Group Work that Grows Understanding

Curriculum is often thought of as a set of specific knowledge, skills or books to be covered. I propose intead we think of curriculum as a set of important conversations that we want students to engage in. 
                                                            - Arthur Applebee

First off, I have to say I had a really hard time getting things started today! Never good to start a day off bad because other people get you, especially by people you really care about, or because you had an awful dream! This is why i wish i was already teaching so i could get into my classroom and start teaching students new things that will excite them! Plus that would make me a happy camper right now! I believe today would be a good day to teach line dancing! Since i got them all down last night!

So, enough with my mess its time to talk about, Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?  

As teachers we always have to have a plan set up for our classroom, whether its for a whole entire year or half of the semester. This is what is to be considered of "curriculum" stated by Arther Applebee above. He does make a very good point that we need to think of curriculum as what we want our students to be engaged in. Every time the new classes starts students are given sheets of paper that states what is to be expected of them, but that is also APS standards of what teachers have to do. We do need to let our students know what is to be expected of them, so they do not lose track or simple walk all over us (teachers). 

Part of our curriculum should involve some type of group work because students can bounce off ideas from each other and they can learn from each other that way too. For me being a Physical Education Teacher one idea i have for group work is getting students in groups of 4 or 5 (depends on the class size) and having them come up with their own line dance and teaching it to the class with the next days to come! With this they will have to do research on what a line dance is and what consists of a line dance. Being able to find moves from there dance from the readings (research), videos, music, and each other.

Why Small Groups? 

Teachers are always concerned about our students getting off track because being in groups can cause a distraction from the content being taught. But this is why we set guidelines and let our students know what is expected of them while they are in our classroom! Yes, students want to be in groups with their friends but it is best to put students in group where they dont know each other well or at all.  But we wonder why small groups in the first place during discussion? 

• Stimulates higher levels of thinking 
• Develops social skills 
• Develops listening skills 
• Encourages thinking 
• Honors all learners 
• Holds students accountable 
• Helps students remember 
• Allows students to make connections 
• Allows students to see different perspectives 
• Promotes deeper understanding 

What are things we can do to keep students on track? This book Do I Really Have to Teach Reading? gives some real life situations. 

What do we do if................. Someone hasn't read the material or completed the task? 
          It is suggested that these students do not like the spot light by any means and would prefer to read on their own in a quiet spot. If this is the case we need to give that students to have time to read but to come back to the group to be involved in the discussion.

What do we do if.........Someone talks all the time? 
           Give this person a job. Have the student record thoughts on a chart or in a group double-entry diary.Provide some words that the other group members could use to politely the students that he/she is monopolizing the conversation by saying, Great idea, ______, i wonder if you could let someone else respond" or "Thanks for your thinking_____, i wonder what _____has to say". 

What do we do if...........Someone doesn't talk? 
           Some students would rather listen to the conversation, which is ok to honor this to the students. But it is important for that student to have a chance to be heard! Students don't talk because they either feel like they are being rude or doesn't want to break in. If this happens use prompts like "______, you haven't said much. Would you like to add any thinking to the group?". 

How to guide students in group discussions?

• Have each student give an overview on what they have read so far 

• Have students share something interesting from the book

1. A character action 
2. An opinion about something thats happened 
3. A question 
4. A confusing part 
5. A provocative part  

• Have students share their thinking about a quote 
• Have each group member put in their own input 
• Have students use the text to support their statements