Designing Effective Student Groups Patricia H. Russell, Title III Coach

REMINDER: Optional Professional Development Seminar Saturday 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 1 st 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 IEP B B B B B B B B C C C C C C C C C C C D D D D D D F F F F F

#1: LET THEM CHOOSE Teaching 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: JIGSAW Teaching 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: SIMILARITIES Teaching 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: ROLES Teaching Tool: GIVE OPTIONS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ROLE #1 ROLE #3 ROLE #4 ROLE #2

#5: USE COLORS Teaching 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. Russell Office: Rm G9 Ext. 2393