Guided Reading

Our Guided Reading Approach

At Longlands, we use the approach developed by John Murray to teach Guided Reading.

Guided Reading is a daily lesson in which pupils learn how to think deeply about what they read. Through carefully chosen texts, pupils develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and critical-thinking skills. Reading lessons are rich in discussion, exploration and enjoyment, while providing explicit teaching of the knowledge and skills needed to become successful readers.

Why We Use Rich Texts

Children deserve access to ambitious, engaging and high-quality literature. Throughout the year, pupils study fiction, non-fiction, poetry, picture books, classics and contemporary texts. These rich texts help children to:

• Develop wider vocabulary.
• Build background knowledge.
• Deepen their understanding of the world.
• Improve comprehension and reasoning.
• Develop a genuine love of reading.

Weekly Guided Reading Structure

Children study one carefully chosen text over the course of a week:

Monday: Prediction; Retrieval; Questioning.

Tuesday: Vocabulary; Word knowledge and authorial choice.

Wednesday: Inference; Deductive reasoning and deeper thinking.

Thursday: Guided comprehension; Fluency development.

Friday: Independent application; Assessment and feedback.

This structured approach enables pupils to revisit texts, deepen understanding and develop the full range of reading knowledge and skills needed for success.

Find out more about John Murray CPD