Since the goal is to help children to use their strategies independently, the children should have access to books at their level for additional reading practice. Some teachers allow their students to have personal book bags in which the children can keep books used currently for reading practice. Allowing time for teacher-student conferences is critical in helping children to progress in their reading. The information gathered during this time is the means by which the teacher forms guided reading groups and plans instruction. Incorporating a set time and determining the number of students to meet with each day for conferences and running records maintains the individual teacher-student interactions.
Teachers assess individual students on an ongoing basis.
Maintaining individual student literacy folders is very helpful when reporting to parents and school administration. Ongoing running records with accuracy rates and book levels. A description of reading behaviors at various levels, updated to match the child's current use. A record of strategies the child incorporates into independent reading. Evidence of the child's understanding of the text through the use of reading response journals.