5 Easy Steps for How to Manage Small Groups in the Classroom

It can be hard to learn how to manage small groups in the classroom! As a teacher, you can feel pulled in all different directions when leading small group instruction. This may include a center time or strategic intervention where you only meet with 3-4 students at a time. For small group instruction to be successful in the elementary classroom, your students must be engaged in their work. Guiding your students to engagement has two purposes. It fosters their love of learning and it increases their independence. Both allow you to work with a smaller number of students while the rest of your class completes a different activity.

White text on a maroon background reads: 5 easy steps for how to manage small groups in the k-2 classroom — It can be hard to learn how to manage small groups in the classroom! As a teacher, you can feel pulled in all different directions when leading small group instruction. This may include a center time or strategic intervention where you only meet with 3-4 students at a time. For small group instruction to be successful in the elementary classroom, your students must be engaged in their work. Guiding your students to engagement has two purposes: 1) it fosters their love of learning and 2) it increases their independence. Both allow you to work with a smaller number of students while the rest of your class completes a different activity.

Research supports small group instruction

Research has shown time and time again the benefit of small group instruction in the elementary classroom. Teachers are able to better individualize instruction and students are more likely to share ideas and take risks. Here you will learn small group instruction management strategies to take the guesswork out of small groups and help them run smoothly in your K-2 classroom!

Looking for more resources to improve your small group instruction? Be sure to grab this free guide to learn how to improve all areas of your small groups – from planning to data collection and so much more! This guided workbook will teach you 7 important aspects of small group instruction and how to improve them in the K-2 Classroom

A book with a running record sit on the table. Navy text reads "grab your free guide for effective k-2 small group instruction!" — Here you will learn small group instruction management strategies to take the guesswork out of small groups and help them run smoothly in your K-2 classroom!

How Does Small Group Instruction Help Students?

Teaching in small groups greatly improves not only student academic outcomes, but also helps foster the student-teacher relationship. Meeting in groups of 3-4 students allows the teacher to really connect and listen to each individual. When working in small groups, students are more likely to take risks and share their thinking. The increase in student talking allows teachers to better understand each individual’s learning. There is no disagreement among the research: small group instruction greatly improves student participation and overall learning. Small group instruction is perfect to support your struggling readers. You can learn more benefits and specific strategies to help your struggling readers here.

A teacher works with a small group of students at the table. Navy text reads "Did you know? Small group instruction improves student participation and learning" — When working in small groups, students are more likely to take risks and share their thinking. The increase in student talking allows teachers to better understand each individual’s learning. There is no disagreement among the research: small group instruction greatly improves student participation and overall learning.

You’re probably thinking: “how am I supposed to provide quality instruction to a small group while worrying about the other 15-20 students in my classroom?”. Or, maybe you’re worried about planning for each individual group. Teaching can be overwhelming. That’s why I’m here! Here are your best small group classroom management strategies.

Small Group Classroom Management

The secret to small group classroom management? Relationships and consistency. Students need a consistent routine along with a trusting relationship with the teacher. This is no small task, but putting in the hard work at the beginning of the year will make the rest of your year run smoothly. Be sure your routine for small group instruction is almost identical each day, especially in the beginning. Once students are comfortable in the routine, then they are able to focus on the task at hand.

Sand timers sit behind text that read "k-2 small group tip: use a visual timer to keep you and your students on task during small group" — Be sure your routine for small group instruction is almost identical each day, especially in the beginning. Once students are comfortable in the routine, then they are able to focus on the task at hand.

K-2 students, well all students, thrive on connection. Small group instruction is a great way to build connections between peers and between teacher and student. Building authentic relationships starts from day one. Genuinely be interested in your students. What they’re building, what they’re playing, what goes on at home… As you build mutual trust with your students you will have no trouble managing small groups in the classroom!

strategies for how to manage small groups in the classroom

You are in the place to get effective small group instruction management strategies! The best classroom management strategies are ones that are simple and consistent. As a teacher, you need to find the strategies that work best for you. Tweak things to fit your students and your teaching style but remain consistent in your strategies and expectations. As you read these 5 easy steps to manage small groups in the classroom, envision yourself using these in your classroom. What will it look like? How can you adapt each strategy to fit your style and needs? What change can you make tomorrow? With consistent use of these strategies, you will find improvement with your small group instruction in the next month!

Text overlay on a student desk reads: how to manage k-2 small groups — As you read these 5 easy steps to manage small groups in the classroom, envision yourself using these in your classroom. What will it look like? How can you adapt each strategy to fit your style and needs? What change can you make tomorrow? With consistent use of these strategies, you will find improvement with your small group instruction in the next month!

