My district is remote since September. I teach first grade. We teach whole class and small groups. I try to meet with each group twice a week. The primary teachers in my district use two laptops and have two Google Meets going when we go into small groups. I have a fabulous Title 1 teacher who comes to my class several times a week in la and math. I do small groups at that time. She takes her kids, I take a small group and I watch the group working independently on the other laptop. I check in every few minutes with them. We are not allowed to leave them unattended or to have them log off to complete work. We also cannot record lessons. It’s crazy, but they are getting used to it. If it’s just me, I will do one small group and have the rest do independent work. I usually take two groups in one period if I can. They have learned to leave one meet and go to the small group meet. I don’t like it, but I need to do small groups. I can’t teach whole group and help all the students.

No. We are not allowed to do breakout rooms because we can’t let the other groups be on their own and we don’t have enough staff to have someone be with the other groups.

I’ve been teaching to the bell schedule online since August.

Are you not allowed to break into groups or do you not feel comfortable doing it? We are strongly encouraged to use break out rooms, otherwise it’s whole group all day long.

Without breaking into groups there won’t be a real way to do guided reading unless you are teaching asynchronously. You could have kids working independently and each group of kids has a certain time to meet back with you.

When we were remote in the spring, we didn't do small groups either. I did a video mini lesson on our reading skill with an assignment dealing with that skill and the basal story for the week. I also the kids read their independent reading book and write a response. Instead of writing a response, they could make a flipgrid or SeeSaw video explaining what they read. You could then make one back. I didn't do the Flipgrid/SeeSaw thing, but I'd like to try it! I would always comment on their response, pushing them to show use of a certain strategy, commenting on their reading or writing, asking a question about the book, etc. I'm not sure how helpful this is since without small groups it's hard to meet the needs of all students, especially if you are used to doing guided reading.

My teaching partner video taped herself reading the the basal story. Then she asked "discussion questions" where the kids were supposed to pause it an answer it. Then she'd answer it. Now, I'm sure many kids didn't pause it, but at least they were exposed to questions at a variety of a different levels and about the strategies we are using.

We are going back to emote learning after Thanksgiving until at least January. I loved having my students in person for a few weeks, but now they’ll be home again.
I need suggestions for teaching reading remotely. I cannot break into groups. I’d appreciate any help for 2nd graders who are both struggling and also those above grade level.
Thanks!