In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) welcome back Kent ISD mentor & author, Dr. Julia Lindsey.  Julia’s latest book:  “Small Groups, Big Results:  Evidence-Based Routines to Get Every Child Reading" is the topic of today’s podcast.  Dr. Lindsey offers practical, research-backed insights into transforming small group instruction from a frustrating logistical hurdle into a powerful engine for student growth.

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

Lead with Data, Not Logistics: Instead of filling a mandatory time block or sticking strictly to guided reading levels, Dr. Lindsey encourages teachers to use data to define a highly specific purpose for every group. By identifying exactly what a student needs next—such as a specific phonics skill like the "ch" digraph—instruction becomes laser-focused, allowing teachers to provide the density of practice and immediate feedback required to move the needle.

Embrace Flexibility in Grouping and Timing: Small groups should be fluid and dynamic rather than stagnant fixtures in the classroom. Dr. Lindsey suggests that the structure of these groups should reflect the "reality" of the students' developmental stage; for example, kindergarteners may benefit more from several seven-minute "touch points" throughout the day rather than one long, unsustainable block of independent station time.

The "See Something, Teach Something" Mindset: One of the most impactful "small swaps" Dr. Lindsey recommends is moving away from a "wait and see" approach for struggling students. By intervening explicitly the moment a gap is noticed, teachers can prevent small challenges from spiraling into significant reading hurdles later on.

Integrate Knowledge with Comprehension Strategies: For older readers (second grade and up), Dr. Lindsey notes that comprehension strategies are most effective when paired with building content knowledge. Instead of teaching a strategy like "retelling" in isolation, she suggests leveraging small groups to help students access the complex texts and topics already being explored in the whole-class curriculum

Concluding with our normal podcast protocol, we ask for resources for educators to learn more about Small Group Instruction.  Check out our podcast resource page for all the links!

We wrap up this episode by asking listeners to share your thoughts on podcast topics - your voice matters!  Please visit bit.ly/LLCNtopics to tell us what you want future podcasts to focus on in relation to literacy.  

All resources in this LLCN Brief (and future podcasts) can be found at:  bit.ly/LLCNresources2526  Subscribe to the Literacy Leadership and Coaches Network podcasts here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/llcnbrief or your favorite podcast platform.

Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:Medicine by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicineLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/