#21: Supercharge Your Reading Groups
If we were to hand out T-shirts to every student in your class, you’d have some in an extra small and others in an extra large—because even though they’re the same age, their needs are different. The same goes for reading instruction. Every student in your class has unique strengths and challenges, making a one-size-fits-all approach ineffective.
So, how can you meet every child’s reading needs without spending countless hours planning? The answer lies in effective small group reading instruction—a strategy that allows you to differentiate instruction in a way that’s manageable and impactful.
Understanding the Power of Small Group Reading
Research shows that targeted instruction in small groups leads to massive reading growth. When students receive lessons tailored to their exact needs, they stay engaged, make faster progress, and develop confidence in their reading abilities.
However, without a structured approach, small group reading instruction can feel overwhelming. That’s where the ACED system comes in—a simple, four-step method to ensure that every child gets the right instruction at the right time.
The ACED Framework for Small Group Reading Success
Step 1: Assess Every Student
The foundation of effective small group instruction is assessment. Before you begin grouping students, take time to evaluate where they currently stand in their reading journey.
- Use quick phonics assessments or running records to determine their skill level.
- Look for patterns in letter-sound knowledge, decoding skills, and fluency.
- Record your findings so you can group students based on shared strengths and needs.
Step 2: Create Targeted Reading Groups
Once you’ve gathered assessment data, it’s time to organize students into groups. Think of it like sorting a bag of Skittles by color—you’re looking for commonalities so you can focus on what each group needs most.
- Early Readers: Focus on letter-sound relationships and blending.
- Developing Readers: Work on digraphs, blends, and fluency.
- Advanced Readers: Introduce multisyllabic words and comprehension strategies.
Each group should be fluid, meaning students can move in and out as they progress.
Step 3: Establish Clear, Just-Right Goals
Setting clear, measurable goals for each group prevents aimless instruction. Without them, it’s like a ship setting sail without a destination.
- For a beginning reader group, the goal might be recognizing CVC words.
- For a digraphs group, the goal could be mastering “sh,” “ch,” and “th.”
- For a more advanced group, the goal might be reading vowel team words like “boat” and “train.”
These goals help you track progress and ensure instruction remains purposeful and strategic.
Step 4: Design a Year-Long Plan Using Backward Design
Many teachers get stuck in day-to-day lesson planning without a long-term vision. Instead, use backward design—start with your end-of-year goal and map out the skills students need to master each month.
For example:
- Month 1: Letter sounds
- Month 2: CVC blending
- Month 3: Digraphs
- Month 4: Fluency with decodable texts
By mapping this out, you’ll stay on track and ensure students reach their goals by year’s end.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- The #1 mistake teachers make when grouping students for reading instruction.
- How to quickly assess students and form skill-based groups.
- A simple method to set just-right reading goals for every level.
- How to plan an entire year’s worth of small group instruction in advance.
Bringing It All Together
Differentiating reading instruction doesn’t have to mean exhausting, individualized lesson planning. By following the **ACED framework—Assess, Create Groups, Establish Goals, and Design a Plan—**you’ll create a structured, efficient, and effective approach to small group reading instruction.
Want More Support? Join The Science of Reading Formula!
If you’re ready to supercharge your small reading groups with brain-friendly, science-backed strategies, join The Science of Reading Formula today! Click here to enroll.
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