Guiding Readers – Layers of meaning

How can teachers foster good reading in pupils aged 7 – 11? This book explains the way to do it.

Reading comprehension is so much more than just reading words, and this book explains how to develop all aspects of it for pupils aged 7–11. Written by top experts in the field, it includes eleven in-depth case studies – taken from real-life classrooms – of lessons on fiction and non-fiction, poetry and picture books, advertising and film.

What is this book about?
Reading comprehension is so much more than just reading words, and this book explains how to develop all aspects of it for pupils aged 7–11. Written by top experts in the field, it includes eleven in-depth case studies – taken from real-life classrooms – of lessons on fiction and non-fiction, poetry and picture books, advertising and film.

Why is it needed?
Guided reading, widely used in English lessons, has never been satisfactorily examined for children in this age range. Once they have learnt how to read, pupils need support to develop strategies to extend their comprehension: What does the text say? What does it mean? What do I feel about it?

What is special about guiding readers?
We can guide readers whenever we open discussions by exploring their understanding rather than telling them. This book shows teachers how it can be done with real classroom examples.

Who is it for?
All teachers of children aged 7–11, English subject leaders, literacy coordinators, student teachers, teacher-educators, librarians, tutors and reading specialists.