Flexible Grouping and Flexible Grouping and Cooperative LearningCooperative Learning

Differentiation Differentiation Non-NegotiablesNon-Negotiables

Supportive learning environmentContinuous assessmentHigh-quality curriculumRespectful tasksFlexible grouping

It’s like an audition…It’s like an audition…In a sense, the teacher is

continually auditioning kids in different settings—and the students get to see how they can contribute in a variety of contexts.

Carol Ann Tomlinson, 2009

Flexible Grouping Flexible Grouping ScattergoriesScattergories

Brainstorm ways to group students

Grouping can be…Grouping can be…

Teacher AssignedStudent ChosenRandom

Grouping can be…Grouping can be…

determined by similar or varied:ReadinessInterestLearning profile

When does grouping When does grouping facilitate instruction?facilitate instruction?When it:When it:

allows both for quick mastery of information and ideas

allows for additional exploration by students needing more time for mastery

allows for both collaborative and independent work

gives students and teachers a voice in work arrangements

When does grouping When does grouping facilitate instruction?facilitate instruction?When it:When it:

allows students to work with a wide variety of peers

encourages teachers to “try out” students in a variety of work settings

keeps students from being “pegged” as advanced or struggling

Planning for GroupingPlanning for Grouping::Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

When does grouping benefit students?

When does grouping facilitate instruction?

Which activities lend themselves to group work?

How do you determine group membership?

Cooperative learning Cooperative learning Structures developed by Spencer

Kagan◦Researcher and author◦Clinical psychologist and professor of

psychology◦Four specialty areas

Cooperative learning Multiple intelligences Classroom discipline Classroom energizers

Group Work - Old and NewGroup Work - Old and New

Task is usually a project Some students do more

work and take most responsibility

Some students are ignored by others in group

Some students feel success, others feel frustration

Each student cares most about what he/she learns and what grade he/she receives

Task may be a project, brainstorming, problem solving

Shared work and responsibility

Participation of all students is encouraged

Each student’s ideas and work are valued

Students care about group learning

Flexible Grouping with Flexible Grouping with Grouping CardsGrouping Cards

Share your ideas with the group

Clock buddiesClock buddies

Six Key Elements Six Key Elements To Cooperative LearningTo Cooperative Learning

TeamsWill to CooperateCooperative ManagementSkill to CooperateFour Basic PrinciplesCooperative Structures

Four Basic Principles to Four Basic Principles to Cooperative LearningCooperative Learning

PPositive ositive InterdependenceInterdependence

IIndividual ndividual AccountabilityAccountability

EEqual Participationqual Participation

SSimultaneous imultaneous InteractionInteraction

COOPERATIVE LEARNING COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURESSTRUCTURESThink-Pair-Share

Jigsaw

Round Table

Three-Step Interview

Numbered Heads Together

Send-a-Problem