Are interruptions during small group time making it impossible to teach your students? What if I told you that with just a few simple steps you could immediately quell those interruptions and get your teaching time back? I’m going to share my tried and true method to stop interruptions during small group FOR GOOD. Don’t miss out on the must have freebie too!
The Simple Recipe
Let’s start with the recipe for success — It’s a solid foundation of the basics, mixed with clear, explicit instruction. What does this mean? First, I want you to reflect on where students are at and if they truly know and understand what their expectations are. Before we can expect students to work independently during small group time, we need to reflect—do they truly understand what’s expected of them? Do they know what interrupting actually means, and more importantly, when it’s appropriate versus when they need to problem-solve on their own? If the answer is no, that’s your starting point. Use THIS pack to help break it all down, giving you the tools to teach exactly what interrupting is, when it’s okay, and what to do instead. Lay the groundwork first—it’s what sets everything else up for success.
If you said yes, “My students understand interrupting.” That’s great! Then it’s time for some serious explicit instruction. Just like making sure students understand what interrupting is, it is essential to teach students their center expectations. If students know what to do, then you get your time back. This is key to stop interruptions during small group, and overall during class.
Daily Slides
Whether you teach kindergarten or second grade, students need to explicitly understand their expectations during center time. This is why we love using Daily Slides with students. Students can look to the board for everything they need during center time so you experience zero interruptions. You can display what they need to do, what materials they need, how much time they have, and more. Add visuals to show students exactly what it looks like too. These are a real deal game changer for keeping students on track!
If students are still struggling to stop interruptions during small group even with all the given directions and visuals, you can introduce 3 before me. Basically, students cannot interrupt your group without asking 3 other students first to help them out. Implementing student leaders is another great approach. Choose 3 student leaders who you know can help support others and add their names to the board. This way students know who to get help from when they need it. You are essentially training students that no matter what their problem is, they need to solve it independently or find someone else to assist them, as you are OFF LIMITS.
Center Expectations
If you find that students are struggling to complete given tasks, wandering aimlessly, or distracting peers, they most likely need more explicit instructions with their center expectations. THIS pack helps support students without your help or intervention. They will learn what their expectations are for different centers, how to hold students accountable during centers, and tons of practice with engaging, hands on activities.
The Secret Sauce to Stop Interruptions During Small Group
Now that we have our simple recipe for success, it’s time for the secret sauce. Pay close attention to this one because this is truly how you will get your teaching time back without interruption. It pertains to your actual centers and will change the game for management. Say it with me, “Switch the skill, not the activity.”
I am a big believer in prep once and use all year long! The beauty of this system is that the format of the activities stays the same, so students quickly become familiar with what’s expected. This familiarity builds independence and cuts down on the time you spend reteaching center directions.
But here’s the fun part—by simply switching out the skill being practiced, it feels fresh and exciting for students every time! It’s like playing your favorite game with a brand-new expansion pack—it’s still fun and familiar, but now it’s got a new twist that keeps everyone engaged.
Check out some fun activities we use with this secret sauce:
Who doesn’t like putting together puzzles? These puzzles are perfect for practicing all kinds of skills, such as beginning sounds, digraphs, r-controlled vowels, and more! Students will have endless fun practicing and putting together each one.
Or get students up and moving around the room with Math Around the Room! Whether it’s “I Spy a sum of 10” or “I Spy a shape with 3 sides,” students love the search-and-find element. It’s low prep and high engagement!
The best part is you can grab both of these best selling bundles for all your K-2 literacy AND math skills so that differentiation is a breeze no matter what skill students are working on!
Science of Reading K-2 Literacy No Prep Centers Bundle
k-2 Math No Prep Centers Bundle
The Dreaded Setbacks of Stopping Interruptions in Small Group
We all know it’s bound to happen with little people… those dreaded setbacks. When things go awry, don’t worry, just pause, and re-teach those strong expectations you have in place. Whether it’s October or March, sometimes students need a reset to get back on track. Use those tools and strategies we discussed and I promise those setbacks will be short lived.
If you still feel like you need something more for those littles who just love your attention, try the Waiting Room! Simply put clothespins on your waiting sign. When students need something, they’ll grab a clip and bring it to their desk while they continue working. When you’re ready to take questions and request, call their number you can help each student that has a clip! They get their needs met, after practicing some patience, without interrupting you. So helpful! Grab it FREE below!
Finally Stop Interruptions During Small Group
Are you ready to follow this easy recipe and stop small group interruptions in their track?! Don’t worry, I’ve got you COVERED with the jam packed Centers Management Ultimate Kit! You will have everything you need to take charge of centers and THRIVE from day one. Students will know EXACTLY what to do and you’ll have everything planned out for YOU! Grab yours now with the link below!
Centers Management Ultimate Kit
Loved this and want to read more? Check out THESE posts for even more tips and tricks to keep your classroom running smooth!
How to Stop Students From Tattling for Good
10 Easy and Effective Tips to Calm a Chatty Class
How To Encourage and Support Independent Learners in Your Classroom
I hope you enjoyed learning about tips and tricks on how to stop interruptions during small group and get your time back! Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, how to videos, and classroom projects… also of course more fun FREEBIES including the Waiting Room FREEBIE! You will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.
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