Small Groups, Big Results: Evidence-Based Routines to Get Every Child Reading

With clear, classroom-tested instructional routines backed by science, teachers can confidently help their students build skills for reading success! Julia Lindsey’s new book answers teachers’ persistent questions about how to teach effectively in small groups, showing teachers how to identify specific “sticking points,” or needs, that students typically have—and then respond with routines and methods based on empirical research. This targeted, purpose-driven approach—sometimes requiring as little as five minutes of daily instructional time—moves the needle for readers at every point on the developmental spectrum. Small Groups, Big Results offers a practical framework for planning small group instruction, plus specific, actionable assessments and teaching moves to build better readers.

Dr. Julia B. Lindsey, Ph.D., is a literacy expert, author of Reading Above the Fray: Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills, and sought-after speaker and consultant. She partners with districts and educators to translate research into classroom practice by building teacher knowledge, supporting implementation of high-impact practices, and encouraging use of evidence-based materials, ensuring all students become successful, empowered readers. Dr. Lindsey is also the author of knowledge-building decodable texts used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the globe. Dr. Lindsey holds a BS in Psychology from Davidson College, a MAT from Relay Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from the University of Michigan. She is a proud former elementary school teacher.