What is a guided reading approach?

A guided reading approach is an instructional strategy in which a teacher works with a small group of students who are reading at similar levels. This strategy allows for targeted instruction that meets the specific needs of each student, enabling the teacher to provide support and guidance as students engage with texts that are appropriately challenging. During guided reading sessions, the teacher can model reading strategies, facilitate discussions, and encourage comprehension skills, all while fostering a supportive learning environment.

This method emphasizes differentiated instruction, which is essential because it allows teachers to cater to the varying degrees of reading ability within a classroom. Small group instruction promotes interaction among students, encourages peer learning, and allows for more individualized attention than whole-class instruction.

Other approaches mentioned in the other options, such as assessing individual reading levels, teaching grammar and writing, or focusing solely on phonics, do not encompass the collaborative and supportive nature of guided reading, which is centered on small groups working together under the teacher's guidance.