Posts Tagged ‘small groups’
Teaching Math is Not for the Faint Hearted
From the desk of Laney… Teaching math is not for the faint hearted! It is a complex task that requires deep mathematical content knowledge, a toolbox of instructional strategies, and the ability to create a culture of learning that encourages sometimes math averse students to venture into the discipline with an open mind. While I…
Read MoreThe "I'm Done!" Conundrum
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . Has this ever happened to you? Your class is in the zone. Everyone is settled, engaged, and working in their literacy stations. You are making headway with a guided reading group, and you hear those two dreaded words that are like fingernails on the chalkboard –…
Read MoreA Guided Reading Symphony
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” – H. E. Luccock As teachers of reading, we are like the directors of a symphony. The movements are unique and flow at varying tempos. All are beautiful and build with proper direction. Our students are depending on us to deliver…
Read MoreTeaching Independence
For sure one of the hardest parts of guided reading is the classroom management piece. After all you are giving a small group your undivided attention while the rest of the class is working at stations independently. That’s quite a bit going on in a small space with lots of people! However, you’ve marched on…
Read MoreThe Dilemma of Guided Reading and the Rest of the Class
“But what is the rest of the class doing?” This is the question teachers often ask themselves when they begin to think about implementing guided reading. The answers or lack thereof are what make many shy away from implementing it because for guided reading to be effective, the rest of the class must be involved…
Read MoreCreating Community
A few weekends back I went on my first women’s retreat. Even though it was to be held in Pinehurst on a gorgeous weekend, I felt quite a bit of anxiety before I left. Out of 60 women I would know 1 well, 3 sort of, and 56 little to none at all. This wasn’t…
Read MoreFlexible Math Groups – Flex Math Muscles
Successful math students are the ones who have developed a deep understanding of concepts, are fluent at computation, and are able to use what they know to solve real problems. Flexible math groups allow students the chance to flex the math muscles that build these skills in meaningful ways. Teachers can effectively differentiate instruction using…
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