Small Group Instruction
Every instructional minute matters. Taking time to differentiate instruction is not easy and requires very thorough planning. You must know your students well and understand what you are targeting so that you can give them what they need to progress.Targeting the needs in a small group can be a very effective way to differentiate, but taking a small group does not necessarily mean it is valuable. You must take the time to plan our your small group instruction to the group members' specific needs. The needs of different groups are different, and the focus of the small group may not be what is in the Teacher's Manual. You have to maximize your precious instructional time, and making good instructional decisions will help you do that.
Not every group needs to be met with every day, but you should really make sure you meet with your strugglers as many days a week as possible. Click here for some recommended reading for teaching reading in small groups. Use the link below to access helpful information on small group reading.
What: What are you going to target in your small group? What does your group need? What text will you use?
How: How will you target the skill or strategy? Which instructional strategy will work best? How will students demonstrate understanding or proficiency? Who will you target today to take running record or notes on? (You don't have to listen to everyone read every day.)
Why: How is this lesson plan going to fit into your other lessons with this group? Where will it take the students? How will it build on prior understanding?
Not every group needs to be met with every day, but you should really make sure you meet with your strugglers as many days a week as possible. Click here for some recommended reading for teaching reading in small groups. Use the link below to access helpful information on small group reading.
What: What are you going to target in your small group? What does your group need? What text will you use?
How: How will you target the skill or strategy? Which instructional strategy will work best? How will students demonstrate understanding or proficiency? Who will you target today to take running record or notes on? (You don't have to listen to everyone read every day.)
Why: How is this lesson plan going to fit into your other lessons with this group? Where will it take the students? How will it build on prior understanding?
Alternatives to Round Robin Small Group Reading Instruction Small Group and Reading Street