#2ndchat Archive
#2ndchat is a Twitter hashtag that can be used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other second grade educators from around the world. Every other week we will discuss a different topic. It's a great way to help grow your PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network) and share ideas with others.
Wednesday October 12, 2016
Hi, everyone! Welcome to ! Tonight we are going to talk about the small group table. :)
So excited to have join as host to talk about this.
Before starts with the questions, tell us your name, title and location.
Hey Carol! So excited to share and learn with my PLN tonight. https://t.co/FqXqdpH0i8
So excited to have join as host to talk about this.
My name is Carol and I teach 2nd grade in Birmingham, AL. :)
Hi, Mary! Always good to see you!
Thank you. I enjoy being here.
Hi Mary! Hope you are having a wonderful week.
Janie Hachen from Kansas Hi everyone!!
Toni from IL. My 2nd year as a 2nd grade teacher
I am - taking part in the and hositng a slow twitter chat for it at
Hi Toni! Glad you are here!
Hey Toni! This is my 11th year in 2nd year. I love my 2nd graders!
Hi Laura. Great to see you!
Q1:Do you meet with groups or individual students during reading workshop?
YES! Love guided reading groups.
This is my 12 year in 2nd! :) 26 years total- please don't say I'm old! ;)
Yeah, it's Janie! :) Good to see you!
A1: I meet with groups 3 days a week and individuals 2 days a week generally.
I do both- one day a week I work individually on fluency passages, etc. The rest of the week groups.
A1: During reading workshop I pull small groups during Daily 5 rotations.
wanted to make sure all 2nd grade teachers know about my writing contest! https://t.co/hpD1qbLH0T library is theme!
Like this idea Eilenn! https://t.co/MSjQricd12
I do both- one day a week I work individually on fluency passages, etc. The rest of the week groups.
I hold individual conferences 2 days a week and groups the other 3.
A1: I do daily five small groups and sometimes I try to meet with a few individuals to listen to reading.
Are your groups only reading groups or reading and writing?
I follow Jan Richardson for small guided reading groups. Love her work.
I try to pull students for writing at other times but I have used that time if we are finishing a project.
I try and pull students first thing in the morning for this as well.
Hi all! Amanda From Birmingham. Sorry I'm late. The little ones are wild and crazy tonight! https://t.co/Y9uFaeIMgu
But mostly just reading. I love meeting with them 1:1. The conversations are great.
Q2: Do students rotate to you or do you pull them from centers as needed?
A2: On the days that I have groups, they rotate to me. On conference days I pull them out of the read to self center.
I tell them before they start a Daily 5 which group I am meeting with
What does your rotation board look like? I'm trying to visualize.
A1: I do small groups in reading:M-Word Work groups, T-W-Th for reading groups and Friday for individuals. (1/2)
I meet with all my groups every day.
A2: We have a rotation process. I try to keep a watch on time. Sometimes it feels like I am rushing to get it all in.
Yes me to. I have a rotation schedule that is visible to them.
Wow! there is not enough time in my day.
AMEN!! There is never enough time! https://t.co/nH0ewlGFsc
A2: We have a rotation process. I try to keep a watch on time. Sometimes it feels like I am rushing to get it all in.
A2: I'm trying to pull out of centers this year. It's going pretty well! It takes a lot of organization on my part for word work.
I keep my small groups lessons to 15-20 minutes. Just enough for a very focused lesson.
The others are practicing independent reading /writing about what they read and I call them over when I want them or for a group.
I have an hour or so to rotate groups through.
Jumping in late! Molly from Iowa
A2: I have a visible rotation schedule and I meet with four groups each day.
Do you give them a topic for independent writing or it is free writing time?
Hi Molly! Loved skyping with your class for .
I don't have a rotation board. They each have their own schedule. :)
I meet with the lower readers more often
A2- They rotate and I pull them when they have a free center option. It is working so far.
Lucky!! How long is your reading block?? I wish mine was longer!
Q3: How long do you spend with each group? How many rotations do you have?
we missed skyping with you this week!
I use my class twitter for
they respond to their reading. They have a list of prompts to help them get started.
Next week, we will be back. Can't wait!
Tell us more about this, Do you provide choices they choose? Do you plan agendas for each Ss?
I have from 9:00-9:30 whole group and 9:30-11:00 small group.
