The SIPPS Placement Assessment indicates where students should begin instruction in the SIPPS program. SIPPS lessons are designed for differentiated small groups that meet for approximately 30 minutes, at least 4 days a week. Review your schedule to determine how many groups you can meet with each week.
It is not uncommon for educators to have students placing at more entry points than can be accommodated by their teaching schedules. While it would be ideal to form a group for each entry point, this might result in so many groups that you will be unable to meet with each group a sufficient number of times each week. Here are some tips for limiting the number of groups:
- Consider grouping students at two consecutive entry points together, and instruct them at the lower of the two entry points. This may seem counterintuitive, but there are almost always differences among students at the same entry point. While students’ reading skills can be strengthened by reading less challenging texts, it is less likely that students will benefit from attempting to read texts above their accessibility level. Be sure to also consider how you will ensure students who already know the skills are motivated and engaged.
- If a student’s entry point falls somewhere between the entry points of two other groups, place the student in the lower of the two groups. Be sure to consider how you will ensure students who already know the skills are motivated and engaged in the lessons.
- In addition to considering the number of groups you are able to meet with, consider the number of students in each group. Aim for group sizes that allow you to monitor all students and that support all students to respond chorally.
- Consider a “walk-to-read” model where students move to receive instruction at their points of need. In “walk-to-read” models, multiple educators teach SIPPS simultaneously to efficiently serve groups of students who are at a range of placements on the phonics continuum. Be sure to also consider what other adults (paraeducators, EL teachers, co-teachers, coaches, etc.) might be able to provide SIPPS instruction to accommodate more and/or smaller groups.