A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Teachers College Reading & Writing Project Homegrown Institute for my school district. It was amazing!!! My only wish is that they would hold the Institute closer to the new school year. I felt so energized and ready to implement every new strategy I had learned.
The Institute lasted for 4 days, where morning sessions consisted of workshops given by my school district and the afternoon sessions were with the staff developers at TCRWP. We also chose 2 choice sessions to attend that were given by TCWRP staff developers.
My sessions with TCWRP covered the components of balanced literacy and reader’s workshop. About 3 years ago, my school district changed their curriculum from using basal readers to adopting Units of Study for reading and writing. We have had lots of PD on both balance literacy and readers workshop. But there is just something magical about the staff developers at TCRWP. They are so warm, inviting, and positive. My staff developer recognized some of the biggest challenges teachers face in the classroom, and demonstrated how flexibility exists within the structure of reader’s workshop. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it seems like we have NO flexibility. Her perspective was very refreshing!! She was filled with lots of tips and tricks. Sometimes, I wanted to hit myself on the head and say “Why didn’t I think of that!”. Haha!
My favorite session was about conferring/small groups. Mydistrict school pretty much focuses on either 1:1 conferring or guided reading. Every PD I’ve had on the topic has always been about guided reading. My staff developer totally opened my eyes to other ways to meet with my students. Some of them I have heard before, others were new to me. I thought I’d share my notes on some of the different ways you can meet with your students in small groups.
My favorite session was about conferring/small groups. My
Guided Reading
What is it?
- Book Introduction, guided practice, focused teaching
Why do it?
- Move students to the next level
- Support students in the level
- Helps build background knowledge
Materials:
- Students all read the same book at instructional level
Strategy Lesson
What is it?
- Strategy teaching, guided practice, link
- Quick teach, lots of coaching
Why do it?
- Support students in the level
- Strengthens a skill
- Gets students trying work that will ready them to move to the next level
Materials:
- Students all read the same book OR
- Students read a book from their book baggies (different books and levels)
Level Introduction
What is it?
- Quick introduction of new level’s text structure
- Read Aloud and point out text structures
- Teaches what students need to do differently
Why do it?
- Get students involved in a new series or level
- Support students in the levels
- Get students trying the work they will need for new level
Materials:
- Students all read the same book (series)
- Students read different books (same level)
Guided Practice
What is it?
- Coaching students as they read
Why do it?
- Helps support students as they read
- Helps teacher identify miscues and coach student immediately
Materials:
- Students read a book from their book baggies (different books and levels)
(**when I say “level” above I’m talking about Fountas and Pinnell reading levels.)
Hopefully, you learn something new, or maybe it’s just a refresher.
Now for my FREEBIE! I created a small group lesson plan template to share with you. I adapted it from a picture that was shown to us during the TCRWP staff developers presentation.
Click on the picture or to get your FREEBIE!
I hope you found this useful. I’d love to hear your comments on small groups. Please leave a comment below.
Great post Klaudia. You make me wish I could have been there! I like t=your blog design and new TpT logo! Hope things are going well for you!
Thanks Carol! I was just thinking about you. Hope all is well with you.