What is Small Group Differentiated Instruction?

Small Group Differentiated Reading is a teaching technique with specific diagnostic, instructional and evaluative intent.  It is used for supporting and encouraging the development of strategies for independence in reading within a small cluster/group context. 

Each child is in the role of reader with his or her own copy of the book.  The teacher acts as a facilitator setting the scene and, through skillful questioning, engages the children in discussion that will enable them to unfold the story line and feel capable and confident of reading the text themselves. 

The teacher also explicitly teaches or reviews specific skills, including phonemic awareness skills, phonics skills, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency.

Small group reading provides students distinct opportunities to read text and work with words, with support from the teacher for explicit teaching of skills.

Small group reading is an important part of the reading program. It is a critical teaching technique.  It is the time when children work with a small group of 5 to 6 children to delve deeply into books and skills.

NEW! Small Group planning form

Bookroom Planning Form -5 columns (for keeping track of what texts groups have read)

Bookroom Planning Form - 4 columns