What is guided practice in a reading setting?

Guided practice in a reading setting involves students engaging in activities where they can practice skills with the support and feedback of their teacher. This approach allows students to apply what they have learned in a more controlled environment, where the teacher can model strategies and provide immediate assistance or corrections as needed. This interaction fosters a deeper understanding of reading concepts, encourages questions, and reinforces learning.

In contrast to independent review, which may not provide the necessary support for struggling learners, guided practice ensures that students are not just practicing but are also receiving the guidance they need to improve. Similarly, while listening to a lecture can introduce reading strategies, it does not involve the hands-on application that guided practice offers. Lastly, focusing solely on homework assignments limits the instructional support that is essential for effective learning, as it does not provide opportunities for immediate feedback or model behaviors that guided practice does.