Party like a Strategy Lesson

What is the single most FUN, action-packed part of your teaching day? That's what I thought! The strategy group. Think of a strategy group as one big PARTY!

The Invitation (or, Who Gets to Come): To attend a strategy group, you need your very own special invitation. Who's invited? Any child who is in need of a certain skill, as judged by you during your one-on-one conferences. While guided reading groups include children who read on the same reading level, strategy groups can have children from levels all over the map. A group on making mental images might include a child reading Biscuit books and a child reading A to Z Mysteries.

Bringing Gifts (or, What to Bring to a Group Meeting): When students attend a strategy group, everybody brings a different "gift" to the party. That is- since everyone is on a different level, it's BYOB. Bring Your Own Book. A typical strategy group routine is that when a student is invited, she brings her entire book box with her to the table so that when we get to the practice part, she has a few books on her level to use. The added bonus is that everyone gets to contribute something unique to the flavor of the group, since everyone is coming from a different place on the reading journey.

Party Favors (or, What You Get to Take from a Group Meeting): At this party, EVERYBODY goes home with something. If the teacher is focused, clear, brief and provides time for practice, practice, practice, he or she will ensure that each child leaves with more than just a party favor- a new skill to add to their reading toolbox. When the teacher is crystal clear, teaching in a way that makes the new skill transferable AND there is a short practice or two before they depart - then everybody gets to take home a shiny party favor. Sweet!

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