Differentiation
Guidelines for Successful Flexible Grouping
Model everything.
Create clear roles for group members.
Begin small and slowly, don't try group work everyday. Try different size groups for 2 days a week for 2 or 3 weeks.
Find a system for creating random groups. (Try the old fashioned stick-pick or a web app like Team Maker.
Use a combination of random grouping, skill based and student choice. Keep notes on who works well together.
Have students self-assess their group work with a rubric. Here are two from the Buck Institute for Education.
For grades K-2 and for upper grades
Use a timer, try an online visual timer like this one.
Create clear roles for group members.
Begin small and slowly, don't try group work everyday. Try different size groups for 2 days a week for 2 or 3 weeks.
Find a system for creating random groups. (Try the old fashioned stick-pick or a web app like Team Maker.
Use a combination of random grouping, skill based and student choice. Keep notes on who works well together.
Have students self-assess their group work with a rubric. Here are two from the Buck Institute for Education.
For grades K-2 and for upper grades
Use a timer, try an online visual timer like this one.
