Small Group Instructional Planning Tool – Literacy

Small Group Planning Template: A Tool for Differentiated and Targeted Instruction

Empowering Educators to Plan Intentional, Data-Informed Small Group Instruction that Meets Every Learner’s Needs

Effective small group instruction is one of the most powerful ways to address diverse student needs within the classroom. This Small Group Planning Template is a versatile, user-friendly tool designed to help educators thoughtfully organize and plan differentiated, targeted instruction for students at varying levels of understanding. It supports the intentional use of formative and diagnostic assessment data to create meaningful instructional experiences that maximize impact.

This resource goes beyond simply organizing groups—it prompts teachers to analyze student data, define clear instructional goals, and plan focused lessons that address the specific skill gaps or enrichment needs of each group. Whether used during daily lesson planning, data meetings, or instructional coaching, this tool ensures that small group time is purposeful, strategic, and aligned to student outcomes.

---

Key Features and Benefits:

• Data-Driven Group Formation
  
  Helps educators use assessment data (e.g., universal screeners, classroom assessments, progress monitoring) to group students based on shared needs or skill areas, ensuring that instruction is both relevant and responsive.

• Focus on Differentiation
  
  Encourages thoughtful planning of differentiated strategies, materials, and supports for each group—whether they need remediation, core support, or enrichment.

• Targets Specific Learning Goals
  
  Guides teachers to identify and articulate clear, standards-aligned learning objectives for each small group, helping maintain focus and track progress over time.

• Flexible and Adaptable
  
  Designed to be used across content areas (e.g., math, literacy, science) and grade levels. Can be printed or used digitally and adapted for whole class planning, intervention blocks, or MTSS Tier 2 and Tier 3 instruction.

• Supports Efficient Planning and Collaboration
  
  Ideal for individual teacher use or as a tool during collaborative planning sessions, PLCs, or coaching meetings. It promotes consistency and intentionality across classrooms and teams.

---

Ideal For:

• Classroom Teachers looking to make the most of small group instruction time

• Interventionists and Specialists supporting targeted instruction

• Instructional Coaches guiding teachers in planning for differentiation

• PLCs or Grade-Level Teams organizing small group structures during planning meetings

• MTSS Teams creating responsive instructional plans for students needing additional support

---

Why It Matters:

With increasing demands on instructional time and a growing range of learner needs, small group instruction must be both strategic and efficient. This planning tool empowers educators to design small group lessons that are intentional, actionable, and personalized—making sure every student receives the right instruction at the right time. It helps bridge the gap between data analysis and classroom practice, ensuring that students’ academic growth is supported with clarity, purpose, and precision.

---

Would you like this expanded into a downloadable template or bundled with sample group plans?