2.+GUIDED+READING+AND+LITERACY+CIRCLES


 * GUIDELINES FOR GUIDED READING AND LITERACY CIRCLES**

Guided Reading (lower grades) and Literacy Circles (middle and upper grades) is a crucial time of day when students are reading IN SMALL GROUPS on their INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL and are taught strategies for moving forward from their baselines. Start by assessing the students to determine reading levels. Then use multiple copies of books to work with groups of students who have the same instructional needs. Change the groupings as students gain new skills.

//Dr. Sandy's Top Tips://
 * 1) Use [|ReadingA-Z] to assess students with benchmark books and then print out books on their instructional level.
 * 2) For training on how to work with Readinga-z materials to assess students and set up flexible reading groups, order the training DVD through [|TheTeacherTrack.com.]
 * 3) If students' instructional level is beyond fourth or fifth-grade, place them in tradebooks by matching their reading level to books in the list below or by going to the [|Leveled Book List.]. Never assign a fiction book to a student that you have not read yourself. If you are in a pinch, select a non-fiction book and thoroughly scan the contents before beginning the book with the students.
 * 4) Use the Read-Along-Guide in Sandra Athans' book [|Quality Comprehension] to establish self-directed literacy circles where students learn how to use effective strategies to become readers.
 * 5) When you find a good book, add it to the list below! Feel free to reorganize the table and do whatever it takes to make this user-friendly for teachers. To add rows or columns or change the table, just click in any box and the table icon will appear.

[|Click here for help] || **Comments** || **Teacher Information** (Optional) Name, grade, email address || GUIDED READING AND LITERACY CIRCLES: CHRISTIAN TEACHERS' RECOMMENDED BOOK LIST
 * CHRISTIAN TEACHERS' RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR GUIDED READING AND LITERACY CIRCLES**
 * Insert a new row to keep books in order by level. Just click in a row, then click on the table icon. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on "Row" and then on "Add Row."
 * **Book Title and Author** || **Level**
 * //Johnny Tremain// by Esther Forbes || 5.5 || Ties into 5th grade American history. Historically accurate story that takes place during the beginning of the American Revolution. __There are a few instances where the word "Hell" and "damn" are in the dialogue. We black it out of the book. It__ does have an unabridged tape that you can purchase that goes with the book. || Fifth-grade teacher ||
 * //Call it Courage// by Armstrong Sperry || 6.0 || This is an ancient Polynesian story with much interesting culture that the kids love. I use it because it teaches the lesson of facing fear and overcoming it and perseverance in relation to success. There is __one minor point that some Christian teachers might want to be aware of: there is mention of worshiping a sea god.__ It's not a real strong point and I like to use it to discuss our own views and those of others. || Sixth-grade teacher ||