Guided Reading is done with all types of reading materials—big books, little versions of big books, basal readers, anthologies, magazines, multiple copies of trade books, and sections from science and social studies texts.

Early in first grade, most Guided Reading time is spent in shared reading lessons with predictable big books. These books are read together in a variety of choral, echo, and other shared-reading formats. Little books based on the big books are read and reread with partners, then individually or in small groups.

As the year progresses, the shared reading of big books continues to be a part of Guided Reading, while other books, not big and not predictable, are added. These books might be part of a basal series or multiple copies of trade books. The emphasis shifts from reading together to reading with partners, in small groups, with the teacher, or individually.

As a class reads and rereads selections, the teacher uses a variety of different whole-class, small group, partner, and individual formats. Along with deciding how to read a selection, the teacher determines what can be done before and after reading to promote comprehension.