Literacy

Professional Development

August 3, 2017

How to Easily Differentiate Reading Instruction

Differentiation.  It’s definitely a buzzword in education these days and I think there is a solid reason for that.  It works. It’s how we reach ALL students. It’s what is best for students. I’ll never forget in college when I was taught about it.  All I could think of was the crazy amount of work that it was going to be for me and that just made my stomach churn.

As my time in the classroom went on, I realized that good teaching strategies and methods made differentiation a walk in the park. Specifically for reading, I found it super simple. Here are some ways that we can differentiate reading instruction in a snap.

Do you struggle to differentiate your reading instruction? Check out these things you may already do in your classroom that help you meet your students where they are!
*Amazon affiliate links are used below.

Guided Reading

Unless you are new around here, then you know how much I love and believe in the power of guided reading. Guided reading naturally differentiates itself because you are being smart about your grouping.  You are either grouping them by reading level or by strategies. Remember, groups are flexible. If you take the time to get to know your students and their interests, your instruction during this time is on point and effective.  If you choose to use this time to choose books that are on topics that your little readers enjoy, they will be more engaged.

A guided reading lesson can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! See how this teacher breaks it down and shares every part of her guided reading lesson.

Word Work

This is an important part of literacy instruction. I have shared before how my first year of teaching I did not do anything even close to word work. I simply wasn’t aware of the power. One of my favorite word study systems is Words Their Way. While yes, it took work to implement and time to train the little learners in how the routine worked in our classroom, I was so grateful that I did because it easily differentiated their instruction. I saw so much growth in their reading and writing from doing differentiated word work.

Word work is easily differentiated during literacy stations!

Work Stations

If you are doing guided reading, then you more than likely are doing literacy stations. Are you doing tons of work or are you letting them naturally differentiate themselves? Are you creating tons of new activities each week and making three different levels? I tried this and it was exhausting. What worked best in our classroom was for me to make sure that my literacy station groups were mixed abilities and that there were a variety of activities for them to do that I had already modeled.Easily differentiate your literacy stations with prompt cards for students to use as they play "teacher" in the big book station!

How do you tackle differentiation in your classroom? It’s not always easy, but anyway that differentiation happened naturally was a win for me!

Do you struggle to differentiate your reading instruction? Check out these things you may already do in your classroom that help you meet your students where they are!pin it

Happy Teaching,

Amanda

EASILY PLAN YOUR K-2 READING SMALL GROUPS​

Want to use the latest research to boost your readers during small groups? This FREE guide is packed with engaging ideas to help them grow!

Hi, I'm Amanda

I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers.  Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!

Topics

Literacy
Math
Science
Writing
Digital
Soc St

You may also enjoy...

4 Responses

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Which type of professional development interests you?