Advanced G.R.O.W. into Literacy


This course is designed for educators who have completed the introduction to Guided Reading - G.R.O.W. Into Literacy Course for those that need extra support and review for successful implementation. This is can also be designed for those that would like to fine-tune their expertise and possibly mentor others. The highlight of the course is its focus on prescriptively coaching to the needs and interests of a small group of not more then four to six teachers.

Each participant will have the opportunity to be apart of four instructional sessions consisting of a combination of small group and individual classroom consultancy.

Included will be sessions with the following emphasis.

I. Needs Assessment and Review

    This half day session will include use of an Implementation Quadrant for teachers to determine where they have developed mastery and where they want/need additional instruction and support.

    Covered can be:

    • Clarifying Guided Reading purpose
    • Revisiting and revising Guided Reading instructional techniques
    • Planning, observing and critiquing a demonstration Guided Reading lesson.
    • Observing and participating in leveling with an Informal Teacher Observation.
    • Dialoging and addressing individual classroom and student concerns and challenges.

    Teachers will be asked to bring:

    • G.R.O.W. notebook
    • Specific questions
    • Classroom profiles and student assessments and/or running records that they would like to address
II. Planning with Teachers' Materials

    This half-day session is designed as a Guided Reading Make and Take!

    Using materials teachers actually have access to, they will develop title-specific Guided Reading planning folders. Teachers will receive support and assistance in planning the following:

    • specific picture walk or word walk questions
    • creating Guided Writing responses and developing creative final writing projects and/or presentations

    As a grade level team, this would be an excellent opportunity to start or add to a leveled Text Analysis guide. Teachers will need:

    • G.R.O.W. notebook
    • Guided Reading books
    • Pocket folders
    • Copypaper, construction paper, scissors, markers, address labels

    Have access to:

    • Computer/printer
    • Scanner
    • Laminator

    Programs helpful to process:

    • Microsoft Word
    • Fonts for Teachers
    • PageMaker
III. Application and Strategy Coaching

    In this two-hour block of time, teachers will work with instructor and one participating team member. Each teacher will develop and present a Day One Guided Reading lesson. Demonstration lesson will be with a group of four to six students and will use a new-to-students Guided Reading book that is at students' instructional level. Included should be a description of students' reading background and needs plus an explanation of the purpose of the lesson.

    This Guided Reading lesson needs to include the following steps:

    • Setting the Scene
    • Picture/Word Walk
    • Students reading
    • Returning to the Text - discussion of strategies, miscues, self corrections, and skills
    • Students reading favorite page/paragraph

    Teacher will discuss plans for a follow-up lesson. Instructor and team member will share observations, offer positive feedback, make suggestions, and collaborate with teacher on ideas and plans for next lesson.

IV. Individual Classroom Consultancy

    This one hour time block, set aside for each individual teacher, is designed as a follow up to previous sessions and an opportunity for each teacher to have time with the instructor for individual questions or concerns to be addressed.

Logistics of Advanced G.R.O.W. Into Literacy

    Training includes a total of six sessions spaced through out the school year. Inservice can provides advanced training for:

    • Two groups of teachers - 6 teachers from the same school in one group - preferably at the same grade level*
    • Total of 12 teachers per day

Since Session Three is done with teachers working in pairs and session four is done as individual classroom consultancy, it will take a total of six training days.

* Additional on-going follow-up sessions for continued development of teachers' proficiency with executing Guided reading lessons are available.


Back To Previous Page






Rhythm and Reading Resources
Kathie Cloonan 991 N O'Brien Pt. Lecanto, FL 34461

Email