CLASSROOM Management Secrets for GROUP WORK Success?

A few weeks ago I decided to switch things up in my classroom and go from the traditional rows to groups.  I put a lot of thought into how I would make the change and here are some of the highlights of what I think needs to be done in order to make it successful.

• Gather student input before making changes. Surveying students can reveal their preferences and potential concerns, as seen when the teacher surveyed students about group work and presentations. This feedback can inform instructional decisions.

• Prioritize thoughtful planning. Effective teaching involves significant preparation, including classroom setup and lesson design. Considering details like group size and arrangement can contribute to a more successful classroom environment.

• Strategically implement group work. When using groups, think about how to form them.  Allow for some student choice but also consider factors like behavior and effort to create balanced groups. The physical placement of groups and even individual students within groups can also be a deliberate strategy.

• Establish clear learning goals. Teachers should have a clear vision of what students should learn beyond just memorizing facts. Encouraging critical thinking and questioning are important aims.

• Foster essential skills through activities. Group work and other activities can be designed to develop skills like grit (perseverance), understanding how to learn collaboratively, and identifying patterns and connections in the material.

• Design lessons with clear connections. Plan lessons so that students can see how different concepts relate to each other. Linking past events to the present can also deepen understanding.

To dive deeper into how I planned everything click on the image above to watch my latest video.