While here, I've learned a great deal about working with guided reading groups and small group lectures. Of course, there is a lot of work to make sure that the rest of the class is able to do independent work while I am at the back table with a small group. It's very difficult to have to manage two groups at once.
I am very fortunate to to be at a school that has invested heavily into these guided reading materials. Many of the materials already have a lesson plan that comes with it, and all I have to do is follow it. My colleagues have also been amazingly supportive with helping me to understand how to guide these reading groups.
With these reading groups, everyone is reading the same book that is appropriate for their level, but we also work on many different strategies to build reading skills and comprehension.
In these groups, we usually start off with some predictions based on the cover and back cover. We do a gallery walk through where they will look at the pictures on each page. Before reading, I usually ask questions to help them tie in their own personal experiences to the story (e.g. the character in the book goes skating with her class. Have you ever gone skating before? Have you ever felt afraid of trying something new?)
Then, we read together as a group before reading again individually where I go around and listen to them read one at a time. I'm looking for the ability to decode the text at this point, and if I've done it right, they should be able to decode most of the next.
When everyone is done, we summarize the story together to see if students can put it into their own words. We clarify key plot points, and then discuss questions from the text. I will ask them questions that will require them to apply their own reasoning and thinking to it. Often times, we have some sort of a graphic organizer (poster paper) to record these thoughts.
By the end of it, and depending on the time and the group I have, I may have the students create something by applying what they've learned from the story. Sometimes, they write a short sequel to the story, or draw and explain what is going to happen next.