Episode Details

152. How I Teach Foundational Skills

Episode 152 Published 3 weeks, 2 days ago

Description

If you have been wondering what small group instruction actually looks like in a real kindergarten classroom, not the idealized version, but the practical, flexible, works-for-actual-five-year-olds version, this episode is for you. I walk through exactly how I approach literacy and math instruction, including when to pull small groups, what happens in them, and how to work smarter instead of reinventing lessons every single week.

In this episode, I share:

why small groups do not need to look like traditional guided reading, and how staying flexible with the format serves kids better
when it makes sense to start pulling small groups, and why waiting until kids are truly independent first is the right call
what a literacy small group looks like, from warm-up to hands-on letter practice to games that keep kids engaged
why repeating the same activities over and over is not boring - it is actually one of the most effective things you can do for kids who need extra support
how to target the exact missing skill in math by meeting kids just above where they currently are, using concrete materials and observation to guide the work
why flexible grouping matters and how to adjust who is in a group based on progress rather than locking kids in for the whole year

You do not need a new lesson every day or a perfectly structured table group to make small group time count. Meet kids where they are, repeat what works, and trust that consistent targeted practice is what moves the needle.

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