Small Group Small Group InstructionInstruction

Small Group Small Group InstructionInstruction

Becky Cyrus and Becky SantoroBecky Cyrus and Becky SantoroMerry Oaks PDMerry Oaks PDMarch 6March 6thth 2013 2013

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Opening Discussion• What is the most effective thing you are

doing to meet your students needs in literacy?

• What do you feel like is the most important tasks your students should be doing during workshop?

• What does small group instruction look like in your room?

• How do you assess your student’s progress?

• What are you most comfortable with in terms of small group instruction? Least?

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You Are An Octopus on Steroids

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What Is It?What Is It?What Is It?What Is It?Overview, Research, and Overview, Research, and

Balanced LiteracyBalanced Literacy

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Small Group Instruction• a group of readers (no larger than 6) who are

similar enough in their reading development or strategy need that they can be taught together

• based on assessment and are flexible• teacher is supporting their reading at a slightly

more challenging level than the student can read independently

• objective is to work on what they most need in order to grow as readers

• Instruction is differentiated by reading level, type of text, or strategy

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Small Group Instruction“ A simple principle- children differ- explains

why there can be no one best method, material or program.” (D. Allington, 2001)

“Learning to read depends on two critical factors; the teacher’s thorough knowledge of the reading process itself, and his or her determination to understand and

respond to each child’s needs as a reader.” (Keene, 1998, pg.xiv)

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Summary of Balanced Reading Approaches

(Richardson, 2009)

Approach Grouping Text Level How Text is Read Purpose

Interactive Read-aloud

Whole Above grade level By the teacher Model fluent reading &

strategies; Motivate students to read and

engage

Shared Reading(Content)

Whole On grade level Students read with the teacher

Teach strategies; support vocabulary

and language

Small Group Instruction

Small Instructional level K-2 a mixer of shared and

independent reading3-5 students read

text independently while teacher

coaches

Practice reading strategies with

teacher support; Differentiate

instruction based upon need

Self-selected reading Individual Independent level Independently Enjoyment & fluency; Practice

strategies that have been internalized

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What Does It Look What Does It Look Like?Like?

What Does It Look What Does It Look Like?Like?

Layout and strategies in Pre-K-2 and Layout and strategies in Pre-K-2 and 3-5, planning formats, guided reading 3-5, planning formats, guided reading

vs. strategy groupsvs. strategy groups

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Pre-K to 1st Grade Guided Reading Layout• Pre-A: working with letters and names,

working with sounds, working with books, interactive writing

• Emergent (A-C): reread of old text, sight words, book intro, reading with prompting, after reading teaching point, word study, rereading, guided writing

• Early(D-I): reread of old text, sight words, book intro, reading with prompting, after reading teaching point, word study, guided writing

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K to 1st Grade Guided Reading

Strategies• 1:1 matching• Accuracy Strategies

– Check the picture– Does it make sense? – Use known words– Use first letter– Sound out and blend

• Fluency Strategies– Phrasing and

expression

• Comprehension– Recall– Retell– Predictions– Connections– Questioning– Problem/Solution– Inferencing

• Word Study– Short vowels,

diagraphsContinuum of Literacy Learning provides detailed

strategies for each level

Current K benchmark: B

Current 1st benchmark: G10

2nd-3rd Grade Guided Reading Layout• Transitional (J-P): reread of old

text, book intro, reading with prompting, after reading teaching point, word study/rereading for fluency, guided writing

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2nd-3rd Grade Guided Reading

Strategies• Accuracy

– Reread & think what makes sense

– Read through entire word

– Chunk syllables

• Vocabulary– Context clues

• Fluency– Phrases– Dialogue, prosody

• Comprehension– Summarizing– Characterization– Compare/contrast

• Word Study– Long vowels, other

vowels

Continuum of Literacy Learning provides detailed strategies for each level

Current 2nd benchmark: L

Current 3rd benchmark: O12

3rd Grade- 5th GradeGuided Reading Layout• Fluent (N+): introduction to

teaching point and chapter/section, reading with prompting, writing within reading, sharing and discussion

