Create a cozy reading area with decorations and furniture. An area filled with soft chairs and brightly colored paint or posters allows kids to associate reading with comfort and fun.
Wear a funny outfit. Start every guided reading session by donning an outfit designed to make your students laugh, such as pink wig or a superhero cape. Whenever you wear this costume, your students will know that it's time to read and laugh.
Read an old story first. Have your students choose and re-read a short story they've read in a previous guided reading session. Reading a piece they're already familiar with acts as a confidence booster.
Incorporate journals into your guided reading sessions. Encourage young students to draw pictures related to the story. Older students can write down their thoughts about what they've read.
End each session with a reward. Hand out stickers or cute erasers. Stamp each student's hand as a sign that he's completed his guided reading session.