Classroom Management Strategies: Creating Small Groups to Support Struggling Readers in Large Classes

You have a large class of older students. Through data collection, you find that a few of them are substantially behind in reading. You want to help these struggling readers, but your class is just too big. There’s no time, very few resources, no extra money, and too many distractions. Plus, you have to stick to the curriculum, leaving little room for small-group instruction.

So, what do you do to help create the best reading intervention programs for struggling readers within your classroom? Here are four potential options to help not only your small group of struggling readers but your whole class as well:

A) Collaborate with Your Teaching Team

Talk to your teaching team to find creative ways to work together. They have struggling readers too. Create professional learning communities to share strategies and resources, including reading professional development for teachers. Collaborating with colleagues can distribute the workload. Research shows that "collaborative teaching strategies improve student outcomes in various subjects, especially literacy" (Friend, 2014).

For example, you might want to assess students one-on-one. While a colleague manages your class or theirs, you can focus on creating effective reading intervention programs for struggling readers.

B) Involve Parents or Volunteers

Parents and volunteers can assist with managing small groups, fostering individualized instruction. With guidance, they can support reading strategies for struggling readers by facilitating games or reading activities. This involvement is part of creating a reading professional development for teachers ecosystem where everyone contributes to student success.

Parents can help outside the classroom or within, ensuring that struggling readers receive attention even when resources are limited.

C) Rotate Small Groups Strategically

Rotating small groups is one of the most effective classroom management strategies for large classes. According to Fountas and Pinnell (2018), small-group instruction allows teachers to provide focused, individualized attention, particularly to struggling readers.

This approach develops independence and leadership skills in students. Even the most disruptive students often thrive when given clear roles. With consistent routines, small-group rotations allow you to implement reading strategies for struggling readers effectively.

D) Prioritize Curriculum Over Small Groups? Think Twice.

While it’s tempting to focus on finishing the curriculum, neglecting struggling readers has long-term consequences. Targeted interventions, such as reading intervention programs for struggling readers, are essential to closing literacy gaps.

A teacher I observed successfully managed 50 students by implementing classroom behavior management strategies. Her students trusted her, and she met with her struggling readers daily. Clear expectations and consistency enabled her to provide individualized support, even in a large class.

Effective Classroom Management Strategies for Large Classes

Implementing small groups comes with challenges—students may be disruptive or confused. Here are three classroom management strategies for large classes that help maintain order and engagement:

1. Set Clear Goals and Expectations: Involve students in establishing rules. Research by Emmer and Evertson (2013) found that clear routines lead to fewer disruptions.
2. Stay Consistent: Consistency creates trust and ensures smooth transitions into small-group instruction. Patience is key—expect a learning curve, but persistence pays off.
3. Use Peer Support: Assign leadership roles to students, particularly those with behavior challenges. This builds self-regulation and redirects disruptive energy into positive contributions (Johnson & Johnson, 2017).

By using these classroom management strategies for large classes, you’ll be able to focus on your struggling readers while maintaining a productive learning environment.

The Two-Minute Rule: Building Reading Habits for Struggling Readers

Once you’ve established classroom management for large classes and small-group routines, how do you encourage struggling readers to develop strong habits? James Clear’s "Two-Minute Rule" provides a simple framework. Start with small, achievable goals like reading for one minute.

This incremental approach builds stamina and confidence, laying the foundation for successful reading intervention programs for struggling readers. Research by Morgan and Fuchs (2007) confirms that consistent progress in reading habits leads to long-term improvements in fluency and comprehension.

Examples:

• Begin with "read for 2 minutes" instead of "read for 20 minutes."
• Encourage reluctant readers to "grab a book and look at pictures" as a non-threatening first step.

Managing a large class while implementing reading strategies for struggling readers is challenging but achievable. With consistent effort, effective classroom management strategies, and targeted reading professional development for teachers, you can create an environment where all students thrive.

Remember, persistence and belief in your students’ potential are the keys to success. Even in large classes, small groups can transform the learning experience, fostering growth for both struggling readers and the entire class.