When Do I Move Students to the 'next' Guided Reading Group?

If we already haven't done so, guided reading groups should be 'on the move' as the students gain more consistency at their current level.  In Debbie Diller's book, Making the Most of Small Groups - Differentiation for All (I have a copy if you would like to borrow), she gives some 'things to consider' to assist us in making good decisions about when is the correct time to move students (see below).

Moving students to the 'next group' is different in Primary grades compared to Junior/Intermediate grades.  As Nelson Literacy is our main resource in Junior/Intermediate, moving students occurs as you change reading strategies.  Moreover, our CASI scores also help us determine 'areas of focus' and thus appropriate groupings.  In the Primary grades, we rely on our Running Records, Flexible Small Group Folder & PM Benchmarks to guide our instruction and form our guided reading groups.  However, what is good in one area of the school (eg. Primary, Junior or Intermediate) can also be good in other areas (i.e. it is only the size of the students that changes).

Flexible Small Group Folder - "Reading Levels & What to Focus on in Lessons

From 'Making the Most of Small Groups' - Debbie Diller

As you are making your new guided reading groups, please consider the lesson planning sequence.  Diller reminds us within the first part of her book that deciding on which kids and what book are not enough of a plan.  She says, "Thoughtful teaching in small groups is a lot different than sitting with a group of kids and listening to them read.".  Overall, precision teaching is purposefully planned.

From 'Making the Most of Small Groups' - Debbie Diller