Our second grader had pull outs for the advanced reading group. They pulled the advanced readers from several classes into one group. It was great! In 3rd grade there was no pull outs and his reading group met hardly at all - twice one quarter. They did enriched seatwork instead. When I asked the teacher she said that group was already far above grade level and she had to focus on the other groups and that the advanced seatwork was the best she could do. In 4th he entered CES.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

Because even advanced readers want to talk about what they are reading. They need to learn how to analyze a text and ask critical questions. These are things that an advanced reader reading group could do. Instead, they are left to sit alone to read independently. That's great and all, but it doesn't help them move along as a readers and thinkers. But I see and acknowledge that there is not time for that.

+1000. Advance readers could begin to work on more advance vocabulary, deeper analysis, comparison to other books, language skills like Greek and Latin root words, or just allowed to discuss different books. It’s absolutely wrong to assume that just because a child is advanced doesn’t mean there is room to actively engage them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

Because even advanced readers want to talk about what they are reading. They need to learn how to analyze a text and ask critical questions. These are things that an advanced reader reading group could do. Instead, they are left to sit alone to read independently. That's great and all, but it doesn't help them move along as a readers and thinkers. But I see and acknowledge that there is not time for that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

A child's reading level is a relative measure. The county must meet all children where they are and not just pick and choose which receive an education.

Lol, I agree with you completely but MCPS absolutely does not share your view.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

A child's reading level is a relative measure. The county must meet all children where they are and not just pick and choose which receive an education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

No they aren’t. Where did you get this idea from?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

Mine was a very advanced reader, already reading long chapter books like Beverly Cleary and Harry Potter when she started kindergarten, and rarely had pullout reading groups after about the first half of K. She mostly did independent reading during that time, and after she’d finished her work. Between books from home and an excellent school librarian, we made sure she always had appropriately challenging books in her backpack. So she still managed to make good progress in reading skills, and was far above grade level when they started the Great Books (William & Mary?) program in 3rd.

She had an excellent teacher in 1st, who didn’t necessarily do pullouts or specific enrichment, but made sure she had an appropriate list of spelling words, for instance, and suggested challenging material for independent work or after she’d finished her regular classwork. I felt like that was a really good solution, at least for my kid. She’d have been bored and annoyed with yet another worksheet, but a harder book about an interesting topic was like handing her a treasure.

There’s a lot of teacher leeway with this. My twins were this age prepandemic. Same school, same reading level, different teachers. Different things happen in different classrooms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

Because reading groups are a remedial technique. Not sure why parents of advanced readers want them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about whether there is a MCPS curriculum decision to not have small reading groups in 2nd grade but instead to read books as a whole classroom so that all students can experience the same books and discussion at the same time.

I’ve never known 2nd grade not to have reading groups. Alternatively, reading groups have never substituted for the teacher reading a book to entire class. Both are usually done.

At our ES they had them but kids at or above grade level only met once every 1-2 months where as the struggling readers met almost daily.

This is the norm.

I remember asking my 2nd grader about this and they were convinced they didn't have a reading group so I followed up with their teacher and had it explained. They do but only meet every couple of weeks because they're 1+ years above grade level so they're not a priority and don't get equal time.

Curious, did the teacher have a set amount of time they went between meeting with the on level/above level group? What did that group do in the interim?

This is the reason that I think all K-2 class should have part time of not full time paras.

What would the para do? It should be multiple teachers. Or just smaller class sizes to begin with.

My kid’s Title 1 school has reading groups everyday during reading block. All of the 2nd grade teachers divide the grade by ability and teach a group along with the reading specialist.

My school the para educators run pull out groups to for targeted intervention. During intervention groups the teacher works with the kids who are either on grade level or above I think that's a good time for reading groups. My kid mentioned they read chapter books, it's like a book club