Strategic Reading Groups: Guiding Readers in the Middle Years

Strategic grouping can transform reading instruction in the middle years from a hit-or-miss learning experience to a targeted, responsive one. This book features a practical and field-tested model for small-group differentiated reading instruction in years 4–8. Jennifer Berne and Sophie C. Degener offer a clear, detailed discussion of how to position this instruction inside middle years English or reading classrooms and simple, effective strategies for classroom management, groupings and assessment.

The authors explain how to:

• Balance brief strategic reading lessons with whole-class work

• Structure and guide reading groups consistently

• Assess students before and during reading groups

• Cue students and gauge understanding as they read

Differentiating instruction is not the flavour of the month in education; rather, it is the essential orientation for maximising student success. Strategic Reading Groups gives teachers the tools they need to differentiate reading instruction in the critical middle years, as students begin to read more complex, content-filled narrative and informative texts.