We have been in school for about 5 weeks now. Routines are taking shape. Kids are easing into 2nd grade. Assessments are done. I have a good knowledge of who my students are as readers/writers and it is time to get started with our small groups.
Small group time is definitely my most favorite time of my teaching day. I know I am reaching ALL my readers and writers when my small groups target the strategies and skills that they need to move forward.
My best teaching days happen when I teach my heart out, and when I meet with my small groups without interruption.
This year I have 4 different types of small reading groups going: targeted intervention, guided reading, strategy groups, and close reading. I have written about the different type of small reading groups HERE.
I always aim to be VERY careful with the targeted lessons that go on during small group instruction. Sometimes they are an extension of whole group lessons, sometimes they are the result of careful analysis of testing data, and other times I design my small group lessons based on formative data.
Enough data talk.
Ha!
This school year, I have taken the time to design different forms that go in my small groups binder based on the research from the following books:
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| Click on picture to get from Amazon |
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| Click on the picture to get from Amazon |
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| Click on the picture to get from Amazon |
First there is my hard data. Here in NC we use mClass.
Then there is a calendar where I record the date of individual reading conferences.
Then there is my flexible guided reading folder. Inside this folder I have organized my students by levels.
The levels in which I have organized this folder are the levels outlined by Jan Richardson in The Next Step Forward In guided Reading. Emergent, Early, Transitional, and Fluent guided reading. Under each section, I have added the reading behaviors to notice and support broken down into phonics/word work, fluency, writing about reading, and comprehension.
This folder gives me the skills to meet my readers where they are and move them forward.
Next, I have 4-day guided reading lesson plan, a small group plan, and an extra sheet for individual anecdotal notes. Which lesson plan I choose depends on my students needs. For my struggling readers, I ALWAYS stick with the 4-day lesson plan.
Let me backtrack just a bit.
Once the groups are organized, each group gets a tab divider/organizer. On the front of the organizer I place the lesson plan (either the 4-day guided reading or just the small group one) and on the back of the organizer I put an anecdotal notes sheet for each student in the group. This gives me easy access to everything I need!
If you would like to get your small group binder forms, please complete the form below and you can get them in a jiffy via email! You will be getting 6 forms to use in your small groups binder!
I hope you enjoyed this post! Thank you so much for reading and go get your download!
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