Hey there. If you are wondering what is small group instruction? You are in the right place. I will do my best to explain the difference between small group instruction and guided reading. Hint hint… it’s not that big of a deal and you’ll hear them thrown around synonymously sometimes. But they are a little different.
Small Group Instruction Versus Guided Reading
So here’s the deal. These are thrown around like synonyms but they are slightly different. While they both consist of a few students being pulled to a table with the teacher, the purpose and “setup” of each is where the difference comes into play. I will do my best to explain the difference. You also may have a favorite. In my humble opinion, there is no wrong way to do a small group. (Unless you do what I did my first year and teach the exact same thing 4 times in a row.) LOL. That is not how it is done. However, we live and learn.
Small Group Instruction
So what is small group instruction? It is pulling 2-6 students to a table (usually a kidney table) and working with them on a targeted skill or strategy. You can pull students to work on phonics skills, reading skills, and even math skills. Essentially, if you have a small group of students and you are working with them on “SOMETHING” then you are doing small group instruction. If you don’t have a kidney table, there are different arrangements that you can make using what you have. I have a free planning workbook that you can check out with this information here.
Guided Reading
Guided reading is a common form of small group instruction. It consists of using leveled readers and comprehension strategies. There are various routines for guided reading. This is a much more structured form of the small group. The most common type of structure is to do:
- Word Work
- Leveled Reader
- Comprehension Questions
- Writing Piece
Although this can vary depending on your style and how you’ve been shown to do guided reading.
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Small Group Instruction Versus Guided Reading
So which is better? In my opinion, any group that teaches students to their targeted deficits is better. Whether you hit that deficit in the “word work” of guided reading or you have a targeted small group over that skill really doesn’t matter. Tomato.. toMAto. They can both be effective.
Clear as mud?
To sum up, small group instruction is pulling 3-6 students to work within a group. Guided reading is a FORM of small group instruction that has more structured instruction and involves leveled readers. The goal of both is to grow your readers so you can’t go wrong either way right? As long as you are working with students to teach them the skills they need to be successful, you are on the right track.
Small Group Resources?
If you need guided reading resources then I’ve got an exclusive freebie for you.
You can also find more blog posts on this topic below.
