Student reading abilities sometimes cannot possibly be measured if a student is holding back her potential or if an illness or disability is causing a distraction from learning to read. Teachers target the students' individual needs, wherever they are at the time they are reading in the third grade, even if they are reading above or below their expected reading level. Teachers use a Guided Reading Level Systems chart when calculating a student's reading level. Third graders should theoretically be reading between Guided Reading Levels J through Q and the Developmental Reading Assessment levels 18 through 40. DRA refers to your district's reading expectation for students to level by specific dates.
Lexile Measures are a leveling criteria developed by MetaMetrics, Inc., according to Scholastic online. Lexile levels are assigned to books by the company using the system. Students are tested in order to determine which Lexile level he is reading on at the time he enters the third grade. The Lexile level for third grade is 500L--800L.
Even though each teacher within a third grade classroom may implement a Guided Reading lesson a bit differently, according to her individual taste and classroom personality, the small reading group will meet with her at a table or at a reading circle center. Teachers introduce the text, including the title and the author and illustrator's name and known information. The teacher summarizes the story, gives a picture walk and discusses various grammatical areas within the story. For third grade, teachers introduce two or three new vocabulary words per text and students are instructed to disperse to their quiet reading areas to read the text independently.
While the teacher is working with one Guided Reading group, the other groups rotate in a predetermined order. Teachers often have rotations time or they may simply call out "rotate" to instruct students to switch areas. Some teachers ring a bell or use an alarm for students to switch areas. As the first reading group leaves the teacher and disperses to their quiet reading area, the next reading group moves to the teacher's table. The rest of the class participates in listening centers, computer learning activities, SMART Board interactive exercises, worksheets or a variety of other small group center rotations.