Each day I choose a different group facilitator. For example, if the facilitator is member 1, then the student whose last name is alphabetically first is the facilitator for each group. (Remember the handout that lists group names and members?)So why do I go to all this trouble? Allow me to elaborate on the benefits of all this work.
It is a good idea to change group partners during the school year, otherwise tempers might flare. I assign new group partners each marking period. My students look forward to this since they get to choose new group names.
It took time for me to adjust to the noise level in my classroom during group work. Eventually[15] I was able to differentiate between academic and social conversations. I also had to get used to the time it takes for students to move the furniture in the room. However, this time diminishes as students get used to group work. I remember one time when an administrator observed a class of mine. She commented on how quickly my students moved into groups and started their assignment (under 2 minutes). She concluded that they must be working in groups every day since they were so quick and well-trained.