Guided reading has always been a staple in my reading instruction. But, as much as I love guided reading, it is so easy (like scary easy) to have a jumbled mess of lesson plans, running records, and other random forms in piles upon piles at my guided reading table. To combat this, I streamlined my guided reading binder into a super functional organizational tool with all the forms that I need right at my fingertips. In this post, I will share the forms I use and how I keep them all organized so I can quickly get to what I need. All of these forms are free and available for download so make sure and snag all the forms at the end of the post, after reading how to use them.
All student data and information shown on the forms is fabricated to protect the confidentiality of my students.
I have five sections in my guided reading binder: whole class section, groups section, individual student section, blank forms section, and a resources section.
Whole Class Section
This section is where I keep all of the information for all of my students.
At-a-Glance Levels and Student Information
This form allows me to see how all of my students are doing in a single glance. I use this form to help me group my students and determine my focus for my guided reading lessons.
On the form, I list the students’ names, their guided reading levels, their strengths as a reader, and their struggles. I complete a new updated form each quarter.
Grouping Form
I use this form to group my students. I write students’ names under the group and each students specific level. In a perfect world, you would be able to have a group of students all reading at the same level. But, we know that just isn’t the case. After I have grouped my students (by looking at their levels and also looking at their strengths and struggles), I determine an overall instructional level for my group instruction.
As you can see from the example, I use Fountas and Pinnell leveling. However, this form can also be used if you are using lexile ranges.
Guided Reading Group Rotation Chart
In this section, I also keep my rotation chart and my group members form. I have included a few different forms in the download for you to use based on your needs. On this form, I keep track of which groups I meet with on which days. I try to meet with my below level readers four times a week, my grade level readers three times a week, and my above grade level readers two times a week.
Groups Section
I further divide my groups section into tabs for each group.
In each group tab, I keep the following:
List of Books Read
I keep a running list of each book that the group reads, the level of the book, and the genre. This helps ensure that I am exposing the students to a variety of genres, and that we are progressing through the levels.
Guided Reading Group Notes Form
In this section, I also keep my guided reading group notes form. I have tried a few different ways of the years, but this is by far the most efficient and simple way to make sure I am keeping track of my students’ reading progress. You can read more about how I use this guided reading form by clicking here.
Lesson Plans
My individual group lesson plans are also kept in this section.
Individual Students Section
Next in my binder is my individual students section. I also have this section further divided up into tabs by individual student.
I keep the following forms and data in this section:
Benchmarking Forms
I use Fountas and Pinnell Benchmarking Kits to benchmark my students. I benchmark all of my students at the beginning of the year and then my struggling readers at Christmas and in the spring. I move my groups up in levels in between benchmarking sessions, but these formal benchmarks are still super valuable and important data to have.
Running Records and Running Records Graph
Running records are how I determine if my students are ready to move up a level. I complete running records biweekly on my struggling students and once a month on the rest of my students. I simply copy a page from the guided reading book we are reading and complete the running record on that page. I access their accuracy and complete a quick comprehension check. I keep copies of their running records in this section as well as the graph shown. The graph helps me track the data from the running records to see if my instruction is effective.
Independent Conference Forms
Independent conferences are one of my favorite ways to connect with my students as readers. I keep my conference forms in this section of my binder. You can read more about how to get started with independent reading conferences by clicking HERE.
Blank Forms Section
This section is pretty self-explanatory. I keep blank copies of all the forms mentioned above in this section of my guided reading binder.
Resources Section
In this section of my guided reading binder, I keep resources that we use on a regular basis. These resources may include:
- Decoding Tips
- Graphic Organizers
- Questioning Guides
What if You Use Lexile Levels/Ranges?
As I mentioned above, I use Fountas and Pinnell levels, but I know a lot of schools do lexile ranges. All forms that mention a students level have two forms: one for reading level and one for lexile level.
This binder is definitely one of the most important resources for guided reading. It allows me to track my students’ progress and reflect on their goals. To see my other must-have guided reading materials, click here to read a detailed post of all of my favorite guided reading supplies and how I use them.
To read more about how I teach reading, click HERE to read a detailed post that breaks down the different aspects of my reading instruction.
And finally, to download all the forms shown on this post, click on the image below.
See the tabs and binder size I used below (these are amazon affiliate links):
Do you have a guided reading binder that you use? What are your go-to forms? Let me know in the comments.
Thank you so much for sharing! Your blog is fantastic!!
Thank you, Cate!
Thank you so much for sharing this great resource ☺️
As a first year 4th grade ELA teacher, I cannot THANK you enough for this wonderful resource. I have been struggling with how to organize all of my guided reading materials and these freebies will be my saving grace!
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you SO much for sharing!!!
Aww, thank you, Chelsi! That makes my day that my resources are able to help you! You are very welcome!
I have been teaching fourth grade for years, and I’m really ready to revamp my reading instruction. I have never done the traditional “guided reading”, as I have held individual conferences with my students. (Guided reading wasn’t really focused on in either my undergrad OR grad degree! Can you believe that?!) Your blog posts are helping me in so many ways, and I can’t thank you enough for the help you have provided. Thank you!! THANK YOU!!
I am curious about something. Do you ever do whole-class books or book club groups? If so, how does that work in your reading schedule?
Thanks again!
HI Allyson, the only whole class book that I typically do is Wonder. The other times I use read aloud picture books or shorter texts. I do have my students do literature circles, typically after February. By then, I know they have strong reading behaviors and the skills needed to discuss books at a deeper level. You can read more about how I teach reading here:
https://jenniferfindley.com//2016/07/how-i-teach-reading-in-5th-grade.html
Hope this helps!
