SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION

Small group instruction offers teachers a structure for working with small groups of students at a time for a variety of purposes:

• to address an "in the moment" identified need,

• for the purposes of intervention, or

• to gather data (e.g., through observations and conversations) about students' understanding.

Our goal with small group instruction should be to progress student thinking forward. To do this, we avoid promoting mimicking behaviour and instead encourage mathematical thinking, the use of various representations, and verbalizing ideas.

Ideally, small group instruction takes place in the classroom. Here are some tips for physically setting this up:

Many students come to us in secondary having experienced small group instruction before, so this is likely not new to them.

Consider these tips when implementing this approach:

• clearly outline expectations for the class's behaviour (e.g., "My expectation is that you are working quietly and independently so that the small group working with me can learn together.")

• clearly indicate where to get support (e.g., "Instead of coming to ask me a question, talk to your seat partner or someone close to you.")

• use this approach early and often in a semester to establish that small group instruction is a norm and part of the culture for learning

While working with a small group, the rest of the class should be working on independent activities to reinforce their understanding of prior concepts. These activities could include any of the following:

Students working in a small group should not be "missing out" on new learning, so whatever is provided for the class to work on should be for the purposes of consolidating learning and deepening understanding of previously concepts.

Professional Learning Workshop: Teacher Moves for [Effective] Small Group Instruction

NOTE: The slides and recording below are only viewable by WRDSB educators.