Teaching small groups can be tricky, however, teaching small groups through distance learning can pose a whole new set of challenges. On today’s episode, I am chatting with a 3rd grade teacher from New Jersey who went into distance learning at the start of the pandemic (March 2020) and still has not returned to teaching in-person (now January 2021). Raffaella De Martinis will share her strategies and tips for keeping reading and writing small groups going, especially in a virtual setting. Her methods, words of encouragement, and simplicity are golden! I will also share my fangirl moment here by adding that Raffaella taught Jennifer Serravallo’s daughter and has a mention in one of her books! So cool! I hope you enjoy this informative chat with my literacy friend!

Here are the questions asked in this interview:

• What one word describes your school year so far?
• How do you create small groups?
• How do you know what you are going to teach in your small groups each day?
• How do you check in with your small groups?
• How do you track data?
• Are there any other tips to share regarding small groups?
• Do you have any words of encouragement for teachers to find confidence and success with finishing the school year strong?

 

Ways to get connected with Raffaella:

• TpT Store: Thinking About Third
• Instagram: @thinking_about_third

 

Resources mentioned in this episode by Raffaella:

• Reading Goal Bookmarks
• Reading and Writing Strategies Post-Its
• Reading (Lower & Higher) Toolkits and Writing Toolkit
• Small Group Editable Sheets
• Data Keeping Google Sheets Document
• Reading Strategies book by Jennifer Serravallo *Amazon affiliate link*
• Writing Strategies book by Jennifer Serravallo *Amazon affiliate link*
• Jennifer Serravallo books and resources

 

Connect with Megan on social media:

• TpT Store
• Instagram