If your class is anything like my class, students are constantly being placed into various groups throughout the class period. I don't always like to use the same method for grouping students, so I wanted to share 7 options I commonly use in my classroom.
Grouping using Objects, Sticks, Etc.
Method #1: Polygon Partners/Clock Partners
In my math class I call them polygon partners, but this grouping method is more commonly known as clock partners. At the beginning of the year, you will have your students determine a partner for a designated time or shape. If you are using a clock, you will tell students to find a 1:00 partner. They find someone in the room and then write that name down for their 1:00 partner. In my case of polygon partners, I have students find a square partner, and then do the same. You complete this until all of your time slots are full or until all of your polygons have been filled. Later, you can then tell students to get with their square partner or their 1:00 partner and they know exactly where to go. In my experiences, this is the fastest partnering method or the best one to use with a substitute. I have a free download available here, if you want to check it out:
Method #2: Grouping by Sticks
I find that this is the most commonly used partnering/grouping method amongst my colleagues at school. You write the name of each student in your class on a stick. You simply pick two sticks and those two names are partners. If you have multiple classes,
you can always purchase colored sticks and use a different color for each class. Although it is great for team selection, I also commonly use this method when I need to randomly select a student from the class. Here are two links I found for craft sticks:
Method #3: Grouping Cards
Sometimes I will use partners, but then I decide to do a second activity later in the period with groups of three. In order to accomplish this feat in a quick + painless way, I decided to create my own grouping cards. When I knew I would be using multiple grouping types in one period, I would give my students a card at the beginning of the period. Each card has a color, sport, animal, letter and number. If you want to group your students in partners, they find their number partner. If you want them to get in groups of three, they find the people with the same sport. The best part, the majority of the groupings have little overlap, so if one student is your number partner, they probably won't be in your letter group. Grouping cards can be found here:
Grouping using Technology
Method #4: Random Team Generator
If you would like the decision to be made by the wonderful interweb world, then I highly recommend using this 'Random Team Generator' website. You just need to enter the names of your students, enter the number of teams and then select 'rerun' - BOOM, it's done! There are a lot of options out there, but I have linked my usual selection here:
Method #5: The Name Wheel
I typically use this method when I am feeling a little adventurous. I also recommend this method when you don't have a HUGE class. I put all of the student names on the circle and then click on the circle. It will spin and select a name. I will then spin again for their partner. Like I said, this option takes a bit longer, but the students get so mesmerized by the spinner wheel. Like the stick grouping, I also commonly use this website when I need to randomly select a student from the class. Here is the website I most commonly use:
Grouping without Resources
Method #6: Line Up Method
This method is a great way to get student up and moving around the room. You simply ask the students to line up according to something (ex: age, birthdate, favorite temperature, middle name, etc.). Then, you go down the line and form groups of students. You can either say they are partners with the person next to them, or you can grab the first person in line and the last person in line and make them partners. You can change this one up a lot and it requires absolutely NOTHING which is fantastic!
Method #7: Four Corners Method
The final method is also a great way to get students up and out of their seats. Instead of having students line up according to something about them, I have students move to the four corners of the room based on a specific question. For example, I might say, "What is your favorite season?" The summers go to a corner, fall goes to a corner, winter goes to a corner and spring goes to a corner. Then, I either group students within each season group OR I select one student from each season to make a group. Really, the options are endless here. I just think students have fun with this because they get to know a little bit about one another and they are moving around the room.
If you have any other group methods to share I would love to hear them! Good luck! :)
Comments