Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading

Guided reading is 'small-group reading instruction designed to provide differentiated teaching that supports students in developing reading proficiency'. The small group model allows children to be taught in a way that is intended to be more focused on their specific needs, accelerating their progress.  (Credit:  Google.com.)

Guided reading instruction incorporates word study mini-lessons, comprehension discussion, decoding 'attack' strategies, and rereads for fluency.  Using prompts such as: 'take two' - referring to familiar blends or digraphs, 'go back and get a running start',  and 'try again' (instead of our immediate urge to provide a miscued word), readers learn to navigate an unpredictable sentence structure and spelling system. 

Fifth and sixth graders typically read across a wide range of levels, usually between a level R and level Z.  Finding a student's reading level, finding books for them to enjoy independently and for instruction is a true pleasure.