The Four Block Literacy Program is made of four blocks. The first block is Guided Reading.
The purpose of Guided Reading is to teach and strengthen comprehension skills and strategies, to expose children to various types of literature, to establish background knowledge, language, and vocabulary, introduce students to the different elements of a story, and to encourage confidence and motivate students to students to read.
Guided Reading begins in kindergarten and continues through the eighth grade. All children are being exposed to the same level of reading and receiving the same instruction during this block. During Guided Reading, the teacher chooses the reading material and coaches the children through the reading process.
Guided Reading may take place using all types of reading material. During the primary years, big books are often used. Before the actual reading begins, the teacher builds and assesses prior knowledge of the literature, helps students make a personal connection with the literature, discusses any vocabulary needed for the reading, engages students in a picture walk of the book, allows children to make predictions, sets a purpose for the book, and/or begins a type of graphing organizer such as a KWL chart.
The actual reading process may use a variety of techniques (depending on the age level). In primary grades, choral, echo, and shared readings take place. Later, the teacher may choose partner reading, small group reading, book clubs, or sticky note reading. After the text has been read, the teacher discusses the literature with the students, helps students make a connection between new and previous readings, follows up on predications made, completes an activity with the students (such as completing a predictable chart), and/or completes the graphic organizer.
Guided Reading on its on would not make the program a success. Again, Guided Reading is only one block of the Four Blocks program. The balance of teaching all of the blocks together is the key to reading the abilities of all of the students. Look for upcoming blocks discussing the remaining three blocks- Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words.
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