GROUP ROLES

GROUP LEADER Should be kind, not put anybody or their ideas down Works well with others Guides the discussion; Asks questions Helps the group to stay on topic & on task Has to understand the group’s task Gives everyone in group the opportunity to discuss the topic, not the only one talking

GROUP LEADER con’t. Encourages everyone to participate and give their thoughts in the group discussion Sticks to the one topic (doesn’t talk about a lot of different topics) Doesn’t raise their voice Listens to all ideas whether he/she likes them or not, or believes in them or not Keeps the group focused by using the teacher’s instructions as a guide

RECORDER Writes notes of important points or ideas shared by group members during their group discussion Writes a summary of the group’s discussion for the teacher Takes and writes notes then sometimes makes copies for each group member

ARTIST Creates illustrations or diagrams for the group’s project if any is needed

INFORMATION GATHERER (RESEARCHER) Consults texts (books) and other resources for information needed by the group Finds additional research or materials for the group

TIMEKEEPER Should set deadlines for completing each step of their project Makes sure the group stays on task and finishes in the time given Should NOT constantly remind everyone of the due date, help other members with his or her part, or talk to the teacher about her group’s progress

REPORTER Presents the group’s findings to the rest of the class in a presentation Might share their project with other teachers, a school newspaper or website, or local media DOESN’T look up vocabulary, find materials the group might need, or create diagrams or illustrations

The first thing a group needs to know Is the GOAL of the assignment Not assign roles Not the due date Not details of their project THE GOAL OF THE ASSIGNMENT IS THE FIRST THING A GROUP NEEDS TO KNOW!

What should the group do to make sure that each member contributes and participates?

ASSIGN EACH MEMBER A ROLE (JOB)

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING WHEN SOMEONE IS PRESENTING (SPEAKING IN FRONT OF THE CLASS)?

LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE PERSON SPEAKING (SPEAKER)

SCENARIO #1 Gene’s group discussion isn’t going well because no one in the group is listening. Instead, the members are just blurting out their ideas all at once. What would be the BEST say for Gene, the group’s leader, to make sure that everyone in the group has equal input in the discussion?

WHAT SHOULD GENE DO? Should he ask the teacher to step in and help? Should he choose when each member speaks? Should he let each member take a turn to share ideas without interruption? Should he have every member write down ideas so he can choose the best?

Gene should let each member take a turn to share ideas without interruption!

SCENARIO #2 A group of students is given the opportunity to work together on a research paper. Their teacher has allowed each group to choose the topic that members would like to research. What would be the BEST way for the group to ensure that each member felt like his or her ideas were valued when selecting the topic of the research?

What should the group do? Brainstorm all suggested topics before choosing one topic? Vote on each topic by using a “show of hands” or a paper ballot? Allow each member to suggest only one topic for a research project? List everyone’s ideas and then let the teacher choose the best one?

The group should…. Brainstorm ALL suggested topics before choosing one topic

SCENARIO #3 A group is having trouble making decisions about what visuals they should use during the presentation of their project. How should they choose the ones they want to use?

Should the group… Ask the teacher to choose the visuals? Draw straws to choose the visuals? Let one member create the visuals? Use a majority vote to choose the visuals?

The group should… USE A MAJORITY VOTE TO CHOOSE THE VISUALS!