As a teacher of English Language Learners and struggling readers in a large urban setting I find that there is not enough time in the school day to do it all.  (I know, I just made the understatement of a lifetime.) I feel that guided reading is best instructional strategy for pushing students to their maximum potential.  As a 4th grade teacher with students spanning in (Fountas and Pinnell) levels from A-S, I often have to teach 2 or 3 guided reading groups in a single period.  In an attempt to get the most of of my time with each group I have begun to embed “word work” into my guided reading work. I have added a Word Work Band Aid on the Band Aid page of this site to share.  The Word Work Band Aid is a compilation of the word work that Pinnell and Fountas (2010) include at the end of each level in the Continuum of Literacy Learning.  I keep this Band Aid handy when planning guided reading lessons.  I try to include a word work activity that covers a word work skill for students on that band in every guided reading lesson. Sometimes I combine guided reading groups within a band for word work activities that are relevant to that band.  My guided reading groups are level specific, in that they typically only include students on a specific Fountas and Pinnell level.

Word Work Band Aid

Enjoy,

Geanine