AVReading February 2017
As we move to more of a workshop model for our classes, we need to continue promoting classroom habits that enable students to become better at independent and small group tasks. When it comes to small groups in particular, our goal is to both help them use their time wisely, to make meaning as a collective team, and to grow their language of school. While students can develop and practice their academic language in writing and in full group activities, it is probably most meaningful to help them do so working in small groups. It isn’t always easy for teachers to hand over responsibility to students for small group work. And for good reason. How many times do we designate learning or activities to small groups, and then realize that a number of the groups just don’t function well? Either they are completely off task or one participant does all of the work. Or worst of all, the...