Meaning
Techniques we as teachers use to support students as they develop reading skills and comprehension.
Constructivism
A learning theory that suggests learners build (or “construct”) their own understanding of the world through experiences and reflection. Instead of passively receiving information, students actively connect the knowledge to what they learned or know.
Example-Constructivism
A kindergarten teacher introduces a new lesson on plants, but instead of lecturing the teacher would give out seeds, soil, and small pots. Over time the students would observe them daily and discuss what they notice. With this hands-on lesson, students construct their understanding of how plants grow.
Guided Reading Strategies
A strategy that helps students improve reading comprehension and critical thinking by actively engaging with a text before, during, and after reading.
Example of Guided Reading
Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Anticipation/Prediction:
The teacher shows the cover and asks, “What animals do you think we’ll see in this book?” Students share guesses like “a bear,” “a bird,” or “a dog.”
First Reading:
The teacher reads the story aloud while students follow along in their own copies or on a shared screen. Students repeat the patterned phrases to build participation and fluency.
Recall:
After reading, the teacher asks, “Who remembers which animals we saw in the story?” Students list animals in the order they remember.
Rereading and Verification:
Students look back at the book to check which animals they missed or mixed up, confirming what they learned.
Discussion and Extension:
The class talks about what all the animals have in common (colors, body parts, etc.), then students draw and label their favorite animal from the story.
