12/05/2025
“I can’t run 6 small groups at once!” 🤯
This is a common gut reaction from educators when talking about small groups, and I understand where it comes from.
💡 Let’s break it down into some quick tips:
➡️ If more than 20% of students are below grade-level expectations, intervention alone may not be sufficient. It’s time to consider what happens during Tier 1.
➡️ When there is a wide range of skills, skill-based groups for phonics instruction may work better than whole group. Every student gets what they need.
➡️ Some groups are small. Some groups aren’t so small. The focus of these groups should be skill, not size.
➡️ Every student works with an adult. No independent centers. No wasted minutes. This only works when adults push in across classrooms and grades as one team.
➡️ If your students aren’t making progress, consider changing your approach to Tier 1 with a second dose in Tier 2/3. Start with one grade. Repurpose staff members. Pilot. Track. Adjust.
We don’t have to think small when we think about small groups. They are about precision, alignment, and results.
Ready to build data-driven skill groups that work?
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