Which Book and Why: An introduction to guided reading in schools

This course is no longer running.

Please contact ioe.short courses@ucl.ac.uk to register your interest or enquiry about the bespoke version of this course.

Course overview 

The course programme will introduce those who are either new to the practice or who have been using guided reading methods but not had previous training.

Content would include guidance about the structure of a guided reading lesson and rationales and practices for text selection (fiction, non-fiction and decodable texts linked to SSP programmes).

Who is the course for

This course is recommended for practising Teachers and Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA).

Teaching and structure

The course will be based around the core text ‘Which Book and Why’, 2nd Edition (Bodman & Franklin, 2021), which will be a requirement to course attendance.

There will be two live online sessions on Zoom and participants will also have access to the online content programme materials and links to sessions/discussion boards curated on Sway. 

Wednesday, 6 April 1:00-3:45pm 

• Session 1: ‘What is Guided Reading? Principles and rationales’.

Wednesday, 4 May 1:00-3:45pm 

• Session 2: ‘Effective teaching in Guided Reading: the right book at the right time’.

Course content and learning outcomes

Course participants will:

• Understand the principles and practice of guided reading, the role of the teacher, and matching the book to the needs of the child
• Be familiar with the structure of a guided reading lesson
• Understand the rationales for book banding and levelling of phonic materials
• Be able to use the database included in the book materials to make informed book selection both for purpose and for learning objective.

Course benefits 

• Complimentary copy of ‘Which Book and Why’ 2nd Edition (Bodman & Franklin, 2021), including online professional development resources and book listings database
• Two live online sessions balancing theory and practice to learn how to implement guided reading confidently and more effectively
• Access to online content programme materials and links to sessions/discussion boards curated on Sway
• Q&A with the ‘Which Book and Why’ authors and experts in the field
• Suggested practical activities and tasks to support on-school guided reading provision
• A certificate of participation will be issued for those who attend the whole course. 

This course is no longer running.

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