Teaching Reading in Small Groups: Differentiated Instruction for Building Strategic, Independent Readers

Don't be fooled by the inclusion of "Small Groups" in the title. This is a comprehensive guide on how to teach reading to elementary and middle school students (who may or may not need reteaching the 7 reading skills). Don't be fooled by my first sentence, this book is actually a guide of how to teach anything. Jen Seravallo has put so much thought into the vision and mechanics of how you teach reading. My favorite visionary statement is "I look at the quality of the skill being used and think about how I can help the child deepen this skill work." As opposed to the public school skill snapshot nonsense, Jen spends a lot of time assessing, reflecting, fashioning individual and small group plans to improve the skill to really move her students' skills. If you can make this shift, you will become more than a highly effective teacher. You will change children's lives. I can't read more than about 5 pages of this book without taking notes, writing down questions plans for how I will change my instructional practice. Simple in conception, elegant in implementation, inspirational in sharing these valuable lessons with us...thank you, Jen!

This book has helped breathe new life into my attitude toward and methods used when teaching reading in small groups. AND I even enjoyed reading it! You can cozy up on the couch with a mug of whatever and take comfort in the friendly, supportive writing style used. I related to so many of the struggles that are acknowledged in this book. Teaching reading small groups has always been my biggest challenge in the classroom because, as the author mentions multiple times, the mental work of a reader is often invisible, and we proficient readers forget about the strategies we employ automatically as we read, increasing the difficulty of relating to and helping students at all reading levels. This book presents conferring with groups of students flexibly and for a variety of purposes much clearer than other books I’ve read on the subject. It reads cleaner than The Daily 5/CAFE books (not that those aren’t good - this is better), and makes teaching in Jennifer Serravallo’s way much more manageable. I’m so glad I read this book and will be keeping it alongside the author’s Reading Strategies book for frequent referencing. Get it! Read it!

This is a great resource to add to one's library on teaching reading. It is very focused and detailed on how to use on-going assessments for all areas of reading instruction and how to balance strategy lessons, fluency work, partnerships, book clubs, guided reading, conferences and more. I have been teaching reading (3rd -5th grade) for ten years, and I couldn't put this book down. Even though I have many teacher resources in my toolbox (The Art of Teaching Reading, Strategies that Work, Guiding Readers and Writers etc.), this one is very specific and will help you get your mind wrapped around all the possibilities with small group reading instruction. This book really gives you a good picture on how to do it all. If you are a new teacher this book can seem overwhelming even though it's short. Read and try small chunks before trying to do it all. Serravallo is an intentional and thoughtful practitioner that is very focused on student achievement. This is a must-have for any teacher that wants to be intentional and thoughtful about their work with their readers.

I am current using this book for my small reading groups.

Was a great read for the person I gifted this book to who is studying to become a teacher. Very informative in her words

This book on small group reading instruction is a must read for any teacher looking for clear, strategic ways of grouping children effectively and efficiently. Jennifer Serravallo not only lays out the reading foundations upon which to build, but offers lots of concrete ways to talk about reading with students that helps both teachers and students feel more confident about what they are doing. In addition to my original paper copy of the book, I was so excited to be able to also put it on my Kindle so that I have the book with me always and can refer to it whenever I need some wise reading advice.

Exactly as described and in condition stated.

Amazing book! I am a literacy coach and this was my second copy! Both are out on loan to new teachers at my school! I can 't be everywhere at once and I know they are in good hands with Jen!