5 Small Group Reading Must-Haves Every Teacher Needs

May 26

Episode Summary

Small group time is where the most powerful reading growth can happen — but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by what to use, how to organize it, or whether you have the “right stuff,” this episode will give you clarity (and a deep breath).

I’ve spent years trying all the things — leveled tubs, centers, flashcards, flip charts… you name it. But over time, I realized the most effective small group reading block didn’t require more. It just needed the right few tools and the routines to go with them.

Inside the Episode

In this episode, I walk you through the five tools I use every week with my small groups:
✔️ Magnetic letters
✔️ Dry-erase boards
✔️ Sound boxes
✔️ Decodable texts
✔️ Dictation notebooks
(+ a bonus pointer tool for print tracking!)

For each one, I’ll break down:

What the tool is
Why it’s so effective
3–5 go-to ways to use it
One real classroom example that brings it to life
Setup tips to help you stay organized
AND why it matters for student growth

Whether your students are building their decoding foundation or you’re supporting kids who are still developing handwriting automaticity, these tools help bridge the gap between research and classroom practice.