4-Step Strategy: Small Group Expectations
Ever Feel Frustrated During Your Small Group Time?
When I first began small group time in my classroom, I loved to work with a small student ratio, or one-to-one with students. But I became discouraged when the rest of the groups became off-task or continued to interrupt my teacher group.
I quickly realized I needed to spend more time teaching my students how to work in small groups and what the exact expectations were, so that all of the groups were successful and met our daily goals.
Step #1. Hold a Classroom Brainstorming Session:
Just like in the beginning of the year, when you discuss your classroom agreements or classroom rules, you can also hold a classroom discussion on how the class would like class partners or small groups to be like. Ask your students:
What kind of behavior should we see happening during group time?
What should we hear people saying in our room during this time?
What actions are happening in group or partner time?
What helps you during group or partner time?
What frustrates you when you work with other people?
How can we help someone without just giving him/her the answers?
One of my students once said, “People don’t give me enough time to think in here. They just give me all the answers!”
We decided as a class that one of our guidelines would be: “Give people Think Time!” Another class decided to call it, “Chill Time.” Whatever works!
Write down on the board or chart paper what students say. Don’t think about how to word things or order, just write it all down.
Step #2. Pick the 3-5 Most Popular Suggestions:
You can have the class vote on which ideas should be included by:
Point to each strategy and have students raise their hand if they agree. Then you count the hands and write down tally marks.
Ask the students to come up to the chart and mark a tally next to the ones they want to see stay. You can do this as a class, or have the chart up in the room and call on a few students at a time while the rest of the class is working on something else.
Step #3. Act it Out!
Ask groups of students to act out what the expectations are for this time. What does this Small Group Time look like, sound like, and what actions are happening? Suggest to some of the groups to include things that are not correct and discuss how this affects work and the classroom atmosphere.
For younger students, you can direct each group on their skit. For older students, you can let them create their own short play!
Discuss how this helps:
Students:
Students can help each and get help when they feel stuck
Students get their work done (maybe don’t have to take work that is not done home for homework)
It is a great feeling to help others and be helped in a kind way
It is easier to focus in a calm environment
No consequences needed when things are going well
Teachers:
Teachers can focus on helping students, rather than spend time redirecting students and giving out consequences
And maybe, when work is completed, there might be some extra time for an extra fun activity!
Step #4. Practice!
As much as teachers wish that we can say things ONCE and it will be done…we know better. Take some time to practice! Doing this regularly in the beginning will save time and decrease interruptions later. Students will know what to do!
And if you completed this in the beginning of the year, take some time in January, after the break, to revisit your awesome Small Group Time! Or January is the perfect time to give this a try!
Here are some ways to practice:
Younger Students: Pick 1 group of students to act out a scene before partner time starts. Discuss what went right and what could use some improvement. Act it out everyday for 3-5 days and see how groups work.
Older Students: Hold a class discussion reminding everyone what the guidelines are and talk about what can be seen, heard and what are the actions taken at this time.
Depending on the class dynamics this year, you might have to implement this everyday for a week or every Monday for a month. Some classes settle in right away and others take more time. And if something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to regroup and make changes!
Remember! Practice first, so you have a smooth Small Group Time later!
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4-Step Strategy: Small Group Expectations