Teaching K-5 Reading
with Small-Group Instruction

Teaching K-5 Reading
with Small-Group Instruction

 

Teaching K-5 Reading
with Small-Group Instruction

In this powerful one-day workshop, teachers will learn how to plan and conduct differentiated small-group reading sessions that result in improved student achievement. During the workshop, Kristi McCullough will show teachers how to support students at their developmental level, how to engage students in authentic text, and how to provide students with targeted lessons to increase their comprehension in both literature and informational texts.

Workshop Topics:

• Learn how to develop a schedule where small-group reading occurs in tandem with students working independently in literacy stations. 
• Obtain ways to utilize teacher-led small groups during the reading block.
• Understand how to interpret reading levels of students and match them to an appropriate book level.
• Gain strategies to support readers at all stages of reading: emergent, early, transitional, and fluent.
• Learn how to tie whole-group mini-lessons to small-group instruction in order to support the five components of reading.
• Learn types of before, during, and after-reading strategies and how they fit into small-group reading lessons.
• Acquire methods for supporting readers by incorporating oral reading strategies beyond using “round robin.” 

When you leave, you’ll be able to:

  • Use small groups to support and deepen mini-lesson skills first taught during whole-class direct instruction.
  • Introduce a new text to students in a way that provides support for them to be able to decode and understand the text.
  • Increase the amount of time students spend reading the whole text.
  • Cultivate student interaction with the text during reading.
  • Organize your space and supplies to make small-group instruction both efficient and effective.

Workshop Excerpts:

Target Audience

K-5 Teachers
K-5 High-Ability Teachers
Teacher Leaders or Building-Level Coaches
Title I, Remediation, Special Education, & ELL Teachers
Building or District-Level Literacy Coordinators
Elementary Principals
Curriculum Directors

Free follow-up training video:

  • Teachers who attend this Small-Group Instruction workshop will be given a complimentary one-month subscription to Kristi's matching video on webPD, Reading: Creating & Conducting Differentiated Small Groups: Grades K-5.
  • During the complimentary subscription period, teachers are encouraged to share access with every colleague in their school, allowing the entire staff to learn key concepts from the workshop.

Testimonials

What are teachers saying about the Small-Group Reading workshop?

“The workshop was packed with ideas to improve guided reading groups. Kristi’s personality and energy were fun! You could see her passion for reading the way she presented!” Karly Douglas, teacher at Heywood Elementary School, Troy, OH

“Every idea was thought-provoking. This was my first time with Kristi as a presenter. What a dynamic presenter. She really made me think of how/why I do routines the way I do in my classroom.”  Glenda Ferguson, teacher at Burris Elementary, Mitchell, IN

"This was what I wanted to see. I feel prepared and ready to jump in!" Kaitlyn Caskey, teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Kettering, OH

“Thank you for sparking my fire for teaching again!” Megan McAdams, teacher at Frances Slocum Elementary, Marion, IN

“Kristi was knowledgeable—a real expert! But she is a gifted communicator and enabler—in the best possible way! She empowered me to teach small groups in a much more organized manner. Thanks!” Nancy Fessler, teacher at Seton Catholic School, Lexington, KY
 

Graduate Credit

Earn 3 hours of graduate credit for $375. Attendees may apply the 10.5 hours of training earned during the two Small-Group Guided Reading workshops toward graduate-level credit from Midwest Teachers Institute (MTI). Graduate credit hours are for non-degree credits which are designed for professional certification renewals and salary step increases. (Check with your district for approval prior to making a commitment.) Attendance at both days of this workshop, plus additional coursework related to the workshops, is required for credit. Course syllabus: MTI 509.

Register for graduate credit now.

Registration information will be shared during the 10 a.m. break of each workshop. After the workshop, attendees have two weeks to apply their training hours to the program. The cost of graduate credit is separate from the cost of attending a workshop.

 
Call Smekens Education toll free to learn more.
(888) 376-0448
 


Attend one day:

$225 (Early Bird)  |  $245 (Standard)

Attend two days:

$435 (Early Bird) | $455 (Standard)
 

Discounts available!

  • Register at least 15 days in advance and save!
  • For teams of 3+: Save $6 per person.
  • For teams of 10+: Contact our office for a 10% savings.
DATES & LOCATIONS

TBD
 

Professional Growth Credits

Certified educators can earn professional growth credits for attending a Smekens Education workshop. All workshop attendees receive a certificate of participation for 5.5 hours of professional development for each one-day workshop. Visit our Continuing Education Credit page to learn more.


Illinois-Specific Credit

As an approved professional development subcontractor, Smekens Education is happy to provide all Illinois teachers with state-approved professional development credit for attending the Small-Group Instruction workshop.