Make reading in small groups easier with a reading strategy checklist.
Here is a free checklist I've made for guided reading groups to communicate what I'm seeing with kindergarten parents.

When reading with small groups, documenting what strategies students try is a great way to both informally assess and help guide your own planning. We teachers have to find ways to save time, right?
Well, in my opinion a checklist is the way to go. Let me give it a check and be done! Same principle as in crossing stuff off a to-do list, which I lo-o-o-ve.
Wait a minute, Leslie... Don't you assess by taking notes and running records in your guided reading binder?
Yes, I do! Taking notes is the most meaningful way I track what my students are doing. For me, it works out great for planning lessons or for reorganizing my groups.

Then, why this additional piece?
I felt like with the implementation of Common Core standards, the mention of reading strategies earlier on in the school year meant I needed to communicate more regularly to parents what I was seeing.
I could send home running record data... um, yeah right.
So I created this half-page form to communicate to parents in a simple and effective way.

What I have learned is that my kinders appreciate it as a form of immediate feedback and are generally excited {gotta love kindergarten} to practice the strategies even more.
Sometimes I stick it in a book (like one of their reminder bookmarks) that goes home with them.
It helps me communicate these Common Core standards:
- K.RF.4. Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
- K.RF.4.a. Use self-correcting strategies when reading simple sentences.
- K.RL.4.e. Understand and use fix-up strategies.
- K.RL.4.e-1. Use pictures to figure out unknown words.
- K.RL.4.e-2. Break words into sounds to read unknown words.
- K.RL.4.e-3. Chunk unknown words into parts to read unknown words.
Do you do this checklist for every kinder, every time you meet with them?
Nope.
I just use these guided reading strategy checklists to communicate on a semi-regular basis and as I feel needed.
I've found that if I keep them handy, then whenever I do a running record it is just a checkmark (or two) away from sending home as an update to parents.

If you have my guided reading products, you'll love that it is consistent with the reading strategy icons!
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Let's wrap it up
There you have it - a free checklist for guided reading groups so you can communicate what you're seeing with kindergarten parents.
I hope you find this free printable helpful as you grow your readers.
If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.
Dian Dudeck says
Thanks!
Katie Aalborg Jackson says
I love the guided reading checklist. I shared it on my fb page but was never able to download it. I bought your guided reading pack, hoping it would be in there, but it wasn't. Would it be possible for you to email it to me? Thanks
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Hi Katie,
I'm working on debugging that right now. Hopefully it'll be resolved super soon! If not, I can email it to you. You can send me a personal message on facebook with your email.
Thanks,
Leslie
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Hi Katie, would you be able to try that again? I just had that error fixed. My apologies for the technology fluke {{uughh}}! Thanks!
- Leslie
Mary says
Where did you find those Common Core Standards beside the bullets? I've looked on 2 apps and the common core website and have not seen the standards broken down to that extent.
Leslie says
Hi Mary, the sub-standards came from the state of Indiana. They are listed out here by quarter: https://www.kindergartenworks.com/2011/08/binder-basics.html. I consider them building blocks 😉
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Hi Mary, the sub-standards came from the state of Indiana. They are listed out here by quarter: https://www.kindergartenworks.com/2011/08/binder-basics.html. I consider them building blocks 😉