Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children

by Irene Fountas, Gay Su Pinnell, Mary Ellen Giacobbe (Foreword)

Among the many changes to sweep American literacy education has been a move toward whole class instruction. Nonetheless, children still bring to literacy a wide range of experiences and competencies. How, then, might teachers best support a literate community yet still meet the needs of individual readers? For Fountas and Pinnell, the answer lies in guided reading, which allows children to develop as individual readers within the context of a small group. Their new book is the richest, most comprehensive guided reading resource available today and the first systematic offering of instructional support for guided reading adherents.

"Guided Reading" was written for K-3 classroom teachers, reading resource teachers, teacher educators, preservice teachers, researchers, administrators, and staff developers. Based on the authors' nine years of research and development, it explains how to create a balanced literacy program based on guided reading and supported by read aloud, shared reading, interactive writing, and other approaches. While there is an entire chapter devoted solely to the process by which children become literate, every chapter clearly presents the theoretical underpinnings of the practices it suggests. Also included are guidelines for:

observation and assessment dynamic grouping of readers creating sets of leveled books selecting and introducing books teaching for strategies classroom management. Best of all, there are well over 2,500 leveled books in the Appendixes, along with many other reproducible resources that teachers will use for years to come.

"Good first teaching is the foundation of education and the right of every child," assert the authors. With the publication of this book, educators themselves will find the foundation in reading skills instruction they so rightly deserve.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction, School, Teachers, Reference

406 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read other books by Gay Su Pinnell but this one is by far my favorite. I have struggled with guided reading in my secon grade for a few years and this book has helped me to see how organized and structured it can be. This resource explains how to create a balanced literacy program based on guided reading and supported by read aloud, shared reading, interactive writing, and other approaches. I highly recommend this as an additional resource for implementing effective and engaging guided reading groups in any teacher's classroom.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I found much of this book's discussion of guided reading to be obvious (blasphemy I know, when discussing the guided reading gurus and their work), it did contain very practical and mostly realistic information. At times I found their suggestions a bit idealist, particularly with regard to support staff and programs in light of the current school-funding crisis. However, at the end of the day, I'm so glad I read this book and heard from the experts. I have gained several techniques to try that I know will make guided reading a more effective time for my students and for me.

[Savannah Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it and would have given this book 5 stars, except I got annoyed by the last chapter. Instead of summing up the book and giving us guiding advice into the future, the end of the book talked about nothing but Reading Recovery. As a classroom teacher, I have no say in whether or not Reading Recovery is implemented in my school. I just didn't think all the time and attention devoted to Reading Recovery throughout this book is what classroom teachers need. Other than that, excellent book.

[Sha_von · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was also assigned this GR book the following year and found it beneficial for teachers starting out as well. I thought this book was geared more towards the lower grades; but it was an excellent source.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great information, lessons, work board icons, activity sheets, etc. Professional library must have

[nelshark]

comprehensive guide to the curriculum framework many districts are adopting now. Based on balanced literacy...
VERY useful for you teachers out there, especially elementary:)

[Aissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from my first principal- principles in book have guided my thinking...

[Jenny Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please ask me about this book... I need some motivation to push through it...

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! you can always count on irene and gay su!

[Jen Munnerlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guided reading basics.

[Katrina Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

[Teresa Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using it on some students so it's good.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for any teacher who wants to be a good reading teacher.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A definite must have for every reading teacher!

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorite reading reference books. Every few years I return to it.

[Ann Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute must for anyone using guided reading groups. Great resources.

[Ale_meows]

Focuses on Balance literacy K-2 reading instruction
Discusses 4 different reading and 4 different writing

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good basics...a bit vague and impractical at times

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite foundational language arts teaching books.

[Kelly]

Excellent resource.. very reader friendly and excellent explanations of leveled reading system

[Tyler Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

we love gay su & irene!

[Marnie Turman]

A book for my classroom book shelf.

[Daleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of important information. this was a reread to hone in on needed information