So they respond to do something you do whole group?? Sorry for all the questions.
A3: I have 4 rotations at 15 minutes a piece.
A3: I spend 15-20 minutes with each group. The kids rotate through Daily 5 centers as I work with small groups.
How long do you have for reading? I have 45 minutes for a mini lesson and groups
They have choices in each center but they rotate to each center every day.
I'm so envious! If I had four small groups I would have to give up my whole group time and i'm not ready to do that yet.
I have 2 hours for a balanced literacy block including writing - about 20 min. per group
Q4: What type of activities do the students do at the teacher station?
A3: I spend 15-20 minutes per group. I have 4 rotations. On days I have conferences I can get 2-3 kids per rotation.
Good evening , I teach outside Columbus, OH and self contained second grade.
A3: I have 15 min for 4 groups and then I have a Tier 2 reading group for 30 min.
Hey Mandy! Thanks for coming!
2 groups per day. I have 8 Ss doing interventions (out of 16) so, I can't fit them all in during 25 minutes of RtI in the morning.
A4: We may work on fluency, phonics, syllables, short nonfiction articles, comprehension or vocabulary.
All of this and writing about the book is part of my lesson plan for small groups
Where do you get the short nf articles to use?
I'm starting a vocabulary journal this year for reading, science/social studies and math words. I'm really excited!
We have these awesome short reads from Scholastic. Our book room resources are amazing. :)
A4: Depending on the kids' needs, we work on nonfiction articles, fluency, phonics, short stories, comprehension, or vocabulary
A2: I go sit next to where my Ss are reading when I confer with them and I pull them to the carpet for small group work with me.
A4: We phonics study and warm ups. We read phrases and poems and choral readings. We respond to books in interactive notebooks.
We have a wonderful guided reading library separate from the school library - just for Ts
I use this site religiously! I have the activities printed off and pre made in a binder ready to use. https://t.co/KZgSonFxJq
Trying to do more vocab work this year. Tried for the first time today. Students loved it.
choice is very important and motivating.
Like Readworks also for articles
A4: A lot of times, things I notice in individual conferences, help me know what to focus on in small groups the next week.
VERY. Everyone likes a choice. I do! As long as it is working on the same skill, it's good!
i really want to do this too!!
yes, and you can laminate things and use them over and over again without killing trees. :)
Q5: How do you plan for your small groups? Share any resources you find helpful in planning
A3: I try to spend 10 minutes with a group and I have no rotations at this time.
What do you do with each of your groups during that time?
I have a spreadsheet to keep quick notes on the reading groups- what they are doing well/need to work on
We do reading a-z and the Raz kids part. I have these blooms buttons cards with questions for fiction and non fiction.
I use Jan's lessonplans. She also has a website with lots of free resources.
Q5: I use notes from individual conferences, notes from beg of the yr assessments and things I know kids struggle with in 2nd.
I found them on little cards, laminate and put them on rings to use duing small groups. I make notes on the back.
Thanks for sharing. I just can't give up everyone reading at the same time, I love the feel of this & the kids do too
A5:Have a guided reading binder with plan sheets and assessment sheets.Have student folders loaded and a bag of items for each kid
A5: I've been using conference notes and assessments.I also try to pull the skill that we work on in minilessons for reinforcement.
Mine love moving and variety. We have times in the morning when everyone reads at the same time. :)
I try and hit on the CAFE strategy we are working on that week as well.
A5: We use guided reading Jan Richardson and Reading A to Z.
Typically a guided reading lesson but building in responding to reading more.
I also hit on a skill with a mini lesson or activity in small group.
Q6: If you have conferences, how long do you spend with each student?
Q6: I spend 5-7 minutes per child for conferences.
A6: I spend 5-7 minutes per child for conferences.
A6: 5 minutes per student
Do you have conferences before or during your small group time?
Q6: At least 5 minutes, but that's dependent on the child.
These are during centers. I have individual conferences during centers on Wed. and Thurs.
I have this one too! I love it! It's one of those books you can ready again and again and get something from it.
A6: It is usually a quick pull up to 7-8 minutes. Depends on the needs of the student.
Q7: How do you involve students in the conference?
A7: It took me FOREVER to figure out a way to do this. I give them a sticky note with ?s about the book we will talk about next wk
I actually found a blank CAFE board and we write out strategies we have covered each week on there for students to use.
