Small Groups for Big Readers

"Successful reading learning depends on supportive reading instruction and motivation to continue reading. Students grow more confident in their reading as they grow more competent, qualities that may be difficult to cultivate and achieve if the classroom does not address every student's individual learning needs. In Small Groups for Big Readers: Ten Questions Answered About Core Reading Instruction in the K-5 Classroom, Taylar B. Wenzel, Analexis Kennedy, Dena Slanda, and Melissa R. Carli draw upon their educational experience to promote small group reading instruction as a way for teachers to help all students achieve their learning objectives as developing readers. In addition to the Small Group Reading Implementation Quick-Guide, a tool to structure planning for small group instruction sessions, the authors provide videos demonstrating recommended activities in action; accompanying questions for continued reflection on the exercises; and simple organized steps to guide the trial, assessment, and improvement of these activities. Through small group instruction, a teacher may better identify individual student learning interests, needs, and goals. They can introduce texts that meet those needs and engage student interests. Furthermore, teachers who engage their students through small group instruction can offer focused, personalized instruction to individuals when needed that will further empower young readers in their own continued learning"--