Do you have Small Group Instruction For Little Learners? How do make small groups purposeful and effective? Do you need some ideas and tips on making this teaching method more productive and time efficient for both you and your students?
Small Group Instruction For Little Learners is perfect for individualized help, differentiation, or extension. This is a must in order to adequately reteach specific academic skills to those students who are struggling or needing a bit more help cementing the concepts.
Assessment Driven
Small groups should always be assessment driven.
This is done after the whole group instruction of a new skill and the students have an individual practice activity. At this point, teachers have the opportunity to observe and perform formative assessments. Are there students looking around and not doing the activity? Anyone looking at their neighbor for the answers or how to do the work? A student asking how to do the activity? These are the little learners that can be pulled into a small group for remediation, differentiation, and extension.
Summative assessments are another way to select students for small group instruction. Any students needing extra help on a specific academic skill are the ones for small groups.
I believe all small groups must be assessment driven and not because students were given a label (i.e. panda, table #1, etc.)
Go to post “End of Year Assessments” for more information and resources.
Small Group Flexibility
Since small groups are based on the changing needs of the students, they are fluid and everchanging.
Students will need remediation for many different academic skills. The small group students will change from group to group. This is expected and should be prepared for. During whole group, students who are struggling with the skill being introduced may be identified and noted for a small group session. A sticky note, list, or some other type of documentation can be used as a reminder for a specific group at a later time, different day, or at the scheduled small group time.
Here is a **FREEBIE** to help with organizing your small groups.
During Small Groups
During the small groups, the other students will need activities for independent and/or partner purposeful practice. This is where the station activities come in!! Make sure your little learners know exactly where they need to be, what they need to be doing, and how long they need to be at their station. Now small group instruction can be effective and meaningful.
Are you in need of more station ideas, information and activities? Check out these posts “My Favorite Math Station Ideas For Kindergarten“, “Teaching Kindergartners to Use the ABC Word Work Station“, or “The Pocket Chart Station in the Kindergarten Classroom“.
Location Of Small Groups
Location really does not matter. Just find a spot that both students and teacher can concentrate and focus on the skills.
Activities For Small Groups
There are many different activities available for small groups. Here are a few of my favorites.
Activities in this resource are perfect for small group instruction, but can also extend out into independent practice at literacy stations or partner work.
The Alphabet Tactile Tracing book is not only perfect for a kinesthetic approach to letter ID and beginning sounds, but a must-have for the pre-reader in small groups.
Decodable Readers bundle is perfect for remediation and extension for small groups. There are 7 specific reading and decoding skill in this bundle. Therefore your small group students can work on any skill that needs further developing.
Phonics Review Games was specifically created with small groups in mind. Easy, low prep game activities for small group instruction on many different phonics skills.
An activity that is perfect for small groups and independent practice. Introduce, teach and practice with this print and go resource.
The Count and Match Bundle is great for small groups. Not only perfect for remediation and differentiation, but has monthly theme for added fun. Your little learners will love this activity!!
Almost any activity can be adapted and used for small groups. Just remember to intentionally teach with purpose and fun!!!
Don’t forget to check out previous post “5 Tips for Making the Most of Small Groups” for more ideas and information.
