Small groups play a role in the majority of classrooms. Small group instruction occurs when an educator works with a small number of students—typically between 3 to 6—rather than the entire class. This method allows for more personalized and focused teaching, catering to the specific needs and abilities of the students in the group.
Small group instruction time can sometimes feel hectic or overwhelming if your groups aren’t running smoothly. Consider these tips as you organize and plan for small group instruction.
Set clear small group routines and procedures. Students often feel more relaxed and comfortable during small group time, so make sure your routines and procedures are set to focus on learning. Students need to know how to do the procedure, when to do it, and where to do it. Don’t assume because students know the routines and procedures of your classroom that will spill over into small groups. Small groups will need routines and procedures that focus on the needs of small groups.
Consider teaching the entire class the procedures before beginning small group instruction. Things like what to do when I call you to the small group table, where to sit, and what to bring. Also, make sure your small group routines and procedures include the students not in the small group. Nothing derails small group instruction faster than multiple interruptions.
Prepare materials in advance. Before you call students to the small group area, make sure your materials are set up and ready to use. Keep frequently used items in the small group area to make things easier. Ensuring your materials are ready to go prevents off-task behavior and wait time when students aren’t doing anything. Consider keeping materials for small groups simple and basic and teaching students ahead of time how to use materials in the small group area. For example, if you use magnetic wipe-off boards, teach students expectations with markers and magnetic letters.
Use positive and direct language. When working with students, tell them what you want them to do. For example, instead of saying “Be quiet!” say, “Please use a softer voice.” Rephrasing things to let students know what is expected takes the guesswork out for the students.
Plan for structure, pace, student response, and monitoring. When you start creating lessons for small group instruction, think about the structure, what is the learning goal, how will students practice, and how will you know students are successful.
Also consider pace, small group instruction should have a lively pace. Things need to move briskly to maximize instructional time. Also, think about how students will respond, don’t limit yourself to single-student responses, have students talk to a partner or jot their response on a post-it note. Lastly, make sure you’ve thought about how you will monitor students’ answers. The key to small group instruction is immediate guidance and feedback, so closely observe what students are doing and how they are responding so you know how to adjust instruction.
Prompt thoughtfully during instruction. In small groups, teachers have the amazing opportunity to work right in the moment with students as they are learning. When students get stuck or answer something incorrectly, have a plan for ways to prompt the student. Think about what a student needs before you prompt them. You want to give the least amount of support for the student to be successful. For example, if a student responds not as you expect, and you reteach the entire lesson, that takes a lot of time and may not be what the student needs. Sometimes asking a student a question, reminding them about a specific part of the procedure, or asking them to rethink something is all it takes. Make the goal that the student is thinking and problem-solving because that results in the student's learning.
Small group instruction is an opportunity to capitalize on personalized learning for all students. These tips will help your small group instruction run smoothly and maximize student learning. Don’t give up if things don’t go exactly as planned, it takes practice, but small groups will are worth the effort. Need help setting up or managing your small groups? Contact us for help.
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