Managing Reading Groups

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Managing Reading Groups
By Debbie

Hi all,
While the rotations might work, you might try something that would allow the children to move at their own pace and level. When you do rotations, you're expecting that it will take all children the same amount
of time to complete a task...
In Guided Reading, the authors use a work board. Children are put in teams, and rotate thru perhaps 4 different literacy activities while you work with small groups. It's similar to rotation, but the children aren't limited in time to stay with one activity. Some of the activities that are discussed in the book are book boxes (leveled for individual readers),

word study activities, writing in writer's notebook/draft book, listening, drama, etc...
Another possibility is plan, do, review (based upon High Scope program). The kids make a plan each day...there are several 'Must Do's' and spots for 'Choices'. It's like the work board, but the children are responsible for planning their activities, doing them and at the end of the morning, reflecting on what was accomplished (almost like adults making a 'to do list'...) You can add free choice literacy activities to the work board as well.
Both options allow for children working at their own level as readers and writers; build responsibility for their own learning; the tasks are all designed to be as authentic as possible; and once the routines are established, there is never any real 'down time', because when you complete your plan, you simply choose another activity. It was pretty amazing to see Kindergarteners negotiating their own plans each day...
On the worry about them completing their work, if it's not done they simply can't make any choices the next day...they complete their 'Must Do's' first. Daily community meetings would be valuable to set class goals for productive talking, etc...Also, you might begin or end your day with 'Kids Time' where they choose any activity in the room to do. For those who just can't seem to complete things, they move to a table to finish their work. This is a great motivator. If you'd like more information on setting these up or specific literacy activities designed to meet the needs of all your learners, please post or email. ;-D