Have more questions about classroom management during small group instruction? Be sure to read these 5 steps to become a master!

Strategy 1: Create a Predictable Routine to learn how to manage small groups in the classroom

The first step to learning how to manage small groups in your classroom is to create a predictable routine and stick to it. Even if it’s challenging, even if you want to do something else, it is really important to stick to your routine for the first 4-6 weeks. After you can get a bit more flexible but initially try to make each small group time the same. This allows the students in your classroom to learn the routine and follow the expectations. Additionally, the more comfortable your students become with the routine the more “brain space” is freed up to focus on academics. Grab this free guide to learn how to structure a predictable routine in your small group instruction!

Maroon text on a student desk reads: start your k-2 small groups on day one to establish a consistent routine — The biggest mistake teachers make with small group instruction is not starting their routine on Day 1. If you want small group instruction to be a priority in your classroom, your students need to know your expectations from the first day.

Strategy 2: Start Your Small Group Routine on Day 1

The biggest mistake teachers make with small group instruction is not starting their routine on Day 1. If you want small group instruction to be a priority in your classroom, your students need to know your expectations from the first day. While you don’t have to pull and run your small groups on the first day of school, set the expectation for what the rest of the class is doing. Meet with students individually or in groups at the tables as you walk around. Set the standard that you are unavailable for questions during this time.

Working in a resource room? Pull your students on day 1 as well (or, the soonest day you have your schedule figured out). Start your session how you envision starting your sessions later in the year.

With all small group routines, focus on relationship building and accountability. Starting these routines as early as you can during the school year builds a strong foundation for your small group instruction moving forward.

Strategy 3: Hold Yourself (& Your Students) Accountable

It can be so easy to get distracted throughout the day. There are little fires everywhere! Another new initiative, a parent email, a phone call…the list goes on and on. To run successful small group instruction, you need to hold yourself and your students accountable. In the beginning, this may mean stopping meeting with your group to address the whole class. In the middle of the year, it may mean letting that family or administration wait for a response until your instruction is over. Or, it may mean pulling a group even if you don’t have a clear plan and just having conversations with the students.

Regardless of what goes on in your day, your small groups need to be a priority. Hold yourself accountable for meeting with your groups consistently, and hold your students accountable for behavior and work you expect during that time of day. Overwhelmed by the thought of managing your small groups, along with the rest of your class? Be sure to grab this free guide to learn all the tips for effective small group instruction!

A teacher works with a small group of students at the table. Navy text reads: effective small group instruction benefits all students — Regardless of what goes on in your day, your small groups need to be a priority. Hold yourself accountable for meeting with your groups consistently, and hold your students accountable for behavior and work you expect during that time of day. Overwhelmed by the thought of managing your small groups, along with the rest of your class? Be sure to grab this free guide to learn all the tips for effective small group instruction!

Strategy 4: Have a Plan for Interruptions and Distractions

Let’s face it. Teaching is unpredictable. Children are unpredictable (that’s one of the reasons we love them, right?!). To successfully manage small groups in your elementary classroom, expect the unexpected. Have a plan for interruptions and distractions. Maybe your students write their name on the board if they want to tell you something, maybe they have a sticky note you leave on your desk. You could use a hand single to redirect or have an early finisher bin for students you aren’t working with. The more clear your plan for interruptions and distractions, the better your students will be able to follow it without your support.

Strategy 5: Reflect Together

The last strategy for managing small groups is to reflect. Reflect in your group of 3-4 students and reflect as a whole class. What do you like about this time? Which activity went well, or could have gone better? What is a struggle, or something that could be improved during your small group instruction? As you reflect on your teaching, encourage students to reflect on their learning. This is a wonderful way to build community as a classroom and improve your small group instruction.

Teachers and first grade students sit at a table reflecting on their small group instruction. — As you reflect on your teaching, encourage students to reflect on their learning. This is a wonderful way to build community as a classroom and improve your small group instruction.

Classroom Management During Small Group Instruction

Learning how to manage the small groups in your classroom is the key to successful instruction. With strong classroom management, your students will not only feel safe and trusted but you will see their independence increase allowing you to focus on your small groups. Running small groups can feel like a daunting task, but with these strategies and time, you are sure to become a rockstar at managing your small groups in the classroom!

Do you have more questions about effective small group instruction? Be sure to grab this FREE guide with easy-to-follow tips to make the most out of your small groups in the K-2 classroom!