Session 6: Group Dynamics
40 minutes
discussion-based
Purpose
The goal of this session is for participants to collaborate with each other to share strategies that support effective group dynamics within the classroom. Participants should walk away with at least three strategies that they will use in their classroom to support a culture of inclusion in group work.
Objectives
- Participants have brainstormed ways to create an environment that supports effective group dynamics
- Participants are able to articulate clear strategies that they will use to create a culture of inclusion within their classroom
- Participants engage in the “journaling” teaching and learning strategy
- Participants are able to articulate at least three strategies that they will use in their classroom to support a culture of inclusion when students are working in groups
Supplies & Prep
Room Setup:
- Prior to this activity, facilitators should prepare five pieces of chart paper. Each poster should contain one of the following statements:
- Solutions incorporate ideas from multiple contributions
- Students are able to mediate group conflict
- All students contribute to the success of the group
- Students with less prior knowledge are not excluded
- Group member strengths are highlighted and utilized
- Select six distinct areas of the room where the groups will cluster around the topic posters. Have markers available in each area.
Facilitator Supplies:
- Your local copy of the CSD - Workshop 2 - Slides Template - 2019
- Chart Paper
- Your local copy of the CSD - Workshop 2 - Notes Template - 2019
Teacher Materials:
- Markers
- Journal
- Pen
Agenda
Introduction (4 minutes)
Activity (18 minutes)
Wrap Up (18 minutes)
Facilitation Guide
Introduction (4 minutes)
(2 minutes) Introductory Remarks
Remarks
Unit 4 contains many opportunities for students to work together in groups. This structure presents an opportunity for students to further develop skills in communication and collaboration. However, group work can also introduce unique challenges into the classroom. As we continue to focus on the “Role of the Student” it is important for us to consider how we will support students as they continue to develop the skills necessary to work effectively together as a team while being active learners.
In this session, we will consider common obstacles that students encounter when working with their peers. Together, we will develop lists of strategies that we, as educators, can use to help students work through these obstacles and develop a culture within our classrooms where all students feel included in group work. Everyone comes to the group today with different experiences with group work. There is always room to develop skills and grow in doing this effectively. The goal for this session is for all of us to learn and grow together as we share our experiences and ideas.
(2 minutes) Move to Groups
Facilitator Prep:
Facilitator Tip
Ideally each group will have at least three people. For small workshops, you might consider reducing the number of topics for the activity to four instead of five. The topics are listed in order of priority.
- Prior to this activity, facilitators should prepare five pieces of chart paper. Each poster should contain one of the following statements:
- Solutions incorporate ideas from multiple contributions
- Students are able to mediate group conflict
- All students contribute to the success of the group
- Students with less prior knowledge are not excluded
- Group member strengths are highlighted and utilized
- Select five distinct areas of the room where the groups will cluster around the topic posters. Have markers available in each area.
Activity Instructions:
- Participants select the topic they know the most about from the following list:
- Solutions incorporate ideas from multiple contributions
- Students are able to mediate group conflict
- All students contribute to the success of the group
- Students with less prior knowledge are not excluded
- Group member strengths are highlighted and utilized
- Participants move to the corresponding poster where they will discuss and add strategies directly to the poster
Facilitator Note: Participants should start with the topic that they feel is their strength, but they should also be distributed to a variety of topics. If you notice one topic has a large amount of people, we encourage you to consider your second choice topic.
Activity (18 minutes)
(6 minutes) Brainstorm Strategies
Remarks
You will have six minutes to brainstorm ideas and strategies to add to your poster.
Facilitator Tip
Some participants might see this activity as an opportunity to vent about negative group situations that have occurred in their classrooms. Try to redirect these comments towards solutions. (How did you help the student overcome that? When did you intervene as the teacher? How did you intervene? Did that situation impact the way you approached group work for future projects? How?)
Participants brainstorm and discuss strategies to support their selected topic. They write ideas and strategies directly on the poster.
Facilitator Note: The facilitator should circulate throughout the room during this activity. It is important that ideas are actually written on the poster. It might be helpful to do a time check half way through and encourage participants to put their ideas down on paper.
(6 minutes) Rotate, Review, and Add
- (1 minute) Participants move to the next poster
Facilitator Tip
Some groups might have a hard time starting a discussion on a topic they feel less comfortable with. Be prepared with probing questions. (How might this look different in your classroom? Which of these ideas do you think would work best in your situation? Why?)
- (5 minutes) Participants the poster that the feel the know the second most about (the groups might be different in round 2). They read and discuss the strategies already on the poster. They then add additional strategies or comments directly to the poster.
(6 minutes) Rotate, Review, and Discuss
Remarks
In this rotation, you will move to the poster with the topic that you feel like you know the least about. Start by reviewing and discussing the ideas and strategies already on the poster. Focus your discussion on how these strategies could be adapted and used in your classroom.
- (1 minute) Participants move to the next poster
- (5 minutes) Participants the poster that the feel the know the least about. They read and discuss the strategies already on the poster. This time, participants are asked to discuss how these strategies could be adapted and used in their classroom.
Wrap Up (18 minutes)
Facilitator Tip
As participants are completing the gallery walk, the facilitator should take pictures of the posters and add them to the group notes document. While doing this, the facilitator should skim the posters to see if anything should bubble up to the whole group for discussion. This might be a tip that should be highlighted for the whole group or a misconception that needs to be addressed at some point throughout the workshop.
(10 minutes) Gallery Walk
Participants are instructed to walk around the room and explore the posters the group has created. During this gallery walk, the goal is to select the top three strategies that they would like to implement in their own classroom.
(3 minutes) Journal
Prompt: Reflect on the strategies for creating a culture of inclusion in groups that you learned about in this session. How you will adapt your top 3 strategies to meet the needs of your classroom?
Facilitator Tip
This time for sharing can be repurposed for whole group time if there were items from the posters that should bubble up to the whole group.
(5 minutes) Share
Prompt: Share with a partner the strategies you selected and when you plan to use these strategies in your classroom.