Reading Instruction in the United States: Focusing on Guided Reading

Abstract

This research material aims to record and examine the teaching of reading at the beginner’s level in the United States, focusing on “guided reading.” It deals with introductory instruction as described in Albert J. Harris’ book How to Increase Reading Ability: A Guide to Developmental and Remedial Methods (co-authored with Edward R. Sipay from the 6th edition, published in 1975). According to this book, from the 1950s to the 1990s, guided reading consisted of increasingly more diverse learning activities. In 1996, the following research book, which realized “formulating the questions,” was published: Fountas, I. C., & Pinnell, G. S., (1996). Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children. NH: Heinemann. Through a consideration of the “formulated questions,” it was clarified that the goal of guided reading is for the student to acquire the ability to read while “self-correcting.” Furthermore, I specifically presented the guided reading class that I observed in Wisconsin in 2001, and provided considerations.