KS1 Guided Reading Independent Activities
The independent activities that go on during the Guided Reading slot depend largely on
the maturity and independence of the children. Generally the tasks should encourage
interaction with books and texts, both professionally published and those produced by
the children. Don’t forget to include non-fiction.
BOOK BOX – should be a regular feature – try to change the books regularly, swapping
with other classes or borrowing from libraries. Include the children’s made books.
LEAFLETS and CATALOGUES – give items to search for (simple cards with words and
pictures can be re-used with different publications)
LISTENING POST – should be a regular feature – make tapes of the class as they read
the big book.
SEQUENCING CARDS – there are plenty around e.g. in ELS materials. For non-fiction try
Sammy’s Science House (EDMARK) software
WORD/PICTURE MAPPING SHEETS – some published by Jolly Phonics etc.
PIPS – some of the PIPS games can be used in small groups independently, but they would
need to be familiar with them
JUMBLED SENTENCES/SENTENCE MAKER – if using a set with a wide range of words,
only use a few at first
STAND-ALONE COMPUTER – use programmes that track pupils’ success rate to assist
with assessment
STORY MAPS – teach this in whole class sessions a few times – once they get the basic
idea it can apply to almost any story
CHARACTER MAPS – again, teach these in whole class sessions - children working
towards level 3 need opportunities to think deeply about aspects of character
WORD COLLECTION – beginners might look for a particular initial sound, more
experienced readers might search for describing words, spooky words etc.
LETTERS/POSTCARDS – write to your favourite character or from one character to
another (you could introduce this idea if you are reading one of the Jolly Postman books
or Yours Affectionately, Peter Rabbit)
CHANGE THE ENDING – one for the more able – children sometimes express
dissatisfaction or disappointment with a story ending, get them to write their own
RE-READING OLD FAVOURITES – many children enjoy, even need repetition of their
text repertoire
SMALL BOOKS OF THE BIG BOOK – current or last week’s text – especially for those
still building up their repertoire
SCRAP BOOKS – cut and paste illustrations, cards, catalogues to be labelled or given
captions
REVIEWS – start with simple pictures plus captions showing favourite part of a book
read – could use a simple generic frame to establish purpose and task
NON-FICTION LAYOUT – re-arrange pictures and text boxes from a page of a nonfiction book, give the page a title
ADVERTS – design a poster or advert to encourage others to read a fiction or non-fiction
book or just to read!
READING JOURNALS – practice for KS2, talk to KS2 teachers for ideas
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS – something simple – a drawing or putting objects in
special containers
Try to have a repertoire of activities so that the children recognise the task even though
the texts/materials may be different.