As math teachers, we are always being told that small group instruction is best. We get to meet the needs of our students better if there are less of them in front of us. But often times, small groups can be overwhelming. Without the right routines, procedures, and resources, it can lead to frustration and burnout. But I have been using small group instruction for years, and it has made my life easier and my class flow smoother! Keep reading to see my top 4 items for a successful small group.
Whiteboards
I love having students use whiteboards in math. Because it is not a permanent surface, I have noticed that students are more likely to try and take risks. Could they just erase on paper? Of course. But there is something about using a white board and marker that makes students (especially upper elementary and middle school students) more likely to try something, even if they are not sure.
Thin Sliced Problems
Have you ever gone on TPT or in your curriculum and seen worksheets with 10-20 problems? Whose students are doing that?? Not only does that take up a lot of time, but that can be very overwhelming for a kid. Are they going to need to complete long worksheets, like tests? Of course. But in my small group, this is not a time for that. Small group is a time for students to work on problems at their own pace. So we use thin sliced problems. In short, thin sliced problems are problems that progress in difficulty. The first problem meets the objective and the standard, but at the most basic level. From there, students progress on to the second problem, which is only slightly more difficult. Students continue working though as many problems as they can, at their own pace. If you want to learn more about thin sliced math problems, look at this blog post. And if you are a 5th grade math teacher, you are in luck! You can get over a years worth of thin sliced math problems right here!
Trackers
I always want to know how my students are doing. When we get to an exit ticket or a quiz, it should not be a surprise how they did. I want to make sure that I am consistently keeping track of how they are doing. That way, I can intervene when necessary, and if there are trends, I can reset that misconception. But again, I don’t want to overwhelm myself in the process. I use a very simple tracker. It includes students names, the date, objective, the problems, and a key for how to record how students are doing. I have four options that are fully editable. You can download them by clicking on this link: Small Group Tracking Templates.
Manipulatives
Manipulatives are so important for conceptual understanding of a topic. I like to make sure that they are always present in my small group. Students need to see that they are available for everyone, and not a crutch for students who are struggling. Once students get in the upper elementary grades, manipulatives are often seen by students as something only little kids or struggling students need. Having them always accessible, and using them with students often, makes students more likely to use them when they need them.
Small groups are one of my favorite parts of math class. And my top 4 items for a successful small group is one of the reasons! If you are looking for more ideas about how small group instruction can fit into your math block, you could consider using math menus! Find out more information here.