I don’t see the links to the tabs that you use…I love that the tabs for sections stick out farther than the tabs for individual students!
Hi Becca:
These are the big tabs that stick out: https://www.amazon.com/Avery-Insertable-Dividers-Multicolor-11901/dp/B0000AQOH2/ref=sm_n_ma_dka_US_pr_pub_0_1?creativeASIN=B0000AQOH2&linkId=d17fbf7e1f7a18d3b0cb5edecefe516b&tag=teactoinspwit-20&linkCode=w43&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fjaded-quartz.flywheelsites.com%2F2016%2F10%2Fguided-reading-binder-upper-elementary.html&slotNum=0&imprToken=r6k7ZcyPoXc7PwaYBKE7IQ
Those big tabs are my favorite to use! They also stick out further than pages in page protectors. I couldn’t find the group tabs on Amazon. I bought them from Office Depot.
Hope this helps!
This is exactly what I need! Thank you so much for sharing and for making the forms free!! I have in my TPT cart some of your products and can’t wait to begin implementing them.
Do you have something similar for Math groups? Fluency? Reports? These are great.
Amazing things are happening in your classroom! Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to use in my classroom tomorrow and share with my fifth grade team!
Thankyou for these wonderful BLMs. Great organisation on every level which will set me up for the coming year. Can’t wait to use them and keep all data and information together. I often have two folders going sk this will make life simpler. Am sure work colleagues will love when I share with them, too. Thankyou so much!
I am so thankful I stumbled across your blog!!! I have always wanted to do guided reading in my classroom, but have always been lost in the process of all the different components that it has never worked the way I wanted. I am very new to the blogging world, so I may have missed it, but I was wondering if you have written your post about your guided reading lesson planning process. I have read what the other students do while you are doing guided reading, and that you do independent conferences with students at the beginning of your guided reading groups, but I have so many questions on how you organize your lessons for guided reading! Are your books for your guided reading groups something you have purchased or through a program of sorts? Do you do novels with your guided reading groups? How do you know what strategies/goals you need to work on with your students?
Thank you so much for sharing these downloads! I was having trouble finding my groove with the paperwork part of Daily 5. This has solved my problem! Thank you again so much!!!!!
Thank you for the amazing and very useful resources!
I’m so glad I found this blog! I will be starting guided reading groups next year. I have more than 5 groups because I have 36 in my class. Do you have a form with more groups?
I just wanted to say thank you so much for having your forms as a freebie! I am a first year teacher and this is perfect.
I’d love to see what you use for your guided reading lesson plan.
Thanks again!!!
You’re welcome, Jen! I hope to blog this school more in-depth about how I do guided reading lessons!
I just want to say THANK YOU! This coming school year will be my first year teaching fifth grade reading and this post has helped me so much! Thank you for taking the time and sharing I will definitely be looking for more to come!
This is the best material I have seen for Guided Reading, I had been trying to make my own but never had the time. You are a life saver ! Thank you so much for making your documents accessible. I can’t wait to start my guided reading unit 🙂
Thank you so very much! I can’t wait to use what I have learned from your posts!
This is such a great resource! Thanks!
Thank you for this post! I have a question-how do you determine which comprehension strategies you will work on in your small groups? For the students who don’t need fluency so much, but need comprehension.
I cannot thank you enough! You are amazingly kind and you are most inspiring! I have followed you ever since I found you through Pinterest and from then on, I am a huge fan! always will be!
Thank you so much!
Oh my goodness!!! What amazing resources and insight! Thank you for all that you do..I can’t wait to use these fantastic materials. I can’t wait to read all through your blog. I just switched to 5th grade Reading and Writing from 4th grade. Thank you!
Thank you! These are wonderful!
Hi Jennifer, you said you used different tabs for the groups that you found at home depot? What is the difference between those tabs and the ones you use for the groups? Just curious because I am going on maternity leave, and this system will not only help me but help my sub! Thanks so much, love your blog and materials!
Hey Kayla, the tabs that I got from amazon extend past the page protectors and other tabs so you can see them. I just prefer using them. 🙂 Here are those: https://www.amazon.com/Avery-Insertable-Dividers-Multicolor-11901/dp/B0000AQOH2/ref=sm_n_ma_dka_US_pr_pub_0_1?creativeASIN=B0000AQOH2&linkId=d17fbf7e1f7a18d3b0cb5edecefe516b&tag=teactoinspwit-20&linkCode=w43&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fjaded-quartz.flywheelsites.com%2F2016%2F10%2Fguided-reading-binder-upper-elementary.html&slotNum=0&imprToken=r6k7ZcyPoXc7PwaYBKE7IQ
Hi there,
I was wondering if you have a lesson planning template that you use for your different groups? I read on this page that you were going to post in a blog about your lesson planning process and template for guided reading. All your other forms are BRILLIANT and I was hoping you had one for planning as well!
I’ve been doing guided reading for nearly 15 years and I am not nearly this organized. You give me hope. I appreciate you sharing.
Last year, I struggled to come up with a system for my small group instruction. This summer, I am taking a Reading in Small Groups PD and was determined to streamline the process. When I received your email about this resource, it was exactly what I needed to get me motivated! I’ve printed out your forms, ordered the binder and dividers, and will implement your plan at the start of school. Thank you so much for giving such detailed information and offering the free forms.
Dear Mam,
I’m much grateful to you endlessly..providing such valuable resourses. These are very interesting and informative….as well as a helping hand for teachers who are keen and love their profession. Your are a great inspiration….