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Using Classroom Data to Inform Small Group
InstructionPresented by
Sarah Avallone, 7th Grade Teacher, Northbrook Jr. HighMindi Rench, Literacy Coach, Northbrook Jr. High
Find this presentation online at http://slideshare.net/mindi_r
What do mean by “flexible small groups”?
groups of 3-5 students
based on need
meet 2-3 times
can be self-identified or teacher identified
may be reteaching, scaffolding, or extension
should not be MORE work; should be different work
Why flexible small groups?
Provides opportunity to differentiate.
Provides opportunity to meet specific needs.
Targeted instruction and specific scaffolding accelerates student learning.
Provides teachers with the chance to see up close and personal how students are thinking.
Data, Data, Data…
The “Good News” - we collect data every day!
The “Bad News” - we have loads of information at our fingertips but we don’t always know what to do with it.
Formative Assessments
Observations
Conversations
Student Self-Evaluations
Exit and Entrance Slips
Classwork
Pre-tests
Determining Student Needs
Look for trends in your formative assessment data. From there, determine the needs for groups.
Group students by specific need. The closer the needs are, the more efficient the group will be.
Create specific learning targets for the groups; the more specific, the more effective the teaching will be.
Implementing Invitational Groups
Create a structure in your classroom that builds time for groups into your day.
One possibility: the workshop model
focus lesson
group practice
independent work time - this is where conferring and invitational groups live in the reading/writing workshop
What we’ve learned…
It takes time to analyze, plan and implement, but the investment is worth it.
A-ha moments and growth happen for students at all levels.
It forces teachers to be flexible in how they approach things. They must be willing to make adjustments and look at things differently.
Questions?
Contact us!
Sarah Avallone, 7th Grade [email protected]
on Twitter: @savallone
Mindi Rench, Literacy [email protected]
on Twitter: @mindi_r
