By Jepilyn Matthis, Staff Developer at The Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower
What Is Small Group Instruction in Reading—and Why Does It Matter?
Small group reading instruction is one of the most effective, research-backed ways to provide targeted, differentiated support that accelerates student growth and achievement. In today’s classrooms, this approach is essential for meeting diverse learning needs and closing skill gaps.
Effective small group instruction is:
Informed by assessment data
Flexible and responsive to student needs
Focused on specific skill development
Why Small Groups Work
This method of differentiated reading instruction works because it:
Supports personalized learning pathways
Promotes student engagement and participation
Accelerates progress through explicit teaching
Whether you're supporting early readers or striving to boost comprehension, small group instruction enables teachers to meet students where they are and move them forward.
Discover Supporting All Readers: Your Essential Small Group Toolkit
Before jumping into small group instruction, you must use assessment to determine an instructional focus.
Looking for a comprehensive resource to guide your small group reading instruction? Supporting All Readers is your go-to planning partner for intentional, effective small group work in grades K–2.
Inside the Book:
Over 100 high-leverage small group reading lessons
Skill-based strategies aligned to K–2 literacy development
Tools for differentiated instruction and scaffolded learning
Organized into seven chapters, each focused on a key area of reading development, this resource includes reading strategy continuums to help you identify the best-fit small group for every student.
Bonus: Ready-to-Use Online Resources
Access online materials aligned to each lesson for easy planning and seamless implementation.
Questions to Consider When Using Small Groups from Supporting All Readers
As you plan and reflect on small group instruction, consider these essential questions:
What level of scaffolding does this group provide?
What background knowledge or practice do students need before this group?
What follow-up support might students need after this group?
Are there additional groups I can link together for a sequence of instruction?
When This Resource Can Be Especially Helpful
Use Supporting All Readers when:
You’re responding to diverse student needs uncovered through assessments or observation
You want to supplement grade-level curriculum with more targeted instruction
You’re teaching a multi-age classroom or have wide ranges in reading ability within one grade
We hope you find this resource to be as supportive of your practice as we have found it to be of ours.
Ready to Transform Your Small Group Instruction?
Supporting All Readers is available now—your essential guide to delivering focused, differentiated reading support that moves every student forward.
👉 Click here to purchase your copy and begin planning small groups with confidence and clarity.
