41. Small Groups Aligned with the Science of Reading with Christina Winter, Lead in Literacy

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I’m joined by my dear friend, Christina Winter from Lead in Literacy. Together, we dive into one of the hottest topics in structured literacy: small group instruction.While some Science of Reading conversations debate whether small groups have a place in the literacy block, Christina reminds us that when done correctly—grounded in assessment, efficiency, and aligned routines—small groups can be one of the most powerful tools to differentiate instruction and target students’ exact needs.Christina walks us through her ABC Framework for small groups:A — AssessB — Be EfficientC — Cut the FluffWe also discuss how to fit small groups into busy schedules, what effective routines look like, how to handle pacing, and why teachers don't need to feel guilty about not seeing every student every day.Key Takeaways:How small group instruction supports differentiated, targeted reading instruction.The importance of assessment-driven groupings based on universal screeners (Acadience, DIBELS, i-Ready, etc.)Why consistent instructional routines reduce teacher overwhelm and student anxiety.High-impact routines for small group instruction: phonemic awareness, word mapping, high-frequency words, blending, decodable text, comprehension, dictation, and word awareness.Teachers should prioritize students below benchmark for daily small groups while others can be seen less frequently.Resources Mentioned:Christina's Free Small Group Toolkit (downloadable resource with lessons & templates)Book: A Fresh Look at Phonics by Wiley BlevinsDr. Julia Lindsey’s Instagram PostStephanie Stollar’s Reading Science AcademyBook: Atomic Habits by James ClearThis post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!Connect with Christina Winter:Website: https://leadinliteracy.com/Instagram: @lead.in.literacy Christina’s Membership Site: Leaders of LiteracyConnect with Michelle:Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.comFollow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademyJoin our Facebook CommunitySign up for my NewsletterShop on TPT: The Colorful ClassroomFor Phonics Resources, grab: The COLORFUL Phonics ToolkitWant to Support the Podcast?Make a Donation to Support ProductionInterested in Learning More about Morphology?Logos Literacy Academy with Michelle Sullivan & Sarah PaulJoin: Beyond Phonics Club - our Membership CommunityMentioned in this episode:Reading Science AcademyGet your FREE grouping resource bundle here: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/groupingsheets?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=podcast Join The Reading Science Academy: https://www.stephaniestollarconsulting.com/register?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=literacy-in-colorSOR Fall Book Study Join us: https://colorful-classroom.mykajabi.com/sor-fall-book-study-2026