Teaching Writing in Small Groups

by Jennifer Serravallo

Find out how just a few minutes of purposeful, responsive teaching can have a big impact with your students. Jennifer Serravallo's Teaching Writing in Small Groups details essential practices for optimizing groups that help First, Teaching Writing in Small Groups lays the foundation for success. Jen shows how to create groups for maximum effectiveness and how to make what you teach responsive, clear, and sticky. Then she streamlines differentiated instruction with a menu of small-group options for providing just-right Jen has thought of it all. Twelve videos with writers from Kindergarten to seventh grade from in-person and online classrooms model each type of small group, selected passages and forms are available in the Online Resources in Spanish, downloadable skill-progression note-taking forms provide focus for instructional decision making, and her "Take It to Your Classroom" feature supports implementation for individuals or study groups. Read Jennifer Serravallo's Teaching Writing in Small Groups because the question isn't whether small groups work, but how to make the most of them.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2021

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one does not disappoint! A quick read with practical, easy-to-envision steps and application. The book itself is, in many ways, a model of exactly what it’s teaching for small group writing instruction in terms of setting a goal (improving my small group teaching) and presenting strategies (step by steps for 7 different types of group meetings). I will be returning to this one again and again.

[Ayanna Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Teach the writer not the writing.” This is the best nugget from my review of this book. It would be helpful for a new writing teacher, and although it is labeled K-8, might be most appropriate for the elementary level. I got some good reminders about feedback and reflection, as well as some good grouping ideas.

[Amie Hannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you have Serravallo's Strategies book(s) you will still learn a TON from this easily digestible book. The video connections & printable resources are a bonus! I now feel quite confident about leading productive writing groups.

[Ellen Deckinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for teachers looking to incorporate small group instruction. It is well organized and provides structure to small groups. As a teacher who uses small groups regularly there were still things I took from the text and plan to use in my classroom.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, predictable format for each type of group. Great examples within the writing as well as via video clips that help the reader see the possibilities for implementation into the classroom. Must have for every literacy teacher.

[Adelaide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noyce book club. This book encouraged me to try shorter small group lessons with a very quick release and a physical takeaway of the key point. I think the writing strategies book would be a helpful next resource.

[Nicole Calabro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of wonderful resources. You are able to link the Writing Strategies book to it with ease. Also, the learning progressions help guide your writers through the writing process.

[Stephanie Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me SO many specific types of groups to try. Jennifer is such an expert and the videos are super helpful to see examples as well. I have lots of ideas spinning for next year!