Strategies for Whole Group

[barzeszut]

This year, I gave my entire class a strategy assessment to determine who needed what. I thought that this would show me where to start as far as strategy groups go- Now I am wondering what strategies to teach to the whole group. I know the 6-5-4-3 rule, but I guess that I am confused- it seems that I will be addressing the strategies whole group and then again in small group???

[srea]

What strategy assessment did you use initially?

I don't know that there is an absolute formula, but I have heard that if 80% of your students show a need, that's a good whole class strategy lesson. Sometimes you will work on the same strategy in whole and small group, but sometimes it will be a different one, depending on the needs of the students. For example, you might introduce check for understanding as a whole group strategy but emphasize chunk letters and sounds as a small group focus.

[andredba]

I go by the 80% rule, too. If most of them need a skill, I teach it whole-group. I think it's ok to teach almost all reading strategies whole-group (except for accuracy in the older grades), and then just differentiate during small groups and conferring time. I think all students need to be reminded of certain strategies from time-to-time. There are so many different strategies, and good readers use them all, when appropriate.