Planning for Small Group Reading

If you aren’t certain about small group reading time then keep reading. My goal is to get as many people to implement small group reading time in their classrooms as possible. Many people struggle with planning for small group reading. Don’t let small groups overwhelm you. I hope that I can help you see the benefit of small group reading in your classroom.

Here’s Why You Need Small Group Reading

If you aren’t familiar with Hattie’s effect sizes, then you should google it. Briefly explained, it is everything that affects student achievement. I mean EVERYTHING. Then these items are ranked in order of most effective to least effective. Anything over a .4 has a fairly significant effect on learning. Small group learning is a .47 so it has a pretty high impact on student achievement. RTI has a 1.29! However, a lot of times when RTI is implemented IN small groups, you can greatly increase student achievement. (I’m sorry if I just geeked out on you a little.)

Get Started with Small Group Reading

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Assessments

Yes, I know. The dreaded “a” word. But hear me out, this doesn’t have to make you cringe. Use whatever assessment tool your district has purchased. I have experience with loads of them. My personal favorite for the littles is ESGI. I am currently using an online version of the Dibels. Essentially, get your students assessed as quickly as possible.

Grouping

Now that you have an idea of your student’s needs, you can begin grouping them. Put students in groups that have similar needs. While your other classroom times call for heterogeneous groupings, small groups are not the time. You will group your students based on their ability or need. You will target their specific deficits during this time.

Planning

Whether you use a guided reading model or a targeted intervention model, they are both still small groups. I prefer the guided reading model for students that are reading on grade level or close to grade level. I prefer targeted intervention lessons for students that require intervention or RTI. This is where knowing your data and planning makes a difference. If you see 7 students who need phonemic awareness, pull them and focus on those skills. If there is time, you can still read a book together and I always strive to do that. It will truly depend on how long the targeted intervention lessons take.

The Rest of the Class

This is truly where so many teachers get hung up. They do not like giving up a smidge of control and letting the rest of the class run on autopilot while they do their small group reading lessons. If you are one-to-one with devices, you can set up your online intervention/enrichment time to coincide with your small group time. You may also set a routine such as the daily 5, center rotations, or another method. Here’s the deal… there is never a perfect time. Dive in! They will get it. Don’t let this be a reason you can’t see small groups.

The Resources

You will need some materials in small groups. I recommend marker boards, sound boxes, magnetic letters and trays, and dry erase markers as a minimum. Sometimes having too much in your small group can be overwhelming. It’s better to keep it simple on the supplies and then add things in over time.

Tips to Get Started with Small Group Reading

Make time- small group reading is one of the MOST rewarding times of the day. I cannot imagine not being able to have this time with students. They love it and grow so much!

Just do it- there will never be a perfect time. You will always have a couple of students off-task (if not, you are amazing) or unengaged. Sometimes small group reading is what they need to motivate them!

Was that harsh?

I don’t mean to be. You can do this! Sometimes you just need a little pep talk. You will see the benefit of small group reading from the get-go. Students will be begging to see you and asking, “are you pulling me today?” They live for this and you will too.