Theory of Gradual Release of Responsibility

Have you ever heard of the Theory of Gradual Release of Responsibility?  This could probably be used to define my whole method of teaching.  


There are 4 stages of instruction: model, share, guide, and independent.  


1.  Modeling is done whole group with little to no participation from the students.


2.  During the Shared stage, the students interact with the teacher, but the teacher is still providing the modes for instruction.


3.  The next stage is Guided, where the student shows the teacher if he or she has understood the lesson and the teacher is there to coach the student.  This is not a time for teaching, it is a time for the teacher to decide the next step and/or type of instruction for the students.


4.  The Independent stage is done purely by the student without help from the teacher.  This can be in the form of performance tasks, centers, assessments, or projects.


In schools today, this is most comfortably seen in the form of modeled reading (model a strategy), shared reading (students help the teacher with the strategy), guided reading (small group meetings where the students use the strategy and are coached by the teacher), and independent reading and centers where the students use the strategy alone.  


When I first started using this theory in my classroom, it blew my mind because I couldn't get a grasp on how to lay it out in my plans.  If differentiation occurs, all 4 stages could be occurring in the classroom, so I came up with a planning guide that helped me think through my planning and I was finally able to internalize the sequences.  Below you will see a form I used when I first incorporated this into my teaching.  Just click on that pic to download it and a blank form!  

I'll warn you, this will be clear as mud until you keep practicing it in your classroom!


The packet that you can download shows an example of several weeks of a VERY simple plan.  My plans were set up like this, only in much smaller boxes.  I had a sheet for each subject that I taught.  Be cautioned that you do not have to spend a whole week modeling some skills, so the plan may change mid-week.  I just made a note on the plan that students were progressing fast and I was moving on.


I hope that you find this helpful!


Enjoy!