Comparing Guided Reading and Leveled Literacy Intervention:

Different Instructional Contexts for Different Purposes

GUIDED READING
Guided reading is one component of a
comprehensive language and literacy
framework for instruction. Across
many contexts, students receive
instruction in reading comprehension,
phonics/word study, and writing.
Guided reading specifically helps
students develop proficient systems
for strategic actions for reading.

LEVELED LITERACY INTERVENTION

General Context
Instruction with emphasis
on language learning

Leveled Literacy Intervention is

a systematically designed,
sequenced, short, supplementary
lesson that builds on high-quality
classroom instruction. It includes
reading, phonics, and writing
about reading. LLI offers intensive
instruction to help struggling readers
develop proficient systems of
strategic actions for reading.

Differentiated classroom instruction

Purpose

Supplementary literacy intervention

All students

Serves

Readers who are having difficulty and

are reading below grade level

Small group instruction

usually 4 to 8

Grouping

Small group instruction

3 (moving to a maximum of
4 for upper grades)

Students placed in groups because

they have similar instructional levels

Students placed in groups because

they have similar instructional levels

Ongoing across elementary

school years

Duration

Temporary, short-term intervention

(10 to 20 weeks, with possibility of
more if needed)

Leveled books selected by the teacher

for the group

Materials

Leveled books that are

designed for LLI and placed in
a preplanned sequence

Benchmark assessment to determine

instructional level for each student

Assessment

Benchmark assessment to determine

instructional level for each student

Beginning of year, interval, and

end-of-year data recorded

Entry, interval assessments,

and exit data recorded.

Interval assessment varies

Interval assessment data collected

every other day (1 reading record
every 6 days for each student)

15 to 20 minutes varying from 3 to 5

times a week (more for students who
are having difficulty)

Time

30 minutes daily (stretching to 45

minutes for upper elementary grades)

Comparing Guided Reading and Leveled Literacy Intervention:

Different Instructional Contexts for Different Purposes
GUIDED READING
Guided Reading Lessons
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LEVELED LITERACY INTERVENTION

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Even-Numbered Lessons
Preparation (Text Analysis; Goals)
Rereading and Assessment
Phonics / Word Work

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and Interaction
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Writing About Reading

(instructional text from yesterday)

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Reading a New Text (independent level)

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Classroom and Home Connection

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Odd-Numbered Lessons
Preparation (Text Analysis; Goals)
Rereading Text
Phonics / Word Work
Reading a New Text (instructional level
Introduction, Reading, Discussion,
Teaching Point)
Word Work
Classroom and Home Connection
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efficient processing and
good comprehension

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Elements

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carefully sequenced to support efficient
processing and good comprehension

t $PNQSFIFOTJPO supported
by introduction, discussion, and
specific teaching

t $PNQSFIFOTJPO supported
by introduction, discussion,
and specific teaching

t 'MVFODZ explicitly taught and prompted

t 'MVFODZ explicitly taught and

prompted; rereading assists fluency;
reading a new book at independent
level also supports fluency

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option to extend comprehending
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taught, and reinforced during reading and
taught in specific teaching points
after readingword work at the end
of the lesson is an option.

t 8SJUJOH about reading used every other

day to extend comprehending
t 1IPOJDTXPSE TUVEZ is preplanned,
sequenced, and explicitly taught twice
in every 30 minute lesson

t 7PDBCVMBSZ built through

encountering new words in texts

t 7PDBCVMBSZ built through encountering

new words in texts

t .PUJWBUJPO fostered by selecting

engaging texts and matching books
to students current reading levels

t .PUJWBUJPO fostered by selecting

engaging texts and matching books
to students current reading levels; series
books (fiction and nonfiction) build
engagement; books not in classroom use.

Comparing Guided Reading and Leveled Literacy Intervention:

Different Instructional Contexts for Different Purposes
GUIDED READING
Professional books (see Fountas and
Pinnell at Heinemann.com)

LEVELED LITERACY INTERVENTION

5FBDIFS .BUFSJBMT

When Readers Struggle

Fountas & Pinnell Prompting Guide 1

Fountas & Pinnell Prompting Guide 1

Lesson Guides
Professional books

Professional Development

Specific 6-day training (at OSU

and Lesley University)

Professional development sessions

Built-in professional development
in lessons and guides

Literacy coaching in classrooms

where available

DVDs demonstrating lessons

and routines
Tutorial on reading records

Classroom teacher

11/2009

002321

5FBDIFS

Intervention or classroom teacher