reading groups

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reading groups
By melanie

Most teachers have the other students at some kind of center activity while they are doing guided reading. Many used rotating centers, however I like to use a "Weekly Job Sheet" instead. It is a list of "jobs" that the students
need to complete during the times when they aren't with me. I have my class divided into about 5 or 6 reading groups (by ability). The rest of the class is working on their list of things to do, preferably language arts. The jobs can be dictionary work, abc order, book reports, write the room(looking for certain spelling patterns etc), word work, spelling practice, punctuation,

independent reading, computer etc. I prefer independent-type centers over rotating centers because students work at their own individual pace.I have a checklist and they mark the jobs off as they complete them. Of course, before you add a job to the list you must introduce and teach it. My students are told they must not interrupt me at the guided reading table unless it is an emergency. They must ask two friends the question before they ask me! I have a multiage classroom of first, second and third graders. With the third graders who are reading fluently I use literacy circles instead of guided reading. The focus is on interpretation and comprehension of the text. Hope this helps!