When a Guided Reading Lesson Flops

Have you ever taught a guided reading lesson that didn’t go well? I certainly have. It’s embarrassing, especially when you are demonstrating in front of a group of teachers. Most of the time the lesson flops because the text is too difficult. What do I do? Sometimes we’ll read a few pages together and talk about the book. Other times I just apologize for making the wrong choice and choose a more appropriate book next time.