Making the Most of Small Groups: Differentiation for All [Paperback]

Debbie Diller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

In her previous books, Literacy Work Stations and Practice with Purpose, Debbie Diller showed teachers how to productively occupy the “rest of the class” while meeting with small groups. Now Debbie turns her attention to the groups themselves and the teacher's role in small-group instruction. Making the Most of Small Groups grapples with difficult questions regarding small-group instruction in elementary classrooms such as:

• How do I find the time?
• How can I be more organized?
• How do I form groups?
• How can I differentiate to meet the needs of all of my students?

Structured around the five essential reading elements—comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary—the book provides practical tips, sample lessons, lesson plans and templates, suggestions for related literacy work stations, and connections to whole-group instruction. In addition to ideas to use immediately in the classroom, Debbie provides an overview of relevant research and reflection questions for professional conversations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Stenhouse Publishers (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571104313
• ISBN-13: 978-1571104311
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.6 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Education Theory > Philosophy & Social Aspects
  • #62 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Professional Development
  • #65 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Social Psychology & Interactions

More About the Author

Debbie Diller is an author, educator, and national educational consultant who lives in Houston, Texas. She uses her experience of over 30 years as a classroom teacher, Title I reading specialist, and literacy coach to teach others about sensible, realistic ways to meet the literacy needs of all students in the classroom.

Debbie's work (through books and videos)focuses on showing teachers how to provide meaningful independent practice for children and how to teach effectively in small groups for reading. Most recently, she has been helping teachers get organized in their classrooms and does "classroom makeovers" on campuses to improve instruction.

When Debbie isn't on the road working with teachers and their students, she enjoys being at home with her family and friends. She grows perennials, rides her bike, concocts homemade soups, and lifts weights.

To learn more about Debbie, visit her website at www.debbiediller.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable guide for reading teachers of young students everywhere. September 2, 2007

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Educator Debbie Diller reveals her thirty years of experience as an educator, including classroom teaching of children in grades PreK-10 as well as teaching in small groups and independent work, in Making the Most of Small Groups: Differentiation for All, a practical guide to the teacher's role in small-group instruction. An in-depth resource packed with tips, tricks, and techniques, Making the Most of Small Groups particularly focuses upon instructing small groups in the five essential reading elements: comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary. Packed with tips, tricks, and techniques for organizing one's time and space as well as the nuts and bolts of teaching, and rounded out with black-and-white photographs, sample lesson plans, reflection questions for professional conversations, references, and much more, Making the Most of Small Groups is an invaluable guide for reading teachers of young students everywhere.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have book July 17, 2007

By Today Show Book Fan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book will definitely be a productive resource used over and over again to help me decide what each of my reading groups will be doing each week. The book gives charts for the different areas of teaching reading and what type of activities to do to strengthen these areas. This will be a huge organizational help to me and time saver on a weekly basis, k teacher

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a relief! July 12, 2007

By Mary A. Hogan

Format:Paperback

At last a book that shows you exactly how small groups should work! I love the section on using a small group planning notebook. I will definately use this book in my classroom in the fall.