Being a Reader whole-group instruction should begin right away. Note that for the first few weeks of the school year, while procedures and expectations are being established, the total amount of time needed for each lesson, and the number of days needed to teach each strand, will vary from day to day and week to week. Review the Collaborative Literacy Implementation Overview for Leaders to see sample schedules with time allocations.
Small-group reading instruction will begin 4–8 weeks into the school year, after you have established procedures and expectations for Independent Work.