As a follow-up to last week’s post on group work, I wanted to share a few tips on how to assign students to groups. The easy, low-prep way to put students in pairs or teams is to ask them to work with someone sitting next to them or to let them choose their own groups. These methods both can work successfully. In fact, it’s a good idea to include activities where students have the chance to make their own decisions, such as selecting their own partners. But what if students always pick the same partner, or maybe they always pair with someone who speaks the same native language and they don’t use English as often as they should. Here are a few other options for grouping students:
Group students randomly using Match Up Cards. Pass out pairs of cards, one card per student. As the teacher you can select the topic of the cards. Cards pairs might focus on vocabulary words and definitions, or questions and corresponding answers, for example. Ask students to circulate around the room, talking with their classmates to find the match to their card. The person holding their match will be their partner for the activity that follows. To really add impact to this activity, use the cards to review material from earlier lessons.
Group students strategically using Match Up Cards. Pass out cards with the goal of pairing students with partners you’ve pre-selected for them, for example based on levels, strengths and weaknesses, or shared interests. If students sit in the same location, you could tape cards to the bottom of their chairs. You could even pass back student work with a Match Up picture, word, or phrase on each student’s assignment.
Group students using Line Ups. Ask the class to order themselves and line up in order according to criteria like their birthday or alphabetically according to their last names. Once lined up, pair students with the person standing next to them. You could also fold the line in half and pair the person at the front of the line with the person at the end. Like with Match Up Cards, this activity gives you the chance to review previous material depending on the Line Up criteria you choose.
What I like about these grouping methods is they all get students talking with each other, they give you the opportunity to review material from prior classes, and they get students out of their seats and bring up the energy level of the class.
What are some of the ways you like to assign students to groups?