A7: The 1st part we talk about the ?s & then they read part & we talk about it. They get a new sticky note for the next conf.
A7: they get to decide what their goal for next time.
Thanks for finding and sharing. Good ideas.
A7: I ask them questoins about their book. Give me something they love and something they hate.
A7: Wantr them to give a self evaluation when we prac. fluency or phonics. I have also done the sticky note questions or find its
A6: Conferences are 3 - 5 minutes but very insightful and usually a quick teaching point.
To be honest i'm not sure where I found it. Email me and I can share it with you.
Hello there. Leah from RI, been following a bit late though 😀
Hi Leah! Glad you are here!
Read works has good non fiction articles
Q8: How do you document observations during group/conferences?
A7: All my conferences start with How's your reading going? What's happening in your story?
yes it does! I use it regularly to work on comprehension skills.
Janie I just shared with you!
I keep all my notes for individual conferences and groups on a google sheet. I either have my laptop or iPad.
A8: I use & love it! I took my paper template to digital. The bonus was recording voice and photo.
A7: I use sticky notes to make quick observations and a conferring notebook. Here's a great post https://t.co/wbW4PTlcrX
Would you mind sharing a template?
I usually do this but have not set it up yet for this year.
A8: There's a article about it's development if you have a membership.
A8: I have check sheets that I put in my guided reading binder. i think I paid for on TPT. I check off while observing.
Great to have digital notes you can look at anywhere esp helps for report cards!
I have heard of other teachers using a Google Form to keep notes or using google drive.
Leave this chat and do it right now. LOL.
DM me your email and I can do it right now.
I've done it for years. I just haven't set them up yet. I have notes everywhere right now. :)
A8: I have a big binder and everyone has their own tab that I keep notes.
I have done more reading on Seesaw and phonics on Seesaw to show Parents reading fluency.
I am so glad. It was such an easy fix. I love that I can make it fit to what each student needs.
Lots of great ideas here, I used there online option when I taught two classes of K.
I don't really have a template yet-work in progress. general info on book level & what they are doing well/need to work on
Q9: Any tips for organizing your small group table?
Yes the CAFE book/ resources are wonderful! I send home the parent pipeline so Ps know what strategy we are working on.
I just sent you an email.
I think I need to look at this again, do you have a membership to the site?
Trying to start using seesaw this week. Waiting for it to be put on the ipads😐
Q9: Sorry no suggestions because I don't have one. It's usually my laptop or iPad and post it notes to go.
No not anymore Some of the resources are free. Is there something specific you are looking for? I may have.
Q9: I have a bookshelf with fluency passages, white boards, markers, vowel pattern lists & a tub with short reads
A9: I have a bookshelf with fluency passages, white boards, markers, vowel pattern lists & a tub with short reads
When you mentioned the parent pipeline that was new to me and perked my interest.
A9:Folders and clear bags with pointing fingers, dice, dry erase sticky notes for every student. Small group by shelf of our stuff.
Google it! I found them online as well. Each strategy has a letter to send home with parents.
Q10 What materials/websites have you found useful for focused small group lessons?
Thank you, this sounds helpful.
If you can't find them email me I can share the ones I have uploaded.
A10: I really like Readworks! I have used some passages from Amy Lemon's Rooted in Reading for certain skills.
Yep that's it. I was looking for them in my drive but you found them all here.
We did of silent e words and read them in Seesaw.
I'm wondering if everyone tries to use short passages for small group work or books, maybe a combination?
A10:- I love having my Ss who are level buddy up and make iMovies book trailers. Ss recount chapters and complete an analysis b4
I'm out for bedtime, all! Thanks so much for sharing tonight! I have so many things I can go use tomorrow! Love this group!!!
Thanks for stopping in! I know it's busy! I love this group too!
I do a combination of all of it. Change it up and hit on things the Ss need.
Thanks all! My first time on I appreciate the sharing and great ideas!
I am so glad you joined us! I didn't know it was your 1st time!
Can you share an example, this sounds interesting.
So great to participate and chat tonight with . Have a great couple of weeks everyone.
Hey and I will be continue our math workshop chat series at our next !
Thanks everyone for coming and sharing your tips and resources for small groups.
A10 I have a collection of fluency phrase warm ups and games to review phonics. We use chromebooks for vocab. padlets or ipad apps.
