How to Teach Guided Reading Online
There are two types of teachers…..
The teacher who is pumped to teach online AND the teacher who is not so pumped to teach online.
One isn’t better than the other.
I understand both teachers because I used to be the teacher who was scared to teach online.
Now I’m the teacher that excitedly tells everyone “Did I tell you I get to teach first grade online this year!??!”
One thing we can all agree on, this year has been an absolute disaster when it comes to making plans…
Better start writing in your lesson plan book with a pencil, ya’ll. 😂
After receiving a few requests from teachers in my building to show them how to teach guided reading on Zoom, I thought more teachers might want some help in this area.
Back in March, I did a YouTube video on this very topic. You can watch that HERE.
If you’re someone who likes to read instructions and see step by step photos, then this blog post is for you.
First things first, you need an electronic reading library. My school district uses Reading A to Z and Raz-Kids, so that’s what you’re going to see in this tutorial.
You can get a free trial if you don’t have access to this, and I highly recommend it. Both programs have guided reading lessons and reading activities that essentially hold your hand through the lesson.
I use Reading A to Z with my tutoring clients but will also use Raz-Kids with my online students.
Once you’re on Reading A to Z, go to the tab called “Resources” and click “Leveled Texts.”
From here you can choose what reading level your student or tutoring client is reading.
Reading A to Z provides 29 reading levels! There are tons of books in each level, so pick something you know they’ll be interested in.
With some of my tutoring clients, I allow them to choose the book. Use your teacher judgment here if the kiddo can handle choosing a title.
Once you’ve chosen the book, you can also look over the guided reading lesson if you’d like some teaching points to guide you. I, myself, do this from time to time.
All of the books are projectable and this is how I recommend you use them during guided reading instruction online.
Click the projectable tab to make the book project on your screen.
Once the book is projected, you can go ahead with the guided reading lesson. The great part is seeing the book without needing any extra piece of technology like a document camera WHILE seeing your student’s faces to the side on Zoom.
I know teaching reading won’t feel the same online as it does in person...AT FIRST. If you keep an open mind about it, you may find that you love teaching online!
I was apprehensive about it at first too. I had to change my mindset.
Once I did, I fell in love with teaching reading online and realized I had all the tools I needed right at my fingertips.
Once I shifted my mindset from “This is going to be hard” to “I can do anything” I was blown away at how well my students and tutoring clients did with reading online.
Six months ago I would have never considered myself an expert on teaching online.
Fast forward to today and I’m a virtual teacher and my tutoring business is thriving. Small mindset shifts can move mountains!
If you’re still scratching your head about teaching reading online, I can help! I’m available for 30 minute sessions where we will dive deeper into how to teach reading online and all the tech tools available to you! Click here to set up a time to chat!
The tools for teaching online are all there. You need to trust your teaching abilities and put those unique teacher gifts to work
Every teacher has a unique teacher gift.
I truly believe all teachers are capable of sharing their unique gifts in unique ways!
If you’ve thought about using your gifts as a teacher in a tutoring business, what’s stopping you? Now is the best time to help families in need! If you need help getting started, get my free guide HERE.
What makes you special as a teacher? Share in the comments!
