Innovative Small Group Reading Strategies for First Graders

I've had the opportunity to refine my small group intervention time to enhance my students' oral reading abilities. From choral reading to partner reading, there are various ways for teachers to ensure each student receives adequate practice and attention. In this article, I'll share various reading strategies and methods that I and other teachers have found helpful, along with additional relevant research to make the article even more educational.

Pair Reading

One effective strategy for small group intervention time is to pair students up for reading. Providing each student with the same story, they can take turns reading aloud with their partner. This allows the students to practice their reading skills while also learning from their peers. Additionally, as a teacher, you can take turns reading with each individual student, ensuring that you can provide personalized support and feedback.

Whisper Reading

Whisper reading involves having each student read the text in a whisper while you, as the teacher, lean in and listen to them individually. This method allows every student to practice reading without feeling self-conscious about making mistakes in front of the whole group. It also enables the teacher to provide immediate, personalized feedback and support.

Choral Reading

Choral reading is another strategy that can be incorporated into small group intervention time. This method involves the entire group reading the text aloud together, often led by the teacher. Choral reading can help students develop their fluency and confidence while reading aloud. To keep students engaged and prevent them from simply following along, you can occasionally ask individual students to read a sentence or two on their own.

Alternating Reading

Another reading method that can be used in small group intervention time is alternating reading. In this method, the teacher assigns a specific line or paragraph to each student, and they take turns reading aloud. This can be done by gender (e.g., boys read one line, girls read the next), or simply by assigning lines to individual students. This method ensures that each student has an opportunity to read aloud and practice their skills.

Read/Read Back for Fluency Practice

Read/read back is a strategy that can be particularly helpful for fluency practice with small groups. In this method, students read a passage and then immediately read it again, focusing on their fluency and expression. This can be done independently, with a partner, or as a group, depending on the needs and abilities of the students.

Phonemic Awareness Warm-Up and Wrap-Up

Beginning and ending small group intervention time with phonemic awareness activities can help reinforce important reading skills. These activities might include identifying missing sounds in CVC words, practicing the sound of the week (such as a specific letter or vowel sound), or engaging in sentence dictation exercises. Incorporating phonemic awareness activities into your routine can help students build a strong foundation for their reading skills.

Technology Integration: SeeSaw

Integrating technology into small group intervention time can help streamline the process and provide additional opportunities for assessment and feedback. One such tool is SeeSaw, a digital portfolio platform. Teachers can have their students read passages into SeeSaw as a video, which can then be reviewed and assessed at a later time. This allows teachers to provide feedback and support to individual students as needed, even while working with other students in the group.

Home Connection: Sending Stories Home

To encourage continued reading practice outside of the classroom, consider sending stories home with your students. This can be done by providing them with a copy of the story they read during small group intervention time, or by assigning phonics readers for them to read with their parents as homework. Establishing a home-school connection can help reinforce the importance of reading practice and encourage students to take ownership of their learning.

Utilizing Classroom Aides and Parent Volunteers

In some cases, schools may have access to full-time aides or parent volunteers who can help support small group intervention time. Utilizing these additional resources can provide students with more individualized attention and support during their reading practice. For example, an aide or volunteer can pull students aside to read on a schedule while the teacher works with other students in the group. This approach maximizes the amount of one-on-one time each student receives, which can be particularly beneficial for struggling readers.

Independent Reading

Another strategy to incorporate into small group intervention time is independent reading. Designating a set amount of time for students to read their decodable books independently can help foster a love for reading and encourage self-directed learning. Independent reading time can also provide an opportunity for the teacher to work with individual students or to assess the group's overall progress.

Multisensory Activities

Incorporating multisensory activities into small group intervention time can help engage students with different learning styles and reinforce important reading concepts. For example, activities that involve movement, such as tapping out syllables or tracing letters in the air, can help students better understand phonics concepts and improve their decoding skills.

Repeated Reading

Repeated reading is a strategy that involves having students read the same text multiple times to build their fluency and comprehension. This can be done in various ways, such as choral reading, partner reading, or independent reading. Repeated reading helps students become more familiar with the text, allowing them to focus on improving their reading rate, accuracy, and expression.

Small group intervention time provides a valuable opportunity for teachers to support and develop their students' reading skills. By incorporating a variety of strategies and methods, such as pair reading, whisper reading, choral reading, and technology integration, teachers can create an engaging and supportive environment that fosters growth and progress. Additionally, incorporating phonemic awareness activities, home connections, and multisensory approaches can further enhance students' reading abilities and help them become confident, proficient readers.