Group work getting started
- 1. GROUP WORK Getting Started
- 2. THE PRINCIPLES Just to remind you, the reason we will be explicitly teaching the skill of group work is because: - you will be completing two pieces of group assessment: a group radio play and a group oral - students learn best when they are actively involved in the process - students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than other instructional formats
- 3. WHO DOES WHAT? Now that you have your group, spend 10 minutes discussing your strengths and weaknesses. Explain whether you are task or process orientated and what roles you could take on: reporter, recorder, or leader. Allocate who will do the following: (these can be different people each lesson) - define the task/s for each lesson - decide who will do what - monitor the progress being made - check the time - record who is doing what and the information being gathered - report to the teacher on your progress each lesson - lead discussion on the progress made that lesson and the contributions made by each member - lead discussion on what changes need to be made for next lesson, homework that needs to be done to prepare for the next lesson
- 4. GROUP WORK RULES As a group, create ground rules that must be followed by each group member to allow for effective group work. Each one should be discussed by the group so you understand why it is important. Create no more than 5. Each student should keep a copy and one copy should be given to your teacher.
- 5. WHEN CONFLICT ‘REARS ITS UGLY HEAD’... Differences of opinion are bound to occur when two or more people are working together. If your ground rules do not cover what to do if conflict arises, consider the steps you should take now. Again, ensure that EVERYONE in your group knows what they are!
- 6. TASKS Romeo and Juliet: Act One. You are aiming to write approximately two minutes of speech. In your groups, evaluate which events in the first act you want to include in your radio play. What key quotations must be included in your play? How will you link the ideas together? Will you use a narrator? You can only use the original text. Draft your script for Act One!
- 7. EVALUATION It is close to the end of the task, so it is time to evaluate how you worked as a group. Take some time to review the lesson’s activities and how you worked as a team. Record the group’s successes Record where you need to improve/ develop as a team. What needs to be done in preparation for the next lesson?