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3rd Grade- 5th GradeGuided Reading

Strategies• Vocabulary

– Context clues– Word parts– Multiple meanings

• Word Study– Prefixes/suffixes– Multisyllables

• Comprehension– Theme– Main idea/details– Summarize– Infer– Evaluate– Genres

Continuum of Literacy Learning provides detailed strategies for each level

Current 4th benchmark: R

Current 5th benchmark: U14

Planning FormatsTake a minute to look at the

planning format (lesson plan) and rubrics in your packet

How can you use these documents to increase your effectiveness with small group instruction?

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How Do I Know My Students’ Level?

New in Process:• STAR Reader gives an

approximate and can be used to help group students

• Grade level differentiation with different level of scaffolding (e.g. low, medium, high within grade level)

• Anecdotal notes to help make decisions about movement of levels

• Follow the genre theme for easier planning on teaching points

• Always determining text not just on level but complexity!

Experienced in Process:• Running records• Instructional level• One-on-one conferring

notes• Anecdotal group notes• Tailor teaching points to

the current needs regardless of current unit of study

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Reading 3D Assessments

• Next year all K-3 teachers in North Carolina will be required to administer running records on I-Pads three times a year

• It will provide teachers with the instructional level of each student (letter level)

• 4-5 grade teachers will be required to administer running records manually using Reading A-Z or Qualitative Inventories until we receive Reading 3D

• Our goal is to get comfortable with paper/pencil running records by the end of the year so we are ready!

• Running records “cheat sheet” in packet- additional training will be available this summer with 3D and I am available to do a mini-PD on running records (sign-up sheet)

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Guided Reading vs. Strategy GroupsGuided Reading

• Students are reading the same text and level

• Predictable structure of pre-reading, reading, and extension

• Targeted teaching points (can be more than one)

• Lean-in prompts as students read

• 15-20 minutes

Strategy Groups• Students can be

reading at a different level and different text

• Targeted strategy/goal oriented- one teaching point

• Similar structure to a mini-lesson

• Easier to have flexible grouping (students might be in two or more groups)

• 5-10 minutes• Scheduling example 18

Where Are Our Resources?

• Reading A-Z (correlation chart)– 81868 password: bookworms

• Reader’s Theaters• Lakeshore Comprehension Folders• TIMES for Kids• Red bins• Articles, newspapers, short passages

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What Does It Look Like in What Does It Look Like in a REAL Classroom?a REAL Classroom?

What Does It Look Like in What Does It Look Like in a REAL Classroom?a REAL Classroom?

Forming groups, schedule, classroom Forming groups, schedule, classroom management with contracts, management with contracts,

anecdotal recordsanecdotal records

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How Does This Fit How Does This Fit Into The Common Into The Common

Core and 21Core and 21stst Century Century Skills? Skills?

How Does This Fit How Does This Fit Into The Common Into The Common

Core and 21Core and 21stst Century Century Skills? Skills?

R10 and extension ideasR10 and extension ideas

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CCR Anchor Standard 10

“Read and comprehend complex literary and informational text

independently and proficiently.”

How does small group instruction build into this standard?

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21st Century Skills• http://padlet.com/ - A free online sticky note

board. • http://popplet.com/ - A free mind mapping

website that allows you to insert links, pictures, video and text.

• http://kidblog.org/home/- A free blog that kids can respond to each other’s comments

• http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/- A free online educational comic strip generator.

• http://j.mp/cmsgaggle - social wall, chat rooms, instant messenger, GaggleTube

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““Take Aways” and Take Aways” and Next StepsNext Steps

““Take Aways” and Take Aways” and Next StepsNext Steps

What is your personal goal in What is your personal goal in terms of what you’ve heard terms of what you’ve heard

today?today?

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