TriadTriads are small groups where individual members are familiar with one another and work together. It refers to a group of three and is used to increase communication. It is considered a more stable grouping. It is often used in peer coaching to learn through observing and help peers by providing information about how students respond. This method is not to give expert advice. In these situations teachers learn from one another in instruction, develop materials, observations, and reflecting on the behavioral influences. |
PartnersPartners can be the result of teacher pairing in an organized manner or a natural pairing that occurs when students divide the work in order to be more effective. Partners can take time to observe one anther and offer valuable feedback. Partners can also be a study buddy. Benefits for study buddies are improved focus, and motivation. |
Strategic TeamsThese are groups that are formed based off of formal, informal and base groupings. They can be used to clarify directions, focus student attention, allow time for students to process information, and provide time for closure. Formal groups ensure that students have enough time to finish work and may last for several weeks. Informal groupings can be a neighbor or partner nearby. Base groups are long-term groups created to provide students with support for long periods of time. It is an opportunity to bring together the diverse perspectives of individuals or teams to enhance collaboration on strategic initiatives and achieve alignment on strategies. It can be a form of team teaching is when two educators work together with groups of students in sharing, planning, organizing, delivery, and assessment. |
JigsawA jigsaw group contains a group of 5-6 students where material is divided into sections. It group member is responsible for their portion of the lesson/content and each group member is dependent on one another. The group meets together after the lesson and combines their knowledge. This is a popular strategy for reading assignments. It requires students to use synergy to combine their newfound knowledge. |
RoleplayRole play is done assigning different students roles to play can add meaning to group work and facilitate interdependence. Roles may be self-selected or assigned by the teacher. It can be beneficial to have students rotate roles and to establish expectations before assigning roles. This is an imaginary situation where students pretend to be different characters and take on roles to interact with one another. It helps students practice empathy and perspective taking. |
Mix to MusicStudents move around the room while music plays, when the music stops students form groups. This is a great strategy for multiple pair ups. |
Learning CoachOne student tries a skill while another student provides coaching and then partners switch. |
Think-Pair-ShareThis is an educational process where students are posed a question, given time to think of an answer, then pair up with partners to share the answers. This can help offer support to students who are shy and give students confidence to share their answers in class. This is an informal grouping that involves turning to a neighbor. This process begins with teachers asking a specific question about the text. Students think about what they know or have learned. Then students are paired with another student or small group. Students then share what they learn or what their peers have shared. |
NOBU NAKAMURAChief Architect |