In an effort to maximize my tiny reading small group time block, I’ve started doing a few different things. Today, I’m sharing those hacks for optimizing my small group time at my table.
So this year, my district decided to move to a more “Science of Reading Aligned” reading block. I am putting that in air quotes because I’m not sure how aligned we really are, but the effort is there.
For second grade, this includes 30 minutes of whole group phonics instruction using University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) phonics program, 30 minutes of whole group comprehension and vocabulary instruction using our district mandated reading curriculum and… 30 minutes of small group instruction. You heard me right… 30 minutes! Not that I would EVER tout myself as a guided reading guru, but man I’m used to having an hour. Having that precious time cut in half feels illegal, but here we are.
So this means that when I am meeting with my small groups, I have to be implementing some HIGHLY effective and quick activities to maximize the time. I’ve definitely made a few mistakes along the way, but I’ve also stumbled upon some amazing hacks that I know you’re going to want to steal! Today, I am sharing those *HIGHLY EFFECTIVE* strategies that have served me well.
1. Increase time to 40 Minutes
You heard me right! My district expects me to be able to pull two groups for 15 minutes each day. The truth is, that just isn’t enough time in a REAL CLASSROOM. By the time the students get settled into their center and I get to teaching, we were only left with like 10 minutes of instruction. That was barely enough time to read a few pages in the book.
So I did what any other teacher in my position would do… I increased my reading small group time by 10 minutes. Where did I steal it from? I mean we all know that in teaching, time is the highest comadity and it’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul. So *technically* I took it from my math block, but honestly, it makes more sense to have my reading groups go that extra 10 minutes.
Before, I would end small group, then start math. Ten minutes later we would go to Specials, then, math again for 30 minutes until lunch, and then finish math when we got back. (Just typing that out makes my head spin!)
TOO MANY TRANSISTIONS.
So now, we do small group instruction all the way to Specials and when we come back, we are start math and finish when we get back from lunch. Honestly, it is so much better that way. In the end, I was doing my math block a favor. And don’t worry- I pull that extra ten minutes from our Science and Social Studies time at the end of the day.
2. Whisper Reading
The next item I’ve added that helped increase my effectiveness when it comes to pulling reading small groups? I started having the students do more “whisper reading.”🤫
*Disclaimer* I have a love/hate relationship with this practice so I try to spread the wealth and do other strategies. But it has its merits, so I’m sharing it here.
What is whisper reading?
Well… basically its where all the students whisper read the same section and you listen in while they read. If they finish the section, have them reread while the wait for you to stop and discuss what they read.
Why I love it: All students are engaged and reading at the same time. No “sit and get” here… just actively reading.
You know how they say that “round robin” is out, but then like didn’t give any relacement strategies to use? This is one! Also, bonus: the built in rereading helps build fluency, stamina, and comprehension.
Why I hate it: CHAOS! Maybe I’m old, but my poor ears have a hard time hearing one student at a time when all of them are reading.
Also, you just have to assume that the other students are actually reading instead of just sort of looking and whispering something while you are “listening in” on another student.
Another? If there are issues with decoding or fluency (which happens ALOT in second grade), it’s hard to correct or give instruction because EVERYONE is reading and you don’t want to interrupt.
3. Highly Focused Reading Small Group Mini-lessons
When you only have 15-20 minutes per group, you gotta be LASER focused! Like Luke Skywalker light saber focused.
I’ve always planned my lessons for my reading small groups. But, I didn’t always stick to them and I ALWAYS added in more items. Oh-working on fluency today? Don’t worry- we’re also hitting vocabulary, reading comprhensension, and text structure.
And although these sort of on-the-fly mini lessons where fine during a full 20 minute block every day, when you’re only seeing a group 2-3 times a week… the lessons needed to tighten up!
So, now I make sure my lessons are tightly focused. Instead of hitting 3-7 different strategies, I try and narrow it to 2-3.
If the purpose of my group that day is to build comprehension, we will preview the selection (metacognition strategy), set a purpose, and READ. Then, we work on comprehension building strategies as we go.
If we’re working on phonics, then I make sure to really zero in on that. Same for fluency.
The point here: Set a purpose for each group and stay focused!
4. Giving Up the Whole Book
This one makes my teacher heart hurt, but it was necessary with only 15-18 minutes of time for each group.
You read that right, during my small group teacher lesson, we don’t always read the whole text. Sometimes, we just read a few pages.
Now, sure there are weeks where we start a text one day and finish it the next. But I realized when effectiveness is king, that doesn’t always mean finishing the text.
I will say, it was made a bit easier when I started getting laser focused on my teacher lessons.
I’ve found it easier to tell students from the beginning that we are only reading the first section, chapter, or pages. And that if they want, they can take the book to read on their own time.
5. Sharing Answers with Neighbor
Another hard habit to break- having students only talk to me about their answers. I mean, how else am I going to know if they got what they read. As a teacher, I felt like I needed that immediate feedback.
But, now, I’ve moved towards having students share their answers with their neighbor first and honestly, I am blown away at how much better this works.
All students are engaged and answering- I can listen in a correct as needed. If students are not quite on track, I can correct quickly.
And once they had a chance to share to their neighbor, I like to bring them back to the group and reshare their answers to each other.
Optimizing Your Reading Small Group Time
And there you have it! These five small group hacks have not only helped me survive the time crunch but thrive in it! Teaching is all about adjusting, experimenting, and finding what works best for you and your students, and I hope some of these tips inspire you to make the most of your small group time, too. Remember, no strategy is perfect, even the ones I shared here today. But, with a little tweaking and patience, I know you’ll make these hacks work for you. Happy teaching, and may your small groups be mighty! 💪📚
Resources To Help with Your Reading Groups!
Looking for some resources that will help you with your reading groups? Check out these must-haves!
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