Small Steps Teacher Guide
Teacher Small-Group Guide
Ready Set Launch Protocol
10-12 Minute Targeted Pull-Out Routine • 3-4 Students
Group Size
3-4 Preschoolers (Tier 1 & 2)
The 12-Minute Pull-Out Cadence
Segment 1 3 Min
Whiteboard Warm-Up
Marker grip check, fine-motor line sweeps, flash-and-draw strokes or first name initial.
Segment 2 6 Min
Target Skill Mat
Alternating focus: Letter discrimination & sound match OR Ten-frame dot counters & quantity builder.
Segment 3 3 Min
Quick Check & Cheer
Independent 1-minute check on whiteboard: "Show me the letter M" or "Draw 4 dots in a frame."
Whiteboard Warm-Up Prompt Bank
Pre-Writing Strokes "Raindrops & Mountain Paths"
Teacher prompt: "Start markers at the cloud at the top! Pull straight down like falling rain—stop at the grass line! Next, make 3 tall mountain peaks: up-down-up-down!"
Letter Detective "Flash & Write"
Teacher prompt: "Hold marker in ready position. I will flash letter B for 3 seconds. Look closely! 1-2-3, cap off—build or trace the letter on your board!"
Subitizing Flash "Quick Dot Snap"
Teacher prompt: "Look at my ten-frame card for just two blinks. Tell me how many dots without counting 1-by-1! Now tap your whiteboard that many times!"
Common Roadblocks
- Reversing b/d or p/q (anchor with mouth shape cues).
- Double-counting dots in ten-frames (teach touch-and-swipe).
- Fist grip on dry-erase marker (use mini golf markers or stickers).
Fast Scaffolds
- Place tactile green "go" dot at letter starting point.
- Use physical two-color counters directly inside paper frames.
- Model "sky-writing" letters in the air with whole arm first.
Ready Set Launch • Small Group System Instructional Facilitation Card
Assessment Tool
Small-Group Skills Roster
Weekly Observational Tracker • 4 Core Readiness Indicators
Week of: ______________
Group / Room: _________
Observation Key: C Consistent (Mastered) P Progressing (With Prompt) N Needs Support (Emerging)
| Student Name | 1. Letter ID (Upper/Lower) | 2. Marker Grip & Stroke | 3. 1-to-1 Count (to 10) | 4. Ten-Frame Subitizing (to 5) |
|---|
| 1. | | | | |
| 2. | | | | |
| 3. | | | | |
| 4. | | | | |
| 5. | | | | |
Pull-Out Anecdotal Notes & Next Steps
Literacy & Letter Formations:
Numeracy & Ten-Frame Subitizing:
Ready Set Launch • Assessment Protocol Progress Monitoring Sheet
Letter Launch Activity Pack
Preschool Literacy
Letter Detective Hunt
Name:
Date:
1 Letter Spotter: Circle or Dab the Target Letters!
Tip: Slip into a dry-erase sleeve!
Spot Letter: M m
M
W
m
N
H
M
m
E
Spot Letter: S s
S
C
s
Z
s
O
S
J
2 Match the Family: Draw a Line from Big Letter to Little Letter!
Big (Uppercase)
A
B
T
R
Draw lines across to pair them up!
Little (Lowercase)
b
t
a
r
Ready Set Launch • Literacy Sheet 1 Target Letter Recognition
Early Writing Practice
Whiteboard Line & Letter Mat
Name:
Date:
1 Warm-Up Paths: Trace from the Star to the Goal!
Straight Down:
★ ●
★ ●
★ ●
★ ●
Mountain Peaks:
Rolling Waves:
2 Build Letters: Trace the Guides, Then Write in the Blank Box!
Letter L
L
Down and slide right!
Letter T
T
Across top, pull down!
Letter O
O
Big circle around!
3 Name Launchpad: Write Your First Name on the Runway!
First Initial
Write Your Whole Name Here:
Ready Set Launch • Literacy Sheet 2 Early Writing & Formation
Number Builders Activity Pack
Preschool Numeracy
Ten-Frame Count & Fill
Name:
Date:
1 Count the Items, Then Color That Many Dots in the Ten-Frame!
🌰 🌰 🌰
3
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
5
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
6
2 Quick Eyes: Match the Dot Frame to the Right Number!
Write 2, 4, 5, or 7 in each bottom circle!
Ready Set Launch • Numeracy Sheet 1 Ten-Frame Counting & Subitizing
Small Group Math Mat
Counting Jars & Frames
Name:
Date:
1 Touch-Count the Buttons in Each Jar, Then Fill the Ten-Frame!
Jar A
Jar B
Jar C
2 Whiteboard Challenge: Listen to Teacher, Draw Dots & Write Number!
Dry-Erase Friendly
Frame A
Number:
Frame B
Number:
Ready Set Launch • Numeracy Sheet 2 1-to-1 Counting Jars & Dry-Erase Challenge