Each school year I wait until October before assigning groups.
This gives me a chance to get to know my students and learn about their social and academic abilities.
After about 6 weeks of teacher-directed lessons, students welcome the idea of group work.
I set aside[3] an entire 40-minute period for our first group work experience.
I assign four partners to a group (chosen ahead[4] of time).
The partners are chosen mainly by ability so that each group will have one top-level, two middle-level and one struggling student in each group.
I also try to account[5] for personality[5] differences.
Students may choose any name for their group that is appropriate for a classroom.