Ready to make small group teaching easier and more effective? This free guide on small group instruction gives you everything you need to plan and run successful rotations in your upper elementary classroom.
Designed for literacy and math blocks, this comprehensive resource walks you through how to schedule and organize your groups in 45-, 60-, 90-, and 120-minute time frames.
You’ll find practical examples, real classroom tips, and step-by-step planning pages that simplify your prep time and help you teach with confidence. Whether you’re new to small group instruction or just want a smoother system, this guide will help you make the most of every minute!
What’s Inside This Free Guide on Small Group Instruction
Inside this free guide on small group instruction for teachers, you’ll get:
- 🕒 Rotation planner pages for 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes of teaching time
- 🧭 Example lesson plans pulled straight from a real upper elementary classroom
- 🏷️ Printable bookmarks showing a breakdown of each small group rotation time frame
- 🧩 Editable planning templates to organize centers and group activities
- 📋 Tips for balancing whole group and small group lessons
Each section helps you map out what to teach, when to teach it, and how to manage your time efficiently. The bookmarks and planning pages make it simple to visualize your rotations and customize them to fit your classroom needs.
🌟 Why Small Group Instruction Works for Upper Elementary
Small group teaching isn’t just for early grades—it’s a game-changer in upper elementary, too! This free guide on small group instruction for upper elementary classrooms shows you how to:
- Differentiate instruction without feeling stretched thin
- Keep students engaged and accountable while you meet with small groups
- Build smoother routines and transitions for literacy and math rotations
- Use every minute of your block time efficiently
You’ll also get teacher-tested strategies for managing centers, grouping students effectively, and keeping behavior on track during rotations.
FAQs About How to Teach Small Group Instruction
Q: How many groups should I have?
It depends on your class size and time frame! The guide provides examples for different setups—whether you have two, three, or four groups rotating.
Q: What do my other students do while I’m meeting with a group?
They’ll be working on meaningful literacy or math center activities. The guide helps you choose and organize those centers so students stay focused and independent.
Q: What if I only have 45 minutes for small groups?
You’re covered! Each time block (45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes) includes a detailed example so you can make the most of the time you have.
Q: Can I use this for both reading and math?
Yes! This guide is designed for both literacy and math blocks, with examples that show how to adapt small group instruction for either subject.
Q: Do I have to run centers every day?
Not at all! The flexible rotation templates help you plan for whatever schedule works best in your classroom.
Pair This Guide with More Small Group Resources
Once you grab your free guide on small group instruction, take your centers to the next level with this blog post and YouTube video:
The tips and ideas in this blog post and video pair perfectly with your free guide and give you practical examples to implement right away.
Transform Your Literacy and Math Centers in Upper Elementary
You don’t need to feel overwhelmed by scheduling or group management anymore. This free guide on small group instruction gives you clear direction, planning tools, and flexible examples for every classroom setup.
Plus, the guide includes ideas on the types of centers you can use!
Whether you’re working with 45 minutes or a full two hours, this guide helps you structure your small group time so every student learns without taking several hours of your planning time.
Download your free guide and start running small groups that actually work!
