Reading Texts By Flexible Grouping--TAPS

Reading Texts By Using Flexible Grouping

TAPS

TAPS is an acronym used for flexible grouping. Sometimes readers better comprehend a text by reading alone, and sometimes they need others to help them. I found that TAPS works best when using more that one of the acronyms. For example, to get the students on the same page, start with Total group or "T". This is a great time to model "how" to read (with expression and emotion) while stopping occasionally to analyze the text and pull out key vocabulary terms. Next, have the students predict or generate their own questions individually (Alone). Next, Partner them up so they can read with a purpose by sharing their questions and responses. Finally, you can hit the Small group or go back to Total Group. 

T= Total Group

A= Alone

P= Partner

S= Small Group

(Gregory and Chapman, 2007)