Designing Effective Student Groups

Patricia H. Russell, Title III Coach

REMINDER: Optional Professional

Development SeminarSaturday November 15, 2014

Seminar Location: Library

Sign–up on the Main Office Counter by Nov. 3rd

“More effective teachers use more than one type of

group”-Beatrice A. Ward

TYPICAL GROUPING METHODS

-Count students off 1-8 and group them by their numbers (“All 1s sit together, all 2s sit together, …etc.”)

-Give a student a playing card and have them students sit with their like cards (“All Kings sit together, all 3s sit together,…etc.”)

-Group students by those next to them

-Have students select their group members

-Create a seating chart according to their 1st assessment and then group them by their neighbors.

USE THE FIRST ASSESSMENT

Teaching Tool:Sheet Protector

Question:How would you arrange the following 40 students?-5 students who need “Preferential seating” (IEP)-5 As-8 Bs-11 Cs-6 Ds-5 Fs

USE THE FIRST ASSESSMENT

A

A

A

A

A

IEPIEP

IEP

IEP IEP

B

BB

BB

B B

B

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C C

C

C

D D

DD

D

D

F

F F

F F

#1: LET THEM CHOOSETeaching Tool:

TIPS: Think Ink Pair Share

THINK: Think of Pros and Cons (No writing)

INK: Chart your reasons (Alone)

PAIR: Discuss your reasons with your group members and add onto your chart, if needed

SHARE: Share with the other groups

#2: JIGSAWTeaching Tool:

GRAPHING ORGANIZER & SHEET PROTECTOR

-Material to be learned is broken into sections.

-Each student quickly skims all sections.

-Each student learns their assigned section and teaches it to the other team members

-Each student is tested and graded individually based on material to be learned

#3: SIMILARITIESTeaching Tool:

Brain Break

-Group students by their similarities

-Use the 4 corners of the room and have students walk to the corresponding corner.

-Make each corner of students into groups of 4.

Examples:-Which do you like best A)Math, B)English, C)History, or D)Science?-Do you have a A)dog, B)cat, C)both or any other pet, D)no pets?-Which do you like best A)Summer, B)Winter, C)Fall, or D)Spring?

#4: ROLESTeaching Tool:

GIVE OPTIONS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

ROLE #1

ROLE #3

ROLE #4

ROLE #2

#5: USE COLORSTeaching Tool:

Colors

#5: USE COLORS-Write the title of your problem on top

-Create and write the question/problem related to your discipline

-Find and write the answer/solution clearly (show all steps if applicable)

-Draw a diagram/picture that is related to your problem/question

-Group member names (by color) on the bottom

GRADED: Grade for accuracy. All colors have to be present to receive points.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT*Change groups a few times per semester

*Do random every once in a while- deck of cards, counting 1,2,3…

*Walk around and ask thinking questions

*If a student isn’t working switch them; don’t be stuck *Don’t let bullying type comments continue, student need to work with people they don’t like the real world

THANK YOU!

Patricia H. RussellOffice: Rm G9

Ext. 2393