The Real Difference
When we really break down the difference between the two, we have to remember guided reading is for your struggling reader and skills group is to help reinforce and build skills you have taught or students need reinforced.
Guided Reading Group
This would be the reader that needs a little extra instruction decoding, or really delving into vocabulary or comprehension. Guided reading also may combine multiple aspects of learning how to be a better reader. Guided reading lessons are completely separate from the whole class mini lesson. The guided reading is super specific to the group of students that you have together and their reading level. Guided reading can build fluency and help with the fundamentals our little readers may be struggling with overall.
Guided reading groups can change and may change quickly with reading levels, but oftentimes the group will be similar as they work through the different elements of strengthening their reading. Guided reading lessons are super specific, planned, and purposeful. Each student is reading the same text and the teacher can preview the text, the vocabulary and be purposeful about helping the students become stronger readers. Word work is also super important in guided reading. When you are working in the primary grades, sight words may be a big focus. (Grab some sight word resources here!) This could last anywhere around 15-20 minutes.