Reading aloud to students develops background information, makes connections across texts, and provides enjoyment. The teacher provides direct instruction in reading grade level materials. Strategy or skills lessons focus on the Competency-Based Curriculum objectives and competencies and the Sunshine State Standards. The teacher provides instruction to small groups of students whose independent reading levels are similar. Basic to Guided reading is that the text is one that offers the reader a minimum of new concepts to learn so that students can read the text with the strategies they have, but it provides an opportunity for new learning.
Students read independently from materials on their independent reading levels.
This independent practice builds fluency. Students respond to independent reading through a variety of group and individual activities. These strategies engage students actively with text to construct meaning. These books will help teachers assess a student's ability to read grade-level material. The District Benchmarks and the Sunshine State Standards Benchmarks are included in the comprehensive reading plan.