Have you ever been pulled out of class and felt singled out? For me, that moment turned out to be the beginning of an unforgettable experience for the entirety of 3^rd grade. Once or twice a week, I would get pulled out of class to join a reading group where a teacher would guide us through a book series called The Zack Files. At first, I really didn’t like it, but as time went on, I started to appreciate it more and more; it not only improved my language and literacy skills but also changed my way of thinking about books. That small reading group not only helped improve my language and literacy, but also taught me that reading can be social, fun, and rewarding.

The place where the reading group was held was in the basement of my school, and it was the office of the teacher who led the reading group. The room had no windows and was dimly lit. The room was cozy: it was warmly lit, had bean bags, one or two armchairs, and many snacks and plush toys scattered around.

The reading group consisted of 3-4 other students who were also in the 3^rd grade. The group wasn’t necessarily for ESL students but for students who struggled to read well. The teacher who led the group was on the older side and was preparing to retire the following year. She had white hair and liked to wear darker colored clothing. She was kind, patient, and funny. Every time we had reading sessions, she would come pick us up from our classes. While we would read, sometimes she would offer us snacks related to what the characters in the books would eat.

At first, the reading group felt more like a chore than something I might actually enjoy and want to do; However, as time went on, I started liking it more and would look forward to it. The only reason I started enjoying the group was because the book, which I had never heard of before this, was fun to read, not to mention the teacher who would occasionally make funny remarks.  The teacher would enforce popcorn reading, which forced us to always stay vigilant and have no time to daydream. As the reading group continued, I was able to improve my language and literacy without even realizing it because of that reading group, which was only held for about 1-2 hours per week. At the end of the reading group, the teacher told us that we could choose one of the plushies in the room to take home. To this day, I still have the bunny plushie, and it reminds me of that room and the books we read every time I see it.

The social and calming environment of the reading group helped in improving my language and literacy. The reading group taught me that classrooms don’t have to be the only place of learning; Sometimes a more informal, social, and cozy environment may help certain students improve in places where they may be struggling. The setting of the reading group helps students mentally, whereas the same thing in a traditional classroom may seem too overwhelming with classmates who are at a much higher reading level. In a smaller space, students build confidence without feeling left behind. The smaller space makes learning feel personal and less stressful, which can result in faster improvements. The students who would thrive better in an environment like my reading group not only need a space like that, but also an instructor who is engaging and enthusiastic enough to guide the students. To sum it up, not every student can learn properly in a traditional classroom, and smaller spaces with other students who may be struggling with something similar may help that student deal with their struggles.