Trisha Bingham's Guided Reading Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmTC_HrlPuo&feature=related

This video is a full guided reading lesson performed for a group of teachers in, what I am guessing, is a conference or modeling session. The teacher starts off by giving the students the book and allowing them to look, but not read, the book. Then the teacher asks the kids what they noticed. I found this extremely interesting. I say this because the students are allowed to formulate their own opinions and use prior knowledge to get an idea of what the book could possibly be about. This allows the students to express themselves, which may not usually happen before a reading lessson. After that, the students are asked to find the bold terms in the book. They read these words to the teacher then have a discussion about their ideas of what this term refers to. For example, on of their words was "claw." They then discussed what a claw was and how it could cut or scratch you. In my opinion, this is great. The students get to learn new vocublary or expand about their prior definitions while in a comfortable, conversational environment. Then if a child does not know a word, they quickly find out without fear of being called on. All of this reminds me of the idea from our readings that questioning our students expands thinking and can organize knowledge of the content into an answer. This means that the students answer the teachers questions based on what they know. When they hear other students' opinions or the teacher's, then the students expand upon their own ideas.

After having completed the introduction to the reading, the teacher reminds the students of their reading strategies. She has these strategies explicity listed on a poster in the front of the room for students to refer to when having trouble. She also explains the strategies once before actually starting th reading. This is such a good idea. I say this because the students are instructed how to use these strategies that can help them not only on this book, but all books in the future. The teacher then did "Swivel Reading." In this method, the students face all different directions and read aloud. The teacher then is able to listen to the readers all at once and evaluate the process. This is exactly like the example shown in class. It is amazing to see this again because it further deepens my own understanding of this strategy.

They then read the story together and discuss main points. This furthers every child's understanding of the material. This reminds me of questioning that leads to inferential thinking. that means that the students have had their own opinions of the story and then come to gether to discuss. It allows the students to expand knowledge and see new ideas.