CLASSROOM GROUPING

The thought of teaching a class of 20 plus students can be quite overwhelming for many teachers. This is especially the case when focus on individual learning needs is considered.

Organising children into groups is one way of helping manage this issue. Grouping according to ability is one method adopted by teachers. While that’s can be a useful strategy, it is important not to overlook self-sufficient groups. It is easy to spend disproportionate amounts of time with children in challenging groups, overlooking the needs of others.

A method that can facilitate classroom organisation is identifying children with leadership capacity who can oversight classroom groups. However, it is important not to place too much onus on group leaders, who have their own work to do.

When grouping, it is important to study peer preferences, so that groups do not include students who are incompatible in the same desk set. It is fine to work on relationships development overflow time but as an initial challenges its should be avoided.

Gender may come into grouping consideration. Having groups comprised of all girls or all boys may challenge the development of normal social relationships that should evolve within a group context. Considering mixed gender grouping may be wise.

Setting group level tasks and offering recognition and rewards that recognise groups can be a way of introducing healthy competition and social awareness. Learning characteristics and styles of group members might be taken into consideration when establishing groups.

It can be possible to identify particular students as group leaders. If this option is employed, discussing maters that will unfold during the day with these children can be a useful strategy. Along with the teacher, they know what is coming and understand the roles they might fill during particular sessions. It is never too soon to develop leadership skills with children.