Using Miniature Anchor Charts at the Guided Reading Table

I've got some tips today for how to help students use miniature anchor charts at the guided reading table to strengthen and build upon their reading goals and skills they need to improve!

We all make anchor charts with our students for reading.  Sometimes, students need a quick reminder of the skills when they are at the guided reading table or we want student pairs to work together on skills covered in an anchor chart.  But full size anchor charts can be expensive, they are too big for the guided reading table, and sometimes it's a good idea for students to make their miniature anchor chart! Some of the the links below may be referral links, which means,  I will earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 

Use Different Sizes of Paper for Anchor Charts

There are all kinds of chart papers you can use that are smaller in size and easier to manage at the guided reading table.  Some are useful for the teacher to sketch out part of an existing anchor chart that you see students need a quick reminder about.  Sketch pads with flip styles are great for this!

If you have done a phonics anchor chart for decoding words in a whole group lesson, but then see that one of your groups needs a reminder of this skill you can do a miniature chart at your guided reading table with a small flip chart type.

This is a handy little chart pad that flips easily so you can go back to previous charts you've made at the table to recycle using them when needed! You can find these smaller spiral notebooks if you click here.

Have Students Work In Pairs to Create Anchor Charts

My students this year LOVED finding problems and solutions in the stories they were reading during independent reading time.  We did an anchor chart together, then they used their Independent Reading Tool Kits (read about that post here) to record the problems and solutions that they found when reading.  They used a LOT of Post It Notes.  A better solution is having the students, when reading in pairs, use a miniature sketch pad.

Get some cheap sketch pads for students to create anchor charts together rather than using your expensive full size chart paper.  Students can use one page for several ideas and the paper will last longer! You can find sketch pads like this one by clicking here.

Use Interactive Notebooks for Anchor Charts

Have students record their Goals for Reading in their Interactive Reading Notebooks!  This helps students to take ownership of their goals and learning.  You can use different forms or students can design their own charts.

 Find & Use Cheap Pads of Paper

When you find good deals on pads of list making paper, buy a few!  The cheaper the pads of paper the better since students use them up so quickly. Kids love these and you can find all kinds of them for pretty cheap.  Switching out to different kinds of designs will keep it interesting for the students too.  Once they create an anchor chart they can then glue it into their Interactive Reader's Notebook to refer back too.  No need for each student to have their own pad.  

Have you ever bought your students those tiny spiral notebooks to jot thoughts about reading into?  They are small, cheap and fun for students to use.  They can be slipped into the front pocket of a binder if students use Interactive Notebooks.

Store Chart Pads in Small Containers at the Table

Gather all the smaller pads and chart tablets, put them into a small plastic container with some markers and your miniature anchor chart station is ready to use!  Keep it on or close to your guided reading table so it is handy for you and your students. Using miniature anchor charts at the guided reading table enhances learning and can be very engaging for students!  

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