Small-group intervention is critical to teaching struggling readers.
  However, instructional grouping poses several real challenges to teachers.
The resources linked below can help you overcome the challenges
that currently limit your instructional effectiveness.

 Challenge #2- Creating Groups

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Once the time is devoted to intervention, the next challenge is
creating effective groups based on instructional needs.
     

Initial Guidelines for Skill-Based Intervention Groups:
1. Groups should be comprised of students who share similar learning profiles.

2.The DIBELS "composite" classification should not be the sole determinate of grouping. Instead, teachers need to look at each assessed area for gaps or weaknesses and identify specific student needs.

3. Instructional groups must be flexible. As part of the expected routine, students join, and/or are promoted out of skill-based groups, based on their individual needs and growth.


Using Stem and Leaf Charts to Create Instructional Groups  The groups created by this tool allow teachers discover the specific problem-creating skills, student by student.  This information quickly divides the students in to skill-focused instructional groups. Follow this link to our Stem and Leaf Explanation page.

Using mCLASS to Create Instructional Groups 

Within your DIBELS reports, mCLASS offers grouping suggestions based on your students' benchmark scores.  Connect with your building DIBELS mentor, or contact us with questions about these groups.