Considerations for Designing Groups and Centers Small Group with the Center Work Table Work and Independent Teacher Seatwork Students are grouped based Center activities are designed Students work independently on abilities or specific teaching or in pairs on a variety of for students to work needs for various reading independent tasks, such as: cooperatively to solve a skills. problem or create a product. Workbook pages or Group members all have a The groups are adjusted based worksheets specific role to fulfil during the on curriculum-based Journal Writing group activity. assessments to reflect Assigned Reading changing academic needs Seasonal projects Emphasis is on process, critical Researching for a project thinking and application. Review activities (flashcard, The role of the teacher Teaching and reinforcement of during small group definition matching, etc.) key social skills are infused into instruction: Computer practice the activity The role of the instructional Provide direct instruction on aide during center work is to: specific skills and concepts Use a task menu so that tailored to group students can direct task members’ Facilitate a cooperative academic needs: choices during independent group atmosphere work. Foster a cooperative group Check for understanding atmosphere The role of the instructional Provide cues, prompts, Re-teach or review specific aide during center work is to: skills or concepts scaffolds to solve problems and work together Monitor on task behavior Provide cues, prompts, Provide behavior specific scaffolds Answer questions and praise for positive behaviors Provide behavior specific provide assistance Correct, reframe and praise for positive behaviors redirect off task behaviors Provide behavior specific Correct, reframe and praise for positive behaviors redirect off task behaviors Monitor on task behavior Correct, reframe and redirect off task behaviors Answer questions and provide assistance
Considerations for Designing Groups and Centers Small Group with the Teacher Center Work Table Work and Independent Seatwork Students are grouped based on abilities or specific teaching needs for various reading skills. The groups are adjusted based on curriculum-based assessments to reflect changing academic needs The role of the teacher during small group instruction: Provide direct instruction on specific skills and concepts tailored to group members’ academic needs: Check for understanding Re-teach or review specific skills or concepts Provide cues, prompts, scaffolds Provide behavior specific praise for positive behaviors Correct, reframe and redirect off task behaviors Monitor on task behavior Answer questions and provide assistance Center activities are designed for students to work cooperatively to solve a problem or create a product. Group members all have a specific role to fulfil during the group activity. Emphasis is on process, critical thinking and application. Teaching and reinforcement of key social skills are infused into the activity The role of the instructional aide during center work is to: Facilitate a cooperative group atmosphere Foster a cooperative group atmosphere Provide cues, prompts, scaffolds to solve problems and work together Provide behavior specific praise for positive behaviors Correct, reframe and redirect off task behaviors Students work independently or in pairs on a variety of independent tasks, such as: Workbook pages or worksheets Journal Writing Assigned Reading Seasonal projects Researching for a project Review activities (flashcard, definition matching, etc.) Computer practice Use a task menu so that students can direct task choices during independent work. The role of the instructional aide during center work is to: Monitor on task behavior Answer questions and provide assistance Provide behavior specific praise for positive behaviors Correct, reframe and redirect off task behaviors