When teachers are clear in their intentions during small-group instruction, all children can achieve. With this first in a three-book series addressing small-group instruction, Nancy Akhavan shares the precise instructional scaffolds striving readers need, and helps teachers:

• Form groups in culturally sensitive ways
• Activate and build background knowledge
• Ensure students are reading for most of the small-group minutes
• Toggle between teaching and assessment during the sessions
• Use coaching language that develops comprehension and confidence