get your table?

  7. Lucy Smith Avatar
    Lucy Smith

    Thank your for sharing your ideas. Love your blog. I was wondering how many groups do you have for centers and how many centers does each group visit for ELA?

  8. Unknown Avatar
    Unknown

    Hi Ashley!

    Love your ideas! Where can I access your guided reading schedule template? It won't work when I click on it.

    Thanks!

  9. Shireen Avatar
    Shireen

    Can you tell me where you made the black labels with the colored dots at? Thanks

  10. Amber Avatar
    Amber

    Hey Ashley! Love this post so much. What else do you keep behind your table? I’m looking to streamline behind my table as well.

  11. Robyn Darnell Avatar
    Robyn Darnell

    Hey! I loved how organized and neat everything looks. I downloaded the schedule and enabled editing, but it wouldn’t let me edit anything except for the name. Is there any way you could send it to me so that I can edit the schedule for my classroom? Thanks so much!!!

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  13. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    I’d love to know where you got your table. Lderusha@nsd2.com

    I’ve actually been looking for one just like that, for my self contained class, for months and can’t find it

    1. Ashley Avatar
      Ashley

      Our maintenance crew actually made this table. Sorry!

  14. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    What do you use the second table/graph for on the small group schedule page?

  15. Heidi Avatar
    Heidi

    Hi Ashley! I’m Heidi. I teach kindergarten at title I school in coastal southeast Florida. It looks as if your students are similar in reading ability to mine. I love your guided reading organization and am using some of your ideas this week. I have a few questions:

    Where can I find the story elements graphic organizer? I just purchased your St. Patricks unit and my students love it!

    What is the best way to use the sheet which gives group levels – high/med, low/med? I’m not understanding that one.

    Thanks so much! I appreciate the guidance.

  16. Tina Avatar
    Tina

    When do you start with your guided reading groups? The second week, the second month, or ? of school. I am going to be a first year teacher in Kinder and I am trying to organize everything I can!

    Thanks.

  17. patti Avatar
    patti

    Great article! I would love a printable copy if your 5-finger retell card if you are willing to share. TIA

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  19. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    For some reason I am unable to open up the document. Is there any way you could send it to me? I love it!!

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  22. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    Thank you so much for sharing your organizational tips and scheduling routine. I can definitely improve my storage ideas. I have always tried to have 4 groups and one workshop time that I pull for further individualized help – quick bursts of intense remediation or enhancement depending on the situation.

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