Building Small Groups for Growth and Learning BY: Jorge H. Villamizar D.

Before … You will know when your class is ready for tribes when they can answer this questions with YES . 1. Do they understand agreements? 2. Do they know each one for working in groups? 3. Can you identify LEADERS, FRENDSHIPS, and LESS POPULAR STUDENTS? 4. Do you have sucessful learning experiences while working in groups?

How to Build TRIBES ? For Middle School level students the best groups range between 4 and 6 people. Use the selection strategy of the 7 friends so that groips are equally distributed.

The 7 Friends Give each person a index card, make them type their name and the name of 7 friends. Tell students they will be with at least one identified friend

Selection … TRIBES Select 5 leader type people’s cards Match each leader type with a negative behavior or quiet person Add the remaining cards asuring that each one will have at least one of the requested friends and balancing boys and girls.

People Puzzle Begin with a poster one for each tribe Design a kind of puzzle so that students have to search for the matching pieces to get to konow their tribes group.

Stranger Anxiety To deal with stranger anxiety and differnces these strategies may work: Wishful Thinking I’m Proud Circle Interview Circle

After … First Days Stop Look Listen Describe Decide

Using the Time Out Reflection Circle Ask “What is happening?” Give time to Reflect Ask for description of who people felt Barinstorm ideas to change the situation Decide what to do to improve things Invite everyone to keep their purpose in mind

Conflict Resolution Both students agree to ground rules Each tells his side of the story The Problem is Re-stated Steps 2 and 3 are repeated Suggest possible solution Agree on a balanced resolution

I-Messages It is imporant to midddle school students to speak in first person because it doesn’t hurt the others fellings as if we were talking in third person which passes the responsability and guilt to the other person.

Issues This may be discused to find a possible solution: Too much “I pass” I don’t like my tribe What about the new kid Hey, that’s a put down Let’s form new tribes

Let’s talk Define the problem, situation or concern Repeat Think it through Consider Both Sides Decide and Act Evaluate and Outcome

Setting goals and individual contracts Goal Storming Share Journal and record results

Fin Chapter 9 – TRIBES Book