I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts of the day is when I get to pull my guided reading groups. I love having the ability to meet in small groups with my students and work with them right where they are. However, there were certain things that were bugging me. As many of you know, I like to be organized and I like everything to have a “home.” I like to know exactly where things are so that when I need them, they are available for me. I was beginning to struggle with the “tools” that I used for guided reading because they were not all in one place. Therefore, I spent some time over this break getting things organized and ready for the upcoming months of school.
I created a resource called “Guided Reading Made Easy” and am SO excited to use it. To get organized, I used three of my teacher “go to” solutions for organization: binders, organizational boxes, and pencil pouches!
Inside my binder I put all of my warm-up games, lesson plans, and my notebook (where I keep a running list of notes on all of my students).
Inside the box, I put all of the books that I wrote plus the extensions and games that go with them.
I organized the box into separate sections for each book that I wrote.
And then, in each folder, I put the materials I would need to run my guided reading groups.
So what exactly is included?
In the resource that I created, I started with a few activities to help start your guided reading groups. I provide you with games and activities to “jump start” your students and get them ready to read. I also included 10 guided reading books, hands-on (word work) extension activities (for after your group is finished), independent practice worksheets, assessments and more!
The Games:
Each game comes with directions and examples on how to use them. For example, one of the games is called “Make a Word.” For this game I choose a word that my students need to practice and put all the letters in the word in a baggie.
This week, one of my groups is working on the word “walk.” Therefore, I made a few baggies with my letter tiles and magnetic letters for my students to use.
To play the game, I will hand each of my students a baggie and then on the count of three, they will make the word with their letter manipulatives. This will help them get used to the letters in the word and the order that they will see them in.
(Note: You can still do this without the manipulatives! You can just write the letters on index cards and use them!)
After practicing a few words, my students and I will then dive into our book for the day.
There are many other {easy to implement} games included in this resource!
The Books:
I wrote 10 books that really target the skills that first graders need to practice in guided reading. The books are in themes that students will enjoy and each target 4 sight words and 4 vocabulary words. {The 10 books cover every single first grade sight word on the Dolch list.}
I also included lesson plans for you to use with each book. Each book contains three days worth of lessons where your students will work on skills such as locating sight words, reading with accuracy, practicing fluency, and then answering comprehension questions.
Each book also has three worksheets that go with them. These worksheets are perfect for independent practice and will help your students become better readers! The worksheets include searching for sight words, going back to the text to find important words and details, and comprehension questions.
I love how handy this is and how prepared I am for my groups! This is everything I need for one of my groups! Inside the folder, I have my books printed and independent practice ready. Also, all of my games and our specific sight words for the week are inside this pencil pouch!
If you are interested in purchasing this complete resource, simply click on the cover page below! I’m SURE you will love it!
{You can also view the preview and read more of what is included in it!}
I also now have a KINDER Guided Reading pack available. It is HUGE! (with over 350 pages of materials!) It is perfect for your students who are reading between an A-D level. Click below to get taken to this new packet!
Now available: Spring Readers! These are perfect for students reading between an E-I! This packet includes 10 mini books, 3 Non-Fiction passages, practice with the second grade Dolch list, TONS of new games and more!! You can find this new packet here!
This is something that I struggle with .. definitely going to try some of your ideas 
You are such a fantastic teacher! I love this!
<3 your pictures!!!!!
I didn’t know it was possible for your stuff to be even more fantastic, but it is! This looks amazing!
Love this!! Wish you had one for second grade!!!
Great post on GR! I’m adding your pack to my wishlist NOW!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing and I pinned it to go back and refer to
This is something that I struggle with .. definitely going to try some of your ideas 
The pack is on my wishlist !!
Karen
tommysmom0206@yahoo.com
Okay, so I LOVE this as much as I LOVE all your other stuff! Any chance you have some spare time to make a 2nd grade version (Joke!). You are so incredibly organized and your materials are so simple and clean yet creative and super engaging. I love it…I just need a 2nd grade version!
LOVE LOVE LOVE! So many great ideas and I’m loving your little books with all the dolch words in them!!!
Great job!
Lovvvvve this! I’m a student teacher & all of your explanations are super helpful in “getting” what guided reading is all about. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing how you organize your reading groups. The resource you created looks so useful!! Wishlist!
Love this! Wish it was for kindergarten… Where did you get that great file box? I am a newbie at kindergarten and guided reading groups so being that organized with it would be great! Thanks for sharing!!
Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing! Would love a chance to win it if possible! –Rosy rosyashish@yahoo.com
Love this product! Definitely interested in it. What other tips/tricks do you have available in your store for guided reading? I’m a first year teacher and that’s definitely an area I want to improve in!
Shelby
First Time Firstie
This is amazing! I also wish you had a 2nd grade one.
looks fantastic! Just added it to my TPT cart
What pockets do you use inside your binder?
pLeAsE do one for second grade…. this is an awesome tool to have!! Perfection
I love this – but its way too advanced for my kinders
PLEASE consider making one for kindergarten, I’ll pre-pay!!
Thanks
Connie
Connie! I do have a kinder edition!
Here is the link! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Reading-Made-Easy-A-Complete-Resource-For-Kinders-1068048 This one starts out VERY basic! I hope you can use it!! 
Kristen,
I linked your guided reading blog post to my post about top resources for starting up guided reading. Thank you so much for your fabulous insight into guided reading.
Here is my blog: Apple Tree Learning
Thanks!
jen 😉
Any way you could make this for second grade???
I would give anything for a second grade version! No seriously, anything!
Hi, I love your ideas! I teach in a bilingual kindergarten program so I can’t use your complete guided reading kit. But do you have a document that has the games you play at the beginning as a brain warm up? I’d like to be able to use it as a resource. Thank you!
Yes! You can buy just the games here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Reading-Made-Easy-Just-the-Games-1328051
Where did you get the box? I need boxes to use for small group reading to organize for each group in upper grades!
I got it at Jo-Ann Fabrics!
Do you sell a guided reading set for levels I-M? I teach 2nd grade and would love to purchase it.
I purchased your guided reading pack for 1st grade. Can you tell me the levels of the books? Thank you! Love it!